Justin Huffman
From June 15 to June 27th a team of volunteers from our church ministered in Tamil Nadu, India. During the course of our visit, we were able to visit numerous churches, 4 orphanages, 3 children’s tuition centers, 3 medical clinics, and 2 sewing centers — all of which are being used mightily by God to share the gospel in poverty stricken areas.
I was thankful and amazed to see how God has been blessing the efforts there to the glory of Jesus Christ. As you may know, the Baptist Witness is translated into Tamil each month and it was a thrill to meet faithful readers, whether in small home prayer groups in Salem or in a children’s tuition center in the Yercaud mountains. What a blessing to see and hear first hand how the Lord has been using these, and other sermons and literature from our ministry, to convert and instruct and encourage so many!
Brother Guna, and the other dedicated ministers associated with the Good Samaritan Trust, have tirelessly been laboring to get out the gospel of Christ in every place possible. Besides the work in the state of Tamil Nadu that we visited, they also have been blessed to establish numerous preaching points in the state of Andrapradesh.
But the blessings on our trip were not automatic, of course. In fact, after our first full day in the Salem area, I was somewhat discouraged and disheartened, feeling keenly my own great weakness and inability to empower all the ministry that needed to be done. That night I wrote in my journal:
“Lord, please answer the prayers you seem to be indicting! I cannot express the weakness and feebleness I feel. God give me more faith in you, that you can move, reach, touch, enflame hearts anyway, anywhere. Bless me with the wisdom and strength to compliment, and not hinder, the means your Spirit might use. But, oh, to see you move mightily and soon! Grow us all.”
But what a blessing to write the very next day:
“Wow! God answers prayer! I went to bed weeping last night, feeling so unable to bless this trip…today was an amazing, above-and-beyond answer.”
A big part of that for me was this event: we were coming from sharing the gospel at a sewing center where a group of Hindu women had been very receptive, on our way back to the Veppamarathur church and orphanage. We stopped by the new home of Elizabeth and Zachariah, a precious couple whose amazing conversion had been shared with me during my last trip here.
While we were there, they introduced us to Zachariah’s brother and his wife, with whom they had been sharing the gospel and taking with them to church for several weeks. They told Guna they were ready to be baptized, and he assured them it would be done soon.
We drove a couple of miles on to the church and spent some time there visiting and praying in the shade of a grassy hill; when we walked back to the church grounds, this same couple was waiting – they had walked there, with their clothes, and were graciously insistent that we baptize them as soon as possible!
Not knowing the extent of their understanding, I shared a gospel summary and baptism lesson from Romans 6, emphasizing the need for a changed life – the more I shared, the more excited she became! Zachariah and Elizabeth said the whole community had seen the change in their life since they had started attending church with them. Apparently the husband had been a daily drunkard who had previously abused his wife and children severely. But since they had begun to embrace the gospel of Christ, he had entirely quit drinking and had been transformed into a loving and dedicated husband and father.
According to Christian custom in India, I gave the couple their new and Christian names: Aquila and Priscilla. I exhorted them to be members like this mighty and godly couple from the New Testament church. Then I was blessed to baptize them, with smiles and tears still on their faces.
This was just one of countless examples during our trip of the Spirit’s moving in mighty and evident ways. It was refreshing to see the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to convict and comfort in the midst of any culture or spiritual captivity. My prayer is that that we will see similar signs of the power and advancement of the kingdom of Christ in this nation, starkly setting his church on the cultural horizon — a city on a hill that can not be hidden.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Lord has shown His mercy
Throughout 2008, the Lord has shown His mercy upon us in the midst of various troubles and persecution.
The church where I am pastoring in Chettipatty has grown in grace and in numbers and also in finance. The church became self-supporting since past two years and supporting a pastor for full-time ministry. In the same way, the church in Thinnapatty and Angiam also became self-supporting. We are encouraging all the other churches to support their own pastors in near future. We are thankful to our friends who are still supporting our poor pastors whose churches are not able to support their ministers due to their poor income.
During this year, the Lord led us to expand His work in Ramnad District down south of Tamilnadu. Brother Rajangam who worked with our orphanage in Chettipatty in the past had returned to his village named Abiramam in the above mentioned district. Since then, he started evangelizing in his own village. As the Lord used him as a powerful instrument, so far 15 people have been converted.
By the immense mercy of God, Yercaud Church building and parsonage construction has been completed after 3 years. Raman Immanuel has already moved into the parsonage and is pastoring the church. The remaining 8 churches in Tamilnadu and 3 churches in Andhrapradesh are still with us. There were 30 new converts baptized during the past year.
Child Care: the children in the orphanages have grown physically and spiritually. We keep teaching the Word of God in the daily prayers, Bible study, and worship services. We have had to close 2 child care centers, but were able to open up 3 new ones, in different locations. There are now 6 care centers, serving 295 children.
Community Health Care: we continue to operate our mobile clinic, visiting about 25 villages in all. Since October, we moved the program to the Omalur area and modified it, opening five clinics in the five major villages of the area. So far we have been able to treat 558 patients. Also, the construction for the Fair Haven Health Clinic has been completed and is ready for use.
Without the mercy of God and the help of the saints, the work could not have accomplished up to this stage. On behalf of the preachers, orphans, and staff I want to express our deep thanks to you for all your support and partnership extended to the work of the Lord in India.
The church where I am pastoring in Chettipatty has grown in grace and in numbers and also in finance. The church became self-supporting since past two years and supporting a pastor for full-time ministry. In the same way, the church in Thinnapatty and Angiam also became self-supporting. We are encouraging all the other churches to support their own pastors in near future. We are thankful to our friends who are still supporting our poor pastors whose churches are not able to support their ministers due to their poor income.
During this year, the Lord led us to expand His work in Ramnad District down south of Tamilnadu. Brother Rajangam who worked with our orphanage in Chettipatty in the past had returned to his village named Abiramam in the above mentioned district. Since then, he started evangelizing in his own village. As the Lord used him as a powerful instrument, so far 15 people have been converted.
By the immense mercy of God, Yercaud Church building and parsonage construction has been completed after 3 years. Raman Immanuel has already moved into the parsonage and is pastoring the church. The remaining 8 churches in Tamilnadu and 3 churches in Andhrapradesh are still with us. There were 30 new converts baptized during the past year.
Child Care: the children in the orphanages have grown physically and spiritually. We keep teaching the Word of God in the daily prayers, Bible study, and worship services. We have had to close 2 child care centers, but were able to open up 3 new ones, in different locations. There are now 6 care centers, serving 295 children.
Community Health Care: we continue to operate our mobile clinic, visiting about 25 villages in all. Since October, we moved the program to the Omalur area and modified it, opening five clinics in the five major villages of the area. So far we have been able to treat 558 patients. Also, the construction for the Fair Haven Health Clinic has been completed and is ready for use.
Without the mercy of God and the help of the saints, the work could not have accomplished up to this stage. On behalf of the preachers, orphans, and staff I want to express our deep thanks to you for all your support and partnership extended to the work of the Lord in India.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Please pray for these young believers
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Mt.28:19,20
Papanam is a remote village in Ramanathapuram District about 380 km from Salem towards south of Tamilnadu. This village is surrounded by Hindu temples. There are many churches in towns and close by villages but so far no one able to enter inside this village. But God opened the way to get into this village. Praise the Lord.
There was a call from Bro.Rajangam who hails from this village to visit this village. He was working with GSPBT ministries during 2003 and 2004 as a warden cum driver. While he was with us, he was dead against the Doctrine of Grace and used to argue with us. God used this gentleman as an instrument to get into this village.
Bro.Rajangam professed his faith in God and the Doctrines of Grace and he prepared a group of people to witness Christ in his village. He called us over the phone many times and stated that he is now believing the sovereignty of God and that the Doctrines of Grace is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. After knowing his zeal for witnessing Christ in his own village and by his invitation to visit his village, we fixed-up a date to visit.
On 14th May, 2008, Bro.Guna prayed and sent under the authority of the Chettipatty Primitive Baptist Church, Elders. Immanuel, Judson and Nelson to visit the village and preach the Word of God. By the grace of God we reached a town named Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram District which is closest town to Papanam village on 15th morning. Bro.Rajangam welcomed us with joy in the Lord Jesus Christ.
the breakfast, we moved to a near by water reservoir named Parthibanoor Dam. About 15 men and 10 women gathered for the meeting. Elder.Nelson preached the Doctrines of Grace and Elder.Immanuel preached the importance of Scriptural Baptism. Elder.Judson and Bro.Rajangam led the gathering with prayer. People gathered were much receptive to the teaching. 2 men and a woman got baptized in the nearby water. Praise the Lord!!! 2 more people were ready, but Rajangam restricted them not to be baptized telling them to grow more in the knowledge of Christ. The three who were baptized are from typical Hindu background. Then all were served with fellowship dinner in the bank of the river.
In the evening, we visited the Papanam village, the native village of Rajanagam. It is about 30 km away from the town. 3 big Hindu temples are surrounded by this village. About 130 families are living there. God has opened the way for the Gospel to enter into this village. Then we had prayer in Bro.Rajangam’s house. 9 young men gathered and listened to the Gospel. At present they are gathering in a believer’s house for Sunday prayer fellowship. Rajangam has great burden in his heart for his own village people.
According to Apostle Paul in Romans 1:8,
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”
I thank and praise the Lord for everything He has done. Please pray for the young believers and the work in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu State.
Papanam is a remote village in Ramanathapuram District about 380 km from Salem towards south of Tamilnadu. This village is surrounded by Hindu temples. There are many churches in towns and close by villages but so far no one able to enter inside this village. But God opened the way to get into this village. Praise the Lord.
There was a call from Bro.Rajangam who hails from this village to visit this village. He was working with GSPBT ministries during 2003 and 2004 as a warden cum driver. While he was with us, he was dead against the Doctrine of Grace and used to argue with us. God used this gentleman as an instrument to get into this village.
Bro.Rajangam professed his faith in God and the Doctrines of Grace and he prepared a group of people to witness Christ in his village. He called us over the phone many times and stated that he is now believing the sovereignty of God and that the Doctrines of Grace is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. After knowing his zeal for witnessing Christ in his own village and by his invitation to visit his village, we fixed-up a date to visit.
On 14th May, 2008, Bro.Guna prayed and sent under the authority of the Chettipatty Primitive Baptist Church, Elders. Immanuel, Judson and Nelson to visit the village and preach the Word of God. By the grace of God we reached a town named Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram District which is closest town to Papanam village on 15th morning. Bro.Rajangam welcomed us with joy in the Lord Jesus Christ.
the breakfast, we moved to a near by water reservoir named Parthibanoor Dam. About 15 men and 10 women gathered for the meeting. Elder.Nelson preached the Doctrines of Grace and Elder.Immanuel preached the importance of Scriptural Baptism. Elder.Judson and Bro.Rajangam led the gathering with prayer. People gathered were much receptive to the teaching. 2 men and a woman got baptized in the nearby water. Praise the Lord!!! 2 more people were ready, but Rajangam restricted them not to be baptized telling them to grow more in the knowledge of Christ. The three who were baptized are from typical Hindu background. Then all were served with fellowship dinner in the bank of the river.
In the evening, we visited the Papanam village, the native village of Rajanagam. It is about 30 km away from the town. 3 big Hindu temples are surrounded by this village. About 130 families are living there. God has opened the way for the Gospel to enter into this village. Then we had prayer in Bro.Rajangam’s house. 9 young men gathered and listened to the Gospel. At present they are gathering in a believer’s house for Sunday prayer fellowship. Rajangam has great burden in his heart for his own village people.
According to Apostle Paul in Romans 1:8,
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”
I thank and praise the Lord for everything He has done. Please pray for the young believers and the work in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu State.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Pray for Stephen பரி போர் ஸ்டீபன்
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Brother Guna called me tonight with some very disturbing news. One of our most faithful ministers is Brother Stephen. He was one of the first of the Indian brethren to become a Primitive Baptist. At his ordination he showed a great grasp of the truth. He is very faithful and courageous. The first PB church he pastored was at Thinnipatti. There we had to build a parsonage for him, because the Hindus would not allow him to rent a house in the town.
Now he is pastor at Regadahali. He has done a very good work there. Very recently some Seventh Day Adventists stirred some of the people in town against him. He was severely beaten by a mob. Some people got him to a house and locked him in it to keep him from being killed. The mob waited outside the house past midnight, hoping to kill him. Finally someone got hold of the police and rescued him.
Now the enemy has been visiting in the homes of some of the people who have been going to the church Stephen is pastoring and are stealing their affections away from that church. Stephen is broken hearted. Much of his hard and faithful work has been destroyed. Brother Guna has gone there to comfort and advise Stephen. Please pray diligently for this dear brother and for the situation. As Brother Guna and I talked on the phone tonight we noted that the work in India is exactly like the situation recorded in 1 Corinthians 16:9, "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."
We serve a Mighty God Who hears and answers prayer. Let us go to the throne of grace with all our hearts.
God bless,
ழஅச்க் குஎச்ஸ் Zack Guess
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A new church constituted in Vellore
[Note: Vellore is the city where Amy Carmichael labored for so many years. It is now a widely sought center for medical research and care, including Mother Theresa's hospital. As a result, there are an unusually large number of Western physicians and medical personnel there, in addition to an unusually high number of well-educated Indians. However, up to this point there has been no Baptist church in the whole region. This new church therefore has a tremendous and unique opportunity to be an influence for Christ in this region and, through this region, to many parts of the world.]
Pray the Lord will be pleased to continue to bless the labors of His servants in India. Later on this week they will travel to Andhra Pradesh, before returning to the States on April 29.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Lord is greatly blessing in the services
Bro Jeff said the crowds at Chettipatty have been the largest he has seen there and the Lord is greatly blessing in the services। Bro। Guna said that Bro। Jeff was doing some great preaching on the book of First Corinthians. They have baptized 10 and ordained Bro. Emmanuel. He is the man the Good Samaritan Primitive Baptist Church at Chettipatty had called to be an assistant to Elder Guna.
Tonight they will have an open air meeting at Chettipatty and they are expecting a very large crowd. Bro. Jeff said they have already set out over 300 chairs.
Elder James Taylor arrived safely in Chennai on Sunday morning at 10:00 A.M. and was met by Elder Judson. They have traveled to Vellore where Elder Taylor will be preaching tonight. Tommorrow, Elder Guna and Elder Harris will travel to Vellore and meet up with Elder Taylor. They will ordain Bro. Samuel and constitute a Primitive Baptist Church there, Lord willing.
On Tuesday, they plan to travel to Yercaud and conduct services there.
Tonight they will have an open air meeting at Chettipatty and they are expecting a very large crowd. Bro. Jeff said they have already set out over 300 chairs.
Elder James Taylor arrived safely in Chennai on Sunday morning at 10:00 A.M. and was met by Elder Judson. They have traveled to Vellore where Elder Taylor will be preaching tonight. Tommorrow, Elder Guna and Elder Harris will travel to Vellore and meet up with Elder Taylor. They will ordain Bro. Samuel and constitute a Primitive Baptist Church there, Lord willing.
On Tuesday, they plan to travel to Yercaud and conduct services there.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Another blessed day in India
Dear Helpers in the Gospel,
Today has another blessed day in India. We went up to the beautiful Yercaud mountain. This is a beautiful location with a cool climate at the high elevation. The vegetation is beautiful, especially the coffee plantations. However, even more beautiful are the precious saints who worship here, that we have come to love. We had been here on several previous occasions. We had to worship then in an extremely small room, belonging to one of the church members. We were literally crammed in wall-to-wall. However, even in those days we felt the blessed Holy Spirit in our midst.
Today we had the happy privilege of helping them dedicate their newly constructed church building. It's construction is not totally complete, but it is adequate for them to start meeting in. We're praying that more funds will come in to complete the building.
Elder Babu is their faithful pastor. He is very energetic and has a great zeal for spreading the gospel here.
Bro. Zack prayed the dedication prayer, then Bro Timothy preached on the importance of church unity. He spoke from the virtues of Colossians 3:12-15 that is essential to unity. The message was well received.
Bro. Herb spoke from I Kings 6:7, drawing a lesson from the building of the temple. He said that a New Testament church is built from living stones, emphasizing that God has to be the builder. This message was also well-received. Before the preaching, the congregation was obviously filled with joy and engaged in lively singing.
We enjoyed good fellowship the rest of the afternoon and visited the site of Pattipaddy church, in a rural area of the mountain. In this beautiful location, there is small orphanage. Elder George and his wife are doing a good work here.
Only five years ago, Bro. George was making illegal alcohol. Elder Immanuel of Veerianthanda church witnessed to him of the Lord. Bro. George's life is totally changed. After his conversion, he immediately began to love God's word. As he grew in grace, the brethren recognized a preaching gift in him. He apprenticed under Bro Guna and was finally ordained. This is an amazing example of God's grace.
A young deacon at this church, Bro Paul, has suffered for following Christ. He is from a tribal community in the mountain. When he became a Christian, his parents kicked him out of the house and disinherited him. But it is obvious by looking at him, that he is very happy serving the Lord.
We are still feeling the results of your prayers and ask that you continue, as we must split up tomorrow. Bro. Herb going to a new work in Vellure, and Bro Timothy and Bro Zack will be going with Bro Guna to the coastal town of Cuddalore and the new church there. We will be there for Sunday services and hope to meet back together in Chennai. Bro Guna will leave for Cambodia on Monday night, with us starting our journey back Tuesday night.
We have tried to be faithful and have grateful evidence of God's blessings.
Your brethren in Christ,
Elders Zack Guess, Herb Hatfield and Timothy Guess
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