Hannah Kuryan, 10, joined her parents, Alex and Sara, this summer as they served at Bombay Teen Challenge (BTC). BTC is an organization that fights human trafficking in Mumbai, India. Hannah shares her experience of visiting India for the very first time and connecting with the children at BTC.
We are in India right now! I am having a lot of fun! During the first week we visited Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur. We went sight seeing and saw the Taj Mahal. It was amazing! While we were driving around in the city many homeless people, including little kids, came up to our windows and started to knock and ask for money or food. I felt sad for them because they don’t have a home to live in and food to eat.
For the second week, we went to Mumbai for Bombay Teen Challenge (BTC). Nebu uncle (John), Jocelyn auntie, Maya and Sonya joined us for the mission too.
On Monday we went to Jeevan Jyoti (BTC orphanage). We got to meet the thirty-two girls in the orphanage. They were very nice. We wanted to show God’s love and kindness to them, but they showered their love on us. We made rainbow loom bracelets with them and played games. Some of the girls did our nails and also did henna/mehndi for us. They gave us dance lessons too. You’d think that since most of them don’t have parents they might be mean or sad but they were so nice!
On Tuesday and Wednesday we went to the new BTC medical clinic in Turbhe. We hung out at the child care area, taught the kids Bible stories, played games and sang songs. I felt bad for the kids there because they have to get ready by themselves and they come to the clinic because that is one of the only places that they can feel safe.
On Thursday we went to Ashagram (this is where they take the kids that are rescued). We also helped out at the new BTC Academy. We taught the kids Bible lessons, sang songs and did some crafts. I felt happy for the kids because they have a nice school and they are happy.
Friday August 15th was India’s Independence Day. Since Jim uncle couldn’t come to Ashagram for Independence Day, my dad was asked to raise up the Indian flag. Then we went to the BTC store and bought a few bags and bracelets made by the ladies and girls at Ashagram. Later in the day, we went to Jim uncle and Leena auntie’s house for dinner and played with Nehemiah, Elias, and Daniel.
On Saturday evening, we went to the BTC church in the Red Light District. Afterwards, Devaraj uncle (founder of BTC) took us out for dinner and ice cream. Then on Sunday we left for a week in Kerala. I loved serving at BTC this past week and I hope I can do it again!
by Ajay Thomas
Ajay lives in Philadelphia with his wife Shainu and their kids Hannah and Micah. He is responsible for preaching and vision as a pastor at Seven Mile Road.