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In December, The Mission Society helped raise money for the “Blankets of Love” project in India. Through their ministry, Hope for Today (HFT), Mission Society missionaries Peter and Esther Pereira raised money for nearly 3,000 blankets and distributed them to poor families in northern India. Here they describe their experience.

“When people think of India, they often think about the sweltering heat. However, there are places within the country where temperatures drop below freezing during the winter months. In fact, Delhi reported in January 2013 that they had experienced the coldest day in 44 years. More than 200 people have frozen to death this year.

“Hope for Today recognized this plight for the homeless and those with insufficient clothing and shelter. Hope for Today staff members have distributed blankets during the last three Christmas seasons. The blankets (almost 3,000 this year) were distributed to the neediest, as designated by the community, along with the story of Jesus’ birth and how He came to earth to love all people.

“One pastor asked if he could distribute blankets to Muslims. The answer was, ‘Of course! We want to show love to all of God’s children.’ The Hope for Today staff was invited to a community center attached to a mosque. There the mullah (Islamic clergyman) explained that the Christians were there to show the love of Isa (Jesus).

“He explained that the Qur’an teaches about Isa, and how He was born of the Virgin Mary. The HFT staff told those gathered about Jesus, and how we are called to be His servants in the world. Next, staffers distributed the blankets. The following day, there was a banner hanging from the mosque, saying, ‘Merry Christmas to our Christian neighbors.’ Praise God!”