"Tashi Dolma is a child that is part of this family at Jatson Chumig School & Orphanage that has had several challenges in her life. But she has been supported by the family environment that has been created at this first orphanage in Tibet.  This orphanage still consists of more than 1/3 of the children being handicapped and this complex has literally been a life saver for them.  This is one of the last mission fields and we are forming relationships with these children through demonstrating the values we believe we need to live by.  Building of dorms is the first tangible action these children will see of our values in action."  -- Kevin E. Porter

To support this orphanage, click on PROJECTS above and search for "Tibet."  This project seeks to raise $110,000 in the next year to construct dormitories in Tibet.

The following is a journal written by Kevin E. Porter of TABCOM about this project:

Mission Success; But Not Without You

By Kevin E. Porter

Working over the years with different missions in various locations, I have always felt my heart tug at the overwhelming needs that are presented to us as a mission committee for The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM).  I always pray that the mission will be a success and that we will be able to come through with the resources that have been pledged.  The American Baptist Churches USA is currently working with TABCOM to support a two-year mission explosion project (2010-2011) in the capital, Lhasa, of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China at Jatson Chumig School & Orphanage.  At Jatson Chumig, there are more than 150 children that have been taken off the streets or have found their way to this compound at the end of this city.  I am been to Jatson Chumig twice now and will be going again next spring.  What a thrill it is to experience a family environment that has been established for these children that otherwise would be living in the street or worse.

            When TABCOM made its first exploratory trip to determine whether there was a mission need worth TABCOM and ABC supporting, what we found was an organization that was dealing with a common problem worldwide and that we have seen in many of the countries we are supporting; homeless children that need to be taken care of.  We were impressed at how entrepreneurial the founder was in establishing operational funds to support the orphanage and the integrated elementary school supporting grades 1-6.  Jatson Chumig is the FIRST orphanage in Tibet to support handicapped children and these comprise one-third (1/3) of the children.  The conclusion from this exploratory mission trip was that we found a mission in one of the last corners of the world that need to see the presence of Christ, that is operating well to support handicapped and able body orphan children and that needed our help on a capital project to replace a dorm damaged by an earthquake and other dorms that will enable an acceptable sanitary level for these children.  With a successful mission project, the American Baptists will succeed in reducing extreme overcrowding conditions and improve the environment by increasing the sanitation level of this orphanage.

            Jatson Chumig School & Orphanage needs your support.  Currently, ABC/TABCOM is behind in raising the funds required to finish this project.  There have been several challenges in the world over the last two years that has required funds to be redirected to support emergency situations.  However, we are now at a point that needs our attention to ensure that these children are able to live in a way that enables them to reach a required level of health and the ability to attend school.  I have always been a vocal proponent of each person and church having a portfolio of missions that supports their local community, across our nation, and throughout the world.  I look at how to ensure that I am supporting my local neighborhood missions, how I can support the needs raised for American missions, and how I can reach out to my neighbors throughout the world.  When I discovered Jatson Chumig and interacted with the children, I found a mission that I was pulled to.  The potential of these orphans is tremendous if we can provide them with an environment that will enable them to be nurtured.  I feel Christ has pointed us to spread the word, by action and deeds, to this remote area of the world.

            The work of building the first dorm has begun with the plan to house children in it by this winter.  The support of you and other American Baptists will ensure that these children will be able to have dorms that will eliminate having 3-4 sleeping in a bed, will ensure that sanitation levels as vastly improved, and will show that American Baptists are a people of action, reflecting the teachings we have accepted from Christ and are willing to live by.  Please contribute either individually to this mission project or designate all or a portion of the World Mission Offering to the “Tibet Mission Explosion Dorm Project”.  If you have questions or would like myself or one of the mission team come to speak to your mission committee or congregation, please contact me at kep@tiac.net.