UPDATE: This is where we are at

The last few months have proven to be quite a time for Gentle Hands of India. Founder, Dennis Heppner, has this important update to get you all up to speed:

Gentle Hands of India, as it is legally and officially called, has existed in India over 12 years. It is called a “trust” rather than a non profit.

Originally it was a joint arrangement between myself and an Indian national. As my involvement in India ministry increased it was eventually turned over and run by the Indian national alone. The building we have is a former building that was once run by Gentle Hands of India (GHoI).

Due to many different circumstances, the Indian national eventually gave it up. Due to a lack of reporting the last few years and some legal issues, the GHoI corporation needed serious updating. It took over 1 year to repair all the legal work and details, get the tax calculated and paid to date and settle government issues which had developed.

After much hard work and money, the Gentle Hands of India is fully functional and 100% legal now!

We began renovation of the property the first quarter of the year. The cost for this extensive renovation is around $55,000. We have raised or have committed half of the said $55,000 and decided to begin the renovations while continuing to raise the remaining renovations funds.

Everything could finally move forward and the building renovations began. How exciting!

The first day of the project someone arrived claiming ownership of the property.

Demonstrations were held in front of the police station. This is all normal posturing in India. We have the title and appropriate documents - this is what we had done in the year before getting all these settled and legal.

And so the work has stopped. We have the matter before a judge and will be heard in the next week or so.

Prayer needed as this is a nuisance case whose primary objective is to hold up the project.

We are optimistic to have the renovation project finished in the next 5 months.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers as we have slowly, but steadily made progressive in this project moving forward. We are truly excited for the days to come and for the Children's Home to be completed.

We are still in need of raising the other half of the funds for this project as well as the eventual furnishing and then monthly budget. Consider a one-time or monthly gift today.

For more information, please contact us at gentlehandsindia@gmail.com

Join us as we move forward

It is because of the scores of children like these precious ones, that Gentle Hands of India is renovating this old orphanage to start a children's home.

The statistics are staggering and unbelievable:
No childhood education
No immunizations
Sold and made into child laborers
Sold and made as sex slaves.

It is these ones that we pray for daily.

Consider being a part of the foundation of this project.
Contact us at gentlehandsindia@gmail.com

Finalizing has been done! || March Update

Last week Dennis was in Chennai. It was the final meeting between himself, the architect and the builder to proceed with construction!

And the renovations begin!

We have about half of the money raised for the renovation project. And are also beginning to raise money for furnishing the home as well as operating expenses.

To help be a part of this project and the lives of many children, simply contact us for more information on how YOU can give and be a part of Gentle Hands of India.

It's been a great year!

As we reflect on the last year and Gentle Hands of India, we have so very much to be thankful for:

• January - A trip to Minju, Tamil Nadu with Dennis, Tracey, Blayne & Tara Wyton from Canada and Greg and David Evans from the USA visiting the building given to us to start Gentle Hands of India! 
• March - Dennis going over the building with the engineer and architect and acquiring plans for the renovation.
• October - After many months of paperwork, our legal status as Gentle Hands of India has been reestablished and we are able to function legally as Gentle Hands of India and funding from outside India is now possible!
• November - Plans for renovating the building are underway and our fundraising started for our $55,000 renovations costs along with the $10,000 setup costs and $8,000 monthly operations costs.
• December - We have about $25,000 of the $55,000 needed for our renovations already!

Truly this has been a good year! And we anticipate an even more exciting year ahead:

• Renovations to begin in January!
• The remaining funds to be raised for the renovations, set-up cost and monthly operational costs.
• The building finished and setup and furnished.
• House parents chosen and trained for running and parenting at the Children's Home.
• Volunteers visiting the Home and helping out where they can.
• Raising awareness of the Gentle Hands of India ministry and home.

We are so very excited to see God continue to move in and through Gentle Hands of India.

If you would like more information or a powerpoint presentation or brochures and prayers cards to show and share with your friends, family, collegues and anyone interested in being a part of this great work amongst the precious children of India, please contact us  at gentlehandsindia@gmail.com and we would love to get you the materials.

Looking forward to great things in India this 2014!

A Exciting Report from India

I've just returned from India again. 

Most of our documentation has been updated. We have brought our FCRA account up to date. 

This account is a must to bring currency from outside India. All documents have been secured. Some were lost and we now have certified true copies. 

The board met last Saturday and we are moving forward. 
Should have the renovation plans back this week.

UPDATE as of NOVEMBER 2:

I have finally received our updated drawings and pricing to renovate our current building. 
Total price $55,000USD. This includes adding some washrooms and upgrading the entire building. 

Onward we go!

~Dennis

October Trip

Dennis is in Tamil Nadu this week at a conference. 

We continue to pray for sponsors, for administrators for our orphanages, and for houseparents. 

When you have seemingly nothing to work with, you are living in God's upside-down economy! 
He owns it all and He is not limited to what we have in our hands.

~Denie

An Autumn Update

It's been a while since we have posted..

Summer came and went and lots of waiting and renegotiating on the current building renovations. 

Dennis just left for a few days to India. Pray for wisdom and favor. A full update will be coming with him at the end of the week re the status of the Minju Orphange Project!

~Tracey