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