Light House, April - March 2024

March and April Newsletter 2024

After several weeks already in hospitals in Mumbai, with very limited results from chemotherapy, doctors have now been able to provide new treatment protocol for her, which starts this week. It involves new drugs to tackle the cancer, which is giving her renewed hope. A huge thank you to all those who have already given towards her treatment - we have forwarded your gifts already to support her health needs and will continue to do so. 

LightHouse is being supported by the Papa’s House team with weekly visits for support and well being, for sewing classes, shopping, and more! Bunu still connects with them by video call almost every day and we receive those updates in our weekly calls with both Bunu and Vikrant and the whole Khati family.  

Keep praying for healing and miraculous turnaround!

With love and blessings for your partnership in the gospel, 

Sharon

Hospitality Training Update

Over the past two months, our three current batch survivors undergoing hospitality training have shown remarkable growth and resilience. Every day, they are learning new skills and excelling in their knowledge. The three survivors are receiving English speaking lessons, learning to write short essays, improving their communication skills, and gaining customer service experience at the college.

Daily Life at the Centre

At the centre, thanks to your support, they have a place to rest, heal, prepare for their lessons, and acquire other life skills. A caregiver is present to cook and clean, ensuring the girls have a supportive environment.

Your contributions cover their daily commuting expenses from the center to college, refilling groceries, and toiletries, paying for caregivers, and covering electricity bills. The monthly support for the restoration centre covers these essential costs, enabling smooth administration. Thank you for sowing into the lives of these survivors.

Despite facing a significant challenge with their mother figure mentor, Moumita Khati (Bunu), undergoing cancer treatment in Mumbai, the girls have demonstrated greater independence and strength. We are deeply grateful to Revival Fires, especially Sharon and Trevor, for their unwavering faith in our project even during this challenging time for us.

We ask for your continued prayers as three survivors complete their skill. We maintain daily communication, monitor progress through a whatsapp group, and address any challenges promptly with two caregivers to provide round-the-clock support and care. Thank you for your trust and support during this critical time. We believe that God is guiding us, and He will not abandon us in this wilderness. Isaiah 43:19 (NIV): "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Survivors' Participation in College Activities

Our survivors continue to engage in college activities, recently participating in a Fresher's Welcome event where they presented a dance choreography. Much of their preparation happens at the restoration center where weekly, the survivors engage in dance and music therapy, led by Sarah. These activities help channel their emotions, regulate stress, and bond over shared experiences.

Child Care and Survivor Leader Mentorship

*Sarah, whom we have been mentoring to become a survivor leader, is passionate about working as a youth leader in the church. Last year, she helped her attend a two-week certification youth leadership training organized by a local church. She continues to live with her 4-year-old son at the restoration centre, to whom we provide round-the-clock care and basic early learning.

Sarah's son is a miracle child at our center, having overcome a speech disorder and now thriving. He brings immense joy to our lives. We pray we can continue to support Sarah and her son in fulfilling God's purposes for their lives.

Sarah is mentored weekly by a senior city woman leader and continues her self-study based on these sessions. Moumita (Bunu) conducts video call sessions to help process her learning. We are proud of Sarah's daily progress and her journey from trauma to becoming a house leader for younger girls.

Sewing Project Update

The current batch of survivors is excelling in embroidery, and we are praying for new ideas and connections to help secure local orders for their creations. Sewing has become a therapeutic activity for many survivors, allowing them to unwind after a long day at a skill training college. Over cups of tea, they share their dreams while weaving intricate embroidery patterns, finding solace and companionship in their shared experiences.

Update on Last Batch Survivors.

We are pleased to report that two survivors from the last batch have secured permanent placements living a life of economic independence Thanks to your support and prayers! We maintain regular contact and mentorship with these girls, witnessing the transformative impact of your contributions.

Thank you for your ongoing support and trust in us. Together, we are making a difference

Update on Moumita Khati (Bunu's) Treatment

I want to take this opportunity to thank Revival Fires for standing with me in love and prayers and covering my treatment costs since the beginning of our time in Mumbai. After two months of rigorous tests, scans, and back-to-back consultations, a treatment plan has been developed. I have started three rounds of chemotherapy at Tata Memorial Hospital as a private patient and am consulting with a senior surgical oncologist at Kokilaben Hospital for surgery and further treatment. Once the chemotherapy cycles are completed, the surgery plan will be considered.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I believe that the story the Lord has written for me, since He knitted me in my mother's womb, is not over. He will restore all that the enemy has tried to steal, kill, and destroy. I need your continued prayers as I dream and plan for a future held by my Savior, King Jesus. Knowing that if He can give me the strength to fall ten times and rise up a hundred times, He will do it again, over and over, because He has called me by my name. I am His beloved.

I know my life will continue to be a testimony for many women in my generation. If I can manage a project, make daily calls, draft reports, receive treatment, write blogs to encourage others, raise support for my treatment, cry, pray, and heal, it is not because I am a superwoman, but because the resurrection power of Jesus works in me through prayers and support of many of YOU!

Thank you for rooting for me, even in my weakness, when it might have been easier to let someone else more capable and healthier run this project. Revival Fires continues to put their faith in me, for which I am forever indebted. Thank you to all the generous donors and friends of Revival Fires.

If you want to see lives like mine and survivors of modern-day slavery get healed, transformed and restored, and to make a difference, write to Revival Fires to learn more.