Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings to you! Rebekah and I have some very exciting news. We believe we have been called to India to serve in an orphanage in Visakhapatnam. As many of you know, Rebekah has been there many times over the years, and she has fallen in love with it. We believe God has called us both to serve there together. The name of the orphanage is Two Worlds Children’s Home and Public School and it is operated by an amazing Indian couple. The orphanage is only a small piece of Christ the King of Kings Ministries, which helps support over 30 pastors and many widows, and preaches the Word in tribal regions where the name of Jesus has never been heard. The ministry now has two children’s homes – one housing approximately 150 “untouchable” children and the other housing about 30.

We will be serving there by teaching English and Bible lessons at the school and the larger of the two orphanages. Rebekah will also share at women’s meetings and I’ll be preaching in the churches we visit, and sharing with the men at the Bible college. We are very excited about this opportunity that God has called us to and we’re asking for your prayers and support. We will need to save about $15,000 for travel, room/board, and to have a month or two of finances saved for when we return to the States. Rebekah and I will be leaving for India shortly after our honeymoon and will serve there for eight and a half months.

We want to thank you in advance for supporting us as we follow God’s calling for our lives. If you want to support us monetarily you can give monthly or donate ahead of time. We’d like to earn a good portion of the trip cost ourselves, but without more work that’s not really a possibility. If you hear of any job opportunities that you think either of us would be suited for, please do let us know. We welcome all the job information we can get. Sharing with friends about our dance lessons is one big way you can help. Rebekah teaches ballet, lyrical, jazz, creative movement, and adult “core conditioning” classes in the Winchester area and I teach ballroom dance in Richmond.

We also greatly value your prayers. Prayer for our preparations (physically, spiritually, and emotionally), prayer for our relationship as we begin our marriage with this ministry, prayer for our safety, for all the people involved in this ministry, and for the Lord to be glorified in everything we do.

Although we’re not going to India with Bless India Ministries, this is the organization that Rebekah first went to the orphanage with in 2002, and it continues to support Christ the King of Kings Ministries from the United States. A visit to www.blessindia.com will give you more information on the Mekalas and the ministries in India and here in the States. Rebekah and I will also be sending out updates via our e-newsletter – On the Other Side of the World. If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, you can sign up through the link below.

Thank you for being a part of our lives and for becoming a part in this ministry through your love and support for us.

-Michael & Rebekah