Maharashtra Deaf Fellowship of India was founded in 1987 by Lillian Doerksen, a missionary who had worked in India for 36 years in a large Christian orphanage.
While at the orphanage, she adopted and raised 34 orphan girls as her own family. When Ruth, her oldest girl, had two deaf children, Lillian become concerned about their welfare.
After looking long and hard she discovered that there was no Christian school or organization for the deaf in her state of Maharashtra (pop. 90 million people). She promised God that if she still had
strength after her retirement from the orphanage, she would lanuch a spiritual ministry for the deaf. Shortly after her retirement, Lillian obeyed the Lord's calling and organized a deaf camp in
Pune. One of Lillian's daughters, Tara and her husband Arvind Meshramkar, canceled their honeymoon to help with the camp. After receiving a good response from the camp, Lillan began deaf Bible studies and
classes for the deaf. At 77 years of age, she is still actively involved in this ministry. After the camp, Arvind and Tara agreed to direct the operations on a daily basis and are still serving. |
