New Life Academy has all the needed funds to opens its doors. They just need to finish up construction over the next month. (WWCS photo)
India (MNN) ― Since December, we have been updating you on the plight of the New Life Academy in Orissa, India.
Living in a community of mostly Hindus, the Christian couple who runs the school was informed by their Hindu landlords that their lease would be shortened and end in April, forcing them to find a new building for their school and orphanage.
"Orissa is a state in India that historically has been very unfriendly to Christians," said Scott VanderKooy of Worldwide Christian Schools, partners of the academy.
New Life Academy previously had wanted to build a new school but did not have the funds to do so. Now forced into this predicament, they needed to come up with funds, a location for the school, and figure out all the logistics--all in less than seven months.
As WWCS got the news out, people responded immediately. In March, just a month before the lease was up, God had provided all but $5,000 of the entire $87,500 needed for the building.
Today, the New Life Academy--which will also include an orphanage and ministry center--is becoming a reality as God has worked in the hearts of donors and has provided all of the funds.
VanderKooy said it is only through God they have been able to achieve so much in the last several months: "When you think about the process of raising funds, finalizing a plan, and then securing the local labor to build it, from a human standpoint it's almost insurmountable."
All they need now, VanderKooy said, is to complete construction, which should finish in the next 30 days. Then they can begin to outfit the school with the supplies needed for operation.
Once that is complete, it will be time to celebrate: "Dedication likely will take place sometime in September. We're still working on firming up the dates ... and it'll just be a great time of rejoicing," VanderKooy said.
Many of the individuals involved in the project over the past several months will gather to thank God for all He has done.
Once the new school, ministry center and orphanage open, New Life Academy will be reaching more children with the message of Christ than ever before. But these kids will not be the only ones benefiting from the academy, as they plan to reach out to the surrounding community through various ministries. The building will stand as a symbol of hope and God's faithfulness: "This is just another reminder to all of us [of] what God can do and that we're not to allow the human blinders to slow the work of God," VanderKooy said.
WWCS can still use your help to outfit the school with the necessary supplies and also to support them in their other schools around the globe. Click here to help.
Pray for the finishing touches on the school to be completed and for God to bless New Life Academy even before it opens its doors.
