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Transcript from James’s March Update for MicroChange
Hi this is James from Vizag, India. It’s a privilege to connect with Lifepath through MicroChange. It impacts the lives of widows and vulnerable women here in India. And what they’re earning through their small businesses- those earnings are helpful to look after their families. So I wanted to share a little bit about myself- I was born and raised in a village. I lost my father when I was 5 years old. So I have seen how my mother struggled as a widow to look after us and pay my bills. So I have a burden since my childhood since my childhood to do something for the orphans and widows. So then I finished my masters in computers, I was supposed to go to a computer job, but at the same time Compassion International started a slum project in India, and they asked me, would you like to work this? So God changed my direction and I started working with Compassion, and I have seen these orphan and semi orphan kids and widows, and enjoyed working with them and writing letters, and when sponsors send something to the kids- I get personally excited to tell the kids like, “hey you got a gift from you donor, your supporter.” God showed me how much he cared about me when I was a kid. And I realized that physically, we don’t have a father... but there is a spiritual father, he always looks after us. One day, when a widow came and she heard about me, that I was helping widows, so she came to me and asked me, “could you help me with some money I need to buy for provisions. Kids didn’t have meal properly since last week.” So I immediately gave her some money. She went to the grocery store and she bought a lot of snacks. That made me shocked, like, “You should have bought provisions, why did you buy this whole bunch of snacks with this money?” And she told me an answer, like, “If I bought food provisions maybe that lasts only one week. If I bought snacks, I can give them for 2 or more weeks.” I was shocked. She didn’t have a job. Kids keep on asking to eat something. How can she provide? And later on I helped her with food provisions too. And that answer made me somewhat sad. Widows, they didn't have money to provide a proper meal. After I heard of this MicroChange, it really gives them an opportunity, at least something- a little earning- maybe beneficial to buy a snack. And she’s none other, she’s Satya. And we gave her a sewing machine. And now she can earn something from that. And we’re also helping if she needs any food provisions. There’s some widows are benefited from this MicroChange project. I wanted to share a thanks and gratitude on behalf of MicroChange. I heard once through Keith Miller- he said you guys have a table for us and pictures, and you guys go there and are giving donations and praying for us. It really makes me so much happy, like how much sacrifice you guys are doing for us. And thank you so much for your prayers. Without your prayers and God I cannot do this here in India. And I hope we can do this much more, more widows in the future. Thank you. Thank you so much. Microchange supports vulnerable women by providing them with small no interest loans to start a new business or expand existing ones. Most of our MicroChange women are widows. We don’t want their children to sleep with hunger in their stomach. We also take care of their health, providing medicines, basic hospital needs, and also children education and school supplies, etc. Sharing Gods love with them, teaching them how to pray, telling them more about Jesus- some are seeking God, and two of them recently accepted Jesus as their personal savior. We really enjoy those moments when we see in this MicroChange Project. We also reached out to a tribal community and we distributed sewing machines, and also we provided them a training. Many of them benefitted through this training and now they are earning money through those small businesses. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Good Friday Sacred Space: April 2 in the Aspira Auditorium Drop in event 6-8pm Drop in on Good Friday anytime between 6-8pm to reflect on the last week of Jesus’ life. The story of Jesus’ final days will be read from the scriptures beginning every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. Each participant will be given a journal and pen/marker, and can journal or draw throughout the evening. Poster signs depicting the stations of the cross will be spread throughout the auditorium, so that participants can reflect on the moments of passion weekend at their own pace. Sit quietly, write and listen to the story, or walk around and reflect on the simple art. We’re intentionally keeping the space simple this year. Nursery will be available for children 5 and under. Children over 5 may participate with their parents, or sit quietly in the auditorium and doodle/read/play quietly. For those who would prefer to participate virtually, we will provide a link Friday evening for a self-guided reflective space. Easter Sunday: April 4th at Aspira
Outdoor Coffee and Conversation 9:30am Celebration Gathering 10:30am Join us at Aspira at 10:30 for our in-person Celebration Gathering, as we worship together on the most significant day of our Christian calendar! You’re also invited to come early between 9:30-10:30am to enjoy coffee and conversation outside in front of the Aspira steps. We’ll provide single serve pastries and coffee! And as always, those who prefer a digital gathering can join on Zoom at 10:30am. You can review our in-person Covid protocols, along with details about nursery and KidsLife here. We won't be able to have our traditional Aspira Friendship Breakfast this year, but we would still like to offer some love and encouragement to the Aspira teachers and staff. We are grateful for the support they give us, and thankful for the impact they have on the students of our community, especially in such a tough year!
This year, we'll be putting together goody bags with a few snacks, a bag of candy, and a Dunkin Donuts gift card for Aspira's teachers and staff. The candy and gift cards are taken care of, but we need your help with the snacks. Here's how we're asking our LifePath community to help:
Dates: 4/3: Last day to drop off at Keith or Melanie's 4/4: In person gathering, drop off donations 4/9, 6pm: Goody bags assembly at Aspira Please reach out to Melanie (admin@lifepathchurch.org) with any questions! It's been awhile, so we're going to review what you need to know if you'd like to play on Sunday, 3/14!
Jess will be leading on acoustic guitar. We'll spread out across the whole stage. Everyone will need to remain masked, except for those singing. It'll be first come, first served, so post on GroupMe or text or email Melanie to reserve your instrument of choice. Set list: Rescuer (G) Open Up the Heavens (G) All Creatures of our God and King (C) Ever Be - chorus and bridge only (C) Chord sheets/lyrics can be found here (the password is LifePath) Practice will begin at 9am on Sunday. Pajamas are allowed.
Our Covid protocols are taken from the CDC's guidance for child care centers and schools. Children are used to following these or similar protocols at daycare or school, and our teachers will kindly help them remember the expectations.
Our Covid protocols are taken from the CDC's guidance for child care centers and schools. Children are used to following these or similar protocols at daycare or school, and our teachers will kindly help them remember the expectations. PDF version to download and print: 
EPub version for non-Kindle e-book readers: 
MOBI version for Kindles (for instructions to load onto a Kindle, click here)
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