Mission Trip to AP/Telangana – 28 May – 5 Jun 15

Introduction

This is another of the trip planned in our forecast of mission trips for the year 2015. A difficult trip with so many things happening back home in church. I was the only one on this trip. Thank God that Pst John Signey from Chennai joined me. The Indian summer was cruel this time. Hundreds have dies just in AP/Telanganda alone. Temperatures have been very hot reaching up to 48degC on some days. At some point I thought I would collapse under the heat, but thank God for his mercy.  

Objectives.

2.      The objectives of the trip were as follows:

- 2 days each of Church Planters training at Hyderabad and Vizag

- CP graduation in Rasoolpura

- 2 church dedications

3.    I departed Singapore on 28 May and arrived Hyderabad on 29 May early morning. Pst Nehemiah, as always, was at the airport to receive me.

Church Planters Seminar 29-30 May

4.           Twenty students from our training centres attended the two-day seminar. Some students did not come because of the weather. Temperatures were unbearable the two days. I taught on Leadership and Pst John Signey took sessions on church planting. We had a powerful closing session where the Spirit of the Lord took control. Many students later testified how the sessions had blessed them.

Sunday 31 May

5.           Sunday morning service.   One again it was a joy to attend the Sunday morning service in Rasoolpura. The church was packed as usual in the smelting heat. The fans were just blowing hot air, yet the people were patient and worshipped the Lord with all their hearts. Pst John Signey shared the Word from Ezekiel 47.

6.           Church Planters graduation.   Immediately after the service we had the graduation ceremony for the church planters. 25 students graduated this time. I shared the Word from Gen 12:1-3 on “Finishing well”.  

1-2 Jun 15

7.           We travelled to Vizag to conduct another two-day seminar for the church planters from Orissa. It’s about 8 hrs by road. 45 church planters and students came from Orissa to Vizag to attend the seminar. It was a joy to meet the church planters and to hear of what God is doing in their lives and ministry. It was indeed a treat for the church planters to stay at the Youth Hostel, next to the YMCA. By God’s grace the weather cooled down and we were able to conduct the seminar with a bit more comfort.

8.           Again we taught on Leadership and Church Planting. The participants were very active and asked many questions.  They were indeed blessed by their teaching.

9.           Then it was another 7 hrs by road back to Hyderabad for the rest of the team.

Church Dedications

10.         On 4^th Jun we had two church dedications. The first stop was about 4-5 hrs drive from Hyderabad.  It was at a place called Basthi in Khamman District. About 70 people gathered for the church dedication. Special thanks to Bro Kumar from PEC for sponsoring this building project. The pastor and the congregation were indeed very thankful for the building.

11.         After another two hours’ drive we came to the second church. It was in a place called Kukkadam, Nalgonda District. About 60 people were present for eh church dedication. This is the 86^th church building under the PEC banner. Praise God.

 Observatons/Needs

12.         After a thorough discussion with our coordinators, we are now ready to build the first church in Orissa, in a remote village in Rayagada District. The building will cost about $5000 (Sing). Please let me know if the Lord moves you for this project. It will be history in the making.

Conclusion

13.         We praise God for all his wonders in the mission filed. I am greatly indebted to those who contributed for this trip and also to those who kept us in prayer.