Dear Praying Friends,

We closed out our last session here in Kerala, South India with women only (as planned), discussing health, hygiene, and godly character. The discussions were lively and many said they learned a lot. I took the opportunity to interview all those in attendance. Most are leading active women's fellowship groups and many also make home visits within their villages. This could serve as a built-in method for passing along the training they've received this week. Our goal is always to train trainers, who will in turn train trainers, who will in turn train others . . .

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Dear friends and prayer partners,

Greetings from Trivandrum, the tropical southernmost point of India! We have had a very good first day at our Women’s Cycle of Life/Community Health Evangelism (CHE) workshop here in Kerala, South India. We had 22 women including a few men from two ministries come together to learn and share knowledge. Our students are pastors, pastors' wives, leaders of women's ministries, college professors, evangelists and a few very lively children. We covered six basic CHE lessons, including the holistic view of the Gospel, relief versus development, definitions of good health involving God, self, others and the environment. The discussions were lively and all went home satisfied and looking forward to tomorrow. All of us are in good health and good spirits. We three, from the U.S. and two different regions of India, blend our talents and specialties wonderfully, all for God's glory.

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our partners International Women’s Health leader has safely arrived in India, and is about to begin her first training in South India. Here we work among the Dalits (untouchable caste) and another dynamic ministry team. This is an outstanding opportunity and we’re so grateful for Ila’s faithful and fruitful ministry along with two other Indian women trainers serving with her.

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Dear Sisters in Christ,

As our partners International Women theme for 2011 is “We are God’s masterpiece” referring to Ephesians 2:10, I would like to share my thoughts on this. This verse is very special to me as it answers the reason behind the work I do with special needs children. Whenever someone asks me why am I running a school for special needs children, I reply by reading Ephesians 2:10. To me, three phrases are keys to understand this verse. To make it more personal I will be using personal pronouns like I, me and my.

1. I am God’s workmanship/masterpiece/designer’s piece. This tells me that the great Creator has designed me and I am very unique. No one can take my place. The job for which I am created, no one can do. Isn’t that making you feel special?
2. I am created in Christ Jesus. This thought transforms my life. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!"
3. I am created to do good works. The result of a life transformed by Christ Jesus: good works. My salvation produces good works. I do not do good works to obtain salvation. Yes, my salvation is only by grace and not by works. It is a free gift of God.

In the year 2011:

• Repeat the phrase, “I am special” at least once a day. Don’t let anyone put you down. Remember, you are special, my dear sister.
• Experience Christ’s transforming power by reminding yourself that you are in Christ.
• Do one good work each day to give Christ glory due to His name. Share the joy of your salvation with someone.

May you have a blessed and Christ-centered 2011.

Yours in Christ,

Rita James