I'll probably be bypassing a regular blog in favor of the quarterly newsletter I started a month or so ago. Maybe that's not a good idea, but it seems to me that half the enjoyment that people have gotten out of this blog is because they're able to follow me live (sort of) as I'm actually in India. When I'm stateside there often isn't much to report.
If you missed that newsletter launch, by the way, you can read about it and get your copy here: http://bobjosjor.blogspot.com/2013/05/chai-times.html
That said, I wanted to give you a couple updates. First off, in June Tom and a team went to the same area of Assam that I was at for the last two years. They followed up with the home bible study groups and house churches that were started during my visit. Everything is going extremely well, for the most part, and Uttam and his team are doing an exceptional job of following up with these new believers. His team visits 25 locations each week. If you've seen the videos or photos that I've posted of the roads and the area, you'll appreciate that undertaking and admire their commitment in doing it each and every week.
Tom and his team also oversaw the distribution of the audio-bibles that New Hope sponsored. These are incredible little gadgets and indispensable in teaching a largely illiterate people the stories of the Bible. These are basically solar powered mp3 players with speakers built in. We've paid for professional recordings of Bible stories in Assamese, complete with backing music. They are real quality pieces and will have a great impact in the field
Finally, I received a request for funds in order to procure a couple of e3's national partners with cars. One of these workers is Charles, one of my favorite brothers and, I think, perhaps the hardest working field missionary I've ever met. He simply never takes a break and is constantly on the move, ministering to new believers and looking for opportunities to share the gospel with non-believers.
Rather than me going over the request, I'm simply going to copy and paste the request. Please pray and consider providing for this need. The smallest amount can mean a lot if we all do it. Here is the request:
| Our national leaders in India are incredible. They work hard and serve sacrificially. And God is moving powerfully as hundreds of churches are being planted each year. They need our support right now. |
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Charles Golla, India National Director, has worked faithfully for e3 for seven years now. He trains our national partners, coordinates our expeditions, oversees the follow up and manages all of the e3 affairs in India. It is hard to believe, but Charles has been serving e3 all these years without owning a car.
Usually Charles has to use an auto-rickshaw (like a taxi) to get around and sometimes borrows his wife, Rohinee’s car while she teaches. Many of our team members who have ridden in the vehicle will testify that he has done a good job at wearing out her car. Charles and Rohinee have not complained or requested any help, but we see that Charles needs a good vehicle. In addition to meeting some of their personal needs, a vehicle that can handle the rough dirt roads of India would be used by some of our expedition teams.
Gireesh Nedungadi, Maharashtra State Coordinator, oversees a church planting movement in Kolhapur and is also energetically working to expand the movement into other areas. Over 1500 people have attended his trainings this year and many coalitions of committed pastors have formed with the goal of planting churches in unreached villages.
In order to move his trainers and leaders around he recently secured a loan and purchased a van. But, at 16% interest, the payments are much too high. It is critical that he is able to transport workers for outreach in villages and also to travel to other districts to conduct training events. If we come together and raise the funds to pay for the vehicle there will be no debt and this important need will be met.
As a committed Christian with a heart for India, please prayerfully consider donating to these two urgent needs. The total cost for the two vehicles for Charles and Gireesh will be about $10,000. If you would like to contribute, please follow the link below:
http://www.e3partners.org/2013indiatransportationproject
Loving India,
Al Wilson
e3 India Strategy Director
P.S. We would love to present these vehicles as gifts to Charles and Gireesh by the end of the summer if at all possible. So, we hope to hear from you soon! Thank you and may God richly bless you! |
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