picture perfect

One of the purposes of this trip has been to introduce Jeremiah Caleb to our projects here in Rajamundry.  Jeremiah has a passion for empowering the poorest of the poor in India, and he founded the Caleb Hope Foundation (CHF) to reach out to the Dalit people in India. Children of the Kingdom here in India (which has been sponsoring children since 2010) formerly was a ministry under Share International, and now it has moved to operate under the umbrella of the Caleb Hope Foundation. I will continue as the coordinator for these children here. CHF is committed to helping us grow and expand our work here in India, and we believe we will be able to support the children more effectively with this partnership.

Jeremiah is a man of many talents. He is an actor, a writer, an advocate and also a photographer.  When he came, he brought a good camera with him and he has been capturing some beautiful images here. Last night, we had a party for the children with funds that we raised from Taylor’s birthday party in May, and Jeremiah brought each child outside for a mini photoshoot so that we have pictures for their progress reports.  Little did they know that they got to have someone behind the camera who takes pictures for actors and actresses as part of his living. He’s sure got talent (as you will see below)!  We are definitely going to have some prints made to give to each of the families. They will become family treasures for sure.

Jeremiah shared a brief message with the kids last night and told them that usually when he does a photo shoot that the actors and actresses will sit in a chair for a long time before the pictures are taken and will spend time on their hair and makeup to be picture perfect.  No one told the children that they were going to come to the party and have their pictures taken.  They just came and were asked to come out one by one. They were not like the actors and actresses who spent a lot of time on their hair and makeup. And yet, he said that when they each came out for their pictures to be taken that they were absolutely beautiful.  They needed no preparation. And then he said that what made them beautiful was that their joy.  I hope they were able to hear this affirmation and that they will take it to heart. They truly are radiant children, and the joy of the Lord is their strength. 

As I looked out at each of them when I was sharing a brief message, I saw royalty—sons and daughters of the King whose faces shine not because of their circumstances but because they are loved by the King of Kings. 

May we all be encouraged with these smiles below and may they remind us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.