Mission Trip to Andhra Pradesh and Odisha - 9-16 Oct

This was one of those trips that I had to travel alone from Singapore. Nevertheless I was not alone. Bishop Nehemiah and our faithful driver Lazarus accompanied me throughout, with Pst Anjan joining us in Odisha. Most importantly the Holy Spirit was with us, every step of the way. Praise God for the harvest in the fields. 

We did four church dedications, visited our church planters, visited Shadrach Home Odisha. 

On 10 Oct we dedicated a church in Uppada village, East Godawari. This church dedication was special as I the building was sponsored by a church in China, thanks to Bro Albert and Sis Josephine for making the connection. In all my exposure to the mission field, I have not heard of any church building in India, sponsored by a Chinese church. I may be wrong but if I am right then this is  probably the first to be sponsored by a church from China. 

About 150 people gathered for the dedication. The church planter who oversees this work is Pst Moses. It was just an awesome sight to see so many people in a remote village, worshipping Jesus Christ as Lord. To me it was joy unspeakable. 

Sunday morning we ministered in two churches pastored by Pst Joshua and his Sister. Pst Joshua is one of our Rural Area Evangelism Team co-ordinators. We also had the privilege to dedicate  Anil and Diviya's son, Amos Daniel at the service. It was indeed a blessing to be in the services.

We also visited one of our church planter in East Godavari District. Pst Sam is our church planter in this church.This church was sponsored by Bro James Ng. When Bro James and the team visited the church in Jan this year, the building was not ready. So this time we had a simple dedication ceremony as well in this place. Pst Sam, 27 years old, has been working in this village since 2013, after graduating from our CP’s training program. It was amazing to see what God has been doing in this place. This man is full of passion and on fire for God. More than 150 people are coming for Sunday morning service. It was a delight to watch and worship the Lord together with these simple people. They worship was pure from the heart and without malice. That night the Spirit of the Lord moved in a powerful way and some were set free from demon possession.  My heart was simply overwhelmed with what I was witnessing.

Jhula suspension bridge 
at Rayagada.

In Odisha we dedicated a church and also visited a chuch planter in a remote area. I was trilled to see what God was doing in Odisha. The next day, we travelled 3 hrs for the dedication of PEC’s first church in Odisha. We had to track through the forest and narrow mud tracks to reach this village. Pst Divagar is the pastor of this church. Unfortunately, on 13 Oct his grandfather passed away and the mood in the village was somewhat sombre.  Nevertheless we had a simple dedication.  The building was not fully completed because of some administrative issues but it will be completed by Nov.  We thank God for Bro Samuel and his family for sponsoring this church.

Pst Divagar has been working in this village for the last 4 years, after his training in PEC church planters training centre.  More than ¾ of the village are attending the church. There are about 200 people in that village. Pst Divagar is confident that by the end of next year the whole village will be won for Christ. Simple people with no education, most of them can’t read or write. They are just farmers in a remote village. Jesus made the difference. I was moved to tears. There are many such villages out there still without Jesus. We drove back in the darkness and reached our hotel almost 9.00pm. Still not able to come to terms with what we were seeing. A mighty harvest.

Traditional welcome

We took 4 hrs to reach another village, travelling through the forest, crossing rivers, hills and valleys. The tracks in the village were littered with excrement from both humans and animals. No phones, no TVs. Simply living off the ground. Malaria is rampant but Jesus is their healer. The canopy of leaves from creepers provided the cover for the church service. They were literally sitting on rocks. It was terribly stuffy and I was drenched with my own perspiration inside. But when they worshipped the place shook. You must be there to see it. 

About 60 people are coming for the services.  These are also illiterate villagers and like all other work done by our CPS, all of the people come from Hindu backgrounds and they are also spirit worshippers. Heavily into witchcraft and sorcery. But Jesus had set them free. This place needs a building to worship. The houses are all far too small to accommodate the crowd. Pst Mano is also trying to reach the surrounding villages. Another emotional moment, thanking God for allowing us to see the fruits in the mission field. All glory to God for what he is doing.

We also visited the work in Jeevan Jothi (free tuition for poor kids) and our boys at Shadrach Home. What a joy to see them. They have grown and learning many things. There are many needs in the home and we pray that Gd will meet every need. 

Special thanks to all our prayer parters and sponsors.  The harvest indeed in ripe. We need to do all we can touring in the harvest.