The US visit 2007 has been a great blessing to me and for the ministry indeed. I landed Cincinnati Airport on the March 12th 2007. Elder Justin Huffman received me with a warm welcome and drove to Baptist Bible Hour office where Elder Lasserre Bradley + Sis Emily and Bro. David and Sis. Rebeccah welcomed me with great joy.
The next day Bro. Jones Jeyakumar has joined with me and we both of us have enjoyed staying with the Bradleys in their beautiful home for a week. After more than couple of weeks of visiting, Jones went back to India on April 1st. He really enjoyed the visit very much. The Primitive Baptist preachers meeting March 13 to 15th has been a very benificial time to us. The teachings of the different preachers delivered on the theme "Servants for all seasons" has been very inspiring and encouraging to us very much. I am thankful to Elders.Bradley + Justin who made it possible for us to attend the seminar and also gave me an opportunity to speak in one of the sessions and also to speak in their church on the following Sunday.
The Lord blessed me to visit the following States by car and Air. i.e. Ohio, Virginia, Tennesse, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Alabama and Georgia. In all these 11 States I preached 32 sermons in 27 different Primitive Baptist churches. In some of the churches, a video was presented on the P.Baptist work in India.
Apart from preaching in those churches, it was a joy to speak in the Chapel Service of the Blue Mountain College where Sis.Lea Bennett is Heading a Dept. of Alumnae+Public Relationship. Another interesting experience is speaking among the Christian Medical Students of the Alabama University where Bro. Benjamin Rogers is studying Medicine. It was my honour in visiting the Mayers of two different cities of the States: Mayer David Caddle of Florida and Mayer Cecil Belle in Aberdeen, MS.
In all the places where ever I went a warm hospitalies have been extended to me by the wonderful people of God. On the April 30th, I stayed with Bro. John Mark Decker the one who was instrumental to get me into States in 1998 and laboured with me to start the first orphanage and ministry. It was a time of refreshing our friendship together with her wonderful mother in Bowman, GA. The next day May 1st he drove me to the airport where we had lunch together with Elders Herb Hatfield and Jeff Harris. After the lunch we parted to our terminals. On that day, our brethren flew to Bulgaria to preach the gospel in that country. On the May 3rd I reach back home at 6.00 PM.
Difficulties back home in India
While I was in the States, three sad things happened. An orphan boy named Krishnan was bitten by a poisonous cobra snake. By the mercy of God after being in a Hospital for two weeks, he got recovered. After few days of this incident, robbers entered into our office building by breaking the lock and searched for money. At that time, there was only $20 worthable Indian rupees which was stolen. Just only the day before, our staff Nelson had drawn the monthly support from the bank and -- without keeping it in the office -- distributed the money on the same day to the orphanages. Otherwise, the whole money would have been stolen. The Lord graciously protected the support from the stealing.
During the last week of my stay in the States, I was informed that one of our preachers named John Mark has been beaten by a wicked man on a false charge against him. In the investigation, there has been no proof for the charge made against him. Still he has some problem in the local church. We have been prayerfully dealing with the problem to find a better solution.
There is another problem occured in Budedu church in Andrapradesh. There is a couple named Issac+sheamila left the church and gone back to Hinduism due to some kind of misunderstanding and quarrel. I baptized this couple only just last year and growing in the faith very well. Some of the hurt feelings made them to leave the church. This church has been inviting me to visit them soon to settle the problem by talking to all of them concerned.
Thank you and please continue to pray
On behalf of the Primitive Baptist churches in India, I thank all the P.B. Churches in US who have extended such a generous contribution for the work of the Lord in India.
On my return back to India, there are too many challenges ahead of me. As there is no rest thus far, physically I am not well. Our preak summar started and the average temperature in these days are 108. The summar sickness affected my health. Due to the above mentioned situations, there is a heavy mental stress on me. In midst of all such things, our Lord is sufficient to me and my family.
Bro.Angus Fisher from Australia has arrived India just before my return. His wife and son are going to join with him by next week and will be with us till June 12th, 2007.
Finally I want to thank Elder.Zack and Sis.Judy who organized my trip efficiently. Along with them Elders Herb Hatfield and David Pyles and Jeff Harris have done hard work for my trip and so I want to express my hearty thanks to them for their valuable time spared to spend time with me in driving to different places and did all kinds of help. My hearty thanks goes to all the God's people who all extended warm hospitalities while staying in their houses.
With much love and regards,
Your Co-Labourer in Him,
Elder.A.Gunasekaran
