DIRECTOR'S DESK

	An unexpected article about Urban India Ministries titled “Welding the wedlock’” by Nirmala Govindarajan, flooded our helpline with calls from distressed families. The Family and Marriage Enrichment (FLAME) department of UIM, along with the Counseling Department, sprung quickly into action by inviting all the callers for a one day counseling seminar. The seminar was held a day after the powerful earthquake and Tsunami had swept away many families and shattered homes
and properties. We had 10 families who responded to our call and it was a pain-filled hall with people spilling their pain even during their introduction. Usually such counseling meetings attract more women, but strangely the majority here was men. They shared stories of unfaithfulness, court cases and fights and many attended the seminar with some hope of restoring their family. While the deadly fury of nature separated many loved ones in Japan, here in Bangalore we were witnessing separation and pain caused by the tsunamis of human rebelliousness and messed up priorities. I personally was pained by the agony that each carried in their heart and I realized that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Close to 25 cases are being handled now by the UIM counselors and our only prayer is that God would restore their families and we can share the Hope of eternity with each one of them. We at UIM are marching on to ‘Heal the Broken Hearted’ as per our theme for 2011 and we need more prayer, more grace and more love to truly bring healing to hurting families. We witnessed a similar situation in UAE when we had seminars there in February. We want to train up couples who are willing to bring healing to their cities. We need a host of couples who are willing to be trained and conduct seminars with the power of our Lord in every city of India and abroad. The harvest is plenty and truly the laborers are few. If the Lord is laying a burden for families, will you take up the challenge for your city? He can accomplish great purpose. Sarah, our Editor has moved with her husband Bobby to Pune and they are UIM’s representative in Pune bringing the Hope for families there; they can be contacted for any needs in Pune. The Family Mission Centre project is still on and we are hoping for a great miracle from the Lord to provide us a place of our own. Surely He will do it. Our needs have increased and we would request each one of you to consistently contribute to the needs of the ministry. May the Lord immensely bless you and your families. In His Service, PC Mathew and Ciby Mathew
About us Urban India Ministries is an indigenous Christian Ministry focusing on families in the growing urban populace of India. It is a registered trust in the state of Karnataka with its headquarters in Bangalore, India OFFICE BEARERS Mrs. Kamala Benjamin - Hon. Chairperson, Dr. P.C. Mathew - National Director Mrs. Biju Thomas -Treasurer VISION To bring glory to God by: Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ Helping people to become fully devoted followers of Christ Building the people of God to be effective leaders Fulfilling the mission of Jesus Christ in the world OUR MISSION APPLY Biblical principles and values for marriage and family ASSIST individuals and communities to face the challenges of urban living ADVOCATE sanctity of life and the institution of marriage ALERT the society about the forces that threatens families among the emerging generations in the cities of India by providing resources and working through individuals, local churches, schools and colleges, organizations, media and government. EDITOR: Sarah Abraham DESIGN & LAYOUT: Benny Varghese Please send your feedback and comments to: The Editor, Family Matters, 608, 7th Main, 6th Cross, HAL 3rd Stage Bangalore, Karnataka, India-560075, Tel (off) +91 80 41153642, +91 80 25277757, Email: fmnewsletter@urbanindia.org www.urbanindia.org