An Update of January Trip by Tracey

Here is a letter that Tracey sent out to her supporters in regards to her experience on the trip...

Hey friends & family!



As you know, myself along with Jonathan's dad, Dennis, my cousin Blayne and wife Tara, and brothers David & Greg Evans from the USA all went to India in January. 





Our main purpose was to scout a building and property that was given to Gentle Hands of India, which was running a few years back until there was some administrative issues that forced it to close. 





What we saw was awesome--the potential for this very run down building was great: a building that could be renovated and then house up to 100 children, on property that has space for a large grassed yard plus a garden. It is located in a nice middle class neighborhood. 



After touring through it, taking photos from all angles and listening to Dad and some Indians talk about the actual structure of the building, it really came alive! Our whole group was very excited about the potential that this ministry could do.





Here's a part of something I wrote about my trip to India...



i recently went on a quick trip over to india from the philippines. 6 days actually. and in those six days i took 7 flights, stayed in 3 hotels, drove by bus, van, taxi, auto (3 wheel trike), train and walked a ton.


the trip was for the main purpose of documenting for an NGO that will be opening a girls home/orphanage sometime this year, outside of chennai, tamil nadu.

then we went to mumbai for 2 days and then to nagercoil for the last two.

what i didn’t know is that my world would be completely rocked in mumbai.
 
“mumbai 10:30pm – i have no words to describe what i saw. all i know if that i will never be the same. and i will not be silent.

driving through the infamous “cages of mumbai”,  in amongst pimps by the hundreds, lie dozens of streets upon streets of what look like residences. except they are not. we are in amongst the biggest known brothel of the world. women and children, stolen & bought into sex slavery. they say there are over 200,000 people living in this area.

when my eyes wandered thru the crowds as we slowly drove thru this hell on earth, I saw one–one young lady sitting, waiting. and as we drove past her, I saw her eyes meet mine and all there was was dark loneliness screaming for hope, or someone to love them. as we drove past and onto the next street, a couple of young children no older than 5 playing at 11pm at night in the streets, in the middle of this hopeless death.

I am only one. and I am not sure what one like myself can do. but I know I came here for a reason. more than one reason. and I, in my own brokenness and frailty, will now begin to search out where it is I fit in all this…because I know one thing–I cannot be silent after what I saw tonight.”

i have always had a heart for india. and in recent years been more and more aware of the the reality of the sex slavery that goes on in our world in this day and age.

i loved every single moment i spent in mumbai. in all of india actually.

and so as i am back in my home in manila, philippines, i see those girls in my dreams, i see them daily. and i anticipate the days ahead when i can go back…and do more.
 

This describes my time in Mumbai, yes, but also describes my heart for the children of this nation.



Gentle Hands of India needs your financial help and many prayers. 

If this is something that moves you, and you would like more information on how to be involved, we would love to have more conversations with you about it.

So that is the basic of my update regarding India. It was really an amazing, eye-opening trip. And I’m excited to see what is in store for the many orphans of India.

Much love,
Tracey