1. India and South Asia Pune

2. Why India? India is probably the biggest challenge for mission and the Gospel among the countries of the world

3. Setting the Scene – Some of the Mission Challenges of India (1)  The most people in the world: Over 1 billion  The most people in poverty – over 300 million living on less than US1$ a day  One of the most unequal countries in the world with wide gaps between rich and poor, reinforced by the caste system which still dominates the social system in most of India  The largest number of people with HIV-AIDS in the world  The highest number of child labourers in the world – 40 million  One of the world’s major conflicts e.g. Kashmir

4. Setting the Scene – Mission Challenges of India (2)  One of the most unreached nations for the Gospel - officially less than 2.5% Christian  A multi-religious society - more religions than most other countries; 75-80% Hindu  The birth place of: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism  The second largest Muslim nation in the world after Indonesia – Islam is one of the great issues & challenges for world mission today  A rise of persecution in recent years with many states passing anti-conversion laws

5. Mumbai – home to 18 million people

6. Paradox and Positives of India The world’s largest cross-cultural mission movement – 75,000 Indian missionaries Fast growing new emerging mission movements and churches The worlds largest democracy One of the world’s fastest growing economies & 5 th largest economy The worlds largest middle class – over 250 million

7. Who is Dr Lalita Edwards?

8. Lalita Edwards… A medical doctor who has served in Christian missions for many years A consultant and trainer in HIV- AIDS care and prevention, sex education and child development A CMS co-mission partner who shares the Gospel through her work and leads people to Christ A family person - married with three adult daughters and several grandchildren

9. What does Lalita Edwards do now? Runs “Santvana”, a new small home for children affected by HIV-AIDS Conducts medical clinics in the red light and slum areas of Pune city Provides training and consultancy in HIV- AIDS and child care for various Christian organisations and churches Counsels those with various needs and shared her faith in Christ

10. Lalita counselling ladies

11. Outreach Medical Clinic in red light area of Pune

12. Lalita’s heart is especially for young people from poor backgrounds at risk from HIV- AIDS. She believes that Bible values rooted in faith in Christ are the key to prevention

13. Lalita shares her faith with those who do not know Jesus

14. Santvana Children’s Home, Pune

15. Shankar Robin The three boys who recently came to Santvana Home Yogesh

16. Preeti and Suwarta help to care for the children of Santvana Home

17. How will St Andrews connect with Lalita Edwards? A gift of £2500 in 2006 and a similar gift in 2007. This will be from the funds allocated for overseas mission from the Legacy Fund. We hope to have regular contact with Lalita, receive her news and pray for her and her work.

18. What can we pray for? What can we pray for? 1.For a new larger home for the children of Santvana 2.For children and women to find Christ 3.For more fellow workers for Lalita 4.For Lalita’s health and strength & wisdom for the future