Global Partner
History of Involvement in South Asia
In 2006, Rob & Jodie Sweet met the "Y" family while in a spiritual formation group at Dallas Theological Seminary. Their friendship grew during their time in seminary, and they continued to stay in touch after graduation in 2011.
In 2018, Fellowship sent an exploratory team to South Asia to serve alongside the "Y" family in the various ministries that they serve. They participated in the Miracle Milk Program, which provides nutrition and bible stories to HIV+ orphans as well as children with disabilities. The team conducted a marriage conference and provided training for young adults. They visited the future site of Hope Farm, which consisted of the property and a security fence.
In 2020, Fellowship returned to South Asia with a team that led a women’s conference, a pastor’s training, and a marriage conference. They also participated in outreach activities, serving HIV+ widows and orphans through the Project Life and Miracle Milk Programs. At the time, Hope Farm had expanded to include the addition of a large well.
In 2022, a third team was sent from Fellowship to lead a pastors & wives conference and a women’s conference. In addition, they led outreach initiatives for HIV+ widows (Project Life), young adults (Project Life Launch), a girls' orphanage, and a hearing-impaired boarding school (Miracle Milk). During this time, Hope Farm grew to include a blue house, with intentions to hire a couple to live and work on the farm.
In response to the growing need to help support the HIV+ widows and young adults, the "Y" family launched Basket of Hope in the Spring of 2024. The initiative included a spice shop and bakery. The Project Life women were invited to participate in the initial bakery training in March of 2024, which was led by a friend of Jeff Gipe. The ladies continued to perfect the recipes and sell their products.
In September 2024, a Fellowship team provided additional bakery training, and led two conferences: a marriage conference and a women’s conference. The team conducted outreach events to HIV+ widows, young adults, art therapy at the girls' orphanage, and visited the hearing-impaired school. By this time, Hope Farm had expanded to include hundreds of fruit and vegetable trees, including lentils, okra, figs, and mangoes.
Biography
The “Y” Family has been International Ministry Partners with Children’s Relief International (CRI) for the past 12 years, serving the Lord among their own people. Their vision is to strengthen the local church as they care for the widows, the orphans and the lost within their community. R was saved at a young age. She completed a Doctorate degree in Medicine, a Masters degree in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary and most recently a Masters degree in Social Work. J was saved at the age of 19. He completed a Masters degree in Biochemistry, and later a Masters degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Prior to their call into full-time ministry, J was working in a Biotech Pharma company and R was working in the ER. They resigned their jobs and moved to the United States in order to pursue seminary education. After finishing seminary, they returned home to serve the Lord. They minister at City Brethren Assembly, where J is the pastor, while also sharing the gospel and providing care to HIV positive widows and orphans through various projects. A few of those projects include:
- Project Life: a ministry that currently serves 39 HIV positive widows in the community. They provide support and care to these women and their children through regular house visits, offering free groceries, and caring for their physical, emotional & spiritual needs.
- Project Life Launch: a ministry that currently serves 12 young adults and orphans that have been impacted by HIV. They provide skill training, encouragement and support to launch these young adults into their communities.
- Miracle Milk Ministry: a ministry that provides nutritional care to various children living in institutions in their community.
- Hope Farm: the future home base of their holistic ministries to the HIV+ orphans and widows, their children, and the church. It will be a place for equipping, encouraging, and empowering while also providing a place for rest and restoration.
Contact Us
Email Jodie Sweet for more information on The "Y" Family, our partners in South Asia.
