March 2, 2008

The "Forgotten Village"

Dear Friends and Believers in Christ:

It makes my heart leap whenever I read testimony of God's work, no matter where it is! However, India blesses me so much, having spent many precious moments with the people mentioned below.

This particular group of believers have such a heart for their people and for evangelism that I want to keep you in "the loop" of this ministry because I find it especially encouraging to see such fervent and pure hearts doing whatever God asks of them, no matter the personal inconvenience or danger. I hope that this not only encourages you, in Him, but also inspires you to pray for this group of believers.

The heart of a believer, that of obedience. God bless you as you read a recap from Jan Ross.

In Him,
Jeanice McDade

Dear Partners,

I am so full of awe this morning. Pastor just checked in with me after yesterday’s outreach to a “forgotten” village. The plans were to go to one village, then at the last minute as they were praying, God led them to a different village in a very dangerous area. When they arrived at this village, they found 25 people living there. They set up the stage and chairs and the sound equipment and began to preach. Out of the 25 villagers, 23 came to hear the message. Pastor had a message all prepared and as he took the microphone, the Lord led him to a different passage he had never preached on before – Mark 10:46-52. He began preaching and the people listened with interest. As he was finishing he asked if they could understand the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, and they responded. Twelve people gave their lives to Jesus Christ and have already made plans for baptism (a sign of true conversion in India). A pastor from a nearby village has been assigned to establish a new church in this village and minister to the people and to baptize the new believers.
Pastor said that no one had ever gone to this village before with the Gospel—no evangelist would go because it is such a small village; most evangelists want to go where the crowds are large and where they can receive offerings. But his heart is to minister in places where no one else will go and trust God to provide for his expenses and protection from terrorists and wild animals.God has honored that prayer so powerfully. While he left his wife at her mother’s village 300 Km away to take this evangelistic team of 30 people into a forgotten village, God added to the church such as should be saved!Rejoice with us for these twelve who have given their lives to Jesus Christ. Pray for the other thirteen in this village that they, too, will see the power of God at work and respond to the drawing of the Holy Spirit to surrender their lives completely to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Continue to pray for his wife – the memorial service for her mother is on March 4th. Pastor will travel back there on the 3rd to be with the family. Thank you for your love and support … you ARE making a difference!

As always, thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. God bless your ministry of intercession and prayer.

Love,
Jan