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.
 |