After traveling by plane to Coimbatore through Mumbay, we grab our bags and step outside to find hundreds of flag-waving girls and a band welcoming us to Michael Job College. It is our first exposure to the more than 500 girls, most of whom are orphans and have been taken in by Dr. P. P. Job, a long-time evangelist who founded 'Love in Action' ministries some 30 years ago. Dr. Job educates these young women (aged 3-30) in a Christian environment and gives them a hope and a future. Despite their circumstances, nearly all of them are joyful. Their welcoming smiles and hugs have all of us enraptured.
Dr. Job holds a press conference, and announces the theme of the three-day Commencement festivities: 'Save the Girl Child'. He hopes to raise awareness about rampant abortion in India, and will stage a protest and rally on Monday to end 'Discrimination of the Girl Child in India'.
At the press conference, we hear that in addition to abortion, many young women are abandoned, hence the need for Dr. Job's Center. In fact, he will christen a new building tomorrow that may one day house hundreds of younger girls, aged 3 months to 3 years.
Dr. Job and his wife Mary (she works six days a week at her own volunteer medical clinic) lost their two sons to tragedy: they were both murdered for their faith. With few partners and growing opposition in some quarters in India, they have built a haven that promises to bless thousands for years to come.
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