Hello everyone!
At last, here is my final update from my experience in Kolkata! My apologies that it is long overdue…the busyness of school and the ministry at Trinity has consumed me until now, but I can finally share with you some of the great, and practical, things KCM is doing in Kolkata. Though the trip was a magnificent blessing from the Lord personally, I know it was just a first step in a longer calling the Lord is leading me (and maybe you!) toward for KCM. Since I have already shared so many stories and much of my personal experience, I wanted to take this last chance to give you more of a practical picture of what KCM actually does in being Jesus to the people of Kolkata. If you are truly interested in all the amazing things the Lord is doing through KCM, please take time to read through the update!
The ministry consists of 8 workers and field staff, working in 3 slums (Bagmari, Mundapalli, and Promodnager) and 4 cycle rickshaw communities (of about 30-40 workers each). Each slum varies in size, ranging from about 1500-2500. Overall, KCM reaches approximately 1100 adults and 200 children in the current slums they minister to, not including the additional rickshaw communities they reach as well. All staff spend time in the field, working with the local communities. However, there are 3 field officers that work primarily in the three respective slums, one accountant, one operations manager, one teacher in the Mundapalli slum, one micro-enterprise manager, and Shaji—who is the founder, director, and primary support raiser for KCM.
All of these ministers work together to serve Christ and the community in a variety of ways. Their ultimate vision is to “establish a dignified and transformed community in the name of Jesus”: spiritually, physically, emotionally, and culturally. Here is a detailed overview of what the ministry does: Take a look!
Click here to see the details!
The Lord is truly at work in some astonishing ways through the KCM ministry. One of their biggest needs, however, is one that American’s can most easily provide: our resources. This entire ministry operates on a budget of roughly $4000 a month, though it only pulls in about $2000 on average. In addition, the ministry has deep needs for training, ministry resources, and people in the United States to advocate for them to churches. This is the next step in the calling the Lord has given Kyle and me, and I am excited to take part in it. From here on out, Kyle and I (and hopefully others) will be working toward the goals of connecting others to what the Lord is doing in the city—whether that be through financial support, constructing a website, developing training resources, or visiting the city itself (etc). Opportunities upon opportunities abound for Jesus to use us in His love for the “least of these” in Kolkata.
Over the next several months, we will begin the process of advocacy in all of these ways. The calling is very large and we are under no illusion that we can do it without the Lord’s miraculous hand and many more faithful servants. We are excited to see what happens from here, and we would love for you to continue to be a part of it. Who knows, you might just be hearing from me again soon!
Please continue to pray for KCM and all the people it works with in Kolkata. Pray that Christ would be made known and that he would bring healing and transformation to the poorest of the poor. As you feel led, please pray for the next steps Kyle and I will be taking in the coming weeks as well! I will likely send one more update email over the next month or so, letting you know more. Thank you so much for the partnership you have shown before, during, and after the trip! As I’ve said before, nothing would have been possible without your prayers and support. Please feel free to contact me as you have questions or if you would like to here more!
God Bless,
Jacob Foor
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