Giving Thanks to His Name
March 22, 2022 Update
Dear RHM Friends,
Greetings in the Name of our Precious Lord JESUS.
"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to GOD, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." Hebrews 13:15
This is a Scripture which the Lord is dealing with me personally about: whether we feel like it or not, whether or not our circumstances are going well, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health...He is ALWAYS worthy of praise. We can never reach this place of perpetual praise on our own, but by His grace He can lead us into that place.
"Let GOD arise, let His enemies by scattered..." Psalms 68:1 Father, help us, in good times and in bad, in times of peace or in times of war or persecution, in whatever position we are in, to learn to praise You, for You are ALWAYS good and ALWAYS faithful.
In recent newsletters, updates or blog posts we have mentioned the step of faith in His leading in regard to starting a new tailoring shop to provide some income for single mothers and poor girls. We couldn't see it in the bank, but felt confident the Lord was leading. I mentioned at least twice (maybe more times) that the total commitment to this approximately 6 month project would be about $8,000, trusting that the shop will be able to stand on its own financially by the end of that time frame. On the 11th of this month, I think the same day we put out a newsletter via email, one couple donated $8,000 for the tailoring shop. Hallelujah! It's to my shame that I am amazed, but it never ceases to amaze me how faithful He is to provide. Thank You Lord!
Pray for some girls who are planning to get married in the coming days, weeks or few months. One girl, Rani (27, photo and a few details below), is scheduled to be married in May. Two other girls, whom some of you may remember from a children's home we were a part of in previous years, may also be getting married. Yesuprema (now 24) might be getting married in late April, the date not yet set. And Aswini (now 26) may also be getting married soon. Most of her family members are unbelievers (her parents passed when she was a small girl) and have given her much heartache for only wanting to marry a Christian man. Because of this opposition, still we don't know what will happen with the marriage, but Aswini and the boy's family seem to be happy about the arrangement. Pray for these 3 girls. Unfortunately, I don't know much about any of the young men, except that they all claim to be believers.
Scroll down to see more updates about ongoing ministry, as well as praise reports and prayer requests. Bless you always for your prayers and support. I'm sure we don't express it adequately, but we and many of those who are the recipients of the prayers and support are very thankful to GOD for 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: The tailoring shop is going well, now in its 2nd month in business. There are 4 young women who have learned the trade well enough to be able to make the clothing (with some supervision). Sister Bujji (front left), who is running the shop, is still teaching the other 3 ladies until they can do the work well enough to the customer's satisfaction. RHM is planning to continue carrying the shop financially for another 4 months or so, trusting that it will be able to stand on its own by that time. Pray for the shop's success, and that He will be glorified through it. Already it has been a great blessing to all 7 of the girls and Sister Bujji, as they have regular income for their needs.
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ABOVE: This is Jayamma (left with glasses after a cataract surgery) and her daughter with a new vegetable business started with your donations. Both are widows, the daughter's husband dying with AIDS, she also with HIV. Jayamma is on our widows' list, and will benefit through this new business. This is the 2nd of at least 14 small projects we hope to start this year (and possibly early into next year) in order to help our elderly earn some income.
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ABOVE: This the current status of Brother John's house/church construction. World Challenge gave John a large donation (via RHM) for this house & church construction in the memory of Joy, John and his wife's daughter, whose body died last April because of severe diabetes and complications. |
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ABOVE: The 6 children to the front of this tutoring class are part of a tribal village that we have invested much time and money into, hoping and trusting in the Lord that these works He's led us to do will lead to their salvation.
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ABOVE: Martha filling a pot with water after a new bore well was dug by their house, and a small water pump was purchased. Any of you who have been following this family's story can truly rejoice how Martha and her sister Mary's lives have been transformed over the last 9 months. When we first met them last June, these twin girls and their mother had almost nothing. Now they have a real home, electricity, water, a bathroom, and more importantly, a growing relationship with Christ. PTL!
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ABOVE: So beautiful to see precious souls of all ages reaching out to the Father and to JESUS in prayer and worship. This was part of our monthly prayer gathering this month.
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ABOVE: Sister Mary teaching the children during March's monthly gathering of our children, widows & elderly. During the afternoon session (after lunch), we usually separate the children and adults into 2 different meetings. Probably all of these children we are ministering to regularly, either part of our children's ministry in their homes, or part of Sunday School classes we're involved in. Praise the Lord for these precious children!
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ABOVE: The 3 smaller girls (from left), Sonia, Kavya (pouting) and Divya are enjoying lunch break with Martha. Well, maybe not everyone's enjoying... The 3 young ones are all sisters, the most recent children added to our children's ministry in January. |
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ABOVE: Rani having a good time with her tutoring class recently. Pray for Rani, as she's supposed to get married in May. Hoping and praying that the boy she's been matched with (by her mother and other relatives) will be a faithful boy to her and to the Lord. |
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ABOVE: This is Brother Nageswara Rao, on our elderly list. He's married, so is sponsored via our RHM elderly funds. As you can see, this Brother has a serious problem with his upper lip. Twice before he has had surgeries to remove the growth, both times the growth returning. He's now about 60, and says he is not interested in trying again to have it removed. He may also have some fear that it could cause more damage to his health. Even though it's so sad to know the pain and sadness he may have because of this, still he is faithful to come to prayers, and is still working in the fields to provide for he and his wife. Please pray for this Brother.
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ABOVE: This is Venkateswaramma (56), recently added to our monthly food distribution list (now about 30 families or single believers). She has had much brokenness in her life over the last several years, both of her only sons dying during that time. She didn't see any evidence of them coming to the Lord; she's been a believer since about 2005. Her husband's body died about 3 months ago after having a stroke, but accepted Christ during that time. I don't know all the details yet, but she's also had a brain tumor in recent years. Pray for this sister's health and comfort.
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ABOVE: Some of Bro. Raju and his wife Pavani's ministry to the children is exciting, taking the children on outings and various activities. But much of the ministry is simply loving them by going to their homes, finding out their needs and situations, and spending time teaching them about the Lord. Praising GOD that this ministry is not just teaching the children, but also their mothers or whoever is living with them in the home. Here, Raju is sharing the Word with Chintu and her mother.
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ABOVE: Here Raju is spending precious time with 2 boys, Arun and Johnbasha (who have become very good friends after we started ministry in their homes). Their mothers, Bharathi (left) and Karimun have also become good friends through this ministry. Praise the Lord!
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ABOVE: This fine-looking boy is Johnbasha after receiving a new Bible a few months ago. Trusting in the Lord that Johnbasha and the other boys we're involved with (15 on our main children's ministry list) will not waste their lives on the useless pursuits and things of this world, but will commit themselves and their futures to a life of faithful service to our Lord.
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ABOVE: We have been pleasantly surprised how the Holy Spirit has touched the heart of Pavani (left). Raju was already fulltime in the children's ministry when he and Pavani got married in February '21. She was somewhat shy and reserved, without having much previous experience in working with children. No one, including Raju, tried to manipulate or force her to join with him in doing the ministry. But within months after their marriage she began to go with him to the ministry. Now no one would question her love for the children and their families, she also sharing Christ and His great love to them. Here, she is wtih Mary & Martha, their mother (next to Mary) and another relative or neighbor. Praise His Name!
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"Whatever you do, do all things to the glory of GOD." 1 Corinthians 10:31 |
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