hope4orphans

by Dr. P.P. Job

We Christians, are called to fulfill certain tasks entrusted to us by Jesus for the glory of God. The devil will try to stop the task or distract our minds from it.Several have asked me how a vertical growth of Michael Job Centre with 485 children and several huge buildings in a 60 acre campus, is possible within a short time, in spite of blackmail and extortion. My answer is from Hebrews, Chapter 12:2-3, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”In 2003 I started a School, in 2004 a B.Ed. College, in 2005 an Arts & Science College. In 2007 both colleges were upgraded to Post Graduate Level. In 2009 an Electronic Library and I.T. Park were inaugurated. Each year a four storied building was built. This changed several friends into enemies and brought so many accusations and even public letters with cooked stories.You may like to hear a story from history about Emperor Ashoka. He captured Kingdom after Kingdom. Once he did not kill a young king after capturing his Kingdom. But he gave him a test i.e. a walk on a street for a distance of one kilometer holding an earthen vessel with a very wide mouth and filled with water up to the brim. The order was that not a drop of water should be dropped or the young king would be killed by soldiers who were walking behind him with swords. Emperor Ashoka had ordered two thousand villagers to stand on both sides of the road and ordered that half of them praise the young king and the other half accuse.The young king was successful so Emperor Ashoka arranged a grand lunch for him. During the meal the Emperor asked the king whether on the way he had heard any bad words or good words. The reply was very simple. He did not hear any praise or accusation since he was concentrating on holding the vessel carefully so that not a drop of water would fall.If you are a leader, entrusted by God with a task, when you concentrate on your task you will have no fear and no time to hear praise or bad things about you.

NINTH CONFERENCE FOR FRIENDS OF MARTYRSCommemorating the 10 Death Anniversary of Michael Job after whom the Centre is named and celebrating the 100 Birth Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Richard Wurmbrand

by Penelope Leao

Between June 25 and June 28 everything was different at the Michael Job Centre, India. The grounds were dotted with delegates mainly from Holland, Switzerland, Canada, USA, Germany and Romania as well as from the different states of India and the neighbouring countries of Tibet, Burma, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan.Clinging to these delegates were children of all ages, shapes, sizes, colours… the persecuted/deprived children of Sabina Wurmbrand Hostel – all eager to welcome the visitors who had come to participate in this very special conference commemorating Michael Job’stenth death anniversary. Michael Job is the younger son of Dr. P. P. Job and Dr. (Mrs.) Mary. He was martyred ten years ago when he was a twenty-one year old medical student. The Conference was also a celebration of the 100 Birth Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Richard Wurmbrand.

On the eve of the Conference, Thursday, 25 June, the Michael Job school girls from KG to the XIIth and the College students led a three Kilometer Procession of thousands of schoolgirls from Coimbatore schools, marching through the city of Coimbatore Against Discrimination of the Girl Child in India, along with many adults from different countries, different states of India and from all walks of life to the accompaniment of an Attention-Getting School Band complete with Drums, Flutes and additionally, colourful whips, to skillfully beat the big drum and ending with a talk on the Girl Child by Dr. P .P. Job at the mass meetingin the All Souls Church grounds. There was also a series of pro-life talks and testimonies. Mr. Jan Bor and Dr. Dorenbos and his wife, Mrs. Willy Dorenbos, who are working for the safety and dignity of the girl child and the woman all over the world supported the event by their presence. The international media, including CNN and BBC broadcasted the Rally and the Meeting. Press Reporters came all the way from America and the Netherlands to broadcast the event all over the world. One of the national English dailies of India, ‘The Hindu’ covered the event with a large photograph captioning it, ‘Great Deed’.Indeed it is.

With so many children around, there were not only moments of seriousness but also moments of fun and frivolity interspersed with poignant moments when we remembered Michael whose life had been so tragically cut short and John - the elder sonof Dr. P.P. Job and Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Job - who died so suddenly a few years later. Dr. Job turned his sorrow into joy by opening a small orphanage for 31 children.He did not expect that within a decade it would grow into a large educational complex and an orphanage housing 485 children.With additions recently from Kandhamal, Orissa, the number is growing.Dr. P.P. Job and his wife have set an example to other Christians who are sorrowing.There were others present – courageous Christians who shared what they were facing with regard to persecution in their respective countries.

Prof. P.J. Kurien, Member of Parliament (India) was the Chief Guest of the Conference. Welcoming Prof. P.J. Kurien to the cross platform in the morning assembly, Dr. P.P. Job said Prof. Kurien was a family friend.They had known each other for years and he knew that Prof. Kurien was the right person to hoist the Flag and cut the Ribbon of the new building designed to house the Electronic Library. Prof. P.J. Kurien M.P. and former Union Minister as well as Chairman of IIT, Delhi, hoisted the National Flag at the Michael Job Centre on June 26th saying, “I salute this Flag, symbol of Free India and symbol too of those who did so much for our nation, some even laying down their lives.”At this point there were showers of flowers and loud drumbeats. The National Anthem was played.Prof. Kurien then proceeded on a personal note confirming that it was fitting he open the Conference dedicated to the memory of Michael Job. He told the vast audience of foreign and Indian delegates, other invitees, professors, lecturers, teachers, other staff, college students and schoolgirls that it was he who had been by Michael’s side when he died.He and Michael’s mother, Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Job, had sat with the dying boy in his last moments.He had broken the news to Dr. Job over the phone.He said that even now memories of Michael as a small boy came back to him.He said that the parents had gone through great tribulation and he had heard how they had come through and turned tribulation into opportunity.

From afar he had heard stories of the Michael Job Centre that had emerged but now that he was seeing it with his own eyes he was amazed at the magnitude. In fact he was sorry he had not come in person earlier.He observed that in India most problems stem from lack of Education.Women especially needed to be cared for and educated. Dr. Job has been sensitive to the problems of society he stated.Dr. Job has been willing to be God’s man in this situation. This work was evangelistic he said.

He expressed astonishment at the pace at which so many institutions have come up and said, “I have no doubt that all this will grow into a University.”He wished fulfillment to Dr. Job and a great future to the students. He also expressed his good wishes to all associated with this wonderful work.Inauguration of building for Electronic Library and I.T. Park was one of the highlights on the 26. This four storey building of 40,000 sq. ft. floor area was donated in the month of January 2009 by a great American, Brother Tom Cropper, who had a vision to do this from God even though he did not know where in the world Michael Job Orphanage was. The School Band in bright red a
nd yellow and playing several instruments, schoolgirls from the LKG to Standard XII, college graduates and postgraduates,lecturers and foreign delegates marched and stood in the front of the nearly completed new building ear-marked for the Electronic Library and the proposed Michael Job University.Prof. P.J. Kurien M.P. cut the Ribbon and opened the new building.Dr. P.P. Job, Founder and President of the Michael Job Centre, inaugurated the Michael Job Electronic Library and IT Park. The dignitaries went to the top of the building along with a number of students and visitors to inspect the building and to partake of refreshments. Soon 300 students will be able to sit together and tap into the Library all at the same time.Graduation Ceremony of the Michael Job Institution was also held on 26 evening on the 10 Death Anniversary of Michael Job. In colorful array - gowned and capped in black, crimson, yellow, purple, blue, bright red, young graduates and post graduates of the Michael Job College of Arts and Science and the Michael Job Memorial College of Education strode along in formation behind the School Band and the school girls. The foreign delegates attending the Conference for the Friends of Martyrs also appropriately gowned and capped followed. The procession wended its way to the John Job Auditorium where everybody stood still as the Band played.

Dr. Lali Thomas, Principal General, welcomed the Chief Guest, Prof. P.J. Kurien. Prof.Kurien commended Dr. P. P. Job, Founder and Director of the Michael Job Institutions on what has been achieved so far and said that he wanted to pay his respects to both Dr. P. P. Job and Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Job who had so bravely turned sorrow into opportunity.

The martyrdom of Michael was not in vain. The plaque on the campus which says, ‘If a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it bears much fruit’ describes just what has happened at the Michael Job Centre. Any one can see the fruit today for themselves. These Institutions are an embodiment of Dr. Job’s love. They are unique. It takes deep faith in God and extreme courage to overcome all obstacles and achieve what Dr. Job has achieved in the ever-spreading campus. I would say he has made history here. Job in the Bible went through extreme tribulation but God blessed him a hundred fold. The same happened with our Dr. Job. Providing some statistics Prof. Kurien said that 30% in India still live under the poverty line. Economists and sociologists try to analyze the reasons for this. According to Prof. Kurien the reason is simple. There is a vicious circle. Poverty leads to lack of education and vice versa. This vicious circle must be broken. Dr. Job has taken on that responsibility. In fulfilling God`s purpose and plan in his life he is also contributing to the nation.

When he asked if I would come here, my immediate answer was - I will come! I can see that this national upliftment is part of God‘s plan for Dr. Job. I would like to say something more about education. There is so much discrimination with regard to the sexes in India. From abortion and infanticide it goes on to denying education to the girl child, later to abuse of the woman. When a boy is born there is celebration. When a girl is born there is mourning.Dr. Job, through offering education, has lit a lamp for the girls and women of India. Prof. Kurien said that education whether it pertains to education of the boy or girl must be meaningful. It is not collection of information. Education must encourage the development of talent and the development of character and personality. It must have a scientific temper. This helps the educated person to face reality, to have balance. When this happens all religious fundamentalism like terrorism, extremism, narrowness will disappear. It is lack of education that breeds barriers and causes narrowness that leads to fundamentalism and eventually terrorism. True education makes you other oriented, not the, ‘I-ME-MYSELF’ kind of person. I have no doubt that the Michael Job Institutions challenge you to develop social commitment. Wherever you are eventually placed, take up the challenge and live for others. Be committed 100% to the assignment God gives you and be 100% committed to the work you have to do at home and at your workplace. With full commitment you are bound to succeed.Prof. Kurien congratulated all graduating students and said he had no doubt they would perform wonderfully well. He remembered John and Michael whose sacrifices resulted in the Centre. He then blessed the audience.

Saturday, the 27 June was the Birth Centenary Celebration of Rev. Richard Wurmbrand.Rev. Florin Cimpean from Romania was the main speaker. He said that Dr. P.P. Job brought financial help to Romania in the year when he was born.He congratulated Dr. Job for remembering Romanians in their time of persecution. Rev. Dr. Hans Braun, the First General Secretary of Wurmbrand’s Mission-International, Voice of Martyrs began the day with a devotional talk and history of Wurmbrand’s Mission all over the world. He remembered that he worked with Dr. Job for 35 years in the Mission. Dr. Braun said, “Dr. Job was an inspiration for many, including myself in Underground Christian work. He still continues the Ministry through Michael Job Orphanage adopting children of martyred and persecuted parents. Today he is our Wurmbrand all over the world.” Rev. Ilie Tomuta, the editor of GENESIS in USA narrated the story of Rev. Richard Wurmbrand. His daughter, Ruth, the third generation of Wurmbrand from Romania gave an inspiring testimony. Rev. Johnny Buia from Detroit well known speaker gave an anointed message. A team of Romanians came to celebrate Richard Wurmbrand’s Day ended with an entertainment programme and firecrackers and beautiful coloured fireworks.All three days there was Worship with Songs led by Rev. Lee Miley and Mrs. Teresa Miley of Cathedral Church of God who came with a team from USA. Teresa and her partner, Ashley, moved every session with their inspiring songs.Rev. Lee Miley’s preaching led participants to complete dedication. Many women leaders from churches across America came to support Dr. P. P. Job in his endeavour to fight for the Girl Child in India.This is a pressing need when you know that some 2000 girls are reported missing everyday, 25,000 wives are burned alive every year – especially in certain northern states, and five million babies are aborted yearly. We were happy to have with us Cindy Collins from Louisiana, Rebecca Porter from Florida, Cecilia from Florida, Roy Kelly from Manchester, Pastor Charlotte Philip and Sylvia Sartor from Washington. These ladies and many others ministered through song and prayer and sharing of their own powerful testimonies.

The closing Sunday there was a solid and solemn message by Dr. P.P. Job. He emphasized that even though no symbol of the Cross is used in the first three centuries in Christian history, there was a Cross in the mind of Jesus, in the message of St. Paul and all Christians. The Cross is vertical and horizontal. The story of the Good Samaritan brings out the true meaning of the Cross.When you love your God with all your heart, mind and spirit this constitutes the vertical line of the Cross and when you help the needy like the Good Samaritan did the horizontal line is seen.Without the vertical line between God and you there can be no horizontal line. The horizontal line comes spontaneously resulting in powerful fruit.He mentioned that the quick growth of the Michael Job Centre was the spontaneous result of vertical relationship.Enemies of the Cross have tried to stop the growth and dismantle the whole project by blackmail and extortion, he said. But God’s ministry prevails because of the abundant grace of God flowing from vertical relationship, said Dr. Job. He mentioned that Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Job stood behind him like a rock and that she was the backbone of the ministry.

FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE SPONSORS

In the history of the Michael Job Orphanage (Sabina Wurmbrand Hostel for Orphan Girls) so far more than 700 girls have studied. Not one of these girls was ever sent out but some left for various reasons. Some come here not sure of their date of birth and also not having any knowledge of English which is the medium of instruction. Such children have to be put for a little while in Lower Kindergarten (LKG) but they pick up the language quickly and can get double promotion and move up quickly.Some when they reach the 10 Standard (last year of school) may already be around 20.In India many marriages take place at 18. Years ago there were child marriages at the age of five or six. This has been abolished by Law but in the villages parents are anxious to marry off their daughters as young as possible i.e. between the ages of 18 and 20.If not they have to face questions from Society: Why is your daughter not yet married? If our children here do not have their own immediate families but they have close relatives who do not understand the value of education then as soon as they have crossed 18 these people come to take them and get them married off.Earlier we had no classes beyond X so we had to tell the children who wanted to do XI and XII to try elsewhere.Some did try but without proper discipline did not manage to complete their studies.In August 2008 there were widespread attacks on 30,000 villages in Kandhamal District, Orissa State.This became known worldwide.Houses, schools, shops, churches were razed to the ground in the worst attack against Christians in the history of India.Families fled to the jungle but those who were old or sickly and could not run were caught and killed.Some were burned along with their homes while they were in bed. Some were scattered in the jungle and taken to different Government Relief Camps so parents and children often lost track of each other.I took 148 children from different Government Relief Camps. Later when parents were traced some felt they were now in a position to care for their children so we handed them over.When some of the children come to us a little older and finish Standard XII they may already be close to 25.If they attempt to obtain a degree they will be 30 when they finish. If a little younger they finish in their late twenties.As mentioned earlier the tendency is to marry off girls earlier.In the West, the age of the girl is not a cultural barrier.Here a man will not marry a girl who is older than him.Also Indian Universities fix age limits for many degrees. Often the limit is twenty-four.My aim has been not only to educate my girls but to put them in high positions. There are, of course, cultural hindrances we have to cope with. These cultural differences do not prevail in metropolitan cities and in educated circles but as for the rest of India there are blocks to higher education in the case of the girl. It is not easy to stand up against discrimination towards the girl because Society is still in the grip of traditional and cultural attitudes which discourage higher education of the girl.When a child leaves the sponsor of that child gets upset. You can continue to be a sponsor to another child.If some parents or guardians think that they are now in a position to care for the girl why should the Centre hold on to the girl when there are so many much more needy children in need of a home, including orphans.Such children are just waiting to come here.Dr. P.P. Job

REMEMBERING SABINA WURMBRAND

Mrs. Sabina Wurmbrand, beloved wife of Rev. Dr. Richard Wurmbrand died on the 12 of August, 2002.She is however very much alive at the Michael Job Centre even today.The large orphanage building of four stories with 123 rooms for small groups of girls, with bath attached to each room, is used by 485 orphans, chiefly children of martyrs or persecuted Christians from India and the neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, Burma and Tibet. It is called the SABINA WURMBRAND MEMORIAL HOSTEL FOR ORPHAN GIRLS.It was inaugurated on June 26 on the sixth death anniversary of Michael Job.

The children not only have heard about Mrs. Sabina Wurmbrand but they know a lot about her and how she ministered along with her husband, Rev. Dr. Richard Wurmbrand, and suffered in prison too. There is a picture of both Dr. Richard Wurmbrand and Mrs. Sabina Wurmbrand in the Chapel. It is a very beautiful one of both together looking down on the children.After her release from prison Mrs. Sabina Wurmbrand continued to work for the persecuted and to evangelize.Her hugely popular book, ‘The Pastor’s Wife’ is known the world over, translated into several languages, and read in countries where there is otherwise no access to the Bible or Christian literature. It has been a blessing to millions.Her name is written across the orphanage that the children spend a good part of their lives in. Could there be a more fitting tribute to a woman like Sabina Wurmbrand than the hostel for orphaned and unwanted girls built on Michael Job Campus, Coimbatore, India?

INIMITABLE IOANA
“Unless you become as little children you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven”.Read on and you will get insights into why Jesus said this.
With a story you cannot find a more captive audience than three or four year olds. When I was substituting for one of the teachers I told a story and then asked questions. The KG children were over eager to answer. Hands would fly up often with the wrong answer but eager for attention.

In the corner at the back sat a very tiny tot with a confident, slightly superior smile on her face.Recognising the look I said, “There is a child at the back who knows all the answers but will not stand up or raise her hand. She can sit and answer.” Immediately the correct answer came. I was amazed at the comprehension of the four year old.After class she caught my hand, saying, “You my pipi.” Later I found out it was the Manipuri word for “grandmother.” I did not realize it then but a bonding had started.It is because of that relationship, that bonding that Ioana and I have that I can tell you these little anecdotes which is a way of introducing this child, one of the little residents at the Sabina Wurmbrand Hostel, Michael Job Centre, to you. Ioana and I would often perambulate around the vast gardens of the Centre after supper and she would chatter away.One day she said very seriously, just like a grown-up, “I have something to ask you.”I told her to go ahead.She said, “Yesterday evening you took Aunty Margreta and Uncle John to the Big Gate; and the watchman shook his head.He would not open the Gate.Then you said something to him and he opened the Gate wide.I want that word!”Did she think if she used the password the Gate would open for her!!Not only is Ioana exceptionally intelligent but she brims over with zest and humour.She is also extremely giving.She had a very bad cold and no handkerchief so I gave her a pretty children’s picture one.When she returned a little later with nose still running and no handkerchief I began to scold her.She protested, “No! No!I did not lose it. One small girl wanted it verbad I gave it to her.”Can you give your handkerchief away when your nose is running?Her thoughtfulness also makes me wonder. One day I caught her stumbling along with two paper cups filled with rice and curry. In a businesslike manner she said, “Alison didn’t feel like coming to the Dining Hall.She is not sick. She is very sad. She did not ask me for food. I felt pity.”And then a long drawn out “K-n-o-w!”This is the most favourite word of all Manipuris!This does not mean that she is a plaster of paris saint. One day she was really naughty with me. She screamed in a high pitched voice when the ‘big girls’ corrected her. The little ones go to bed at eight. That night at ten o’clock there was knock on my door.Ioana stood there with a ‘Big Girl’ as escort. I asked, “What are you doing so late Ioana?” With head down she answered, “I troubled you so much today I could not sleep at all.I had to come down and say sorry.” As we’ve grown closer Ioana shared her ‘past’ with me.One day she said, “I have something more to tell but it is a bad thing. I myself cannot tell you.I will tell this girl and she will say.”This was done.It turned out that when she was two and a half years’ old she used to rob one tomato from her grandmother’s basket everyday.Till today she cannot even talk about it!Normally full of ‘joie de vivre’ one morning she was in tears with head down.She refused consolation.Somebody had ‘put her down’.I prayed for her. Next morning full of pep she was hopping clumsily and singing, “I’m so glad I’m in JESUS”. The recovery of little ones is amazing.The Annual Prize Awards Day for the school was not a happy one for Ioana.She complained, “I did not win even one prize.Not even the frog jump!” There are bigger prizes awaiting her in the spiritual and in the natural. Before signing off let me give you a peek into the story behind this story. IoAna and her bigger sister, Alison, hail from Manipur State where it is the custom for the wife to marry rather quickly when her spouse dies young.Ioana’s mother did just that. As often happens, when a son was born the couple took the two little girls to pipi’s home. The large-hearted grandmother did not have enough to make ends meet but gave the children all her love and a great love for JESUS.One day an aunty, ‘Christian social worker’ who saw the struggle suggested the girls be put in Michael Job Centre – and so they came….with Ioana crying all the way. The healing has taken place and today Ioana is a, ‘mature young woman’ who will soon be five whole years old!We pray that as Ioana and other little girls – and bigger ones too – are nurtured at the Sabina Wurmbrand Hostel, Michael Job Centre, they will grow in grace and strength in favour with God and man.