In the Villages Near Gorakhpur

Regina Sebastian, came to a personal knowledge of Christ at age 19 out of a Roman Catholic background. Then, despite frequent illnesses and her family's opposition, she joined Himalaya Evangelical Mission (then called Kashmir Evangelical Fellowship) for missionary training.

In 1994, while still a Bible student, the Lord burdened Regina's heart with the plight of the street children. Following graduation from Bible school, she took a six-month's course in children's ministry at the Youth With A Mission Center in Darjeeling.

When she returned to Gorakhpur, P.M. Thomas encouraged her to follow the vision the Lord had given her. So she set off looking for an opening in the nearby villages.

"My spirit was depressed to see village children playing in the sun half naked, dirty, and using vulgar language," Regina said as she shared her heart with me. "Their condition was much worse than the street children."

While Regina considered their situation and needs, the Lord gave her clear direction. She began going out with dedication, prayers, and a burning vision in her soul.

As Regina prayed, the Lord added three women co-workers with the same burden. They moved from village to village as the Lord led them day by day. In each one, they first obtained approval from the parents to start classes for the children. Then they began making friends with the children and invited all they met to attend their programs.

At first, 47 children came. That number slowly increased to 150.

This village has been transformed by the work of the Lord through Regina and her co-workers. These children are bright and clean as Regina opens a class with prayer in a village where she has ministered for a year. Note stacks of dried buffalo dung in rear. Most people in this village work as day laborers either in Gorakhpur, a mile away, or as agricultural workers, weather permitting. They earn about a dollar a day, when they can find work, and supplement their income by making cooking fuel bricks out of water buffalo dung. These children gathered for Regina's sharing the first time she visited this village. Note listless expressions, unkempt appearance.These children are hearing the Gospel for the very first time. Mothers want to learn to read and write too. Children's ministries at Gorakhpur. HEM Youth workers reach out to the children with the love of Christ. Villagers already see a big difference in the children's behavior. HEM Youth workers reach out to the children with the love of Christ. Villagers already see a big difference in the children's behavior. Regina and Roopa minister to the children. Christie Thomas leads in prayer at the gathering of the viilage children. Children singing action songa at Gorakhpur.