Visit from George Ebenezer

George Ebenezer is an internationally-renowned youth and children’s minister. We were honoured as a school to have him take time out of his busy schedule in Northeast India to visit us for the afternoon, in collaboration with members of Breakthrough Ministries who have visited us several times as part of the LiveJam Tour. They were also accompanied by Pastor Emmanuel from Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship, a friend of our school. Through highly engaging talks, songs, dance and puppetry, George and the team brought a powerful message of preciousness and self-worth to the children.

George Ebenezer is the founder of Beyond Barriers, an organisation for ’empowering kids and teens’ through workshops for young people as well as meaningful training workshops for youth and children’s workers. A two-day workshop was held just this week at Folkland Park, Aizawl. Much of his ministry is born out of his incredible childhood experiences in which he faced the worst possible forms of abuse and poverty before encountering the saving power of Jesus. He and his wife have adopted nine children, many of whom have come from abusive backgrounds themselves.

Hostellers attend LEFI Youth Retreat

On Sunday 3rd September, all the hostellers attended the one day Youth Retreat held at the Synod Conference Centre. It was organised by the Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship, Aizawl and featured speakers from other parts of India. The boys and girls also participated through special items. They seem to have had a wonderful time.

Pastor Emmanuel visits from LEFI and Bethany Leprosy Colony

Pastor Emmanuel and his energetic team drawn from various parts of Northeast India have long been favourites among the students at Divine Intervention School. From leading devotions and fellowships, to holding retreats in the city attended by our hostellers, their ministry has had a great impact in the school. Under the umbrella of the Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship International, they work among young people and students throughout Aizawl.

After leading devotion last week, Pastor Emmanuel returned alone today to share on behalf of another ministry close to his heart. Ever since his grandfather was involved in its founding, he and his family have been actively supportive of the Bethany Colony Leprosy Association in Andhra Pradesh. For several decades, this colony has provided a safe haven for leprosy patients and their children and grandchildren who would otherwise be ostracised by society, especially since India was erroneously declared leprosy-free in 2005. Pastor Emmanuel shared about a recent visit made to the colony by leaders of the Leprosy Mission branch of Mizoram.

Despite the positive social environment offered by the colony, most still have to survive by begging, and the school and hospital facilities struggle to function without trained staff and adequate supplies. In order to meet the needs of the people, the colony established a tailoring centre called Bethany Weaves. Patients and their relatives work hard to craft good quality bags and textiles which are sold to raise funds to support the patients. More details about Bethany Weaves and how to purchase the bags can be found here and here.