Family Radio Mission to India, Karnataka State
October 17 – 28, 2005
LETTER #1
"Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple." (Psalms 65:4)
Wednesday, October 19th 2005. Our group of 13 "Ambasadors for Christ" (9 men and 4 women) from various parts of U.S. and Holland arrived early in Hyderabad this morning on the 19th Family Radio mission trip to India. We were met at the Airport by Mr. Sumanth of the Family Radio’s School of the Bible who had arranged transportation to our first target city Bidar. After a 4 hour bus ride we arrived safely at our hotel at 9.30 am. We are here to proclaim the true Gospel of Christ in 3 cities in the state of Karnataka, during the next 9 days by distributing about 220,000 "Doe God Love You" tracts in 4 principle languages - Kannada, English, Telugu and Urdu. We will also be handing out about 2000 Bibles in those languages and many Family Radio’s Bible teaching booklets and CDs. The tracts have been printed here and contain the current short wave schedules for Family Radio’s program in several languages and the address of the multilingual Family Radio website.
Karnataka is located in the South Western part of India. It is bordered by the Arabian sea to the West, and the state of Goa to the North West of Maharashtra. Then to the North by Andhra Pradesh and to the East Tamil Nadu, and to the South East Kerala.
After lunch and a brief meeting and prayer of thanksgiving to our Lord for traveling mercies and for continued strength, guidance and protection , we filled our back packs and went out to the streets and public areas to test the water. We are happy to report that the reception to the tracts was excellent. Over 90%, although this city has about 30% Muslims. Less than 5% were discarded and the people were polite and friendly. We had decided to have a quick recap of the days activities and to forego the planned Bible study, because everyone was understandably very tired and knew God had a plan for us. 25 people showed up for the Bible study asking for Bibles, and we were re-energized. God willing, we plan to work in Bidar for the next 2 days and then travel by bus to the 2nd city on our itinerary namely Gulbarga. We intend to stay there for about 4 days and then proceed to the 3rd city Raichur for about 3 days.
We are grateful for the privilege of serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this country. We are praying that we will be faithful to Gods word in all that we do here. Could it be that God will perform a mighty work of grace in the hearts of many of these dear people for His glory and Honor? We are thankful for Blesso, who has been helping us in all the works involved in the tract distribution in Karnataka.
"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." (Romans 14:8)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in India
LETTER #2
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
Thursday, October 20, 2005. This was our first full day of tract distribution. We rejoice that God had given us another day to spread the true Gospel to a people steeped in religion and culture, but know very little about Jesus Christ, the only true and living God who alone is able to bear their sins and save them.
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get around this city is by one of the ubiquitous auto rickshaws. It is a no frills, three wheeled contraption. The vehicles are operated by aggressive drivers who weaves in and out of traffic and around pedestrians and animals crossing the streets. Nevertheless, they are ideally suited for our work in India. In the morning one team went to share at the new Bidar bus station. Another visited the railway station and a small roadside market nearby. A team of three just walked along the streets and alleyways sharing with people on bicycles, in cars, trucks and on motor scooters. The streets were jammed with people buying and selling all manner of sundry items. A team of four was assigned to the schools and colleges. They were given permission to distribute “Does God Love You?” tracts to the students and staff at a large Christian school.
At one of the colleges the Dean of students personally escorted the team to each classroom and told the students to read the tract and discuss it with their parents. To our total delight both the Dean and the superintendent showed up at our evening Bible Study. They requested some Bibles and study materials to share with their students.
The next afternoon we continued our distribution at a feverish pace and by God’s mercy, we finished the tracts we had set aside for this City. Our Bible Study in the evening was packed to capacity with some people sitting on the floor. There were over 250 men, women, and children in attendance. The allotted Bibles, Family Radio booklets, CD’s and teaching materials were quickly exhausted.
Although the reception rate was over 90% and there is a great hunger in this city for the true Gospel, we have started to experience some opposition to our work here, but it was not unexpected. The Lord willing, tomorrow we will leave early by bus on a 2 ˝ hour ride to our next target city, Gulbarga.
Brethren, please continue to pray for us and for these dear people of India.
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in India
LETTER #3
"O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." (Psalms 119:97)
Friday, October 21, 2005. After a 2 ˝ hour bus ride on a two lane highway marred by potholes, we arrived safely at our hotel in the second target city, Gulbarga. This is a town of about 700,000 people, twice the population of Bidar. God willing, we plan to stay here for 4 days.
After breakfast, the four teams packed their backpacks anticipating a very fruitful day of distribution and they were not disappointed.
One team went to a busy bus station and also worked the surrounding areas crowded with small shops and roadside stalls selling all kinds of goods and services. Vendors were cooking and selling food permeating the air with the scents of exotic spices. Most of the people were very patient with us and the reception was great.
There is also a large Muslim population in this city. It is about 40-50 %. Nearly all the women were attired in black clothing and covered from head to toe with only their eyes showing. Nevertheless, they readily accepted the tracts.
Another team worked in and around the railway station with good results. A team was on their way to a market when they spotted some school children who had just been dismissed for the day. The team leader made an on the spot decision to share the Gospel with these kids. There were hundreds of kids and parents streaming out of the school and they gladly accepted the tracts. One of the advantages of traveling around town by rickshaw is that the driver will stop or turn around as needed. When we see a large group of people, we will stop and share.
This is the post monsoon season and the weather here has been pleasant by Indian standards. It has been sunny and humid with a high temperature of 82 degrees F.
We had our usual Bible study in the evening and about 30 people came to hear the message of God’s magnificent Salvation plan. They were given Bibles and some Family Radio teaching materials to assist in their Christian walk.
We thank and praise our gracious Lord for a blessed day of sharing and for His protection and provision for us.
Brothers and Sisters, please continue to lift us up in prayer and especially these dear people who now have the words of eternal life in their hands.
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."(Romans 7:22-23)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in India
LETTER #4
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Saturday, October 22, 2005. The reception rate of the “Does God Love You?” tracts continues to be excellent, over 90% with a small number of discards. Many can be observed intently reading the tracts and then some will approach us and ask questions or request a Bible.
One team worked at a busy junction in the heart of the city. These intersections are very beneficial to tract distribution, as they funnel people and vehicles right by us. Because of heavy traffic, they are forced to slow down or stop. There is a constant flow of traffic which affords us the opportunity to distribute large volumes of tracts. It is hard and hazardous work standing for hours on the dusty road in the sun breathing in the soot and exhaust fumes of the cars, buses, rickshaws, and seemingly endless flow of trucks while stretching, bending, and carrying a heavy backpack.
The remaining 3 teams were assigned to the largest market square in the down town area referred to as the “supermarket.” People from all over the city and its environs flock to this area, especially on weekends to shop for food, clothing and household items. The market was crowded with people and the teams were able to distribute all of their tracts in a few hours before returning to our hotel for lunch.
This afternoon we experienced the first significant opposition to our mission. The Hindu radicals are riled up because we dare to bring the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. The distribution started out very well, but about an hour before they had planned to leave, they were confronted by a crowd of angry young men who physically attacked two men on our team and chased the others out of the supermarket area. They burnt 300 tracts and in the confusion an empty backpack was lost.
By God’s providence, there were some rickshaws nearby and the teams managed to escape from the area and returned to the hotel safely. By God’s mercy no one was seriously hurt and we praise and thank our Lord for His protection and we rejoice that we were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. “Acts 5:40 - 42. We do intend by God’s grace to continue teaching and preaching Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray that God will give us wisdom and strength to carry on His work here.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."(1 Corinthians 10:31)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in India
LETTER #5
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17)
Sunday, October 23, 2005. Because of our experience yesterday, we decided it would be prudent to stay away from the central city today and send all the teams to the villages. We realize that it was God’s way of guiding us to the people and places He wants us to reach with the Gospel, and we know that “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28. Therefore we hired two small minivans, separated the group into two teams, and traveled along the highway in opposite directions stopping in the small farming communities and sharing. Altogether it was a blessed Sabbath day, serving the Lord.
Both teams returned safely from the road trips praising and thanking God for giving us the joy of serving the poor and desperately poor. Many of these dear people had never been exposed to any gospel. The teams distributed thousands of tracts in 14 villages and the 80 Bibles were gladly accepted. It is the highlight of the trip so far. When we think of these people, our slight suffering yesterday pales in comparison to the joy of sharing God’s precious word with those who could never afford a Bible.
Oh, how we thank those dear listeners of Family Radio who sacrificially give to purchase Bibles and to support such a faithful ministry. Our prayer is that God will touch many hearts in these communities and turn them away from their many idols to serve the living and true God, Jesus Christ.
We conducted our Worship Service as usual in the evening and we had about 100 people in attendance even though our hotel is on the perimeter of the city. It is expensive for the average person to get here. We praise and thank our gracious Lord for giving them a desire to study His Word. It is also an encouragement to us to see the hunger for the true Gospel. May our gracious Lord include many here in this city in that great multitude that no man can number.
We thank our Lord for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" (Colossians 3:23)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in India
LETTER #6
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Monday, October 24, 2005. After much prayer for wisdom, we resumed our distribution in the city of Gulbarga.
One team was assigned to the schools and colleges. Although they were denied permission to distribute tracts in the classrooms, they were allowed to stand at the entrances and share the Gospel with the students. Another team worked at the entrance and another area surrounding a large public hospital. The many outpatients and staff were very receptive to our tracts. Some even stopped to ask about the ministry of Family Radio. The acceptance and retention of our tracts were excellent in all the areas we visited.
Two teams traveled to several outlying districts and small cities to spread the Gospel, by distributing tracts, Bibles, and some Family Radio teaching materials. Our Lord was merciful to us today by allowing us to distribute our tracts without anyone hindering our work in any way.
We finished distributing all of our allotted tracts for this city at 6PM and we praise and thank our Lord for His help, therefore in the shadow of His wings we rejoice.
Our final Bible study in Gulbarga had over 100 people in attendance and many have showed an interest to study the Bible by signing up for the Family Radio School of the Bible courses. Our prayer is that God will raise up some faithful men and women to continue His work here. The Lord willing, we plan to leave tomorrow after breakfast on a 6 hour bus ride to Raichur.
Brothers and Sisters, we thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for us and for the people of India. May God richly bless all of you with His choicest blessings.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in India
LETTER #7
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Tuesday, October 25, 2005. We arrived safely in Raichur at 3:30PM, only to be greeted by 5 policemen outside our hotel. After we had checked into our rooms, the deputy Commissioner arrived and informed us that we were not allowed to do any distribution in the city. After some discussion, he decided that we could stay; but on Wednesday morning he had apparently he had a change of heart. He returned to the hotel to tell us that the Commissioner said that we are to pack up and leave. We asked to speak to him personally, but he was unavailable because he was going out of town on some personal business. They also pressured the hotel manager to cancel our reservation and to ask us to leave.
Two teams had already gone out into the streets distributing and had shared the about 10,000 tracts when they were briefly detained and sent back to the hotel. We decided that our work was finished here and God had shut the door. We are reminded of Matthew 10:23. Therefore, we packed up our remaining tracts and Bibles and left Raichur at 3:30PM and arrived safely, thank God in Hyderabad at 9:15PM. By God’s providence, we found a hotel with enough vacant rooms to accommodate our group, and checked into our rooms at 10:30PM.
We praise and thank our Lord for watching over us and for traveling mercies. He has also kept all of us healthy and we look forward to going into the highways and byways tomorrow with the true Gospel of Salvation.
Brethren, Please continue to pray for these dear people who have been warned of impending judgement. May our merciful Lord put His fear and write His Words on many of their hearts for His honor and glory.
Thank you for your prayers.
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (1 Corinthians 3:18-19)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in India
LETTER #8
"For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."(2 Corinthians 2:15-17)
Thursday, October 27, 2005. Today we praise and thank God for the opportunity to share His message of salvation and judgement with the people of Hyderabad.
Two teams hired minivans for the day to take them small villages in order to spread out our tracts and Bibles. Both teams returned to the hotel rejoicing that the reception was excellent and that they were able to carry this precious Gospel to places where most of the people have never been exposed to the true Gospel and a vast majority have never seen or held a Bible.
One team was assigned to the schools and colleges and reported excellent results. Some of the students, after reading the tract, were very troubled and had a lot of questions. One Hindu man who was rather irate, but clutching a “Does God Love You?” tract approached two of our men and said, “Why are you bringing this message to scare and confuse the children?” We answered; “Sir, it is our duty to warn them about impending judgement and you also should be quite concerned about it.” He threatened to call the principal of the school but we were on public property. He soon left in frustration and went about his business when he realized that he was just causing more children to gather around and ask for tracts.
We plan, by God’s grace to work here and leave the hotel at 3PM for the airport and our long journey home.
Overall we have distributed 210,000 tracts and 2000 Bibles, together with hundreds of Family Radio teaching booklets and Audio CD’s.
This is our eighth and final report of this trip. We thank our Lord for giving us the awesome responsibility of declaring the true Gospel of Salvation to the people of India. It was truly a most blessed experience; from the overall kindness and patience of the people, the high rate of acceptance of our tracts, to the hunger for His Word as we see so many in attendance at our nightly Bible studies. We rejoice that our loving Savior has bestowed upon us such a joyful task. We plan, with God’s help and guidance to be obedient to His great Commission to go into the world with the Gospel, and India is an integral part of our plan with one billion people.
The mission team to India wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Family Radio listeners, staff, and volunteers for their prayers and support. This has been a source of encouragement to us.
Please pray for the people of India and especially for our brothers and sisters here who were persecuted for righteousness sake. May God richly bless all of you.
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"(1 Peter 3:15)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in India