Today, some of the children on the Chennai sponsorship programme came to the church centre for their annual update session with the team.

More photos from Rach Warwick here.

Each child comes with a parent or carer. One of the team will spend some time talking to them, working with translators and asking questions based on the information we already have about them from previous years. It's a great chance to find out about the families and what their life is like, talking about their home, who they share it with, what their school is like and how their health has been this year. The children are also weighed and measured and new photographs are taken to send to sponsors. After someone from the team has prayed with them, many of the children stay to draw pictures or write a message of thanks to their sponsor.

Many of the stories are difficult to hear, and are often sad but today one family brought some very encouraging news.

The video mentioned in yesterday's blog also features Sam, one of the sponsors talking about the two girls he supports; Steffi and Leena Joyce. He explains that the girls' father is an alcoholic, spending  a large percentage of his earnings on drink, which makes him difficult and often violent towards his family. Sadly, this is a common story for many families, particularly where the men are struggling to find employment.

However, Steffi and Leena's father became a Christian last year. He has stopped drinking, been baptised and is actively participating in church life, even joining the 40 days of prayer and fasting they had in November! He is a changed man.

The team texted Sam to let him know. Here's his reply:
"Thanks for letting me know. Am in tears with joy. I fasted from alcohol for months after my last visit, praying for him to be released! That is amazing. Do give my love and blessings to them."

This story is a great example of the amazing things God is doing through the partnership between the church here and the sponsorship programme. It reminds us that there is always hope in seemingly impossible situations - with God, change is always possible.

Please do pray for the men in this community - that the Christian men would continue to be a strong example of God's love, and that those who are trapped by addiction would be set free.