“You have laid your hands on us and ordained us, now send us out to Bihar or Chattisgarh or any other place, because that is the biblical model.” We (Blesson and Betsy) said these words out of great desire and expectation. But the reply would come so soon, we never imagined. Immediately we were informed about the opportunity of going to the Kutch District of Gujarat and pioneering a work there. We asked for some time to pray about it but in a sense God had already groomed us for it.
We prayed that night and the next morning as a family and God asked us to take a small step of faith of going to the place and seeing it for ourselves. We committed ourselves to that and so on 23rd November, 2009 at 1.45 in the noon we started our journey of 535 kms to Bhachau with Pr. Paul. When we reached the place we were greeted by a missionary couple from New Zealand, Steve and Janet. Though it was midnight, we could see the excitement and delight on their faces. They had been in that place for over six years just by themselves, waiting and praying and we had arrived as an answer to their prayers.
Disappointments
Both of them had a great heart to build up a children’s home and do missions among the unreached areas in the vicinity. But there were much challenges ahead. Janet finally joined him in India and by faith, they began the ministry. Later with the help of believers in the next city, they bought two acres of land in 2003, six kms away from Bachachu. They built two building in approximate 7000 sq. ft area. The building is planned in such a way that it can run a twelve bed hospital, a children’s home and also provide staff residence. Another section with eight rooms can be used to run a primary school. They had to face huge losses in setting this up. They had pull down the first building which was made without a strong foundation! But God enabled them to complete the entire building project they also made a boundary wall around the campus.
With all this ready, they had no one to help them to run the place. They went from people to people but none would come to help them. There were periods when they were really depressed and thought of going back to their native country. But only by the grace of God sixty three year old Steve and sixty one year old Janet have stayed there until now, all by themselves, waiting for God’s timing.
Connections
Miraculously the Lord connected both of them with Pastor Paul and within weeks, we had driven there to meet them. The next morning, Steve and Janet shared their pains with us and this one question, “For whom, O Lord are we carrying this burden and whom should we give this project so that they can complete the vision.” Steve summed up his vision like this, “we have no other interests but that western Gujarat and especially Kutch should know Jesus.” They explained the geography of the region with maps and showed us one of the most unreached areas of India. We were totally moved on hearing their story and decided that we would move in and take this assignment of reaching this area.
As a family we had dedicated our lives for pioneer missions and even before our marriage in 2001, I had submitted my life to become a pioneer missionary. When Steve explained his vision I was glad because I could see a man having similar vision like me. As family we are interested in pioneer fields and though we are now in the mission field, every day this was our prayer, ‘Lord send us we are ready to go where ever you need us.’ And I think God has answered our prayers.
The place has no electricity or telephone facilities, no modern media are reaching the area. In the vicinity there are no other houses, only acres of farms. The nearest village from the place is Karmaria, about 1.5 kms away. But there is hope.
The Plans then
Tthere is a great scope for starting a children’s home because many children in the region are affected with the 2002 earthquake. We also can develop a good school since we have the facilities, but we need transport facilities to collect children from the nearby villages. Also as part of church planting, we can train at least fifteen missionaries and identify the places and place them in unique ways among the local people. Using Steve’s expertise in arts and craft and carpentry, we can also provide vocational training to them so that these young men can work for their food and serve the society.
I am along with my family are really excited about this new area and new development. Trusting the Lord, we are planning to step in to this mission venture to toil to reach out the people especially the Kutchi community.
The Story So Far
Now we have been here for a year!! We cannot believe how the days have gone by. But we are still trusting the Lord that he will lead us each step of the way. When we started the school there was no initial response but when we began to approach the homes, we realized days. that many parents in the village were waiting for someone to help them in the schooling of their children.
Now in the LKG class we have nine and ten year old children are a proof of that. Parents are welcoming us to their houses as angels and respecting us because we provide English education to their children, that they thought impossible.
First year itself we got eighty five admissions and for the next year many are waiting to get admission. From one village called chobari twenty two km away from us asked to give admission to twenty five children of their village. But due to the lack of infrastructure and financial help we can’t step forward to a new level.
Opportunities
We need new class rooms, playground facilities, electricity and transportation facilities to help these villagers. We hope in the coming days God may use this as an effective medium to communicate good news to them. We are working as light and salt to these interior village people to transform them socially and locally to the modern world realities. We need your prayers, financial help in various capacities to uplift this work to higher levels. Do pray for committed staff to come, stay and work in this tuff
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Blessed to be a blessing
She was born into a family who were strong idol worshippers. One day her son fell very sick. She took her son to the village doctors and took treatment for several days but it did not help her son get better. This continued for several days and his physical condition deteriorated to a great extent. She then took him to the witch doctors who also took money for all the magic spells and sacrifice they did on behalf of the child.
Meerabai comes from a very poor family and she could hardly manage one meal a day. Often she would go to sleep by drinking a glass of water. In pursuit of healing for her son she moved from one idol to another but all her efforts were in vain.
One day when she was moving about with her sick son, somebody directed her to the nearest church in the village and asked her to meet the pastor. She went very hesitantly since she was tired of knocking all doors. The village pastor received them and prayer for her son and declared in faith that within a week her son will be completely healed. Sure enough God answered prayer and the next Sunday she came to church with her son who was completely healed. It was simple faith that brought healing in the name of Jesus.
Meerabai was very happy that she did not have to spend a penny to receive this divine healing. She started attending the church and hearing the Word of God. Slowly her faith increased and she received Jesus into her heart.
Today she testifies with a big smile of joy on her face that since the day she received Jesus into her heart she has not seen poverty with which her family was gripped for the last several years. God is providing her daily needs. She has a farm where she cultivates and grows food for her family. She says that God has not only blessed her farm but also she is able to sell the produce and earn a living.
Her entire family came to know Lord Jesus through her living testimony. She is very active in the church and is a source of encouragement to several other village women. Praise God for her life.
Meerabai comes from a very poor family and she could hardly manage one meal a day. Often she would go to sleep by drinking a glass of water. In pursuit of healing for her son she moved from one idol to another but all her efforts were in vain.
One day when she was moving about with her sick son, somebody directed her to the nearest church in the village and asked her to meet the pastor. She went very hesitantly since she was tired of knocking all doors. The village pastor received them and prayer for her son and declared in faith that within a week her son will be completely healed. Sure enough God answered prayer and the next Sunday she came to church with her son who was completely healed. It was simple faith that brought healing in the name of Jesus.
Meerabai was very happy that she did not have to spend a penny to receive this divine healing. She started attending the church and hearing the Word of God. Slowly her faith increased and she received Jesus into her heart.
Today she testifies with a big smile of joy on her face that since the day she received Jesus into her heart she has not seen poverty with which her family was gripped for the last several years. God is providing her daily needs. She has a farm where she cultivates and grows food for her family. She says that God has not only blessed her farm but also she is able to sell the produce and earn a living.
Her entire family came to know Lord Jesus through her living testimony. She is very active in the church and is a source of encouragement to several other village women. Praise God for her life.
Nani Bai's Witness
Nanibai, Pipalwas – Stood strong in her faith and a testimony in her village
Nanibai comes from a poor family. She believed in idols and witchcraft. She spent large sum of borrowed money to please the witch doctors and earn the favor of their gods.
One day her husband fell sick. She took him to the witch doctors, spent money, and took him to the hospital for treatment but nothing helped. His condition worsened each day despite of all the treatment he received and ultimately he died in his sickness. The cycle of death continued in the family and she lost several other dear ones in the family, one after another. She was very sad and lonely and wondered deep within herself the mystery of death in her family.
A passing evangelist stopped by her house and shared the gospel with her and prayed for her. It was the first time she had ever heard this story. She believed and gave her heart to the Lord. Since then she had to face strong opposition from her village. The villagers and other local heads started persecuting her for her new found faith. She had to pay a punishment fee of Rs. 1000 which was a big sum of money. She was a widow and it was very hard for her to arrange this money. She had to work very hard and save her earnings since there was no excuse for her.
She fell sick and none came near to help her. Even her own children left her alone to die and did not help her. She was completely bed ridden with no one to help her. She says with tears in her eyes, Only God took care of me miraculously and healed me from all my sickness. That is why I love Him so much and I will never leave Him even though none stand with me.
She would come to church secretly on Saturday nights, stay there whole night, attend the Sunday morning service and then leave for home in the evening. She stood alone in her faith but today her family also worships Jesus along with her. Also there are several other believers from her village who have received Jesus into their hearts through miracles, prayer and healing. The whole village is a witness to her miraculous healing.
Nanibai comes from a poor family. She believed in idols and witchcraft. She spent large sum of borrowed money to please the witch doctors and earn the favor of their gods.
One day her husband fell sick. She took him to the witch doctors, spent money, and took him to the hospital for treatment but nothing helped. His condition worsened each day despite of all the treatment he received and ultimately he died in his sickness. The cycle of death continued in the family and she lost several other dear ones in the family, one after another. She was very sad and lonely and wondered deep within herself the mystery of death in her family.
A passing evangelist stopped by her house and shared the gospel with her and prayed for her. It was the first time she had ever heard this story. She believed and gave her heart to the Lord. Since then she had to face strong opposition from her village. The villagers and other local heads started persecuting her for her new found faith. She had to pay a punishment fee of Rs. 1000 which was a big sum of money. She was a widow and it was very hard for her to arrange this money. She had to work very hard and save her earnings since there was no excuse for her.
She fell sick and none came near to help her. Even her own children left her alone to die and did not help her. She was completely bed ridden with no one to help her. She says with tears in her eyes, Only God took care of me miraculously and healed me from all my sickness. That is why I love Him so much and I will never leave Him even though none stand with me.
She would come to church secretly on Saturday nights, stay there whole night, attend the Sunday morning service and then leave for home in the evening. She stood alone in her faith but today her family also worships Jesus along with her. Also there are several other believers from her village who have received Jesus into their hearts through miracles, prayer and healing. The whole village is a witness to her miraculous healing.
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