© Sanjeev Maddila, 2014 All Rights Reserved, 2014 1

© Sanjeev Maddila, 2014

Kerala – Gods’ Own Country

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South-Western tip of the Indian Peninsula

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Malabar Coast - prominent spice exporter since 3000 BCE to 3rd century, part of the Silk Route

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Kerala is 12th most populace state in India

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… 35 Million people, same as California…

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© Gopi.Krishna, 2014

… however, with only 1/10th of the land of California

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Life expectancy of Kerala people is the same as those of the US, provided at less than 1/10th of cost

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Kerala has the lowest homicide rate in all of India

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Has the highest ratio of women to men: 1084 to 1000

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© Sanjeev Maddila, 2014

With the highest literacy rate in India, almost 100%

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Many of the highly educated people emigrate here…

Doctors Nurses Teachers Managers Lawyers

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Kerala has the most Religious & Cultural Diversity

50% Hindus, 25% Muslims 25% Christians*

* only 2.5% for India

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It is the most tolerant place in India.

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“He alone sees truly who sees the Lord in every creature, seeing the same Lord everywhere”- Rig Veda

“Allah is All-Sufficient - To speak a kind word and to forgive people's faults is better than charity followed by hurt.” – Quran

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For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 14:11

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In 1292, Marco Polo found there were Christians in India

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Christians arrived in India in three (3) waves:

1) 52 AD: Apostle Thomas and

Persian traders (Orthodox)

2) 15th & 16th Century: Portuguese Crusaders (Catholics)

3) 18th & 19th Century: Germans, Dutch British (Protestants)

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St. Thomas Mount in Chennai, India is believed to be the place where he attained martyrdom

Coins of Augustus Caesar, found at PUDUKOTTAI-TN

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- Apostolic in origin - Universal in nature - Biblical in faith - Evangelical in principle - Ecumenical in outlook - Oriental in worship - Democratic in function - Episcopal in character

MarThoma Church Defines itself as

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Mar Thoma Church - Diocese of NA and Europe has 50+ churches with more than 10,000 households

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Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

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Drops of Care …

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Showers of Blessings …

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Rivers of Love …

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So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith Galatians 6:10