I first met the children at the Emmanuel Ministries orphanage (Hopegivers International in the USA) while on a trip to India back in 2006.
The founder, Bishop M.A. Thomas was hiding from militant Hindus. His son, Dr. Samuel Thomas--the president of Hopegivers was in jail because of his work with Dalit orphans. I went to the Kota jail in Rajasthan where Dr. Thomas was held. The jailers insisted they would only allow me inside to interview Samuel if I gave them a $10,000 bribe. I wasn't carrying that kind of cash on me, not enough rupees. I wouldn't have paid them even if I had the money.
"Sorry," I replied. "I don't pay for news interviews."
So, I missed my chance to meet and talk with Samuel Thomas, but I was impressed with the ministry's orphanage, school, and hospital in Kota. I found the older students well-mannered, intelligent, and articulate. They have now graduated and many of them have gone on to serve their people as missionaries.
Fast forward six years. I finally met Dr. Samuel Thomas this week during his visit to CBN headquarters in Virginia Beach. Watch my interview and you're likely to be impressed with the work Hopegivers is doing and the sacrifice Dr, Thomas and his graduates are making for Jesus Christ.