Four Brothers Born the Same Day!

Just kidding, but we want to celebrate the birthdays of these boys. Problem is, no one in their family has a clue when they were born. In their tribal culture, they don't pay much attention to dates, times, education, etc. They're pretty much oblivious. The mother to the right is the mother of all these children except for the oldest boy, Sankar. He has a different mother, the father having 2 wives. The girl, Poojitha, has come to church, Sunday School and other meetings for 4 or 5 years now at least, and we celebrate her birthday in November. A couple of years ago we decided to celebrate for these 4 brothers also, choosing April 17th for them. It doesn't mean anything in reality, but we hope they can recognize the love of Christ in these acts of kindness and honor. Please pray for this family, at least 11 or 12 kids altogether, some of the older ones already married.

Click Here to Make a Donation

 

Memorial Service for Our Friend

Today there was a memorial service for our dear friend, Puthra, a pastor that I've known for 30 years or more. The memorial was conducted in a nearby village to where Puthra's family lives, where their church is, and where they do ministry. You can see some of the crowd in the top photo, and Puthra's daughter Beulah in the lower photo, obviously having some injuries in the motorcycle accident. Brother Wesley went to this meeting, and hopefully will be able to give us more clear information about the accident, and more importantly, about Beulah and the family's condition, and their needs. Please continue to pray for this beautiful and broken family.

Click Here to Make a Donation

 

A Counseling Ministry

As with all of our lives, many challenges are there in ministry. We have more than 30 families we visit regularly, which includes well more than 50 children. So MANY challenges come before us: financial, drifting, rebellion, loneliness, worldly desires, boy-girl issues, anger at another person...the list goes on and on. We are very thankful for Brother Raju, here counseling a 14 year old named Jeevan. About 3 years ago, Jeevan almost seemed like a hopeless case, already totally out of control, the mother at her wit's end. But the Lord used Brother Raju and his wife Pavani to love and counsel this boy into making some changes. There are still challenges from time to time, as there will be among our own children, but we see Jeevan, and so many other youth, humbling themselves and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts. Please keep Jeevan and all of our youth lifted up in your prayers. 

Click Here to Make a Donation

 

Happy Birthday Suma & Pavan!

Suma's birthday was April 27th and Pavan's May 4th, Suma the girl... Suma is now 18, and Pavan is 14 (and growing fast!). In the top photo Brother Raju, his wife and Bro. Marthababu's wife, both named Pavani, are with Suma & Pavan's family, 5 children altogether, and the dog. At this time, the mother was not home yet. The Daddy died in late 2023, so the mother is now working as a teacher with a low salary, so we're helping them with monthly support and education for the children. THANK YOU for being the Lord's compassion to make it happen! Please pray for Suma, Pavan, and their family.

Click Here to Make a Donation

 

More Memories

I have so many precious memories of the many years that I've known Brother Puthra and his family (in the previous post we shared that he passed into glory last Friday). I hope to share some of those memories, including Puthra literally saving my life one day, in this month's newsletter. In the photo below, it was less than 3 years ago we shared with you about Puthra's mother passing. Somehow, the Lord gave Brother Wesley and I the honor of being there during that time, even though their area of ministry is a long distance from where I usually was at. It's hard not to sob during an Indian funeral, where the people freely express their pain at the passing of a loved one; and so it was that day. Brother Puthra is on the left with the microphone (shortly before his mother's body was moved to the burial site), and going to the right is his sister, his daughter Beulah, his niece, and his son Prem, leaning over the table. Continue to pray for Puthra's family, as the Lord puts them in your heart over the coming months.  

Click Here to Make a Donation

 

Please Pray for His Family

With a very sad heart I share with you about my friend, Putra, a pastor in India I've known since about 1994. I don't have a lot of details yet, so will keep this short. All I know is that last Friday, Putra was taking his daughter, Beulah, from her hostel on his motorcycle, and they were hit by a "lorry" (transport truck). Putra died instantly, and Beulah (around 20), whom I've known since she was a baby, is in serious condition in the hospital. Back in the 90's and early 2000's Putra was often with me when we went to share in the villages, rarely as a translator, mostly as a companion. Please pray for Beulah, his son Prem, his wife Chinni, his father Samuel, and other family members. Even though they know Putra is with JESUS, I can only imagine the pain in their hearts.

Click Here to Make a Donation