Repairwork

                                 Repairing  the  roof  of   the  parsonage

                                       Inside  the  church

                                              Postman  Uncle  (top)
                            Two  young  men  who  are  helping  (below)

                                      Postman  Uncle  and  me

We 've  been  busy  these  past   few  days ,  Let me  show  you   what  's  going  on.
The  parsonage  roof   is  being  repaired and  the   wash  room, dining  room  and  kitchen fixed.The  church  building  is  being   whitewashed and  repaired,  Plenty  of  expensive  and laborious  work is in  progress.The  church   road  is  also being  levelled.
Mr  Lal (Postman Uncle)  is  a  70 year old  retired  postman. He  is  a  prayer  warrior  and  also  has  the  gift  of  encouragement.  Everyday  he  comes  to  the  church  to   pray  with  people and  encourage  them  from   the  Bible.He  has experience  in  construction  and building  work. He  offered   his  services  to  us  which  cut  our  costs   considerably.
Since   the church   roof  is  very  high and  we  are  working   with  rudimentary  or makeshift  equipment, the  safety  of  our  workmen  is  at  stake.  We  request  prayer  for  the  safety of  everyone  climbing  the  high   walls. Very  few   were  willing   to do this  work, that' s  why  our  costs  went  up.
Mr  Jordan Lal (I  have  christened  him  Postman Uncle)  is  very  concerned  for  the  safety of  his men  and  requests  prayer.

From  this  week  I  have  started taking  short  discipling  studies  in  church. I  took  a  class   on  how  to  do   personal Bible  study  on  Sunday  and  Wednesday  and  people were  very  happy  to  learn  how  to  get  into  the  Word  of God.We  have  to  give  them  these tools so they   can  grow  spiritually.
We  need your  prayers  and  support.

Courageous Christianity

In his book, Courageous Christianity, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote about living for Christ in a hostile society. "Why do I preach the Gospel when people do not want to hear and I face many hardships and discomforts in doing so?" he asked. "I will tell you why. Take this world of ours. We have already had two world wars, and look at the present international situation. What is the matter with this world? What is the matter with men and women? Is there nothing that can put things right? I say that only one thing can even touch the problems of the human race--it is this Gospel."

(quoted  by  Dr  David  Jeremiah  in  his   devotional  magazine  Turning  Point)

Yesterday ,  two  sisters ,  (young  girls)   came  to  see  us  requesting  prayer  for   their  father   who  is  a  heart  patient.

Please  pray  with   us   for   the healing of  Shuba  and Vibha 's  Dad.  Also   pray  that this  family  may fully  surrender  themselves  to  Jesus.

Bind Up the Broken Hearted

Rakhi, Kunal(8)  Karan(4)

Rakhi  fell  madly  in  love  with  rich  and  successful Dr Praveen who  promised  her  the  world. Her  Christian family  advised  her  against  being  unequally  yoked  with  a  man who  was  not  a  Christian , but  she  paid  no  heed  to that. All  she  wanted  was the  love of  a handsome,  rich  and  successful  man and  she  got  it. Her  husband  loved  her  deeply  and  they  lived  an  affluent  life . For  Rakhi  and  her  two small  boys  aged   , the world was  their  oyster.

Their  rainbow hued  sky  suddenly  turned  black when  Dr Praveen  fell  ill and  it  was discovered  that  he  was   battling   the  last  stages  of  cancer.
Treatment  and  chemo  therapy  could  not  help  him. . But  the  doctors  told him  it  was  too  late  and he  had  only  a  short time  left.
Dr  Praveen  followed  another religion and  to  please  him Rakhi  had  given   up her  Christian  faith,  in  fact  she  became  an  atheist. Her  in-laws  had  never  accepted  her because  she  did  not belong  to their  religion.With  the  last  traces  of   hope   gone,  Praveen  refused  all  medical  help  and  treatment  in  order  to  save some  precious  money  to  leave  for  his  beloved  wife and  sons,  he  knew  that  after  his demise they  would be  rejected  by  his family.

After  Praveen  breathed  his  last, his  family,  specially his  father and  mother  unleashed  their  pent  up  anger  and hatred  against  Rakhi  and  her  sons. Daily  they  were physically  and  verbally  abused. Extreme  pressure   was  applied  on  them to  leave  the  large  ancestral house  which  they  legally inherited  from  Praveen.

Going  from  riches to  rags  Rakhi  was  left  a  destitute ,  penniless widow with  a  little  support  from  her  husband 's   savings which  they  manged  to  salvage.The  cruelty  and brutality  of  her  father  and  mother in law  made  life  unbearable  for  them. Kunal, the elder  son  who  was then  5  years  old  called the  police  3  times  to  save his  mother  who  was  being  violently beaten. He  told  me    he  has  nightmares that his  grandparents  are  killing  his  mother.

In the  midst  of  this  domestic  holocaust, Rakhi 's  family  came  to  her  rescue. Her  mother  and  2  sisters  gave  her  moral  and  financial  support (and still  do). Friends  advised her  not  to  leave  her  husband 's  house but to  fight  against  injustice.

Fearing  for  their  lives,  Rakni  has  appealed to  the  law seeking protection  from  the  courts. Since then the physical  abuse has stopped  although  the  parent 's in-laws are  malignantly cruel  to   the  three  of them. The  two  boys now  8 and  4  have  suffered  unimaginable trauma which  has  made  deep  furrows  in  her  impressionable childhood.

With  help from  her  family and  against  all odds  Rakhi  managed  to  do  her  teacher 's  training (B Ed  and  M Ed) Now  she  is  seeking  a job to  support  herself and  her  boys.

Two  Sundays  ago  Rakhi  and her  boys  came  to  our  evening  Gospel  meeting   with  her  younger sister Renu who  introduced her to us.   Renu   is  a  friend  of  my  sister Sonia,  who  is  visiting   me  this  month. She  is  very  eager that  Rakhi  should   have  fellowship  with  God 's  people.
After  the  meeting  Rakhi  stepped  forward  requesting  prayer for  healing  and  restoration. We  asked   them to  stay  for  dinner.

Last  week  Sonia  and  I  visited  Rahki  who  lives  in  the  old  part  of  the city. We  immediately  sensed  the  oppression  and  gloom in  that  place. The boys  were  overjoyed  to  have  visitors  and  played  with  Abner  (Sonia' s  son).

They  shared  their  story  of  suffering  and   terror  with  us. We  prayed a  prayer  of blessing and  release  for  them.

They live  in the  crowded  old  city, commuting  there  is    very  difficult  through  narrow  sometimes  unpaved  streets.  But the  Good  Shepherd  is  with us.

Rakhi  wants  to  sell  some  old  gym equipment which  belonged  to  her husband we  are  trying  to  find  a  buyer.

Please  remember  Rakhi and  her  two  sons  Kunal  (8)  and  Karan (4)  in  your  prayers. Pray  for  release from the  evil  designs  of  Satan, that  their   faith  may  grow  and they  may  seek  God   and  his  righteousness, for  their  protection  (  their  sympathetic   neighbours  are  alert and  have  said  if  they  don 't  see  them  around  for  a  certain period  of  time   they  will  inform  the  police).Pray  that Rakhi  may  find  a  job.

Isaiah 61 (BIBLE)
 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

Stepping Out

Courage is the strength or choice to begin a change. Determination is the persistence to continue that change.
Author Unknown

It  takes  inestimable and  determination  for  a  physically  disadvantaged   person  to  face the  competition  and  pace  of  the  able  bodied  world.  Most  of  which  either  ignores  or  undermines  his or   her  needs and limitations.
People  like me  who have unseen  disabilities  have  even a  tougher  time. We  don 't   receive  the  support  we  deserve just  because  our  impairments  are  not  visible,  we  can  only  bear  them  silently with  as much dignity  as  we  can   muster trying  to  keep  in  step  with  the  fast  moving  world. I  tell  you  it   is  frightening and  it  doesn 't  do  your  self  esteem  a  lot  of  good.
I  am not  bitter -  everyone  has  their  own burden to  bear even  the  strongest  athlete may  have  an Achilles heel. I  just  appeal   them  to make   some   room  for  us. In  my  country  a  lot   is  lacking  in  this  area.
As  for  me,  I  am  confident that  if  God  has  permitted  a thorn in  my  flesh  He  will  give  me  the  grace to  bear it and  will  hold  me  up  till  the  end. My  limitations  make  me  unique  too.  What  a   thought!
I have  a  desire  to  start  a  support  group  for   differently  abled  people. We  can  have   it  as  our  church  ministry.
A  support  group  is  not  a  place  to  have  a  pity  party but  a  place  where  someone  can  tell  you,  they  care,  they  understand,  that 's all. Its  a  place of healing  ,regeneration  and  renewal.
Pray  that  we  may  start  such groups  in  our  church. The  church  is  a  sanctuary for  the  hurting.
Psalm 146
6He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Renovation   work  going on inside  our  church  building.

The  back  hall  or  vestry  is   being  divided  into  chambers  for   office and Pastor 's  residence with  wash  rooms  attached.

The  back  door.

It  is  difficult  to  work  in the  115 * F (46*C) heat. We  have  security  men  to guard  the  campus and  supervise  work too. Guard  Panday  was  not  born  a Christian  but  he  believes in Jesus  and   Guard  Samuel on  the  right,  is  a  Catholic. I  don 't  know  the  third  man.

The  outdoor  stage  is  also  being  improved.We  have  our  open air  Gospel  meetings  here. We  get  new  people  each  Sunday. Old  family  friends   are  attending, some  of  them  I  knew  just  by  name,  they  come up  and introduce  themselves  to  me. Praise  God. Our  next door  Hindu  neighbours  came  last  week,  an  elderly  couple. They said  they  used  to  play  in this  church  yard. God  is  good.
Several nurses  and their  families  are   coming  to  our  morning  services.  One  nurse said  her  husband  came  to  church  for  the  very  first  time   with  her, Praise God.
 Nurse  Anamika' s husband , Anand  is  a  very talented  musician.  They are  new  converts and  he  is  learning hymns  and  worship  songs  from  me.He  helps  me  lead hymns  on Sunday mornings.
Each  Sunday after service  the  brothers make  baati chokka,  mashed  veggies with   oven  baked  bread. And  everyone  who wants  to stay back  can join  in the fellowship.
I  must  confess  eating  the  same  food for Sunday lunch  is a  bit  boring, but  I  don 't refuse  the  hospitality and  have a token for  the  sake of  fellowship.
Please  pray   for  us and  support  our ministry.

Sheeba  feels so  hot, she  likes  to  relax  in from  of   the  swamp  cooler.

I  found  this  sketch on  the  internet  and  this  dog  so  resembles  Sheeba,   I  had  to   share  it  here.

Sheeba and Rocky

Sheeba  loves  to  play  with Rocky,  but  he 's  a  pup  and gets  overwhelmed  after  a  while. I  am so  glad  she  found  a friend  after  we   lost our  Jimmy  in  2007.

Its  getting   hotter now , today  I  started  my  small water  cooler, it  gives  some respite. Soon  I  will  get  my  window  water  cooler  fixed.
Preparations for  Passion week  services  are  on. We  have  a Passover evening  communion service, then a 3  hour Good  Friday  afternoon  service from  12pm to 3 pm in  which  the  7  last  words  of Jesus  are  expounded  upon. Its  rather  a  long  service  to  attend  in  the  heat. But  if  the  speakers  and  music is  good then time passes  quickly. The  Good  Friday   fast  is broken  with hot  cross  buns. The   British passed  on this  tradition to  us.

On Saturday  evening there  will  be  an Easter Procession with  floats depicting the  trial,  crucifixtion  and Resurrection  of Christ.It  will  pass  through  various  areas   of  our  city  and  culminate  on  our church  grounds. A  fellowship dinner  is being organised  across  the  river and  transport  will  be  provided  for  all  who  need  it.

We  have   Easter morning worship  at 9  am followed  by  a community  lunch, again across  the  river.
So  we have  an  exciting  week  ahead. Pray  that  the  Resurrection  Message  may  reach  as  many  people as  possible.

Sunday Blessings - The Greatest Risk Taker

On Feb 22nd there was a retreat  in our  church. University students, working people and young   families  came  together  to  have  a  time  of  worship, learning and fellowship

These   little sisters  share  the  same  birthday a  year  or  so  apart!

You  can   see  me in  the  middle top.
Here  is  an excerpt from a book  I  am reading.

Wherever you  look  in  the Bible you  are faced  with risk  takers.Humanly speaking Jesus was the greatest  risk taker. If you were calling  people to follow you would you have picked the disciples? Tax collectors, fishermen, radicals and the traditional all  made  up Jesus ' inner circle. There were  people  who were ambitious,longing to see a new order come. Others just seem to have been plain confused.  Some spoke up and others just  talked  among  themselves.

  Imagine leaving that  group to develop the  Church and take the gospel into the  world.  If you or I were planning a world-wide strategy to share the most  important message in the history  of language,I think we would have been a bit more choosy. The charismatic personality, or the leading academic would have swayed us. Experience would be vital, and  we would have  wanted three references. Applicants would have  needed  to take a personality test to check their mental  stability.

  For us style and substance would have to knit together in the proposed candidate. If the person we wanted  was of influence, so much the better. I don 't think that any of the people that Jesus called would have made our short  list. What a great comfort that is. God did not call just  the  perfect, the beautiful or the  obviously gifted. God continues to delight us in taking risks  with people. God calls and  encourages  the weak, ordinary and in the world 's eyes the totally unremarkable. God takes   risks on people like you and I. However, are we  willing to take risks in our walk with God?

(Taken from Fred Drummond' s book "I Spy The Rainbow")

At the Feet of Jesus

My  BIL  Prem  was  invited  to  preach  at Yeshu  Darbar twice and  also  lead  Staff Bible  studies  in  the  office  of  the  University President.
Here  are some  photos  from  the evening  meetings..

During  the  season  of  lent

I  am  focusing  on the 

humility of Christ

and  reading

Andrew Murray' s book "Humility".

Here  is  a  quote  from  his  book.

Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble.”

― Andrew Murray

This is the Day

This  is  the  Day  the  Lord  has  made
Let  us  rejoice   and  be  glad  in  it.

The  Lord  has  granted   us  a major  victory today. Blessed  be  the  name  of   the  Lord. The weapons  formed  against the  work  of  God  have  been  disarmed.

The  Lord  has  confirmed the  vision He   gave  me  8  years  ago. Ezekiel  34;25-31  and Ezk 36; 35,36


Thank  you   for  your  prayers  and  good  wishes. Continue  to  pray  for  us   as we  seek  the  Lord 's  will and  guidance for  the  furtherance  of His  kingdom.
Prem  is  speaking  at  a  mega  church service  tonight  and  tomorrow  we  are  having  an  evangelistic  out reach  service,  Prem  will  speak and   food   will be served  to  poor,  homeless  people.

Not  by  might 
Not   by power
But   by  my  Spirit  says  the  Lord.
This  mountain shall  be removed.

Bond With The Best

Bond   with   the  best was  the  theme  for  the  EU  Christmas Outreach held  on  Dec  6th. And  that  motto  was  fulfilled   most  certainly.  More  than  100  people  comprising  of university  students  and  families  with  Young  children came to  hear  the  Christmas  message.

The  university chapel  is  very  far   from  my  house  but  God   provided  transport (motorbike rides) so  I  could   participate  and   enjoy  fellowshipping  with  friends   I  "meet"  on  Facebook.

Worship  leaders

Brother  David  gave  the  message   from  John 5:24
   “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement, but has passed out of death into life. (words  of  Jesus)

He  gave  his  own  testimony , how  God  saved  him  from  a  life  of   crime and   empty  living. And  what  it  means  to  be  saved.

There   was  special  music  and  a  video  presentation.

The  students  were  cooking  a   meal of  vegetable  rice, a  curry  of  potatoes  and  fresh  green  peas and  yogurt  salad (raita). Believers  contributed  money  for  that and a  professor  donated   cake  for  dessert.

There  was  some  delay on that   front  so  the seniors  presented  special  songs  and  kept  everyone  lively  and  happy.

The  ride  back on  the 

motorcycle  was  chilly

but  my   heart   was  warm  seeing 

God  at   work 

among   young  people.

Let  me  end  with  what  I  read 

in  my  morning  devotions.

==============

What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! ...As it is written:

'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one
who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there
is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues
practice deceit. There is no fear of God before their eyes.'... no one will be declared
righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious
of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known...
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

--Romans 3:9-12, 17-18, 20-22



Someone once asked an evangelist "Is it hard to get people saved?" He thought for
a moment then replied, "No, but it sure is hard to get them lost!" He's right. It's
hard to get people to see how utterly lost they are. Yet before the Good News can
sound good, a person must hear the bad news -- that "all have sinned and come short
of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).


No one is righteous before God -- not even the person who tries to consistently
do the right thing. It's impossible to always live the right way, to always keep
the law. The purpose of the law is to show a person how far he misses the mark.
But bad news never sounded so good... for then, we see the need for a Savior


Christmas is upon us and our hearts are happy as we celebrate the arrival of Jesus,
God's Good News! But let's not forget the bad news - that a heart without Christ
is full of deceit. Oh, how we need Jesus; and to live rightly is to live dail
in his grace. It really is all about him!

Father, it's hard to understand how lost I really am without Jesus Christ. Help
me to live completely and totally on the grace of Jesus today!

(Joni  Eareckson Tada)

If You Want To be Great In God 's Kingdom

Learn   to  be  the  servant   of all

Students  of  the  short  term  Bible  school cooking for out  of  city  guests who  came  to  attend  the  revival  meetings (Nov 11-13).
On   the  first  night  there  were  200  extra  people to  feed  so  the  food  ran  out. But  these  young  people  stayed  up  till  2 AM  preparing  more  and  more   food  and  no  one  went   to  bed  hungry.

If  any  man  serve  me, let  him  follow  me  and  where I  am there shall  my  servant  be, if  any  man  serve  me, him  will  my  Father  honor -Jesus  in  John  12:26  (BIBLE)

Mark 10:43


 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant -  Jesus