Right Hand Ministries
RHM: PO Box 12385 Oklahoma City, OK 73157 rhmforhim@gmail.com
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Fully Convinced
January 15, 2021 Update
Dear RHM Friends,
Greetings in the Name of our Precious Lord JESUS.
Again, THANKS to those who gave toward the 2020 Christmas Project, and who gave end of the year donations. Every need was met for the Christmas ministry, and we have some extra funds to bring us into 2021. Very thankful for these things; PTL!
I'm sure many of you are aware of the story of Abraham & Sarah in Genesis, how GOD promised Abraham that his descendants would be as the stars in the sky in number. Only one little problem: Sarah was barren. Some years later, in their own wisdom they ended up with an Ishmael, but in His mercy He again spoke to Abraham and Sarah, this time when Abraham was nearly 100 years old, and Sarah 90. They lived longer in those days, but still, Sarah was beyond the normal age for bearing children. Romans 4:17-21 talks directly about the faith of Abraham, how he and Sarah's faith did not waver this time (after they got over their time of laughter and momentary unbelief: Genesis 17:17; 18:12). This Romans passage concludes in verse 21,
"...and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." Sarah has a similarly great testimony in Hebrews 11:11, saying that she received the ability to conceive because
"she considered Him faithful who had promised."
I'm sharing this because, here in America at this time, we as Christians also find ourselves in a seemingly impossible situation. The hope of the Scriptures can be applied in various ways in these troublesome times, but I particularly want to share my own personal struggle of faith. If we allow the enemy to overtake our minds with all the "What if's", and imagining the worst outcomes for the upcoming days, then surely we will become discouraged about whatever future hopes we have concerning ministry to the lost and needy in this world (in our case, those in India). "The economy's going to crash...people won't have money to donate...how will we be able to help the poor or do the ministry?" On and on it goes, if we're listening to the wrong voices! We also need to stand in the faith of Abraham,
"b
eing fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform."
We're not a huge ministry, but whether huge or small,
"The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness." Psalms 24:1 So in spite of the "negative reports" of the enemy, we will trust Him to continue touching hearts so that broken widows, elderly, handicapped, poor and needy adults & children will have their needs met and be drawn closer to Christ. For those who know this ministry, we're not about wanting recognition for ourselves (if not for the farewells at the bottom of updates and other communication, most of you wouldn't even know my name). It's not about us; it's about HIS desire to heal the brokenhearted and to bind up their wounds (Psalms 147:3; Isaiah 61:1-3). And meeting the physical needs pale in comparison to the work that is taking place in people's HEARTS as His love is being demonstrated, and His truth is being shared. Hallelujah!
In the next newsletter (hopefully before the end of the month), we will share with you some or all of the beautiful children whom the Lord has led us to help over the last several months. I am so thankful for the brothers (and sometimes sisters) whom the Lord is using to carry out this ministry to the poor there in India. Hoping to go back soon, but with the Covid situation, as well as the chaos going on in America at this time, truly it is in our Father's Hands as to when that day will be.
Thank you always for your love, prayers and support! Scroll down to see some of what the Lord is doing through your giving & prayers. Bless you.
Brother Dan
"So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." Galatians 6:10
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Above: A Christmas gathering in Karlapalem. There were widows & elderly from a few different villages who came for this meeting, 2 or 3 children whom the Lord has us helping, and about 28 people from a small tribal colony near to the church. It was a great opportunity to share Christ with all of them.
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ABOVE: I've known Puthra, the pastor on the left, since he was a skinny teenager around 1995. Now he and his father pastor churches in at least 4 villages. These are members of our widows & elderly ministry receiving Christmas dresses, along with at least 3 other pastors.
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ABOVE: Very precious children in the village of Chilakala Colony showing their gifts, Scripture plaques, which they just received. Three of the 4 men standing, Brothers Bhaskara Rao, Prasanth and Hanock are all regularly participating in the ministry which the Lord has given to us in that part of India.
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ABOVE: Widows & elderly from a few different villages gathered in the Thunagunta church for a Christmas gathering. There's also about 8 pastors in this crowd, including Brother Wesley, who oversee the widows & elderly ministry in this area.
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ABOVE: Brother Raju sharing during a Christmas meeting in a village called Madala Narayana. We conducted Christmas gatherings in 7 different locations, all places where we're trying to have regular ministry throughout the year.
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ABOVE: These elderly are from 2 or 3 different villages, meeting in this church shortly before Christmas day.
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ABOVE: Brother Hanock sharing with widows & elderly in their church in SR Colony. Although not one of these elderly can read their Bibles well, they are generally a hungry group, very eager to meet together to worship, pray, and to hear His Word.
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ABOVE: Brother Prasanth sharing from the Bible with this group of believers in a place where the village elders are not allowing the believers to gather for weekly prayers. Somehow the Lord has given us favor to share with them from time to time, the elders not giving any problems. PTL!
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ABOVE: Brother Raju giving a new Christmas dress to little Vijay Kumar, who had just turned one year old a few days previously. This is the same village as the previous photo, the Lord having us to assist several people there: 2 widows, 1 single mother (Vijay's mother, abandoned by her husband), and 5 children.
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ABOVE: This started out as a literacy program for the widows & elderly (now functioning in 5 different locations). But as you can see, in this small tribal village it is largely being attended by the village children. Brother Raju has a burden to try, through Christ, to break through many Satanic strongholds which keep these people in bondage. Different ministries have been working in this village for almost 10 years, but we have seen very little lasting fruit. PRAY that the Lord, in His marvelous love, will turn their hearts toward Him.
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ABOVE: One young lady, Rani (26), leads this Sunday School class, most of them from Hindu homes. The girl leading this particular action song is Hemalatha (about 10). I always laugh when looking at this photo, as all the children are doing different actions at the same time. They have a little more practicing to do!
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ABOVE: Rani with about 10 of her village girls who come to her Sunday School class, some of them to her daily tutoring classes also. Though none of them are going to school at this time, she's trying to keep some of them busy with their studies.
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ABOVE: This sister is Dwarakamma. She had breast cancer a year or 2 ago, but now is doing better. She and her husband are very useful in their church ministry, and a great asset in reaching out to a small tribal colony that is directly across the road from them. I believe Dwarakamma has been instrumental in leading a few of the ladies in that village to Christ. PTL!
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ABOVE: This single mother's name is Nagamani, her husband abandoning the home years ago. Although she is young, she has had many health problems, including a recent root canal which cost a whopping total of $60 (which included 4 or 5 trips to the dentist)! Don't you wish America could return to those days? She has 2 sons, this 13 year old named Simha, and a younger boy. Here they have just received monthly food and other items. The 2 boys are now studying in a hostel in a different town.
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ABOVE: Karima and her daughter, Nageena after receiving food & "provisions". Karima became HIV-infected several years ago, so her husband left her. She went to her parents' home (Muslims), who later sent her out because she came to Christ via the church ministry next door to their home. Now her parents and other relatives have allowed her back in the home, but it's not peaceful. Pray for her and the 12 year old Nageena. Karima is now part of our tailoring project, learning how to sew.
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"Whatever you do, do all things to the glory of GOD." 1 Corinthians 10:31 |
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