🕊️ Refuge Village Update: From Homelessness to Hope – July 21, 2025
📍 Location: India
Update by Chris Chaney…Chris has been faithfully poured in 100’s of hours of anointed teaching, disipleship, and fellowship in being a true apostolic Father into these new disciples of Jesus! He has traveled there at his own expense to see firsthand. He obediently stewards them in leadership, discipleship, and accountability. You can trust where your hard earned dollars go in this endeavor. He has invested thousands of dollars of his own funds and also raised additional thousands from his friends and family and CMM Partners. 1 Samuel 30;24 “For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.”
🌱 A Miracle in Motion
We have exciting news to report. The property that was miraculously acquired for the 35 families that is to become the base of training and sending for the Kingdom has crossed several milestones in the past month. As of today, Thursday, they are moving to the property!!!
From Homeless to Settled
For the past 3 months the 35 families have been homeless. The temporary dwelling they had been living in was suddenly yanked away from them. They have been living in public bus stops since. It hurts me just to say that. In order for that to work they broke up into smaller groups so they could fit under the open covers during the rains. My prayer to the Lord during this extremely difficult time has been that every one of them, from the youngest to the oldest, would remain in good health and be safe. And of course, we all have been praying for sufficient funds to develop the property.
🧱 Milestones Reached
It all came to a head 6 weeks ago when they were considering trading the property for a much lesser deal. This was born from pure desperation, and deep hunger. They were starving. When the gravity of their current situation came to my attention, we pulled together enough funds to begin the construction of a large building on the property. Hope was rekindled as this began to unfold. But the 35 families were still at the bus stops. Construction was stopped for a week due to flooding rains, and there was the nagging problem of not having any drinking water.
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💧 The Miracle Well
We attempted to address the water issue by drilling our own well. Sure it was going to be expensive, but once they hit water it would change everything. Then the call came from pastor Joy. The utility authorities would not give the 35 families a tie-in to the local power grid because they were Christians. We were told a connection would have to be made 20 kilometers away (instead of 20 meters away) and the lines would have to run directly onto the property of Refuge
Village. That cost would be somewhere around $25,000 and would take countless years to complete (if ever). The enemy had made a bold move against Refuge Village and our plans. But then a miracle happened.
Everyone was praying. Then another call came from pastor Joy. One of the neighbors was a wealthy farmer and wanted to help the 35 families. He needed quick cash for the wedding of his daughter and had offered us the newest well he had just drilled a few months earlier. It gives a flow of 1,000 liters/minute, a phenomenal well. In addition, he offered the electric power transformer as a permanent provision to go along with the well. The one catch was it would cost
8 lakhs–$9,400.
🛠️ What We Still Need
Your generosity has brought us this far. But there are critical needs remaining:
- 💰 $800 – Due immediately to pay the contractor who completed the building
- 💰 $4,000 – Remaining cost to complete the structure
- 💧 $4,700 – Balance due on the miracle well (due within 6 weeks)
- 📱 New phone for Pastor Satti – Their current device is broken, limiting communication and update
Because of fear of persecution, it’s hard to get pictures, especially from locals who don’t want to be seen helping Christians. But we are praying for safer and more consistent communication channels soon.
A Change of Plans
We didn’t have the money to take advantage of this golden opportunity, one the Lord was providing, unless . . . I had been saving a generous donation from our partners in Ohio so that I could go back to India this summer. Combined with the donations of a few other friends and family we could come up with half the
funds needed. After several discussions and confirming prayer (I already knew what I was going to do), it was decided by all that the money being held for the trip would pay for the 50% down payment on the well. All was quickly agreed upon. The well now belongs to us. I keep saying “us” because the 35 families
are partnering with pastor Joy, myself, and CMM ministries.
Financial Needs
Many have given generously, even sacrificially to bring the project up to this point. But more is need. As it stands now we are facing an immediate need for $800 to pay the contractor upon completion of the building. Then we will need to raise another $4,000 to complete the payment. I would show everyone a few pictures of the building as it is now completed, but pastor Satti’s phone has broken (another need for the ministry). No one else will send pictures to pastor Joy.
The fear of persecution is always present, even for the local Hindus who don’t want to be seen by the authorities as being too friendly with the Christians.
And then there is the well. We have paid half. $4,700 is still needed to complete the purchase.
We have about 6 weeks to come up with that money.
So please pray and ask the Lord what you could give for the furtherance of this amazing work. If anyone wants the historical background of the 35 families and how this all came into being please feel free to ask me or CMM for those articles.
🔥 Refuge Village: A Launchpad for Revival
When I return to India, it won’t be to desperation—it will be to celebration.
Refuge Village is becoming a Kingdom training base for evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. Even now, ministry is beginning through smartphone technology and local leadership. Soon, signs and wonders will follow. (Mark 16:15-17)
🙏 Will You Help Us Finish Strong?
Please pray and ask the Lord how you might sow into this beautiful story of redemption and purpose. Every dollar brings stability and dignity to these 35 families—and empowers the Gospel to advance in India.
➡️ Give today at this secure link:
Your gift is a seed into fertile ground. Let’s bring this vision to full completion—together.
✨ The Vision Ahead
“The time for waiting and praying is over. The time for praying and going has come.”
— Refuge Village Missionary
Refuge Village is more than a place. It is a movement of hope, healing, and Holy Spirit fire rising in the heart of India.
Thank you for being part of this Kingdom miracle.
📩 For background articles on the 35 families or how this journey began, please email us or contact CMM.world.