JESUS, Immanuel
December 12, 2022 Update
Dear RHM Friends,
Greetings in the Name of our Precious Lord JESUS.
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.' So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'GOD with us.'"
Matthew 1:21-23
In the November Update we mentioned the Christmas programs & plans for 2022, and within one day that need was met, over and above the amount we asked for. Praise the Lord! The Lord is always so faithful. We have Christmas meetings scheduled in 10 different locations, 3 of those meetings already finished. Beginning on the 14th we will do the other 7 meetings within an 11 day period. Although we're still involving the children and providing snacks for all the people who attend (except for the school program, which the school will provide), we're making a conscious effort this year to make these meetings less about the enjoyment of the children, and more about the REAL purpose of Christmas, which is the Father's love for a lost and dying world, sending His only Son to rescue us from the eternal death which we all so deserve.
"For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
With the funds given for Christmas, we're purchasing good reading material for all the children we work with regularly (more than 50), including Bible storybooks for all the families of the younger children. We're also planning to give at least one new set of clothes to all these children, but extra clothes to those children who are more in need. Some other brothers are in agreement with me that it's best to wait on the clothes distribution until after I leave India in mid-January. We want them to have the understanding that these blessings are not from any one person, but from a loving GOD Who works through many other brothers and sisters to provide these material things. We're also planning to give some much deserved Christmas bonuses to the main people whom we work with in ministry. Because our financial position hasn't been real strong over the last year or more, we are not in position to give any salary increases, so these bonuses are an encouragement for them.
Over the course of the last 19 days of 2022, we might make a few more appeals than normal, as many donors have the tendency to give extra blessings into the kingdom at the end of the year. Of course, our hope is that all who read this would be inclined to give an extra donation in 2022 to Right Hand Ministries, but we're thankful for the many other ministries that are also being blessed during this time. My request to each of you is that if you have any friend, relative or fellow believer whom you know has a tender heart for the poor, please let them know about RHM. The mission of this ministry is simple: care for the poor and broken, striving to bring them closer to the Lord at the same time. Believe it or not, His return is imminent, and we want to take as many home with us as possible!
A couple of prayer requests which we have put in the blog recently: 1. One of our widows, Dhanay, has been having dementia-type symptoms. Much prayer and care has gone out for her, and she is doing better at this time, although not completely healed. She's back at home, again eating, taking her meds and able to cook and take care of herself. Please keep Dhanay in prayer as the Spirit brings her to your mind. 2. We asked you to pray for a 10 year old girl, Asiya, who was having demonic attacks against her. I know that in our generation EVERY type of manifestation or problem has a medical name or explanation, but I still believe in demons, and still believe in a Savior Who will cast them out! Asiya was falling on the ground unconscious, screaming out, hearing voices and seeing a man who was calling her to come to him. She was full of fear! I suppose it might have required something like this in order for her Muslim family and neighbors to allow her to be brought to the church for help. Since she and her mother started coming, Asiya is so much better. Pray for her and her family. The mother and other family members have not yet committed their lives to Christ, but primarily want deliverance for their little girl. Praying that their eyes will be opened to the greater need in their lives. I'm happy to see Asiya coming faithfully, at least at this point, to all the prayers and to our monthly gathering.
I don't remember if I asked you to pray about this specifically, but we didn't know if our main sponsor for the widows ministry, World Challenge, was going to sponsor our widows in 2023 or not. We praise GOD that the decision was made by WC to sponsor us for one more year! You might get tired of seeing me write these words, but we are SO THANKFUL for the 6 years in which the Lord gave RHM the blessing of a larger organization like WC to partner with us so that we could help so many more widows with their meds, monthly financial needs, hut/house repairs, etc., all the while trying to develop their relationship with JESUS as well. Praise the Lord!
Please scroll down for precious photos & captions of the work in India. There is MUCH information within these captions about what the Lord is doing in India via this ministry and through your donations and prayers.
Bless you always for your prayers and support!
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: We recently got to visit an aquarium with 9 girls, 2 boys and 6 adults altogether. It was a full day, going to 2 different cities as we spent time with the children. In one nice park we had a good time of devotions with the children as well. This was part of our 7th excursion with different children since I came to India in September.
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ABOVE: This is the 4th grade in the school where RHM is assisting 20 children with fees and school materials (also assisting these children with clothes, food or other needs they might have). In our November update we showed the 6th thru 10th grade children, pointing out the ones we are personally involved with. The only child we are involved with in the 4th grade is Paul, the boy to the far left. He has a life-threatening disease in his body, but is doing well. With meds and the Lord's grace he will be able to live a normal life.
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ABOVE: 3rd grade children, their teacher being the principal's wife. Our children are Prem Kumar (boy, 3rd child from the right), Jaison (boy, 5th child from the right) and Divya (girl, 8th child from right).
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ABOVE: This is what they call "upper kindergarten" (UKG). The private schools in this area usually have nursery, LKG (lower kindergarten) and UKG before the 1st grade. Our only child in this grade is Sathish, the last boy to the right on the back row.
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ABOVE: This is LKG, our only child being Kavya, the last girl on the right on the back row. Their teacher is the principal's daughter, she being the main teacher for both sections of kindergarten.
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ABOVE: These girls received prizes (I don't remember what for) on Children's Day in November. They gave many prizes for academics, sports, singing, speeches, attendance... This is the principal in the photo. He gave a very nice testimony about some of our children. Although we only assist 20 of the 170 children enrolled in this school, several of our children are near the top of their class for good grades. Five of these 7 girls are ones we assist. Navya (4th girl from the left) has the best marks (grades) in the 6th grade, Sameera (1st girl on the left) also doing well. Sreeya (3rd from right) has the top marks in 8th grade, Mahima (2nd from right) has the top marks in 9th grade, and Sirisha (far right) has the 2nd best marks in the 10th grade. We're thankful many of our children are doing well. Praise the Lord!
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ABOVE: Sister Latha with her 3 children. The children's father died in February of this year from some kind of skin disease. They stay with relatives, and Latha works when she is able (mostly field/agricultural work), but that work is seasonal, and many other people are there to do that kind of work in her area. Few other jobs are available. Her children are Teja (14), Keerthi (12) and the boy Rishi (10), all attending the govt (public) schools. Her pastor, whom we work with, says she is a good believer, coming to Christ about 14 years ago. RHM is helping them with some food on a monthly basis. |
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ABOVE: Ratnamma might be about 75, and is completely deaf. Her husband died many years ago, but she doesn't know what year. She has no children. Her pastor and others try to communicate with her through signs. She seems to be a joyful woman, has a good reputation in the neighborhood as a great cook, and gives food to others when she can. She previously worked in a family's home as a maid, then became too weak to work regularly. That family had compassion upon her and has allowed her to stay in this small room for years without any rent. We help Ratnamma with monthly meds. Praise the Lord!
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ABOVE: Widows & elderly in the village of Thunagunta after distributing blankets in November. Their church has structural problems, so they are meeting at homes at this time.
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ABOVE: Widows & elderly in VV Palem after receiving blankets, many of the elderly from a neighboring village called Vaddepalem, they also attending this church. The man came because his mother wasn't physically able to come.
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ABOVE: Very happy to be at the beach (Bay of Bengal) to observe the baptism of about 12 believers. This is 14 year old Mahima ("glory"), the pastor asking her some questions before giving baptism.
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ABOVE: Children in a poor village are listening to a young man named Pradeep lead Sunday School in their village. We tried (and will continue to try) to put 3 of these children in the same school where we have 20 other children, but there are some obstacles. The children have no habit of studying, are naturally fearful of those outside their village, and their fathers are alcoholics and couldn't care less about their children's education. Some of these villagers are attending a nearby church; we're praying for their salvation.
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ABOVE: During our excursion to the large city of Vizag, Brother Raju was teaching our 9 girls how to meditate on the Word, the girl on the far left being a neighbor girl who also wanted to participate. Raju gave them a passage of Scriptures, gave them time to read and think upon those Scriptures, and then they later had a time of discussion.
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ABOVE: Brother Raju, his wife Pavani and 5 of the 7 girls we took recently to another town for Sunday service, lunch and a time at the park. We can guess that Raju is probably joking with little Kavya about the size of her "dosa", a breakfast item most of us ate at this restaurant. The 2 girls looking at the camera are Kavya's sisters, Sonia and Divya.
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ABOVE: Sonia (12) when we visited an aquarium in Vizag. Sonia is a blessing to us all, having a tender heart for the Lord, as well as a heart to serve others.
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ABOVE: Raju & Pavani with 11 children we're involved with (all the younger ones except for the baby). We came for Sunday service in a pastor's house church, the pastor, his wife and daughter all on the right side. The baby is the pastor's daughter's girl.
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ABOVE: We have started having some Scripture competitions during our monthly gathering of the children and elderly. This is a new thing, but we're hoping in the Lord that many of the children will develop a greater love for GOD's Word through this endeavor.
"How sweet are Your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalms 119:103
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"Whatever you do, do all things to the glory of GOD." 1 Corinthians 10:31 |
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