A month of faithfulness and favour.

Two of the sponsor kids who live in the Hostel

This past month had been one with its own challenges and good experiences as well. God has been so faithful and true to His word and each day I am growing to depend on Him more and more. This month has been focused on getting the kids ready for Christmas and also visiting all our sponsor kids that our church is helping. It was so good meeting the kids as they are living in hard situations we had the opportunity to meet them and minister to them. They all live far from Ranchi city so Kiran and I travel to meet them and get reports from them .

Sunday school craft time

learning the Christmas story

The furthest place we travelled to was a place called Gumla . It is about about 3 hours journey out of Ranchi. In this place one of the sponsor kid named Lovely Kumari lives and the road to their village is hard to travel in. She is ten years old and she is unable to walk well as she has problem in her foot.she has a problem in her back as well where it needs to be operated but the family has no money to pay for it. This was the most sad condition I have seen as she is young and does not want to go to school as the kids make fun of her difference. Presently the mom wants to put her in a Hostel boarding as she is unable to take care of her during the day as she works during that time to bring food to the house. Her job is working in the fields each day.The money the church is supporting her with she uses for her basic needs for the child.

Lovely Kumari

The other thing that made my heart sad was to find out that the medicines that the child was taking was useless as the village doctor had given her random medicine and made good money out of it . So we told her to go to a good doctor and give the right medicine to her that will actually be effective.The church has given the child a wheelchair to use so it would be easy for her mom. The Lord spoke to my heart while being there that He loves this child so much and He has his hand on her. She is a shy one. The pastor of that village has been threatened many times by other religious leaders and beaten up as well but even then in this hard place he trusts the Lord. Got to see his new church he is building there. He was happy to meet us as we had come to minister there. His family stands up for God there. I was so encouraged looking at their simple life and humility. He is also building a small school so that through that the gospel can be reached to them. It is in process now. Direct gospel is hard as opposition is strong there.It is always an opportunity to meet our fellow brothers and sisters living out the call in hard places and I know the Lord surely sees and rewards such people. It's not at all easy.

ministry in the slum with Vilma

I have been enjoying the slum ministry and this month they will be doing a program for Christmas that Vilma and I are getting them ready for.She has been a great help and a blessing to me in the ministry. The kids love us and every day we are growing in a closer bond with them. They are an awesome bunch and I love working with them. They bring so much joy. The Sunday school has been going on very well . This month I had the opportunity to share through the word to the youths and they loved it . I was so blessed that the Lord is using me in many ways . The main thing God is asking me to do is be a good example to the youths here.

Sharing Gods word in youth meeting

Every day it is through Gods strength I am able to serve the people here in Ranchi. I love what is do and I pray I would never grow weary of doing good and living for the Almighty God we serve.
I also want to say that God has answered one of my prayer requests and that is , He gave me a house to live in. I am so grateful to God for it. I have been searching and praying for three months for it. So altogether I can say it has been a great month of living each day depending on Him and believing that He can do the impossible. That is what He is teaching me to always believe that He can do anything and He is always on time.

Some of my prayer points would be:

* Pray that even as the kids prepare for their program that they are going to do that they would know the true meaning of Christmas season.

* That God would give me  his heart for the people as I minister to them.

* To just thank God for his provisions and grace in my life everyday.

Adventures with God in new ways.

With one of the sponsor kids family

This past month has been a good one filled with lots of work and responsibilities but it has been fun. I have been travelling a lot visiting villages to meet kids that our church is supporting to help with their medical and other needs as well. We have total of 9 kids who live far from the main church and it was so wonderful to see how they travel each Sunday for many kilometers just to attain church in Ranchi city. I was so surprised rather of their dedication to just hear the word of God. That was something so new to me. Kiran and I visit them to check on how they are doing physically, financially and spiritually as well. We had fun ministering to them and praying with them. This is something I really enjoyed doing.

women's ministry with the team in a village

The slum ministry is going good as well. Vilma and I are preparing them for Christmas and the kids here live dancing a lot. They are such a sweet bunch. We usually have 30 regular comers but my total attendance sometimes is 60 or so. Any Hindu festival that comes they leave to their far villages as some of their relatives are strong Hindus still. My future plans for them is to continue teaching them the word of God in creative ways so they would be the light in the

Leading worship In youth meeting

families as most of theirs is a broken one .The one reason I enjoy working with them is they seem to find the bright side of life even with all their challenges at home. We try our best to love on them and pour all we can to invest into their lives. It is one place I feel so much joy ministering to them.

Prayer meeting in one of the homes in Ranchi

The Sunday school is going well too and the kids here need the word of God. I usually teach first service and those kids are the ones who travel so far to come hear the word of God .They are so receptive to His word . I have been involved in the women's ministry and we do house visiting and praying for them and that has been a great experience too. To those who live far we travel by train, auto and whatever means to get the gospel there and encourage the believers. We can see so much joy in their faces and that reminds me that God rejoices over as well.

Sunday school ministry

Whether it is big or small the biggest thing the Lord has been teaching me is that Love reigns and that’s all we need. It has been a great month with the Lord as I grow closer to Him every day and try to reflect his characters regardless of the challenges that come . I could say there were times of low as well but the truth is that God is always faithful. I love Him more each day. I have also been involved in the youth ministry too and it has been so much fun. Building good fellowship with them and encouraging them through the word of God.

Jagannathpur slum kids after dancing

Some of my prayer points would be:

Ministry in English service through skit- Lazarus story

* Please pray that as I am going to be preaching in the women's fellowship this month for the first time that God would give me the right words to share and encourage them.

* That I would continue to serve the kids and women in love here each day cause its not always easy.

* To be a great example to the youths here as well and as I am discipling some of them that God would give me wisdom.

JOY OF THE LORD IN THE SMALLEST OF THINGS

Me with the bethel mission kids.

What an amazing month of learning to depend on the Lord for everything and every moment. I could say every day has been a testimony for me. God has been so faithful to me in the little things and the big. One of the main things the Lord is teaching me is to keep on Loving and giving even when I feel I can't do it anymore. The main key is to trust Him no matter what . It has been altogether a wonderful month of ministering to the people here in Ranchi. As I have been given new responsibilities days have been full and busy but it's fun . One of the work that I do is ,as some of my members in the church sponsor children from an organisation called Betel missions and  I visit them. So I interact with them and find out their living conditions and spiritual life as well. That was a new experience and I will be doing this often. 

Tuition with the slum kids and Vilma helping.

My friend and I are planning to conduct  workshops too in the coming weeks for them. The other things I am involved in is also going on good . As we have developed a good curriculum for Sunday school the kids are enjoying it a lot. The slum ministry is going on good as well. More kids come to learn and interact with us. I am so happy to tell that I have got Kiran's wife Vilma helping me with this ministry . She has been a great help to me. Presently we are preparing them for the Christmas program and they are

Craft in Sunday school

very excited. This is my favorite place to me . My heart comes alive when I am with them. They are so precious and we want to invest in them as much as we can. They are hungry for more and are very talented children.

Preschool craft time

One of the other big program we conducted was our first anniversary for our women's'' meeting. It was good and all are blessed. Our main theme was "what was real beauty as a women" from the word of God. It was a wonderful day . My team and I also presented a meaningful skit to encourage the women to run towards Jesus and they all loved it .
I have also been teaching and helping in the preschool here and has been a learning process too. I had to learn how to deal with all kinds of issues the young kids are going through. To learn to handle them well with lots of patience. I enjoy it though. I know the Lord is helping me in all the areas I need.
The key is to have the heart to learn something new everyday by having a receptive heart . 

1st year anniversary- women's meeting

I am in love with the Lord everyday as I know that in my strength I cant do anything. The new English service that we have started has been going on well . People are increasing and we follow them up too. Every Thursday we spend time praying for this.  Another thing I really enjoy is conducting games for the youth. They too enjoy it a lot. We are praying that it would grow .The Lord has chosen me and I don't regret even a second that I am here in Ranchi working for Him. It has been my joy living for him everyday. He is my everything. Without Him don't know how I would survive. One of the songs that has been in my heart lately is "Lord I need you , oh I need you , every hour I need you, my one defense, my righteousness, oh God how I need you". This is my prayer too .Another thing I do is disciple the kids here in the home run by the Pastor and sometimes it has been challenging but that's where the Lord gives enough grace and His great love that sustains. I am grateful to be here in this amazing city where God is moving .

Game during youth meeting.

Some of my prayer requests would be:

* As I am staying long term in Ranchi I am looking for a rented house to stay in . So please pray that I would be able to get it as it's hard here in Ranchi to get.

*Pray that as I travel and visit the kids around that the Lord would give me more wisdom on how to minister well.

* That as I lead in the different ministries that I would continue to depend on God's strength and not my own.

AUGUST

A NEW STEP TO A HIGHER CALLING

Teaching in the slums

This past month has been a good experience with the Lord and the ministry here in Ranchi. The Lord never stops to amaze me through His grace and love over my life as I grow in Him and learn to depend on His strength. Right before I came back to Ranchi, I received a word from the Lord through my mom. It was where the Lord was placing on me the robe of leadership. I was so touched by that revelation. I know now this is the season of my life where the Lord wants me to lead depending on Him. Just as that word was spoken it happened as I came back here.

Conducting games in youth  meeting

The Lord has entrusted me as a leader in different departments of the church I am working with. It is going to be something new I have never done before. Definitely don’t feel qualified to do it but the Lord reminded that He does not call the qualified but rather qualifies the called. The journey that we are going with the Lord is always a preparation for something greater to come. It is true in my life. So I am excited every day for a grace note from the Lord. 

worship in women's ministry

This month I have been involved in the slum ministry and it’s been so wonderful to see the number of kids increasing every day. They are so hungry for the word of God and they enjoy learning English too. The church also distributed gifts to about 80 kids there and they were so happy. The joy in their faces was so amazing to see. I have been working with the preschool too .I am learning so much working here about patience and leading by example. I am also involved in the women’s ministry too and that has been good too.

Action songs  with the slum kids

 The other thing I was given to do was lead the Sunday school and I have a good team who are ready to guide the young ones to the Lord with me. Many of the kids who come to the Sunday school are also from the slums I work with. Right now I am working on preparing a curriculum that we can use to train the kids in God's word. That is where I am depending on God to give me new revelation of His word for the kids.

The main role is being the leader for the new Department the church has just started. It is sponsoring kids in education around Ranchi in slums, villages and organization too. So they would receive support and I would be travelling to their places and ministering to the kids and pouring into their lives .It’s exciting and I know this is what the Lord is preparing me for. God has got his hand one and I am not worried and I need him more every day.

Some of my prayer points would be:

* That the Lord would give me wisdom to lead well by being a great example.

* For unity and grace among the team I am working with.

*To be faithful and true as I work for the Lord and to Never tire of doing good till the end.

*For the Lords hand on the kids I am working with and that they would understand God's love for them.

NEVER LET YOU DOWN

This past month has been a time of refreshing and sickness as well. It is always fun being home to refresh my heart and mind. We had come down for my older brother's wedding. It was a time of fun and Enjoyment with family.The Lord has continued to show Himself faithful in my Life.At this particular season the Lord is specifically teaching me that He is in control and I do not need to worry at all for anything. He knows best in everything and in all situations.

I have also been sick with dengue and it was not fun at all having it. Even in those moments the Lord was so amazing and he reminded me through a song that He was never going to let me down. I am so grateful that in the hardest or sad or happy times He remains the amazing one.God sees me through all and is there to comfort and encourage when my spirit is down.During the sickness I did feel a little discouraged but the Lord held me and reminded me that He will never let me down.I am thankful because in His perfect timing all happens.

I am going back to Ranchi to give a longer term commitment in the ministry there. So I am excited for what lies ahead for me and I am open for the Lord to use me in any way He wants to. It is exciting to go back and minister to the people there in Ranchi who need to hear the word of God in a fresh new way.I am looking forward to the new season ahead with the Lord. He never stops teaching and showing us new things.So I will be mainly continuing in the children ministry that I was already involved in before. My main focus this time will be to improve the Sunday school that is happening at our church and I am praying towards it that we get dedicated people to help who have a heart to serve the children there in Ranchi.

One of the beautiful things about serving Him is that He is consistent and a God who never stops being there for us. The main thing I want to be able to do is serve Him faithfully regardless of how hard it gets in life .To persevere and also to remember to stay on the foundation of grace. His love never depends on how much I do for Him.  All I need is to live my daily life as a true disciple and reflect His character every day.

Some of my prayer points for this month would be:

·       Please pray that even as I return to Ranchi that the Lord would continue to use me in bigger ways as I am expecting greater things from the Lord.

·       Please pray that the Lord would give me His strength as I need it recovering from dengue.

·       Please pray for the children especially in the slums as they need to understand the love of God in their lives and that the Sunday school at church would get a team of dedicated teachers who will faithfully handle the word of God with me.

History Making through God.

The team of organizers.

This past month has been filled with the Lords continuous grace over my life. The main ministry that I was involved was the Inter church youth program. A team of us had started preparing for this two months ago to make it happen. It was the prayer that many had prayed for in Ranchi. The dream was to make the churches in Ranchi to come together and be united. For the pastors to build relationship with one another. 
So we had four events for the church youths - Quiz, Recitation, Dance and Skit competition between the churches.

Me writing the winners names on certificates.

 We got response from fourteen churches and that was cool. We were so happy to see their response. We held lots of meetings before the actual day to prepare them for things ahead. To tell you the truth our team of organizers worked hard day and night to make this program go well. It was totally in our hands to make sure the program went well and the pastors trusted us youths to do it by ourselves. The main team was five of us from the Amazing life church. The pastor of our church had this in his heart for many years in Ranchi to see it happen and it finally did. On July the 6th we made history. All glory to God.

Orientation for the final day.

I am so happy to be a part of something great that just happened here in Ranchi. The program was a one day event and the Lord helped everything go well. Our prayer is to do this every year and that more churches would respond also and that the Lord would bring unity among the leaders of Ranchi. The preparation time was hard as some pastors did not respond well to our thoughts but finally they supported us towards the end. We could see the result in their relationships with one another.

This is when the Lord reminded me of the song "I'm gonna be a history maker" and that's what I am. I praise God for His goodness and faithfulness in my life. He remains the Lover of my soul and always true to His word. He brought me to the right place and I enjoy living for Him every day and the thing that keeps me going is that I am His beloved and He is well pleased with me. I don't have to do anything more to make Him love me more.

Teaching the action song to the slum kids.

The other ministry that I do is teach at a preschool that's part of my church and it is through the week I do that .It has been a good experience so far and it has been great pouring into the children here. I still go to the slum three times a week not only to teach tuitions but also to share the word of God, play games with them and other things too. On Sunday I take Sunday school and we are covering the Old Testament with the kids and it has been going good so far. Still picking up in Hindi but it has been amazing to have friends help as I minister to the kids.

Playing with preschoolers.

Altogether I could say it has been a great month with the Lord and ministry .His heart for me is amazing and I am overwhelmed by His love by not only the ministry he has given me but a family of believers here who love God and have been a great blessing to me and have shown the Love of God to me. I thank Him for the fellowship here. 
The God who called me is faithful to the end.

Teaching in Sunday school.

Some of my prayer points would be:

#1 That the churches would continue to be united and stand up for one another as we serve the same God despite the denominations.

#2 That the youths would continue living for God everywhere they go and reflect the Lords love to others around.

#3 That I would continue to be faithful in the smallest of responsibilities He has given me. That is my main prayer.

Thank you.

Month of the Lord's Favour

The amazing team of helpers for VBS

Teaching the Kids action songs

This past month has been a great month with the Lord as well as the ministry. I could see the favour of the Lord so evident every day. I have learned so much of the people here and I totally love what I see, their culture, language, and great hospitality. This month has been packed with lots of events that I was involved in. The main thing was the Vacation Bible School that we held for the kids. The topic was on the fruits of the Spirit and the kids’ response was wonderful to see. We had lots of activities like games, skits and so much more to help them remember the importance of having the fruits of the Spirit in their lives. We had about 104 kids and it was amazing.

My Friend and I conducting the games

Teaching sunday school kids.

  The whole thing was lead by three of us who did major work and preparation for this VBS. The Lord helped us as we taught the kids the word of God. The whole team did a great job.  The kids were very receptive to the word of God. Three times a week I take tuitions for the kids in the slum and my friend helps me also. It has been so good so far I love the kids and they are so fun but it is kind of hard to teach them as they are a little slow in learning and many of their parents don't permit sometimes. The other ministry I was involved in was teaching Sunday school for the kids in the second service. 

Teaching basic grammar to the kids in slum

Teaching the kids to pray.

Now we are also preparing for the next big event where all the pastors are sending their youth to participate in an event held by our church next month to unify churches here in Ranchi. I also help with the youth service conducting games for them each Friday and that is fun. So far everything is going good because of the Lord's grace and mercy over my life here in Ranchi. I am falling in love with the people and culture here. Recently we also had a meeting with some of the churches to discuss the problems of youths in Ranchi. It went out well. I believe with the stories I hear from the slum kids and youths too that the Lord has called me to spread His love wherever I go. Here the harvest is plentiful.

Me attending meeting to discuss the issues of the youths.

Every word the Lord has promised me this year and the things I asked for too in prayer was answered and I am falling in love with Him each day. There is so much joy in my heart to minister with these people because these are the kind of people I wanted my life to count for. My calling is to just trust Him and obey. So all together I can see the goodness of the Lord evident in all walks of life.
Some of my prayer points would be:

Me preaching in English service.

. Please pray for the kids in the slum that I minister too that the Lord would heal their broken families.
. That our church youth would continue shining the light of Jesus wherever they go as Ranchi is recognized as one of the States with lots of youths.
. To continue being faithful as I minister and to be  a good example to follow.

A WHOLE NEW CHAPTER

This past month has been a great time of refreshment and healing. The Lord has been preparing me spiritually and emotionally for the next step I was going to take. He knew there was work to be done in my heart. There were things in my life I was struggling to get rid of from the past and I longed for inner healing. Over these few weeks the Lord showed me certain things that I needed to get dealt with before I continue serving Him. Little by little I began to see the truth of my life and patterns that needed change.

Me meeting the kids

 So with the help of my mom, through prayer together, I received freedom in my life from those struggles. I thank God because I know He always know best for His children. Every season of my life and wherever I went was never a mistake. Everything was planned in His perfect timing. Now finally in Ranchi. So far I am learning so much. The people here are friendly and kind. The church now I am working with is called "Amazing Life". It’s really a good spirit filled church. 

Right now the children's ministry team is preparing for the Vacation Bible School that is going to be held towards the middle of this month. Three of us are leading it fully. It’s a big step for me and I am excited. I am already beginning to like the people and culture here. Sometimes we limit God and our abilities too but at the right time He knows when to use us. I feel that it is the time that the Lord wants me to do all the things He has been training me to do for all these years.

Our theme for the VBS.

No time in our lives is a waste but rather the Lord makes beautiful things out of us. The Lord kept making me go back to my promise verse for this year that is Isaiah 58. This passage is what keeps me going on. I am just glad for all the things God is going to do in and through me. Presently I am also going to one of the slums and with the help of one of the pastor's here I take tuitions for the kids to help them in English. We also sing songs, share the gospel, and play games with them. This I will be doing thrice a week. Other responsibilities are been given to me and I am happy to be a part of something big in God's kingdom.

Some things I would like prayer for is:

* Please pray that God would help our children's team to give our best to reach out to the

My first class with them

children here in Ranchi.

*   That the Lord would use me to be a great blessing to the people here and have a teachable attitude in all circumstance.

* To continue walking in freedom and set others free in their spiritual walks as well.

NEW OPEN DOOR

Map of Ranchi - Jharkhand

                                         

          After being back home these few weeks I have been praying a lot and asking the Lord what I need to do next . I have also been calling and looking for different ministry opportunities in other parts of North India, mainly that had to do with children and women at risk. At the same time it has been a time of refreshment and the Lord has been teaching me to  relax more and trust Him  completely .He has led me thus far and He will continue to do so. In my heart I have the assurance that He will reveal His plans for me soon.

           After continuous prayers and waiting for the right opportunity, I got a call from a pastor in Ranchi-Jharkhand. It is located in the North of India. Right after the pastor told me all about the ministries there with the children and church, I prayed about it and I felt so much peace about it in my heart.  I finally called him and told him I would come. I am so excited for what the Lord has for me in this new place.

         The Lord has continued to be so faithful in my life and the scripture that comes to mind is "The One who calls you is faithful" (1 Thess 5:24). I praise Him for his goodness and grace in my life everyday.  My promise verse for this year is Isaiah 58 and I can see the Lord already fulfill it in my life. The verses 11 and 12 especially spoke to me. God has called me to be the restorer of people in the streets and repairer of broken walls.  He also confirmed the vision He gave me during one of my quiet times . It was a vision of a lighthouse which represents me being a light and a guide to the people who are in need.

A typical family in Ranchi

        I am blessed to be chosen by Him. Deep within my heart I know for sure it's a great calling that I cannot deny or watch pass by. This season of my life the Lord is teaching me that wherever I go He knows that is where I need to be to grow in my relationship with Him. His desire is for me to understand His heart for me and His people in Ranchi. His ways and plans are always better than mine, all I have to do is trust and obey. At the end of this month I will be heading to Ranchi with my older brother, Kiran, who has been working there. I know a whole new experience awaits with Jesus leading the way.

Women and children of Jharkand 

   Some of my prayer points would be:

• Please pray that the Lord would prepare my heart spiritually as I go to a new place and culture .

• To adapt to the culture easily and that the Lord would give me His heart for them.

• To mainly be a blessing to the children and the church there and I would use the talents He has given me for His glory.