Hello to all! India has been my favorite month of the race thus far! Our ministry, our host family, and the villages we have travelled to have endeared me to this land and its people. The people of India are unlike any people group I have ever met. They are outgoing, genuinely interested in our team and what we are doing here. They are open to what we have to say about the gospel of God and are willing to sit for hours to worship our Father in song and sermon.
Our ministry this month has consisted of village outreach. We have thus far travelled to at least 15 different villages to preach to and pray for the inhabitants of the towns. And every time our crew of 9-10 roll up in a "auto-rickshaw" that is supposed to only fit 5, the whole village gives us a warm welcome. One of the villages even erected a circus tent like structure on the day of our arrival. It was a site to behold. This month by far I have done more preaching than any month on the race thus far. Nearly all of my lessons have come from the book of Matthew, with topics ranging from baptism, disciple making, anger and forgiveness, prayer, and being proud to proclaim the name of Yehovah. Yeh-ho-vah. As I side note, I find it fascinating here in our province of Andhra Pradesh, where the Telegu language is spoken, that their bibles have the Hebraic name of our Father written in them every time it was written down by the original Hebrew and Greek authors!! Contrast this to 99% of English bibles where LORD is substituted for YHWH, Yehovah. The name of YHWH is the NAME Moses received in Exodus chapter 3:15 when YHWH told Moses, "This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations." English Standard Version
Traveling and preaching to our different villages this month has really made me want to come back to India some day. Of all the countries I have visited I feel strongly that India is a land that desperately needs Yeshua and is a place that YHWH could call me back to in the future. Its hard to describe in a blog brothers and sisters, but India is most certainly low hanging fruit!! Like when Yeshua said the harvest is ripe and disciples need to be raised up to gather the harvest, India is a location, that by God's grace and power, one can be exceedingly fruitful for the glory of YHWH Most High! And India is absolutely only a plane flight away! As one flies to the Bahamas, to Alaska, or to Rome for vacation, so it is the same with Hyderabad!! It is only one plane flight away….
Brothers and sisters, this verse is so true!!!
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:2-3 ESV
India is a land where there are eager ears to hear the call to righteousness! And I can't speak for everybody, but the promise given by our Father to shine like the stars forever and ever is something that I want to live on. May YHWH bless you as you live for Him dear reader.
Brother in Christ,
Matthew
Praying for a church member in one of the local villages
Our wonderful ministry hosts, security, translators, and our friends while traveling through India. Married couple Mounibab and Babland
