Don't Get Discouraged or Distracted
August 15, 2021 Update
Dear RHM Friends,
Greetings in the Name of our Precious Lord JESUS.
In these days, there are so many things which could be coming against us: some have suffered the death of a loved one. Some are having major financial or family struggles. Some are losing their jobs, and in the particular political environment we are living in, are being threatened with losing their job simply because they have a conviction not to take the vaccine. I personally have taken the vaccine, but totally respect (and understand) the conviction of others not to take it.
We are living in strange days. Remember the Scriptures in Isaiah 5 which talks about people who call evil good and good evil, light darkness, etc? We are living in those days, when law abiding citizens are looked upon as law breakers, and law breakers (in the sight of GOD) are doing the right thing, including killing babies, rioting in the streets, giving hormone treatments to young children without parental knowledge, disrespecting our flag, trafficking children across our borders...in this crazy world, THOSE are the people most likely to be protected by our government. Our Lord JESUS said about the last days in Matthew 24:12,
"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." A spirit of lawlessness (without standards of right and wrong) is trying to cover the earth, and MANY people's love for GOD and love for others will grow cold. It can happen for various reasons--yielding to temptation, love of pleasure, fear, discouragement...
The reasons for it happening may vary, but we need to set our hearts more than ever to be faithful to our Lord, faithful unto the end. As our Lord
"steadfastly set His Face to go to Jerusalem" in Luke 9:51, knowing His calling to go to the Cross, we also need to set our hearts with resolute conviction (by His grace) NOT to allow anything to enter in and cause our love to become cold. Remember, there is a GREAT REWARD at the end of our spiritual journey, no matter how difficult it seems to reach that end.
"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward." Hebrews 10:35
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58
Scroll down to see some of what the Lord is doing through your giving and prayers. Several prayer requests are there. Thank you so much to those of you who are praying for, and supporting this ministry. It is amazing to me, how the Holy Spirit puts a love and concern in your hearts for people halfway around the world whom most of you have never seen face to face. Many times I have heard recipients giving thanks to the Father for the donors who are helping them, and praying for the donors. 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: Valiab, part of our widows and elderly program. Because of her family circumstances, she and her daughter (also a widow, about 55-60 years old) sometimes have anywhere from 0 to 4 of their grandchildren living in their very small home with them. Job said in 29:13,
"I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." We can see that joy in Valiab's countenance. Pray the Lord will use this ministry to bring His joy and peace to all the elderly we are involved with.
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ABOVE: This is Brother Wesley giving some reimbursement to Thirupathamma for her medical needs in July. She had purchased some medication for heart problems and joint pains.
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ABOVE: This is Brother Hanock with a new family which the Lord has led us to recently. The mother (next to Hanock) is Shivangi, whose husband died recently with Covid. Her 2 girls are twins, their Telugu names meaning Mary and Martha. They just completed the 10th grade. The mother was somehow struck with an electrical shock in 2017, and is not able to work much. She cleans 2 different homes when she is able. Pray for this family, and for the Lord's wisdom in regard to how much we can help them. They also need His salvation, as they don't have much knowledge about JESUS.
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ABOVE: The women on the front row are all part of our widows & elderly program in the village of Jampalavaripalem (easy to say, huh?). The 2 women on the back row are pastors who have dedicated their lives to minister to the poor in a nearby tribal village. Most of these women are from that village.
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ABOVE: World Challenge sponsored food for all our widows & elderly during the months of June and July because of the increased effect of Covid. These are 2 widows, a widower and a married sister (Meramma, 2nd from left). Sugunamma (right) just lost her husband in June because of the "black fungus", which has killed many people in India while they were also effected with Covid.
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ABOVE: This is Premavathi, part of our widows & elderly program in Alluru. She was faithful to come to the prayers (church meetings) for many years, but now isn't able to attend very often. Her husband died last year, which was so hard for her. She's found some comfort, but still struggles. Her family in her hut is very poor (she mostly stays out on this porch area if it's not raining).
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ABOVE: Brother Wesley and his son, Sunny, outside their rent house, getting ready to go out for food distribution to 15 families in July. Pray for Sunny, who currently has Covid, and for the protection of the rest of the family (Wesley, his wife Hannah, and daughter Blessy). Sunny's perhaps in his 6th day of quarantine, and is doing better. On Friday, his fever left him. PTL!
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ABOVE: This is Latha selling mangoes. Her 2 teenage girls (15 and 13) are on our children's support list, their Dad abandoning the family when they were very small. Latha had a growth in her female parts which had to be removed just a few days ago. She's in much pain, but slowly recovering. Please pray for His total healing in her body. Her girls are staying in the hospital room with her for another 6 days or so, or until she is able to return home. |
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ABOVE: The girl on the right is Kumari. Behind her is her sister-in-law Dayamma. Pray for Dayamma, who is in her 6th month of pregnancy. She had a miscarriage with her first pregnancy, and was heartbroken. Also in the photo is Kumari's brother Gopi, her parents and little Hannah Rani, a cousin.
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ABOVE: The reason they are so sad/serious is that they had just been in a motorcycle accident a few hours before. Eswaramma (the grandmother), her son and the 2 granddaughters (no parents) were all on their small motorcycle when it began to rain. The bike went down, but by His marvelous grace no one was seriously injured! Yesu Meri (the girl on the left) had some wounds on her right foot, but is already doing much better. Praise the Lord!
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ABOVE: Such an answer to prayer this is! The Holy Spirit put a burden in our hearts about this village (no need to give the name) for some months, as there has not been much ministry taking place with the many hungry adults & children which are here. With the Covid situation, and uncooperative village elders, it has been very difficult. The Lord has given favor to Bro. Raju & his wife Pavani to go there on a weekly basis now to conduct a Sunday School class, and literacy class with the adults. Praise the Lord! Continue to pray for the Lord's favor and protection upon these children and others here who want to learn about JESUS.
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ABOVE: The Lord has recently done a deeper work within the heart of this young man, Pradeep (about 17 or 18 years old). He suddenly had a big desire to help with children's ministry in the villages. Two photos down you can see the outside of this village where he is sharing with the precious children. Pray for Pradeep and our Sunday School ministry in many villages. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, and we NEED His anointing and favor upon this work.
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ABOVE: Brother Bhaskara Rao leading Sunday School in KB Palem. I'm sure there must be a baby factory in this tribal village, as it is amazing how many small children keep showing up at these meetings which I don't remember seeing before! Of course it could be a memory problem, but pray for the salvation of these children, and that through the children we can reach the parents.
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ABOVE: Some tribal people migrated to this place, which is very near to Brother Prasanth and Raju's church ministry. The Lord has led them and RHM to be involved in their lives (about 5 or 6 families). A few of them have come to Christ, and we're doing a regular Sunday School with the children. Pray for the salvation of the entire village, and the spiritual growth of those who have received Him.
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ABOVE: This sister's name is Lakshmi, her sons Abhishek (left) and George. Her husband died in a train accident in 2005 when George was a small baby. She worked hard to care for her family, but has developed severe headaches, and is now not able to work regularly. For lack of funds she has only been buying part of her needed medication. Her older boy stopped his education in order to work and help care for the family. Pray for Lakshmi's healing, and for her family. We're now helping them some.
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ABOVE: Precious family in Chilakala Colony. Cute children, Prem Kumari (8 yr old girl) and Vijay Babu (6). Though they are without parents, they do not seem to be without love. Their grandparents are standing, the great grandmother sitting. There's a great grandfather, usually on the bed, and a mentally impaired aunty also in the family. Pray for Prem Kumari, who still does not talk for some unknown reason, although her vocal cords seem to work well. I love this photo, as I've very rarely seen little Prem Kumari smile! The boy smiles and talks often.
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"Whatever you do, do all things to the glory of GOD." 1 Corinthians 10:31 |
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