Carter Rodrigues’ mercy trip September 14-17, 2020
A young boy in our Good Samaritan Children’s Home (“GSCH”) named Ravi got word that his grandmother who raised him was severely ill with cancer.
Carter Rodrigues, administrative director of GSCH immediately went into action! First, about Carter – you need to know that this man has a special place in his heart for children, loves every single one of these GSCH kids with all his heart, and would do anything for them. And, they all love him too!
The immediate action: Carter packed Ravi in the car and headed out for the small village of Kadur near Chickmagalur where the grandmother lives with 8 others (4 adults & 5 children) in a 150 square foot house! – a 5 hour drive. Click here to view map. The drive took them across the beautiful Western Ghats Mountains with its winding roads and thru the coffee growing farming countryside.
As they reached within only 12 km from their destination a farmer on a tractor, not seeing them, made an unsignaled turn in front of them. Carter swerved but didn’t miss hitting the tractor and ended up in a ditch with damage to the car that made it undriveable. The farmer who felt terrible took them to a nearby restaurant and bought them a nice meal. He offered to give them money for the rapairs which is hight expected from one who caused an accident in India But Carter said “No, it was an accident and Jesus wouldn’t want us to take money from anyone in this case but especially from a hard working farmer.” The farmer was shocked!
They waited about three hours for the tow truck to come then went with it, 30 km in the opposite direction, to Chickmagalur to a repair shop. This turned out to be providential because it gave them the perfect opportunity to visit Ravi’s little brother Sanju who lives with an aunt there in Chickmagalur. After a nice visit and reunion they then boarded a bus for an 1 ½ hour ride to Kadur.
The reunion was a blessing for all. Everyone there was so excited to see Ravi and he was just as excited about seeing them! And they were so grateful for Carter bringing him. The grandmother and other adults had never met Carter who they had imagined as a typical “beauracratic type administrator.” They were pleased to see that he isn’t that at all but that he is a loving, caring and devoted “father figure” to Ravi and the other kids, and to learn all the ways he and the others care for and love on GSCH children. Carter tells me this was a special blessing for him as well.
Carter and Ravi spent two full days and one night before they had to leave so Carter could get back to his duties at GSCH. The all night long bus trip back took nearly twice as long as the drive there. They arrived very tired but feeling so blessed!
Carter will take that long bus trip back to Chickmagalur to pick up the car this week. Seeing the picture below you can guess how much it would cost to have the repairs done here in the States. But, Carter was shocked at the estimate that was at least half of what he expected – only 35,000 rupees (about $500) which will be covered by insurance! There God goes again – looking after and providing for his faithful servants!!!
One more thing about the trip: Carter paid for the expenses of this trip out of his own pocket!
How this has impacted Carter: Seeing how blessed they were by his visit, he now plans to regularly visit families of GSCH kids as an opportunity for them to receive the reassurances that their children are being extremely well cared for and loved. AND, it will give him the opportunity to share Jesus with them!
Join us in thanking God for brother Carter, for protecting them during their travel, and for His provisions.
p.s. Carter called last night to tell me the grandmother went to be with Jesus. She was a believer. The trip turned out to be more timely than they had thought! God’s timing is always perfect! If you’re like me you just need to learn to be more attentive when the Lord asks you to do something, like brother Carter, and not dilly-dally or put it off.
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