By Robert Dilday
Associate Editor
Some 75 Indian fishing families have had their livelihoods restored, thanks to the joint efforts of Baptists in Virginia and India.
Over the past few months, fiberglass boats-replacing those destroyed by last year's tsunami-have been built in a boatyard near Kanyakumari and given to fishers who live at this southernmost tip of India.
Each boat requires a crew of five men and consequently provides a living for them and each of their families, says Kunjumon Chacko, executive director of the India Baptist Convention.
“This is making a tangible difference in the lives of the fishermen,” said Chacko.
On Feb. 22, two Virginia Baptist leaders distributed titles to five of the newest boats to families who gathered at the Kanyakumari boat yard to take ownership of them.
John Upton, executive director of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, and Jerry Jones, team leader for the board's glocal missions and evangelism team, both said the gifts represent God's love expressed through Virginia Baptists.
“There are hundreds of Baptists across Virginia praying for you,” Upton told the families. “This is one way of showing you the love of God in Jesus Christ.”
Each of the fiberglass boats has been named “Virginia Baptist” with a number. Virginia Baptist 15 is the latest to be finished.
Chacko said Indian Baptists settled on the Kanyakumari boatyard owned by Soris Anbu Austin because of its reputation for quality.
Austin-a Christian though not a Baptist-readily took on the project and quickly turned out the new boats, each of which costs about $10,000. But he's been moved by Indian and Virginia Baptists' concern-so moved that he is donating a 16th boat to a group of families.
“This is a great thing that is being done,” said Austin.