The Herald August 08

Stories Of Transformation

Community Transformation Center

Deliverance In The Name Of Jesus

New Life Children Home

From Despair To Joy!

Help Beyond Their Dreams

Puthima Beulah is a CTC church planter in Jaipur. She hails from a Hindu family. After she accepted Christ, she decided to serve the living God who has brought her out of darkness to light. One day while Puthima was visiting families, she met a lady named Saroj Devi. Saroj said that her husband had worked in a cloth mill and they owned a big house. But as time passed by, her husband kept bad company and began to drink and gamble. One day he complained of chest pain and was taken to a hospital. The doctors, after examining him, said that due to excess intake of alcohol his lungs were damaged and it would take a huge sum of money for the treatment. To meet the medical expenses Saroj Devi sold her house. Even after the treatment, Saroj Devi's husband suffered frequent chest pain which forced him to quit his job, sell their property, and stopped him from sending their children to school. With tears rolling down her face, Saroj Devi shared, “We have lost everything and there is no hope for us. We are contemplating suicide.”

CTC church planter Arul is serving the Lord in a village called Mottor. The village people there are involved in witchcraft and sorcery. In this village there is a constant conflict between the upper class and the lower-class people. One day when Arul was looking for an opportunity to share the Gospel, a lady called upon Arul to help her husband to walk. When Arul asked her why he was unable to walk, the lady replied that her husband Gopal had been affected by witchcraft for a long time and no medical treatment was available.

Seizing the opportunity, the CTC church planter said the power of witchcraft will be destroyed only in the name of Jesus Christ. Saying so, Arul explained the Gospel to her and urged them to believe in Jesus Christ. After hearing the Gospel message Gopal and his wife pleaded with the church planter to pray for his healing. Arul laid his hands on the man and prayed with much burden. As a result, the man convulsed and fell to the ground. After some time the man got up and was able to walk. Arul presented him a New Testament and some tracts and asked him to read them every day. On experiencing what the Lord has done Gopal and his wife have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. Gopal and his wife are now concerned for the salvation of their extended family.

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On hearing the sad story of Saroj and her family, the CTC church planter read Matthew 11:28 and explained that Jesus Christ came into this world to die for our sins and to give abundant life to all those who believe in Him. The church planter explained that if you commit your life to Jesus, He will give you grace and strength to overcome these problems. Saying so, the church planter frequently visited Saroj Devi's family and encouraged them with the Word of God and prayed for them. Saroj Devi and her husband accepted Christ and began to experience great peace and assurance in their lives. The Lord intervened in the family of Saroj Devi and restored her husband's job and her children are continuing their schooling. Saroj Devi and her family, with grateful hearts, are attending a prayer cell being conducted by the CTC church planter.

From Despair To Joy! A graduation ceremony for the 12 church planters of the Bairedipalle CTC was held on 19 July 2008, at Palamaner in Chittoor. Pastors and CTC tutors graced the occasion and encouraged the church planters. Two of the church planters reflected on the quality of training that was imparted and how they were mentored through the life and lessons of various teachers. The CTC Correspondent Rev. Kondiah Paul reported that during the two years of ministry the twelve church planters have shared the Gospel with 29,083 families, 822 people were baptized, and 12 house churches were established. Rev. Kondiah Paul gratefully acknowledged the leadership of John Peter Kirubagaran, the Director of UEM, who made this CTC possible. Rev. Krupanand, the CTC Coordinator for UEM, awarded certificates and commended the church planters for the ministry they have done in these two years. He encouraged them to remain faithful to the One who has called them.

Ramakrishna and his brother Ragavendra hail from a non-Christian family. Their father, Mallikarjun, is physically handicapped and dumb. Their mother, Padmavathy, is also deaf and dumb. Both parents work as laborers in a bamboo tanning industry. Due to their meager income and physical limitations they were not able to provide adequate food and clothing for their two sons, let alone educate them. That was a distant dream. Fortunately with the help of a social worker they heard about the New Life Children Home run by UEM. Ramakrishna and Ragavendra joined NLCH in 2005. Ramakrishna is in Standard III at United Public School. He excels in his studies but during a routine medical check-up, the visiting doctor found out that Ramakrishna is tongue-tied and he advised further medical treatment. When the matter was brought to the attention of the UEM Director, he graciously sanctioned the required money for the treatment. Ramakrishna was taken to Manipal Hospital, which is one of the best in Bangalore. On 7 July 2008 a minor surgery released the tongue-tie of Ramakrishna. Now there is continuity and clarity in his speech. The parents of Ramakrisha are delighted and are grateful to the Director and UEM for showing the love of God towards their son.

Off To School With Shoes

The New Life Children Home at Bangalore is a refuge for the orphans and under-privileged children. At the moment there are 152 children in the home, of which 139 children are studying at United Public School run by the UEM. The UPS strives to integrate the elite with the poor and give the best of education at an affordable price. On 19 July 2008, Brother John Peter Kirubagaran, Director of UEM presented BATA brand school shoes to all the NLCH children studying at United Public School. The children are excited to wear the new shoes to school. With joy beaming on their faces they are grateful for the love and care they receive from UEM. Thanks to Faith Lutheran Church, Jefferson City MO, VBS Children and Epiphany Lutheran Church, Dayton OH for their generous contributions which made it possible.

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AUGUST 2008

Tsunami Rehab

Praise God For

Acknowledging the true Light

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THE HERALD

NEWSLETTER OF UNITED EVANGELICAL MISSION His faithful provision in the midst of financial challenges. Brother John Peter Kirubagaran, Director of UEM, and for his family.

Sumathi and her husband Pakriswamy had four children. They lost their third son Lokesh Kumar when the Tsunami struck the coast of Kallar. When UEM started a Self-Help Group for Tsunami affected women, Sumati was elected as a leader for 219 women. On 23 July 2008 when Brother John Peter Kirubagaran, Director of UEM, visited Kallar, Sumathi testified that she was a very religious woman but was often possessed by evil spirits. One day she approached Sagaya Mary our UEM staff person in Kallar and asked for help. Sagaya Mary shared the Gospel with Sumathi and presented her with a New Testament. According to her family tradition, Sumathi is obligated to light the lamp at the entrance of her house every evening. But on one evening the lamp did not burn in spite of Sumathi's efforts to light the lamp three times. When Sumathi called on the name of Jesus the lamp lit. Sumathi felt relieved and recognized in her heart that Jesus is the Light of the World. This incident in the life of Sumathi made the staunch non-Christian community to take note of the fact that Jesus Christ is indeed the Light of the World.

Dear Praying friend,

The work done by the CTC missionaries in Manjamedu and Jaipur.

Greetings in the name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

The faithful and consistent mission partners and supporters. The New Life Children's Homes, Community Based Child Care programs, Tsunami Rehabilitation programs, the United Public School, and the Talitha Cumi Women's project.

On 15 August, 1.6 billion people in India will celebrate their 61 years of Independence. All through these 60 years the ideals of democracy were strengthened and the technological capabilities increased. Today India is home to 330 million middle class, educated, thinkers and opinion setters who are making a big difference in India and across the globe. Despite the progress we have made, 40% are still illiterate and 400 million are below the poverty line with 75 per cent of them in rural areas earning a meager 1 US $ per day. According to UNICEF estimates, there are 18 million children living on the streets of India out of which 100,000 are in the city of Bangalore. Amidst these challenges and opportunities, in the last 20 years, God has used United Evangelical Mission to present the Gospel to 4.8 million people and establish 512 churches in partnership with various denominations and mission organizations. UEM is also caring for 1,017 children through the New Life to Children Program. In all this, we thank God for what He has done and for what He is doing.

Praise God For Brother John Peter and his wife Joyce Lynn, and sons, Joshua and Joab that God would protect and provide for them.

Tsunami Rehab

In the month of July, I traveled to various children projects run by the UEM. Everywhere I went the joy of the Lord was evident in the faces of these children as they received me with a warm smile. I am grateful to the Lord for all these children who are making significant progress in spiritual, physical, and academic areas.

All the staff of UEM that God would keep them and use them for His glory.

Set free by the truth

New sponsors to be raised up for the children at the New Life Children's Homes. The United Public School building project, Lay a Brick program.

One of the highlights of the trip was when I visited the Kallar village in Nagapattinam. This area was hit hard in 2004 by the Tsunami. My heart rejoiced that after 3 and 1/2 years of hard work, I am beginning to see the Lord working. There were several who walked up to me and shared their testimony of how the Lord is touching their lives. Many have accepted our Lord. Many shared the challenges that these people are facing because of their new belief. “Please pray for us,” they pleaded. I am praying that God would help us establish a CTC so that we will be able to plant churches in these areas. This would enable a sense of belonging among the new believers and invite others into the family of God. Please pray for these new believers that they will stand strong amidst all odds and means. I am truly thankful to all the children's sponsors which made it possible for us to shine the light of the Son of God here.

The proposed CTC's at Madanapalle, Pileru, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata.

Nilavarasi hails from a non-Christian family. She was actively involved in temple cleansing rituals to appease gods and goddesses. In the year 2005, she was appointed as a teacher in the Tsunami Rehab project run by the UEM. Every morning after the kids gather at the UEM center, the Staff conducts Bible study and prayer. Nilavarsi, without missing a day, attends the Bible study and prayer time. As faith comes by hearing the Word of God, Nilavarsi had a desire to know more about Jesus. She approached the UEM staff and understood that Jesus died for her sins and if she believes in Him, she will have eternal and abundant life. Nilavarsi accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord.

As I thank God for each one of you, my prayer is that God would bless you immeasurably as you continue to intercede and invest in the furtherance of His kingdom through the UEM.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS

Send in your suggestions, prayer requests and offers of help to:

In the incomparable One,

Nilavarsi stopped observing the pagan rituals, began attending church, and became involved in Bible study and prayer. After accepting Christ, Nilavarsi testifies that she now has the peace, joy, and the blessing of God in her family. Nilavarsi is grateful to UEM for helping her to come to know the Savior and to experience His gracious hand in her life.

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UEMI 700 South Franklin Street, Denver, CO 80209 TEL: 303-733-3777 Extension 48 Email: [email protected] Website: www.uemi.org

John Peter Kirubagaran Director, UEM

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