“Action Bible for gang-rapists and murderers?” Ravi, a program coordinator for the Life on Life Project in Hyderabad could not believe his ears.
He asked Manoj, the volunteer to narrate the story as how The Action Bible and Life on Life curriculum became a part of the Juvenile Detention Centre at Sangareddy, 100 kms from Hyderabad.
About 2 years ago, two clubs were started at the Mahima Ministry’s orphan home called ‘Vision and Mission Clubs’. Each child received a copy of The Action Bible and the teachers were trained in using David C Cook’s Life on Life curriculum. However, eventually those teachers left and new staff replaced them who knew nothing of the Bible, and the program was dropped.
Later, the Director of Mahima Ministry, Mr. RD Maharaj, received permission to work at the Juvenile Detention Centre in the Medek district. He was given permission to meet the children but could not openly share the Gospel. To work around this, Mr. RD Maharaj sent a few of The Action Bibles with Manoj and another volunteer from the orphan home to the Juvenile Detention Centre at Sangareddy.
This Juvenile Home is for boys and has two divisions, one for boys from 9-15 years, another for boys aged 15-18 years. Most of these boys were involved in crimes like rape and robbery or murder. Hardened as they were, these boys were still children and teenagers at heart. The boys found The Action Bible easy to read and easy understand as well. As a result, they began reading The Action Bible every day. Later, in conjunction with the Life on Life curriculum, these boys began to realize how much Jesus loved them and with that, they started to develop positive character qualities and new life skills.
The Police Officials and Judges who visit the home have noticed a marked difference in the boys behavior and mannerisms. The worst of them has become humble; and even insists on serving dinner and doing other odd jobs.
Ravi does not take any credit for starting this club. The Lord has made a way for Life on Life curriculum and The Action Bible to reach these broken boys. God has a plan.
Generally Life on Life is for children 9-15 years of age. In this instance, the Lord made a way to reach older boys in this home with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and help them grow spiritually while learning life skills and develop positive character qualities.
Remember, it isn’t about our past. It is about who we can be in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
If you want more information about David C Cook’s Life on Life Project, visit www.lifeonlifeproject.com.
