Recently I was able to visit our pastor Brother Ramesh M, in Chattisgarh, where a family helped the local congregation to build a small prayer hall.
Though the work in not yet completed, they have begun worshipping there. With this new building, they are now able to sit properly and also invite new people to their congregation. The shape of the building does not look like a traditional church, because of the locality that is hostile to the gospel. But God is faithful and the people are streaming in and are being blessed.
One of the ladies, is from a certain caste, known for its stiffness and opposition from the Gospel. In fact, this is the same caste, that threatened Pastor Ramesh throughout his early years of ministry and also dragged him across the streets to the police station (the police case is still pending in the court). But God is merciful and He chose this old lady to preach His word. Now this sister, goes from house to house praying for the sick and bringing them to the church. Her family is broken and though she is also in need of prayer, she goes out and ministers to the people first.
It was a real treat to meet this lady evangelist. Being an industrial area, this place attracts people who are self employed, and also women who have men working in the factories. A family that was coming to the Lord owned a TV shop in the locality. Pray that all sections of the society would be touched by Jesus.
Please pray for Pastor Ramesh Manikpuri. As mentioned, he has to spend a lot of money to just take care of the court case. He needs to come out of that completely. Also please pray that new souls would make a decision for the Lord. Also pray for his children, two of whom are in our Bible College in Udaipur. Two are studying in another city in a children’s home. None from his family is in the faith. Please pray for them also.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I was in prison and you
Personally, I had a notion that prison ministry was something to be done, just once a year . To be honest, I never thought much about that group of our community ever.
Though only until recently .
My phone rang on a hot June weekday. Seeing the number, I happily picked the call thinking of making a small happy chat and then ending the conversation. But the voice was different on the other end. I enquired who was speaking and I realized another person was on the line. And when I enquired about where the owner of the number was, I was informed, he was taken by the police. “What, are you talking about Mr… ? When did this happen, what was the reason, where is he now?” were the only questions that raised through my mind.
I rushed my bike and reached the police station that was mentioned. But there I was informed that Mr… had been moved to the Central Jail. It immediately struck me that if a person is moved here, it is very long before he can come out. I frantically called his family and could only hear their cries, nothing else. Somehow we made arrangements to go and meet him in the Central Jail. We showed our IDs, proved our addresses and everything else. It was an hour before we reached the counter where we would get our passes. The man punched in every detail, which took another 10 minutes and then shouted. Someone has already visited him today (his son had) and it will be seven days before any other person could meet him! Seven days of loneliness, of fear, of no information, all by himself!
Seven days was too long, but this time we were there on time, took shorter time for us and we finally were let in to meet my friend. His name was hailed, and it was another ten minutes before he finally appeared in a totally different shape! I could hardly look at him through the bars and the net. And even then I did not know whether to cry or touch him to speak comfort to him. Moments became minutes and finally I asked him an age old question, “How are you?” and his was a standard soft reply, “I’m fine”
As he began to narrate what all he was going through, my heart really began to twist and I wanted to throw up. And my tears that day were not so much for him, but for the neglect of prisoners in general. I prayed, Lord give us a chance to come and minister life to them, just to come and sing to them or to let them know that they had people besides the police and the advocates who knew them and cared for them.
That is when I was surprised that both in the Old and in the New, the prisoners were not forgotten by their Master. Our Lord went to the extent of asking his followers to go and minister to them by just visiting them! What a job.
We have begun the work. We were able to send in an entire team that did skits, joked around with them, sang and shared the good news. In the end, we were able to give out New Testaments too.
The greatest need is good literature in Hindi to be distributed to them. Please pray and help us to bring the Good News to them in a manner that is relevant to them.
Though only until recently .
My phone rang on a hot June weekday. Seeing the number, I happily picked the call thinking of making a small happy chat and then ending the conversation. But the voice was different on the other end. I enquired who was speaking and I realized another person was on the line. And when I enquired about where the owner of the number was, I was informed, he was taken by the police. “What, are you talking about Mr… ? When did this happen, what was the reason, where is he now?” were the only questions that raised through my mind.
I rushed my bike and reached the police station that was mentioned. But there I was informed that Mr… had been moved to the Central Jail. It immediately struck me that if a person is moved here, it is very long before he can come out. I frantically called his family and could only hear their cries, nothing else. Somehow we made arrangements to go and meet him in the Central Jail. We showed our IDs, proved our addresses and everything else. It was an hour before we reached the counter where we would get our passes. The man punched in every detail, which took another 10 minutes and then shouted. Someone has already visited him today (his son had) and it will be seven days before any other person could meet him! Seven days of loneliness, of fear, of no information, all by himself!
Seven days was too long, but this time we were there on time, took shorter time for us and we finally were let in to meet my friend. His name was hailed, and it was another ten minutes before he finally appeared in a totally different shape! I could hardly look at him through the bars and the net. And even then I did not know whether to cry or touch him to speak comfort to him. Moments became minutes and finally I asked him an age old question, “How are you?” and his was a standard soft reply, “I’m fine”
As he began to narrate what all he was going through, my heart really began to twist and I wanted to throw up. And my tears that day were not so much for him, but for the neglect of prisoners in general. I prayed, Lord give us a chance to come and minister life to them, just to come and sing to them or to let them know that they had people besides the police and the advocates who knew them and cared for them.
That is when I was surprised that both in the Old and in the New, the prisoners were not forgotten by their Master. Our Lord went to the extent of asking his followers to go and minister to them by just visiting them! What a job.
We have begun the work. We were able to send in an entire team that did skits, joked around with them, sang and shared the good news. In the end, we were able to give out New Testaments too.
The greatest need is good literature in Hindi to be distributed to them. Please pray and help us to bring the Good News to them in a manner that is relevant to them.
Living People Living Communities
Sitting on the Gujarat and Rajasthan border, the church hall was beautifully decorated with shining ribbons and new mats. Many evangelists and pastors were present to thank God for His goodness and be a part of the joyous celebration. The occasion was the dedication of a church building at Dhavdiya. This was after a wait of seven years!
The hall was packed with men, women, children and pastors. It was a time of great rejoicing. The people especially, Pr. Ravji and family and the church believers could hardly contain their joy. It was a privilege for us to witness this great day as a family. It was a hot sunny day but still the people had gathered to thank God and they praised Him with all their hearts and strength. The sound of local drums, instruments, Christian folk song and dance filled the air as people lifted up the name of Jesus.
Pr. Ravji accepted the Lord when his daughter fell sick and there was no cure for her. She was almost on the verge of death when a servant of God came and prayed for her and she was healed. Added to that was his alcoholic nature which ruined his family. But God had mercy on him and he found a new life in Christ. Since that day he gave his life to God and he has not stopped telling people about this great God. They would go as a group to the church a few miles away on foot. But as the numbers began to grow, God began using him to save lives and the leadership asked him to start meeting in the same village. A small hut of a believer was the first location.
As the people began to grow in number, they found it harder to sit and worship, especially in the summers and in the monsoons. One day, one of the men gave his land to build a building. They took it from there and in faith, began praying and believing God to provide for the needs. They collected cash, goods, wood anything the people would bring. And then God raised you up to give towards this building. It was a marvelous miracle, a clear answer to their prayer. They proceeded to build the building. And though it took some time to finish, today the church hall is packed with people whose lives have been touched by God.
This hall was paid for by one family. We encourage you to pray and join us in helping other congregations get their own place to worship.
May the Lord bless you personally and also as a family as you pray about it. Because you decide to build the house of God and God in return will build not just your house but your household for you.
The hall was packed with men, women, children and pastors. It was a time of great rejoicing. The people especially, Pr. Ravji and family and the church believers could hardly contain their joy. It was a privilege for us to witness this great day as a family. It was a hot sunny day but still the people had gathered to thank God and they praised Him with all their hearts and strength. The sound of local drums, instruments, Christian folk song and dance filled the air as people lifted up the name of Jesus.
Pr. Ravji accepted the Lord when his daughter fell sick and there was no cure for her. She was almost on the verge of death when a servant of God came and prayed for her and she was healed. Added to that was his alcoholic nature which ruined his family. But God had mercy on him and he found a new life in Christ. Since that day he gave his life to God and he has not stopped telling people about this great God. They would go as a group to the church a few miles away on foot. But as the numbers began to grow, God began using him to save lives and the leadership asked him to start meeting in the same village. A small hut of a believer was the first location.
As the people began to grow in number, they found it harder to sit and worship, especially in the summers and in the monsoons. One day, one of the men gave his land to build a building. They took it from there and in faith, began praying and believing God to provide for the needs. They collected cash, goods, wood anything the people would bring. And then God raised you up to give towards this building. It was a marvelous miracle, a clear answer to their prayer. They proceeded to build the building. And though it took some time to finish, today the church hall is packed with people whose lives have been touched by God.
This hall was paid for by one family. We encourage you to pray and join us in helping other congregations get their own place to worship.
May the Lord bless you personally and also as a family as you pray about it. Because you decide to build the house of God and God in return will build not just your house but your household for you.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Healed to Heal
"Pratap was exhibiting signs of extreme violence in the home. Anyone that woulc come hear him, he would try to strangle. He would talk to no one except his son. "
Pratap was brought to the prayer room and people prayed for him there. Even there He was trying to stone those who were praying for him. It took some time for him to settle down and be prayed for. But he calmed down and the team got down on their knees to pray for him.
Nothing happened initially. But God was doing something deeper. He went off to a good sleep. And when he woke up, he was ready to be prayed for. Well, he stayed in the prayer room for three days and the team continued to pray.
Today he is completely healed,sane and staying with his family. He has also decided to give all things up and join a training centre to prepare himself to serve Jesus.
Pratap was brought to the prayer room and people prayed for him there. Even there He was trying to stone those who were praying for him. It took some time for him to settle down and be prayed for. But he calmed down and the team got down on their knees to pray for him.
Nothing happened initially. But God was doing something deeper. He went off to a good sleep. And when he woke up, he was ready to be prayed for. Well, he stayed in the prayer room for three days and the team continued to pray.
Today he is completely healed,sane and staying with his family. He has also decided to give all things up and join a training centre to prepare himself to serve Jesus.
105 years of nomadic expereince ends
Our team of committed workers, helped secure the rights for 40 homeless families, living on the roadside and helped them obtain government housing. As they felt the walls, the doors, the permanent roof, it was evident that they had mixed emotions. On one hand, they felt that this was too good to be true, while on the other, they were afraid that this would be taken away from them soon. But this time it is for real and it for them to stay as long as they want.
For the last several decades they were living under an open electrical transformer by the road side in the city of Ajmer. Time again road accidents had snatched their children several others had died while coming in contact with live wires in and around the transformer. In spite of these dangers, they felt that they could not move from that location. This was their inheritance, passed down by their forefathers and they had become accustomed to it.
One of the officers present at the special handing over function summed it up well when he remarked, “Five district collectors have changed since we built these homes but none of these homes have been occupied. How could you do the impossible?”
Popularly known as Gadia Lohars, the name, Gadia means carriages, which is central to their lives. It is their means of living, commutation and their makeshift house. The other name Lohar, means metal workers. Thus originally these are metal workers who move from place to place in their bullock carts. They normally deal in making iron items. Working in open makeshift furnaces, they fashion iron tools for local selling. It is said that their ancestors were blacksmiths to the army of the legendary Rajasthani warrior king, Maharana Pratap of Mewar.
This move was the result of the constant prayers of the saints and also the tireless efforts of the Brother Bipin, who coordinates the work there among this special group. In his own words, “There was no opening whatsoever into this special community. Then God allowed us to start literacy classes among them. Lohar students are coming daily for Hindi language along with Maths and are learning well. Even the “koli” people (Bidi rolling caste) are coming to learn and write along with them. 3 Lohars kids have started going to school when their parents were made to understand the value of literacy in their life. Praise God. In another location, the church is going good by his grace… Many are coming to faith from many walks of life every Sunday… Night prayer is continuous feature now at believer’s homes… Please pray that once the Lohars get houses, God would open their doors for salvation…”
We need your prayers as the work continues among this nomadic tribe. Our immediate aim is to secure means of livelihood for the people and then a start a regular prayer among them.
For the last several decades they were living under an open electrical transformer by the road side in the city of Ajmer. Time again road accidents had snatched their children several others had died while coming in contact with live wires in and around the transformer. In spite of these dangers, they felt that they could not move from that location. This was their inheritance, passed down by their forefathers and they had become accustomed to it.
One of the officers present at the special handing over function summed it up well when he remarked, “Five district collectors have changed since we built these homes but none of these homes have been occupied. How could you do the impossible?”
Popularly known as Gadia Lohars, the name, Gadia means carriages, which is central to their lives. It is their means of living, commutation and their makeshift house. The other name Lohar, means metal workers. Thus originally these are metal workers who move from place to place in their bullock carts. They normally deal in making iron items. Working in open makeshift furnaces, they fashion iron tools for local selling. It is said that their ancestors were blacksmiths to the army of the legendary Rajasthani warrior king, Maharana Pratap of Mewar.
This move was the result of the constant prayers of the saints and also the tireless efforts of the Brother Bipin, who coordinates the work there among this special group. In his own words, “There was no opening whatsoever into this special community. Then God allowed us to start literacy classes among them. Lohar students are coming daily for Hindi language along with Maths and are learning well. Even the “koli” people (Bidi rolling caste) are coming to learn and write along with them. 3 Lohars kids have started going to school when their parents were made to understand the value of literacy in their life. Praise God. In another location, the church is going good by his grace… Many are coming to faith from many walks of life every Sunday… Night prayer is continuous feature now at believer’s homes… Please pray that once the Lohars get houses, God would open their doors for salvation…”
We need your prayers as the work continues among this nomadic tribe. Our immediate aim is to secure means of livelihood for the people and then a start a regular prayer among them.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The Widow's Mite
"Years ago, I lost my husband and eveyrthing else with him, except this piece of land and my daughter. I went from bad to worse, until I found salvation in Jesus, through a passing evangelist."
"We have been worshipping in the open for over a year now, and I want to give this piece of land to put up a prayer hall. God, who did so much for me, deserves the best. But this is all I have. Please take this and build us a prayer hall. I will even spend my entire time in the new hall in prayer and fasting"
Excerpt of conversation with Teja Bai, from a remote hill tribe in MP
"We have been worshipping in the open for over a year now, and I want to give this piece of land to put up a prayer hall. God, who did so much for me, deserves the best. But this is all I have. Please take this and build us a prayer hall. I will even spend my entire time in the new hall in prayer and fasting"
Excerpt of conversation with Teja Bai, from a remote hill tribe in MP
Monday, March 14, 2011
MountainTop Experience
It is 11am. The sun is shining hot and the day is beginning to get warmer by the minute. We have been on the road for the past three hours through teak forests, rough peaks and even rougher roads. Right when we feel that we can go no longer before taking a break, the jeep swerves to the right and begins to climb a 60 Degree incline.
A few scary minutes later, we reach a mountain top and the jeep stops at the back of one of the homes. Before we can recollect our location, day or date, we are enjoying the local hospitality of a cot and hot tea under the shade of a huge tree.
We are introduced to the ‘man of peace’ who opened his house to the gospel for the first time. We are told of how the Lord healed him and his family and they immediately wanted to share this with other people around them. Soon the house they were meeting in was too small and so he put up a few sticks and covered them with plastic bags. This is where the present 60 people meet.
Seeing our vehicle people start to appear for the meeting. In an hour’s time we have over 60 people gathered there and they begin singing songs of joy, songs of hope and prayers answered. The meeting continues for another two hours and then it is time for people to be baptized.
We have to walk two kilometers to the nearest pond where twenty people receive baptism amidst great joy and fervor. By the time it is over, it is 4pm and we all head back to the ‘tent’, where we are joined by other believers and the Communion is celebrated. By the time everything is over, it is 6pm. The people have been at the worship service for over six hours and they are showing no signs of going to their homes.
After this fabulous celebration, we are led to a heap of handmade raw bricks. They tell us,
that we have baked four thousand of these bricks to build a house of worship. We are not able to imagine their joy, their passion, their sense of commitment and also their sense of God.
But wait, whose the pastor? Well, there is none. Preachers like Santosh who began the work are able to visit only two times in a month. They come and stay there overnight and lead the work, but at other times, the believers gather by themselves and the ‘man of peace’ stands up and speaks and encourages the people and the rest of them join in praying their hearts outs.
At 7pm we are back in our jeep and as we start driving downhill, I am saying to myself, “They have nothing, yet they give everything. And that too, again and again.”
“Why is Santosh not able to go each week?” You may be wondering. The reason: Santosh, by himself is leading three congregations like these which are over 30 kilometers apart and with a broken bicycle he can only do so much. Just as Jesus said two thousand years ago, the problem is not in the harvest, the problem is the lack of harvesters. And even if there are, it is lack of resources like a bike that is greatly limiting the work.
Would you provide a bike for Santosh (Cost: Rs 45000)? Can you believe to put a roof over the church for the believers here (Cost for roof tiles: Rs 35000)?
A few scary minutes later, we reach a mountain top and the jeep stops at the back of one of the homes. Before we can recollect our location, day or date, we are enjoying the local hospitality of a cot and hot tea under the shade of a huge tree.
We are introduced to the ‘man of peace’ who opened his house to the gospel for the first time. We are told of how the Lord healed him and his family and they immediately wanted to share this with other people around them. Soon the house they were meeting in was too small and so he put up a few sticks and covered them with plastic bags. This is where the present 60 people meet.
Seeing our vehicle people start to appear for the meeting. In an hour’s time we have over 60 people gathered there and they begin singing songs of joy, songs of hope and prayers answered. The meeting continues for another two hours and then it is time for people to be baptized.
We have to walk two kilometers to the nearest pond where twenty people receive baptism amidst great joy and fervor. By the time it is over, it is 4pm and we all head back to the ‘tent’, where we are joined by other believers and the Communion is celebrated. By the time everything is over, it is 6pm. The people have been at the worship service for over six hours and they are showing no signs of going to their homes.
After this fabulous celebration, we are led to a heap of handmade raw bricks. They tell us,
that we have baked four thousand of these bricks to build a house of worship. We are not able to imagine their joy, their passion, their sense of commitment and also their sense of God.
But wait, whose the pastor? Well, there is none. Preachers like Santosh who began the work are able to visit only two times in a month. They come and stay there overnight and lead the work, but at other times, the believers gather by themselves and the ‘man of peace’ stands up and speaks and encourages the people and the rest of them join in praying their hearts outs.
At 7pm we are back in our jeep and as we start driving downhill, I am saying to myself, “They have nothing, yet they give everything. And that too, again and again.”
“Why is Santosh not able to go each week?” You may be wondering. The reason: Santosh, by himself is leading three congregations like these which are over 30 kilometers apart and with a broken bicycle he can only do so much. Just as Jesus said two thousand years ago, the problem is not in the harvest, the problem is the lack of harvesters. And even if there are, it is lack of resources like a bike that is greatly limiting the work.
Would you provide a bike for Santosh (Cost: Rs 45000)? Can you believe to put a roof over the church for the believers here (Cost for roof tiles: Rs 35000)?
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