Talking About the Plans That God Has

Generally, we can say that children and youth (even many in church) rarely give much priority to what the Lord might have for their lives. Brother Raju and Marthababu took about 15 girls to the city of Peta, where another family we're helping is at. He talked to them about their futures and asked them to write down their thoughts about what they have in mind for the future. "For I know the plans that I have for you' says the Lord..." (Jeremiah 29:11). "In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose, Who works all things after the counsel of His own will." (Ephesians 1:10-11). "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10). These are the most important things that all of His children should be thinking and praying about, and this is the direction our brothers and sisters in India are trying to teach the children and youth. No matter what you end up doing in life: job, career, housewife, ministry...try to find His created purpose for your life. 

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God's Wonderful Grace for 21 Years!

Shiny and her brother Kethan are together for her 21st birthday. I was on a video call with them, and for some reason they wanted me in the photo, which is why Shiny is holding up the phone. We praise the Lord for watching over Shiny all these years, as she has been weak and susceptible to more sicknesses since she was small. Just recently she had an operation for an ulcer, and not long before that she had a procedure done on her foot because it would not heal properly. Now she is doing better. She's in her 3rd year of college, preparing to be a lab technician. Your donations, and His grace of course, are making that possible. Pray for Shiny, who loves the Lord and teaches in her church Sunday School. It's difficult for her to stand very long because of weakness.

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Giving Hope to the Helpless

"Lord, You know the hopes of the helpless. Surely You will hear their cries and comfort them." Psalms 10:17  Sister Chanti (whose husband died years ago) and her son, Paul, live in a 2 or 3 room home with a verandah area (porch). Previously, they stayed in the larger of 2 rooms, while her father-in-law stayed in the smaller room (only sufficient for one person). For some reason the father-in-law became angry and switched rooms with them. Since the small room is not large enough for 2 people, they are trying to stay in the verandah (photo below). It is lacking one door, and walls are open, which they are trying to cover with sheets, but the rain is coming inside. Brother Raju has tried to reason with the man, but he's not listening. Pray for Chanti and Paul, and for us, as we seek the Lord's wisdom for this situation. 

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Brother Samuel's Family

On August 15th Brother Raju and 3 other adults took some girls to visit Brother Puthra's family again (Puthra dying in May). This is an encouraging photo, as we can see some healing taking place in their hearts. They very much like the visits, Raju and most of the crew traveling almost 3 hours to reach there. From the oldest clockwise is Samuel (a beloved pastor for many years, and Puthra's father), Buelah (daughter), Prem Raju (son) and Chinni (Puthra's wife). Your prayers are very much appreciated!

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Happy Birthday Pradeep!

We are very thankful for Pradeep, his sister and parents. When we first started assisting their family, the parents had suffered a lot, including the father being beaten by his Hindu relatives who stole most of what they had. It seems that their commitment to Christ was the main cause they turned against him. Now they are doing better financially, he a shepherd (currently with 30 sheep) and the mother a helper of small children at a school. Pradeep was just admitted to a prestigious engineering college, which is quite an accomplishment. Two or 3 years ago he wasn't doing well in studies, and was struggling with bad influences. He seems to be doing much better now in both categories, coming to prayers (services, Bible studies, etc) on a regular basis. Pray for Pradeep, who had his 17th birthday August 8th.

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Independence Day Prayer Meeting

In our part of India (Andhra Pradesh on the southeast coast), "prayer" is the general term used for any type of Christian meeting on any day. August 15th is India's Independence Day. Since it was a holiday, Brother Raju took 11 of our youth, all girls, to visit Brother Samuel's family again (this is Puthra's Dad, Puthra dying in an accident in May). The previous time they met in another village where Samuel and Puthra planted a church years ago, where also Puthra's wife and his daughter Beulah are now staying. Samuel and Puthra's son, Prem Raju, stay in their own village called Valetivaripalem (VV Palem), where all the family lived when Puthra was alive. I don't know how long Chinni (the wife) and Beulah will be in this other village, but it's been a huge help for their loneliness and brokenness, as many female believers are there to encourage them. VV Palem (where this photo was taken) has less younger female believers, surrounded by a Hindu community. In the photo, they are likely praying for India while holding up the Indian flags.

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