INDIA

Geography

Area: 3,166,000 sq. km. A further 121,000 sq. km.
of Kashmir is administered by Pakistan and China.
Geographically and politically India dominates
south Asia and the Indian Ocean.
There are 29 Union States and 6 Union Territories.

Population

2000   1,013,661,777

2010   1,152,163,518 (est)

2025   1,330,448,707 (est)

Peoples

The racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity together with the caste system
complicates any analysis of the population. A 1991 survey identified 4,635
distinct people groups. Caste discrimination is forbidden by the constitution,
but is socially important for over 80% of the population.

Economy

Predominantly agricultural with 64% of the labor force, but rapid industrialization
and urbanization is taking place. One of the world leaders in computer software production,
India is now a nuclear power and has a space industry. In spite of progress,
over 600 million Indians live in deep poverty, and 300 million live below the bread-line.

Religion

India's constitution provides for full religious freedom of worship and witness
for all religions. However, anti-conversion legislation and imposing legal restrictions
on Christian activities has been strongly demanded by Hindu activists. Some states
have enacted such legislation and condoned a rising wave of violence and even
murder of Christian workers. Many people are concerned about the practical
erosion of guaranteed religious freedoms.

Demographic information from "Operation World".

Pappy Daniel came to know the Lord as his personal Savior at the age of 17. After graduation from high school, he attended a teachers' training program and became a public school teacher in India. He taught in the school system for eight years, and then the Lord called him to full time Christian ministry. Therefore, he resigned his job and bought several witnessing tracts and went into the villages to tell them about Jesus. Pappy often ministered by going door to door, one person at a time. 

As Pappy walked through the villages, he and his family saw the poverty of the village children. Due to malnutrition, their ribs were showing and they had hyperextended bellies. They were also without proper clothing due to the miserable living conditions. Because no one cared for these precious children they were also unable to get a proper education  They began to operate a home for the poor and orphaned children in India. That was the beginning of the Light of Hope Mission.

In addition to the orphanage, there is a church congregation in Cheppad, India consisting of 200 to 250 people, including children who meet for worship on Sundays. There are also house churches in villages where there are no church buildings exist.

LIGHT OF HOPE MISSION

Several projects and ministries are underway at the Light of Hope Mission in Alleppey District, Kerala State, India run by Pappy Daniel.

1. Village evangelism outreach and church planting. A team of workers go door to door witnessing every weekday with the good news of salvation.

2. Seekers' and follow up meetings to establish newly converted people in the Lord.

3.Literature ministry - Tens of thousands of gospel literatures are being printed and used in the outreaches. Shipments also go to the other parts of the country to be used by outreach  workers.

4. Bible classes and house groups.

5.Counseling for alcoholics and families with problems.

6. Children's Homes. Presently 67 girls and 47 boys with 20 staff workers to teach, feed and to care for them.

7. New home under construction to care for 100 boys at a space of 15,940 sq ft.