Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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if you can't tell by now…
I'm loving every moment here at India Christian Ministries!

I've been out in the villages following alongside ICM supported pastors to write their stories, when it occured to me that I've been working alongside a really awesome support team at the main office.

When we go out as a team, we can't go without a translator! 

I wanted to get to know them — but in the flurry of activity and ministry, it can be hard. We're busy observing and ministering, they're busy translating.

Until, one day as we sat and ate lunch in a village, I turned to Uday (pronounced like "w'day")…
 
and I just asked him if he had any kids.

 

One question shifted the dynamic from him assisting me to two servants breaking bread together.


Suddenly, no longer complete strangers, Uday gave me a glimpse into what it means to be a Christian in India.
The passion. The sacrifice. The vision. The Gospel.

Our new formed friendship opened the door to his office for a candid interview.

I wanted to know:
what makes the men of India Christian Ministries tick?

Uday turned his screen and began sharing pictures, as he told his story.
I listened.
 

As a 20 year old Hindu, Uday was studying engineering. One day he was listening to the radio  —
and then something was broadcasted that he'd never heard before.
The Gospel.

On the spot, Uday repented and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Instantly, he was impassioned to share that life-saving message to others.

So he did. As an evangelist he gave himself to do the Lord's ministry and tell people about Jesus.
 

He also dropped engineering and instead went to bible college.
 

It's been 15 years since…

…and since then…
 


 

… along came his beautiful wife, Pushpa…
"Pushpa means 'flower'…"  he smiles…

Pushpa had also been raised Hindu.
She found Jesus after marriage.
They began to serve Jesus together.

 

Uday kept on preaching the Gospel.
And Pushpa got pregnant!

 

Twin boys were on the way…
…

but they were born dead.
 

"As a pastor-evangelist, I didn't have any support…we didn't have food. Due to malnourishment, we lost the boys. I bless God because He gave me two sons and He took them away. I bless God."

Uday kept on preaching the Gospel.
And a year later Pushpa was pregnant again.

The first of three daughters was born.
They named her: Blessy

Mercy & Princy
followed.
Uday is a proud father of three beautiful girls now age 5, 3 and 1 1/2 years old.

Pushpa is pregnant again!
8 months and counting down…

Uday and his family are part of only 3% of the Christians in India.
 
In a country with 1.2 billion people – they are a persecuted minority.

The Hindu national politics ensure that Christians remain outcasts.
 

"We live differently than everyone else. Christians receive no scholarships.
Jobs are denied to Christians.
Christians don't receive government benefits.
Being a Christian means to live set apart when it costs you everything.
The government is Hindu.
This means problems for Christians." says Uday.
 
And the evidence of persecution in the north of India is bloody.
Hundreds of Christians are killed. Tens of thousands are displaced from their homes.

So what do Uday and Pushpa do?


They preach the Gospel.

Uday has been working at India Christian Ministries for a year now. He translates Telugu/English. He works here during the week–he stays all week. He sleeps in his office.

On Saturday, a 3 hour train ride followed by a 1 hour bus ride takes him home to be with his family for a day. Sunday is family day.
 

Pushpa stays back with the family in the village — and contiues to evangelize and preach.
 
"When we are faithful unto God, He will use us mightily for His glory. Even if we have problems, or any hardships, God always helps us.
He always gives us the victory!"


The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:

"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."

[Jeremiah 31:3]

Uday's favorite bible verse.

When you support India Christian Ministries,
you support people like my friend Uday.