AIC was started in 1988, when Tom and Rachel Thurley (members of this church since 1962), saw the poverty of many of the Anglo-Indian community living in Madras, South India (now known as Chennai). In India the work is know as the Vine Charitable Trust.
Practical help is given in particular to children in education and to senior citizens, over 100 of each being helped. In recent years it has been able to sponsor many young people in university education.
Other aid is given to the disabled, the malnourished, the sick and occasionally the homeless. The ministry is holistic with practical aid given alongside the sharing 
of the Gospel, individually, at small meetings and evangelistic events. The aim is gradually to uplift the whole community.
The team in India is led by Grace Shrimpton, and we employ a trained social worker. Grace’s husband, David, is Pastor to The People of the Way, a growing church of about 60 members, to which we give prayer backing and some financial support.
Rachel spends about 3 months in India each winter.
Latest news and prayer requests – February 2012
Give thanks for recent encouragements:
- Three women who came to the VCT office depressed and discouraged because of family problems have received support, care and a listening ear from Grace and John. They are now less anxious, more able to cope and have hope for the future. Pray they may also come to know the Lord.
- Several young women with low self esteem, now have been encouraged to go out to work to support their families.
- VCT has been able to help two new families who are in full time Christian work with school fees for their children.
- People of the Way fellowship has been offered a plot of land at well below market price to construct their own building.
Please pray:
- Josephine started a degree course in June and then got typhoid. Her mother also is ill and J has dropped out to care for her. Pray we may be able to get her back into training, perhaps on a Montessori course, when the family situation improves.
- Lettie Kearney is in Chennai until the end of March. Pray for her health and safety on the roads. Also that she has wisdom regarding priorities as she plans her busy programme.
- That the VCT team will find a replacement for Dexter to work as office assistant.
- Pray that the final negotiations for purchasing the plot of land by the People of the Way will go smoothly. Also that the final amount of the purchase price will soon be donated.
- Pray for the wedding on 12 February between Ram (a Hindu convert) and his Anglo-Indian fiancée, Sharon, and that God will richly bless this new Christian home.
Rachel can be contacted at: rachelthurley@yahoo.co.uk