BISHOP DR.M.A.THOMAS: IN THE SERVICE OF LEPERS AND DESTITUTE
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| Bishop Dr.M.A.Thomas, Immanuel Ministries, Kottah, Rajastan |
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After completing his Bible studies at Chennai, when M.A.Thomas wanted to return to Keala, he did what a penniless yet confident young man could do: walk the 500 odd kilometers. Later when he suddenly decided to proceed to the remote village of Kottah in Rajastan in 1960, he was prepared to walk the 1500km along with his pregnant wife, children and a companion. Luckily a well-wisher sponsored their train ticket to Rajastan and the team reached the remote village.
Bishop Dr.M.A.Thomas and the rest soon pitched their tent in the village and started their ministrations. More than 4 decades later, today his organization, Immanuel Ministries (Hope Givers) provide shelter and care to 6000 destitute children. All over the country, in 150 leprosy colonies, 1.25 lakhs people feel his loving care. In the 150 education centers started by him, more than 70000 students are led into the light of knowledge. And as an appreciation of the silent work being done by the Bishop and his family, he has been conferred Padmashri award last year.
The day he was born, the midwife declared that the infant had died. As preparations were afoot to bury the body, someone noticed a slight movement of the child’s thumb. Such baptism by fire had prepared him to face severe challenges in the initial years at Rajastan.
His ambition is to become the foster father of 1 million destitutes. Says he: “I am an international beggar. I beg so that 6000 children may not beg in the streets.”
Courtesy: Soman Baby, Malayala Manorama, August 5, 2001
Contributed by: Administrator
