WorldShare first began working with COI by sponsoring "Seeker Seminars" for Muslims, a foundation that was readily built upon after the devastating Kashmir earthquake of 8 October 2005.
The earthquake damaged infrastructure and left many dead, injured, and homeless. Suddenly, access was given to anyone who could bring aid, including Christians.
In response, COI mobilized its resources to bring aid to the victims, with the long-term vision of planting churches where few, if any, were located.
Though it has been dominated by war and unrest for most of the last century, and the Gospel has been rejected in the past, the kind of response which has become possible in recent years has brought a glimmer of hope to this key region of the world.
GOD'S LOVE RESTORED HER LIFE
Laxmi is 18 years of age, but her childhood dreams became faint memories over time. She is one of ten children in her family. She lives in one of the slums of New Delhi dominated by Islam. Her parents could not afford to send her to school due to her father’s crippling sickness. She felt that she “never saw childhood and misfortune never left her alone.”
When Laxmi was 12, she was in an unfortunate accident that burned over 40% of her body. After her accident, she rarely smiled. But after attending COI’s centre for women, her whole life changed. Despite her lack of education, she has learned to sew and was one of the best students.
COI provided her with a sewing machine to start her own business. God’s love has given her smile back.
MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
Ramesh Landge founded Cooperative Outreach of India in 1993. The burden to start this organization was prompted after years of supervising community development projects across North India.
Ramesh saw the tremendous need among the people for both physical and spiritual development, and desired to see them transformed by the love of Christ.
Today, Ramesh serves as COI's Director. He is married to Gloria and the couple has two sons.
PROJECTS (Click on the links to see details of the projects of this ministry partner)
211003 - Muslim Outreach Training
211005 - Slum Outreach