This is an interesting story of a servant of Christ who was a diligent Hindu Priest, but God mightily converted him to be a believer in Jesus Christ. This is Bro. Sake's father - Jeff
Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ,
Greetings to you in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who called us to do His ministry.
My name is Pastor S. Matthew. I was born and brought up in a Hindus family, which used to strictly practice its own religious customs and its tradition. I had developed a positive attitude toward Hindu god and goddesses and toward its books as well. I used to worship idols and used to bow down before them having a great fear in my heart. I only made idols out of rock and put in the temple believing them that they were capable to give me salvation from my sins. In year 1961, I had a negative attitude toward Christians and Christ Jesus, therefore I persecuted them in big crusades thinking that this is 'Foreign god'. They just were transforming the Hindus as Christians in order to enlarge their religion in the land of India. I was staying in the hostel in my school time (6th to 10th classes); in that hostel there were Christian students, and they used to go for church services on Sundays. When they come back from church service, there would be no lunch for them because I would take their lunch and feed the donkeys and dogs.
In 1968, I got job, after my studies: I used to work as Railway employer. When I got this job, I was thinking that it was because I have fear in my heart towards my gods and goddesses. Therefore I donated golden eye and silver earrings to those idols and have increased my worship. Before going to job and after coming from job I would go and worship them daily. Those gods names were Sanamma, Astalakshim, Navagrahalu and Trimurthulu. Not only this but also I used to write 'Rama Rama' for one chore, times believing that if we write like that one of sins will be forgiven and also I used to write 'glory to rama' a thousand times. Still I did not have any peace in my heart. More over, I was appointed as a Hindu priest for that temple in my village called Chabhalla for twelve years. I have studied Ramayana and Mahabharat. I used to read them daily believing that I would inherit the kingdom of god after my death. I got married in year 1968.
One night one man who was seemingly a beggar came into temple; I told him since it is night you can sleep here and go in the morning. So he slept there. When I came in the morning to perform worship idols were thrown down. They were not in the place where I placed them. When I was trying to put them in the right place I noticed golden eyes and silver earrings of those idols were stolen. I lifted up and cried, later I came to know that the man who came that night had stolen them.
Many came and comforted me, among them also one pastor who used to come and tell about the Lord Jesus and used to distribute the gospel tracts. That pastor name was Isaiah who went to be with the Lord. He came and caused me to think of what I was doing. Pastor told me 'if those idols whom you worship can not save themselves how can you think that they are going to save you?' After few days, I wanted to talk to that pastor. Pastor received me gladly and explained about the real and True Savior of the world. He told me that Jesus came to us first and loved us in order to take away our sins, so just put your trust in Christ that He came to this world and suffered on the cross, buried and rose again on third day. He prayed for me, I went back home. I did not tell anybody that I went to meet pastor.
I was just thinking about all gods whom I used to worship. Then I came to know that no gods in Hindu books gave their lives for man's sin sake. I told this to the pastor, and then he gave me small New Testament Bible. I read that daily to know about the Lord Jesus. God touched my heart when I came to Romans letter chapter 8. God loved us when we were yet sinners. I was thinking how God can love me who persecuted many Christians since my childhood. God blessed me with that word and pastor counseled me from the word of God. I just cried and opened my heart unto God for my mistakes I did in the past. I put my trust in the Lord as my personal Savior and my God. I praise God for that man of God who told of my True Savior. He taught me how to read the bible and pray. Pastor baptized me in year 1970. I used to go after pastor for the ministry in the field. And I resigned the job and involved myself in the ministry full. I desire God to use me in ministry so that many would come to know the Lord and His Saving grace in days to come.
My father came to know that I became child of Living God (Christian) and not doing any thing in the temple. He just excommunicated me and my wife. I and my wife came to pastor and pastor gave me shelter in his church for some days. We spent many days without food and proper clothes. From 1972 to 1974 we had to face famine. There was not food to eat for us. That time God blessed us one son after three years of our marriage. Thrice in a week we used to have ganji (liquid food).
In year 1974 I came to place called Kanekal for the ministry of God. Kanekal was place where was no gospel heard. People used to ask me when I preach them is it male or female god? Many people came and warned me that I should not tell the people about Jesus; if it is so we will take your life and your family life. God never allowed me to go back, rather made me to stand on faith in the Lord. Some Hindu priests came for debating but Almighty God gave me victory over them. God also brought my father and my mum to be saved.
God used me to bring and to give baptism for many people in Andra Pradesh and in Karnatake states of South India. Let the Name of God be glorified. God caused 80 people to believe in His Son in Kanekal itself. So far God made me not look back; even many hardships and trials took place in my personal and ministry life. I always thank the Almighty God who enables me to carry on this work so far in India.
God blessed me with three sons and one daughter. They are Isaac who got married and blessed with one daughter and one son. They are altogether serving the Lord in place called Bellary. Second son is Prasad who also got married and blessed with one daughter. They are also in the ministry for the glory in a place called Gooty. Third son is David, he is assisting me in the ministry in Kanekal. Daughter is Christu Vani, she got married recently, she and her husband wanting to serve the Lord. So like that God blessed my family in such a way that we are all in the ministry.
More than that God has given me an opportunity to produce 25 ministers who are doing ministry in 25 villages. They are not financially supported. Please pray that God would provide our ministry needs here in India so that the work might be carried out and the Gospel might reach to many people in Andra Pradesh and in India as well. There are many children in our ministry who needs education and other supports like cloths and food. There are many more villages to be reached with the Good News. I want to do more work for the Lord. Please continue to pray for me and the ministry here in India.
Waiting for His return
Pastor S. Matthew
AP, India
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
A Joy to Witness the Work of God
Jeff Harris reports again on preaching the gospel in Andhra Pradesh:
We stayed in a small apartment near Bro. Mathew's good home. His dear wife and daughter prepared our meals in their house, while we stayed in their village for three days. It was a joy to be in their country and to witness the work of God going on in their midst. All three of Bro. Matthews' sons are preachers, and they all speak good English so we used them as translators for our messages in the village of Kanekal, which is in the state of Andhra Pradesh, one of the very poorest states of India.
The twelve-hour drive to AP was highlighted by different kinds of scenery. We were traveling due north into the more mountainous and dry terrain of that region. We were able to see a lot of little monkeys that played near the road hoping the passers by would throw them a part of their banana or lunch, which I noticed several people did. The closer we got to Anapatur, the more I noticed the dryness of the land, reminding me a lot of the land in NW New Mexico. The mountains are rocky and they mine a lot of granite stone and coal in them. The trees are short and look like West Texas Mesquite. The farmland is mostly flat and you could see farmers working with buffalo and oxen in the fields. They had several grape vineyards, papaya groves, dhal plants, peanuts, pepper plants, oats, rice patties, wheat and grain sorghum, as well as corn and potatoes. Most of the crops looked withered and dry. I do pray they will get some rain.
We held services in three remote villages and were blessed with the attendance and the attentiveness of everyone as we bragged on the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Some had some issues with the doctrine of particular redemption, but when they came to understand that everyone for whom Christ died would certainly be brought to heaven because their sin debt was paid in full, they rejoiced just like we did and looked as though they had believed that all their lives! It was interesting to say the least.
The highlight of the trip was in teaching the basic TULIP Doctrines to the Church in Kanekal, which has over eighty members and over one hundred attendants. We preached our messages to well over a hundred each service on Saturday and Sunday, but Monday was mainly the ministers and their wives. A cobra came into the compound about noon yesterday and caused quite a stir, but they kept him from coming inside the building where we were teaching so we moved right on. Following the TULIP series, we brought a message on scriptural baptism and communion, which was well received by everyone. We were able to finish earlier than we thought, so instead of staying another night in Anapatur (2 hr. drive from Karekal Village), we decided to drive all the way back to Chettipatty and save the hotel costs involved with that. Bro. Sake (pronounced Saw-kay) went with us back to Anapatur because Bro. Guna does not speak their language (Tunelegu), which we appreciated. We bought his bus ticket back home. I see a lot of potential in that young man.
We drove without incident through the night and were amazed at how many trucks and buses were on the road, even late at night! It slowed us down a lot and the roads were mostly terrible. We averaged about 25mph getting back to Chettipatty about 1:00AM. It was another twelve-hour drive. I heated my water and took a good, scrub-down shower before hitting the hay about 1:30PM and slept soundly in our clean room. Bro. Jamey hardly moved after he went to bed. We both slept later than usual this morning.
It was good to see the smiling face of Sis. Karen when we got up this morning. Mrs. Mary had our breakfast waiting on us when we came down to eat. We had oatmeal and bananas with toast and coffee. Hey, you can hardly beat that combination! I then took Jamey and Karen on a little walking tour of the compound, explaining the development of the huge compound during the years we have been coming. It is amazing to see how God has blessed the vision of Bro. Guna to become a reality!
We stayed in a small apartment near Bro. Mathew's good home. His dear wife and daughter prepared our meals in their house, while we stayed in their village for three days. It was a joy to be in their country and to witness the work of God going on in their midst. All three of Bro. Matthews' sons are preachers, and they all speak good English so we used them as translators for our messages in the village of Kanekal, which is in the state of Andhra Pradesh, one of the very poorest states of India.
The twelve-hour drive to AP was highlighted by different kinds of scenery. We were traveling due north into the more mountainous and dry terrain of that region. We were able to see a lot of little monkeys that played near the road hoping the passers by would throw them a part of their banana or lunch, which I noticed several people did. The closer we got to Anapatur, the more I noticed the dryness of the land, reminding me a lot of the land in NW New Mexico. The mountains are rocky and they mine a lot of granite stone and coal in them. The trees are short and look like West Texas Mesquite. The farmland is mostly flat and you could see farmers working with buffalo and oxen in the fields. They had several grape vineyards, papaya groves, dhal plants, peanuts, pepper plants, oats, rice patties, wheat and grain sorghum, as well as corn and potatoes. Most of the crops looked withered and dry. I do pray they will get some rain.
We held services in three remote villages and were blessed with the attendance and the attentiveness of everyone as we bragged on the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Some had some issues with the doctrine of particular redemption, but when they came to understand that everyone for whom Christ died would certainly be brought to heaven because their sin debt was paid in full, they rejoiced just like we did and looked as though they had believed that all their lives! It was interesting to say the least.
The highlight of the trip was in teaching the basic TULIP Doctrines to the Church in Kanekal, which has over eighty members and over one hundred attendants. We preached our messages to well over a hundred each service on Saturday and Sunday, but Monday was mainly the ministers and their wives. A cobra came into the compound about noon yesterday and caused quite a stir, but they kept him from coming inside the building where we were teaching so we moved right on. Following the TULIP series, we brought a message on scriptural baptism and communion, which was well received by everyone. We were able to finish earlier than we thought, so instead of staying another night in Anapatur (2 hr. drive from Karekal Village), we decided to drive all the way back to Chettipatty and save the hotel costs involved with that. Bro. Sake (pronounced Saw-kay) went with us back to Anapatur because Bro. Guna does not speak their language (Tunelegu), which we appreciated. We bought his bus ticket back home. I see a lot of potential in that young man.
We drove without incident through the night and were amazed at how many trucks and buses were on the road, even late at night! It slowed us down a lot and the roads were mostly terrible. We averaged about 25mph getting back to Chettipatty about 1:00AM. It was another twelve-hour drive. I heated my water and took a good, scrub-down shower before hitting the hay about 1:30PM and slept soundly in our clean room. Bro. Jamey hardly moved after he went to bed. We both slept later than usual this morning.
It was good to see the smiling face of Sis. Karen when we got up this morning. Mrs. Mary had our breakfast waiting on us when we came down to eat. We had oatmeal and bananas with toast and coffee. Hey, you can hardly beat that combination! I then took Jamey and Karen on a little walking tour of the compound, explaining the development of the huge compound during the years we have been coming. It is amazing to see how God has blessed the vision of Bro. Guna to become a reality!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Lifting up Christ in Andhra Pradesh, with wonderful results
Jeff Harris reports from Andhra Pradesh:
We are being truly blessed by the spirit of the Lord here in Andhra Pradesh. It took us 12 hrs. to drive here because of terrible traffic in Bangalore (a huge City, like New York) and Bro. Guna insisted on taking us to the McDonald Restaurant that recently opened in Bangalore. They did not offer hamburgers, but they did make a mean fish sandwich and chicken sandwich! The fries were the same as ours. It was fun and refreshing!
We then went all the way across town to find our road had been closed and detoured us to a longer route! We like to never got out of that city! We were one hour late to our first service in a small Hindu Village, where about 40 believers have already been baptized. They have been blessed to begin a good building in this village. The believers in Tamil Nadu raised over four hundred dollars for their building! Isn't that wonderful! Even though they are a poor people, they sacrificially gave of their substance to help this very, very poor congregation in AP (Andhra Pradesh). May the Lord bless them for that.
The services were very well blessed there, with a good, attentive congregation. I was impressed by their attentiveness and the fact that they kept up with us well, having Bibles that were well used! Bro. Guna does not know the Karalala language, so we enlisted the talent of a good minister named Sake (this is short for Sakeprasathande). We just call him Sake after Kawasake! He is a very intelligent man of God with a heart for ministry and the doctrines of grace! What a blessing he is. He and his dear wife have one little girl (8 or 9 yrs. old). His father was a Hindu priest and leading persectutor of Christians in AP, but God mighily converted him and now all three of his sons are preachers of the gospel! How about that!! We are scheduled to have services in his father's church this evening, Lord willing. I am looking forward to hearing about his conversion.
We will leave from here (Anathpathur) and drive about three hours to get to that other place I cannot spell that is west of here about 150km. We will have three services at that same church tomorrow, Lord willing, then, a Minister's Seminar on Monday, coming back to Anathpathur for Monday night. Tuesday morning we will leave here to drive back to Chettipatty. It should take only ten hours because we will not be passing through Bangalore again. We will meet for a final service in Chettipatty at 4:00PM Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday, we will drive to Vellamathur for services with that young congregation. Of course, Thursday, we will travel on to Madras to have our final meetings there.
Yesterday, we were blessed to have an all-day meeting for preachers in Gooty. I think about 12 ministers were present. We studied the doctrines of grace together centered on the preeminence and majesty of Jesus Christ. We are committed to lifting up Christ above everything else and have faithfully executed that goal since we started this trip, with wonderful results.
Following the successful and Spirit-filled meeting, we went to another small village called Gooty-Anathpamur, where they set up a tent awning for us and gathered many people to us to hear the gospel of grace. It was heart-warming to see so many that were willing to gather from the village itself. Hindu and Christian alike gathered to hear the good news. It was a powerful meeting and I know the Lord was leading our teaching and driving it home to his people that were gathered there. There were many smiling, beautiful little children that hung onto every word! It was powerful!
We are being truly blessed by the spirit of the Lord here in Andhra Pradesh. It took us 12 hrs. to drive here because of terrible traffic in Bangalore (a huge City, like New York) and Bro. Guna insisted on taking us to the McDonald Restaurant that recently opened in Bangalore. They did not offer hamburgers, but they did make a mean fish sandwich and chicken sandwich! The fries were the same as ours. It was fun and refreshing!
We then went all the way across town to find our road had been closed and detoured us to a longer route! We like to never got out of that city! We were one hour late to our first service in a small Hindu Village, where about 40 believers have already been baptized. They have been blessed to begin a good building in this village. The believers in Tamil Nadu raised over four hundred dollars for their building! Isn't that wonderful! Even though they are a poor people, they sacrificially gave of their substance to help this very, very poor congregation in AP (Andhra Pradesh). May the Lord bless them for that.
The services were very well blessed there, with a good, attentive congregation. I was impressed by their attentiveness and the fact that they kept up with us well, having Bibles that were well used! Bro. Guna does not know the Karalala language, so we enlisted the talent of a good minister named Sake (this is short for Sakeprasathande). We just call him Sake after Kawasake! He is a very intelligent man of God with a heart for ministry and the doctrines of grace! What a blessing he is. He and his dear wife have one little girl (8 or 9 yrs. old). His father was a Hindu priest and leading persectutor of Christians in AP, but God mighily converted him and now all three of his sons are preachers of the gospel! How about that!! We are scheduled to have services in his father's church this evening, Lord willing. I am looking forward to hearing about his conversion.
We will leave from here (Anathpathur) and drive about three hours to get to that other place I cannot spell that is west of here about 150km. We will have three services at that same church tomorrow, Lord willing, then, a Minister's Seminar on Monday, coming back to Anathpathur for Monday night. Tuesday morning we will leave here to drive back to Chettipatty. It should take only ten hours because we will not be passing through Bangalore again. We will meet for a final service in Chettipatty at 4:00PM Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday, we will drive to Vellamathur for services with that young congregation. Of course, Thursday, we will travel on to Madras to have our final meetings there.
Yesterday, we were blessed to have an all-day meeting for preachers in Gooty. I think about 12 ministers were present. We studied the doctrines of grace together centered on the preeminence and majesty of Jesus Christ. We are committed to lifting up Christ above everything else and have faithfully executed that goal since we started this trip, with wonderful results.
Following the successful and Spirit-filled meeting, we went to another small village called Gooty-Anathpamur, where they set up a tent awning for us and gathered many people to us to hear the gospel of grace. It was heart-warming to see so many that were willing to gather from the village itself. Hindu and Christian alike gathered to hear the good news. It was a powerful meeting and I know the Lord was leading our teaching and driving it home to his people that were gathered there. There were many smiling, beautiful little children that hung onto every word! It was powerful!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
From Darkness to Light - Nelson's Testimony
“According as he has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” - Ephesians 1:4
My name is L. Nelson. I was born in a Syrian orthodox family and brought up in Roman Catholic tradition. My father and mother come from the tradition of Syrians who followed the foot steps of St. Thomas the Apostle. In each and every family in my relative side, they have one catholic priest and a nun.
After completing my degree, I was sent to St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary,
After finishing my Bachelor of Philosophy and Psychology, I was sent for field work to a priest. He allowed me to work on my own and so I spent most of my time in reading Bible and visiting houses in the town and surrounding villages. Then I started 7 prayers groups in different villages. At that time I had big problem in my family and they were facing big financial crisis. I did not know what to do. At that time God gave me the Scripture,
“If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” – John 8:31, 32.
At last during January 2001, I left the seminary life and stayed with my parents. I joined with a very famous company named New York Capital Advisory Service as a business advisor and earned salary and commissions. But, the work did not satisfy me well. Since His plan was different according to Ephesians 1:11,12, “being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of His own will”.
By knowing my situation, a catholic nun introduced Brother Guna to me. And she said that he will guide you. I met Brother Guna in his office on
Even though I studied many years in the seminary, I loved to know the Bible doctrines through Brother Guna. I slowly came to know the real truth. From
As a father nourishes his child Brother Guna and other preachers nurtured me very well. So I was grown up in the spiritual knowledge. Then God blessed me with a spiritual woman named Kiruba Selwyn Rosy as my wife on
So far I was assisting Brother Guna in his office and often times I go with him for village ministry. But from January 2006, I am helping Brother Guna in
I request you to pray for me to do well His ministry in this area. And please pray for my wife and son.
Thanking you. Loving brother in Christ,
L. Nelson
God is good
This is the latest report from Jeff Harris and Jamey Tucker in India:
Jamey and I enjoyed our first full night's sleep last night. We have been waking up at four in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep, so I used my time to study and prepare lessons for the Minister's Conference, which ended today.
The Lord blessed our day with the completion of our studies in the two books of Timothy. The response was great and the attendance more than at any other time in our history. It was just greatly blessed of the Lord, what more can we say? We ordained three outstanding men, who have been in the church for a number of years, but have exercised only for the last two years. They are Bro. Nelson, Bro. George and Bro. John Mark (whom I baptized). They passed their written examination with flying colors and answered the questions we presented to them scripturally and without any hesitation! We also participated in the baptism of three more Hindu converts from Yercaud, which made everyone rejoice even more!
This evening, Bro. Jamey and Sis. Karen went with Bro. Sridharan to the refugee camp to minister to the small flock of Christians there, while I was needed by Bro. Guna in Salem. Now, we are very tired again and ready to go heat our water to take some warm showers before getting to bed.
Tomorrow, Jamey and I will accompany Bro. Guna to Andhra-Pradesh, which is a ten hour drive from here. We will not get back to Chettipatty until next Tuesday, Lord willing. There are no computers there or phones, so just pray for us and we will make contact with you whenever possible. Sis. Karen will be taken to the Eureka Children's home in Veppamarathur to work with children in the orphanage there and in several neighboring villages with Bro. Guna's mobile medical unit outreach. Pray for her as she serves. God is good.
Jamey and I enjoyed our first full night's sleep last night. We have been waking up at four in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep, so I used my time to study and prepare lessons for the Minister's Conference, which ended today.
The Lord blessed our day with the completion of our studies in the two books of Timothy. The response was great and the attendance more than at any other time in our history. It was just greatly blessed of the Lord, what more can we say? We ordained three outstanding men, who have been in the church for a number of years, but have exercised only for the last two years. They are Bro. Nelson, Bro. George and Bro. John Mark (whom I baptized). They passed their written examination with flying colors and answered the questions we presented to them scripturally and without any hesitation! We also participated in the baptism of three more Hindu converts from Yercaud, which made everyone rejoice even more!
This evening, Bro. Jamey and Sis. Karen went with Bro. Sridharan to the refugee camp to minister to the small flock of Christians there, while I was needed by Bro. Guna in Salem. Now, we are very tired again and ready to go heat our water to take some warm showers before getting to bed.
Tomorrow, Jamey and I will accompany Bro. Guna to Andhra-Pradesh, which is a ten hour drive from here. We will not get back to Chettipatty until next Tuesday, Lord willing. There are no computers there or phones, so just pray for us and we will make contact with you whenever possible. Sis. Karen will be taken to the Eureka Children's home in Veppamarathur to work with children in the orphanage there and in several neighboring villages with Bro. Guna's mobile medical unit outreach. Pray for her as she serves. God is good.
Monday, December 11, 2006
"The spirit is moving mightily among us"
Jeff Harris and Jamey Tucker are holding a pastors' conference at Good Samaritan Primitive Baptist Church at Chettipatti, hosted by Brother Guna and lasting several days. Here is a report from the sessions so far, by Jeff:
We have just finished our final session for the day and rejoiced at the good attendance and attention they are paying to us. Bro. Jamey is focusing upon I Timothy and I am focused on II Timothy. It is a great match up and well received by all the ministers and their wives. There are about 75 persons present today, but even more are expected tomorrow. The spirit is moving mightily among us. We are meeting some new ministers that have been encouraged by the spiritual growth of the preachers here. It has been a great blessing indeed.
We are staying in a comfortable place and looking forward to the remaining two days of the conference before we leave to Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning at 7:00AM.
Tonight, Sis. Karen will address the women and orphans on the importance of nutrition. She is doing well and is a great encouragement to Jamey and I. We make a good team! Keep praying for us...
We have just finished our final session for the day and rejoiced at the good attendance and attention they are paying to us. Bro. Jamey is focusing upon I Timothy and I am focused on II Timothy. It is a great match up and well received by all the ministers and their wives. There are about 75 persons present today, but even more are expected tomorrow. The spirit is moving mightily among us. We are meeting some new ministers that have been encouraged by the spiritual growth of the preachers here. It has been a great blessing indeed.
We are staying in a comfortable place and looking forward to the remaining two days of the conference before we leave to Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning at 7:00AM.
Tonight, Sis. Karen will address the women and orphans on the importance of nutrition. She is doing well and is a great encouragement to Jamey and I. We make a good team! Keep praying for us...
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Report from Jeff Harris in India
Elder Jeff Harris, Elder Jamey Tucker, and Sister Karen Baldree (a trained dietitian) left for India on Thursday, Dec. 7. Please pray for this trip -- they will return to the States, Lord willing, on Dec. 22.
Jeff writes:
Saturday, December 09, 2006 11:51 AM
We got into Madras about 30 min. late, but still got to our clean rooms at Madras by 2:00AM local time.
We had a good breakfast at 9:00AM and drove to Chettipatty, where Mrs. Mary had a good supper waiting on our arrival! We then had a "Welcome Service" with the orphan children that stay in this compound, complete with huge garlands for us visitors. We taught them a few children's songs, but they sang and did their little skits for us. They all did very well indeed! It was a joy to see their smiling faces and to see the growth (physically) in each of them. Everyone was very happy, especially the visitors! We miss our loved ones at home, but they made us happy to be here as well. God is blessing them all so wonderfully.
We are staying in the brand new "Guest Cottage," which is beautifully constructed and very comfortable. I think we are the first guests to try it out. We even have our own kitchen, so I told Sis. Karen that I figured that was probably the reason the Lord had her come this time! Ha! She didn't laugh at that one either! ; ) No, her and Brother Jamey are doing great. They are great companions in travel for sure. All is well thus far.
We are going to split up tomorrow. Brother Jamey will be taken to preach at Tinnipatty by Bro. Nelson, who will translate his message for the growing Church there. This church is now self-supporting and doing very well under God's blessing.
I will stay here and meet with Chettipatty Church for their regular service, which is always a highlight for me. We expect a full house and I am praying for the right message to deliver to them. I am thankful for the pending schedule of several other ministers from our country to come here next year and Bro. Guna is planning to visit our country in March of next year, Lord willing. So, just pray for us and you must know we are holding you up in our prayers as well.
In good hope through grace, I remain, weary IN the journey, but not OF it,
jeff
Gal.2:20
Jeff writes:
Saturday, December 09, 2006 11:51 AM
We got into Madras about 30 min. late, but still got to our clean rooms at Madras by 2:00AM local time.
We had a good breakfast at 9:00AM and drove to Chettipatty, where Mrs. Mary had a good supper waiting on our arrival! We then had a "Welcome Service" with the orphan children that stay in this compound, complete with huge garlands for us visitors. We taught them a few children's songs, but they sang and did their little skits for us. They all did very well indeed! It was a joy to see their smiling faces and to see the growth (physically) in each of them. Everyone was very happy, especially the visitors! We miss our loved ones at home, but they made us happy to be here as well. God is blessing them all so wonderfully.
We are staying in the brand new "Guest Cottage," which is beautifully constructed and very comfortable. I think we are the first guests to try it out. We even have our own kitchen, so I told Sis. Karen that I figured that was probably the reason the Lord had her come this time! Ha! She didn't laugh at that one either! ; ) No, her and Brother Jamey are doing great. They are great companions in travel for sure. All is well thus far.
We are going to split up tomorrow. Brother Jamey will be taken to preach at Tinnipatty by Bro. Nelson, who will translate his message for the growing Church there. This church is now self-supporting and doing very well under God's blessing.
I will stay here and meet with Chettipatty Church for their regular service, which is always a highlight for me. We expect a full house and I am praying for the right message to deliver to them. I am thankful for the pending schedule of several other ministers from our country to come here next year and Bro. Guna is planning to visit our country in March of next year, Lord willing. So, just pray for us and you must know we are holding you up in our prayers as well.
In good hope through grace, I remain, weary IN the journey, but not OF it,
jeff
Gal.2:20
Friday, December 1, 2006
Work in Tamil Nadu Continues, Churches Established in Andrah
By the mercy of God we are all doing fine and the work of the Lord is going on. The Tamil Baptist Witness is continuing to be a blessing and fruitful to the Tamil Christians. Many people have told me over the phone and in person how much they are being blessed by the articles. We praise and thank God for reaching many people with the message of the sovereignty of God. We have now printed 2,000 copies of the booklet, The Doctrines of Grace by Lasserre Bradley, Jr. in the Tamil language. One of our preachers, Sake Prasad, has volunteer to translate the same booklet into the Telugu language so that people though out this whole state can read it.
The Lord has blessed our work in Andhra Pradesh. It is the fifth largest state in India, both in area and population. The total population is 7.61 million and the literacy rate is 61%. During the past eighteen months we have made four visits in the Gooty area of Anantapur District. In each visit the doctrines of grace have been systematically taught to all who were interested to study the truth. As the Lord has worked in the hearts of the people, remarkable progress is obviously seen in them. We praise and thank God for what He has been doing according to His own pleasure.
We have been able to constitute churches in the area and in Gooty Anantapuram village two acres of land have been purchased for a church building. It is amazing that we acquired this land in such a suitable place. In Budedu village, someone has donated a piece of land.
The Apostle Paul writes, “not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new Testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (2 Corinthians 3:5). We thank God for his mercy and grace bestowed upon us to fulfill this ministry in Andhra Pradesh. We also thank you for your prayers for all of the work of the Lord in India.
The Lord has blessed our work in Andhra Pradesh. It is the fifth largest state in India, both in area and population. The total population is 7.61 million and the literacy rate is 61%. During the past eighteen months we have made four visits in the Gooty area of Anantapur District. In each visit the doctrines of grace have been systematically taught to all who were interested to study the truth. As the Lord has worked in the hearts of the people, remarkable progress is obviously seen in them. We praise and thank God for what He has been doing according to His own pleasure.
We have been able to constitute churches in the area and in Gooty Anantapuram village two acres of land have been purchased for a church building. It is amazing that we acquired this land in such a suitable place. In Budedu village, someone has donated a piece of land.
The Apostle Paul writes, “not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new Testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (2 Corinthians 3:5). We thank God for his mercy and grace bestowed upon us to fulfill this ministry in Andhra Pradesh. We also thank you for your prayers for all of the work of the Lord in India.
Brother Guna's Testimony
I was born in a strong Hindu family in a village named R.C.Chettipatty, Salem District, South India. My grand father built a Hindu temple in my village. As my father was a drunkard, our family became very poor. In 1959, my brother became a Christian and later on (except me), my whole family was converted and joined with an independent church. I had no faith in God. During my early years, I was afflicted by malnutrition and for many years had sores all over my body. Even though I went to school, I could not be successful in studies due to the ill health. Because of that I was forced to discontinue my education.
In my village, as I grew up in a slum area, some bad friends influenced me to live a wicked life. One of my brothers and parents had tried to discipline me but it did not work. I became more rebellious and disobedient in the family. Everybody hated me. I had many questions about life. Why should I live on this earth? What is the purpose of my life? There is no love in this world and there is no hope for the future. Finally, I had come to a conclusion that the only solution to all my questions was to finish my life by committing suicide. In 1975, August 5th, I bought a bottle of poison and [was] ready to drink and finish my life. At that moment a thought came into my mind: If I die, where will I spend my eternity? Certainly I will go to hell. But if I continue living life there is no love in this world, no hope for my future. An uncertain fear gripped my heart. At this juncture, as a first time, I took up the Bible and started reading a portion from [the] book of Hebrews. As I was reading Hebrews 10:26-27, the Holy Spirit started working in me. I knelt down and confessed my sins and asked forgiveness from the Heavenly Father and He changed my life. The Lord showed mercy upon me.
After I made such a simple prayer, I could feel the difference. A great burden [was] relieved from my heavy heart. Instantaneously, an unspeakable peace and joy filled my heart. The Lord put me a great desire in heart to study the Bible and to spend time with God in prayer. Moreover, the Lord laid a desire to serve Him. In the beginning, I worked with India Every Home Crusade as an Evangelist. Later on I joined with a Christian orphanage and worked as a warden. My salary was five dollars per month with free food. With a joy and contentment I worked in the orphanage because of the free food. Because of my faithful work, my salary was enhanced up to 15 dollars. So, I got married with Mary in 1979. The Lord blessed us with two children.
As the days were passed, I wanted to join with a theological seminary to study the Bible. As I was not qualified, I took home study and made up the deficiency and later on joined with a seminary affiliated with Serampur University founded by William Carey in India. After having completed B.Th. and M.Div. degrees, I wanted to be a pastor in a big church in a metropolitan city. But obviously it was not the plan of God for me. So, He led me to work among the poor community through a Christian organization. After eight years of service, I resigned the work and later on started Good Samaritan ministry with help of a German friend named Dieter Lochschmidt in 1997.
While visiting USA in 1999, by God’s providence I met Lea and Tommy Bennett in Ripley, Mississippi. They are one of the early sponsors of the orphanage. Sister Lea gave me a copy of the book Undeniable Doctrinal Truths by Zack Guess. As I was reading the book, the Lord enlightened my mind to perceive the truth of the doctrines of grace. As a result, the first Primitive Baptist church in India was constituted in March 2001.
In my village, as I grew up in a slum area, some bad friends influenced me to live a wicked life. One of my brothers and parents had tried to discipline me but it did not work. I became more rebellious and disobedient in the family. Everybody hated me. I had many questions about life. Why should I live on this earth? What is the purpose of my life? There is no love in this world and there is no hope for the future. Finally, I had come to a conclusion that the only solution to all my questions was to finish my life by committing suicide. In 1975, August 5th, I bought a bottle of poison and [was] ready to drink and finish my life. At that moment a thought came into my mind: If I die, where will I spend my eternity? Certainly I will go to hell. But if I continue living life there is no love in this world, no hope for my future. An uncertain fear gripped my heart. At this juncture, as a first time, I took up the Bible and started reading a portion from [the] book of Hebrews. As I was reading Hebrews 10:26-27, the Holy Spirit started working in me. I knelt down and confessed my sins and asked forgiveness from the Heavenly Father and He changed my life. The Lord showed mercy upon me.
After I made such a simple prayer, I could feel the difference. A great burden [was] relieved from my heavy heart. Instantaneously, an unspeakable peace and joy filled my heart. The Lord put me a great desire in heart to study the Bible and to spend time with God in prayer. Moreover, the Lord laid a desire to serve Him. In the beginning, I worked with India Every Home Crusade as an Evangelist. Later on I joined with a Christian orphanage and worked as a warden. My salary was five dollars per month with free food. With a joy and contentment I worked in the orphanage because of the free food. Because of my faithful work, my salary was enhanced up to 15 dollars. So, I got married with Mary in 1979. The Lord blessed us with two children.
As the days were passed, I wanted to join with a theological seminary to study the Bible. As I was not qualified, I took home study and made up the deficiency and later on joined with a seminary affiliated with Serampur University founded by William Carey in India. After having completed B.Th. and M.Div. degrees, I wanted to be a pastor in a big church in a metropolitan city. But obviously it was not the plan of God for me. So, He led me to work among the poor community through a Christian organization. After eight years of service, I resigned the work and later on started Good Samaritan ministry with help of a German friend named Dieter Lochschmidt in 1997.
While visiting USA in 1999, by God’s providence I met Lea and Tommy Bennett in Ripley, Mississippi. They are one of the early sponsors of the orphanage. Sister Lea gave me a copy of the book Undeniable Doctrinal Truths by Zack Guess. As I was reading the book, the Lord enlightened my mind to perceive the truth of the doctrines of grace. As a result, the first Primitive Baptist church in India was constituted in March 2001.
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