INDIA: TRANSLATION AND OUTREACH

 (See bottom of page for current prayer requests)

Lives Saved, but Not Livelihoods
Relief and Rehabilitation in the Aftermath of Cyclone in Odisha
January 2014

Cyclone Phailin hit the Odisha state in October 2013. Phailin was the worst storm to hit Odisha in14 years. Cyclone speed was 200km per hour. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated, largest evacuations in 23 years of Indian history of natural calamities. Many lost mud-thatched homes, crops and livelihoods. People took refuge in the government schools and other emergency buildings. Thereafter, flood hit many other districts of Odisha. After 12 hours of cyclone, very heavy rain fall result in floods. Although lives saved, but not livelihoods! Many people received no help from Government and they had to depend upon their own meager resources to survive and recover from the disaster.

STEP responded to the needs and you came along with us. Our workers continuously updated me of the situations on the ground. I sent out emails to you for your help. Without any hesitation and delay, you came forward to help the cyclone victims. STEP purchased relief materials in bulks such as blankets, Sarees (women clothing), Lungee (men’s clothing). We also purchased school bags for Children (those to be distributed in February 2014). Wells for Life, an organization that provides pump wells in India, provided Sawyer Onepoint-kit water filters (200) and buckets for the cyclone and flood victims. It was a great joy to distribute relief supplies to victims of cyclone and flood victims. I personally visited several villages and saw the destruction of houses, rice fields and roads in November 2013. Christians are a small minority in Odisha and actions such as helping the victims in the time of crisis is an example of God’s love that attracts people to Christ. During distribution of relief materials in Hindu villages, some whispered, “No one has helped us before. Who are these people?” Relief work has provided a unique opening and opportunity for the presentation of the gospel through deed. Praise God for the opportunity to serve him in Odisha!

Without your help, it would not have been possible. Thank you so much for your financial contribution towards the relief project. We are looking forward to helping more people in February 2014. If you would like to support STEP in anyway, please write to us for more information at: stepministries@hotmail.com.

THE CALL - INDIA

Last year a Scripture was given to us from a group of people who pray consistently for our ministry, “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Rev. 3:8). We believe Jesus is talking to us, and India is that open door. Although The Picture-Smart Bible is being used internationally, India will be our most significant outreach. Our first trip scheduled for October, will be to southern regions. God willing, Phase II will cover regions to the north and countries beyond the borders of India.

THE NEED – PSB TRANSLATION for TRAINING and RESOURCES

India is 74% Hindu, 14% Muslim, and 5.84% Christian. There are radical Hindus as there are Muslims, and in some regions of India, severe persecution against Christians has taken place.There are 400 million children in the 10-14 age range, plus 35 million orphans who are in desperate need for Bible curriculum they can understand. Although there have been very successful, ongoing evangelistic crusades in India, statistics present a staggering need for Christian education and discipleship. Without training for pastors and their flocks, the enemy can destroy the seed. Curriculum materials are not available in many areas- those which exist are old and outdated. The need is GREAT- for the church and for all the people of India.

WHO – Abhijit Nayak, an Indian student at Fuller Seminary working on his doctorate, discovered The Picture Smart Bible at the CHEA convention and immediately declared, “This is for God’s children in India”. Subsequently, in one-on-one contacts with Christian leaders in 7 key cities, Abhijit shared his vision for TPSB in India. The reception was excellent. The leaders were given registration packets announcing a Fall seminar in their facility. Abhijit has also set up PT reps who will coordinate the seminars, and follow-up contacts. To make presentations we must have curriculum, so Abhijit contacted printers in India to obtain estimated costs for an initial run. He has also been given property on which he intends to construct an office building, in which PictureThis!” will share office space.

THE TRIP – DAN to TEACH CHILDREN and TRAIN TEACHERS

Major cities we will be presenting in: Mumbai, Banalore, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwai, Dispur, Nohima, and Calcutta. Our audience in each of these cities will be Senior Pastors, Church and School Administrators, Sunday School and Christian School Teachers. In one location, Dan will be teaching school children. Because most India churches do not have an overhead projector, one of our most critical challenges is developing a way for pastors and teachers to present TPSB to their audiences.

FULFILLING OUR MISSION

God accurately described PictureThis Ministries in the Scripture quoted above:

“You have a little strength”. PictureThis! is a small non-profit organization who, like many ministries, “stretch” to keep moving forward. But we have a faithful God with Whom all things are possible, and faithful friends like you who stand with us.

“Have kept My word.” . His word is the total purpose of our existence.

“Have not denied My name”. “Ministry on the Way” is now part of our modus operandi. We share Jesus going, coming and in between. The article by Michele reflects the fruit of this labor.

BIG PROJECTS REQUIRE BIG PRAYER

We have several months to pray and plan for this outreach. Please pray that God will give us favor with the airlines, the presentations, pastors, teachers, students, equipment, shipments, the weather and anything else that comes to mind. We are totally excited about what God is doing with this outreach and we know that you share our excitement.

It appears that we will need approximately $10,000 including airfare round-trip and within India, printing, and accommodations. If you would like to be a part financially, please indicate on your gift “India”. If you want more information please email us ( ) or call 888-499-9305. Thanks so much.

Thanks from Dan January/February Newsletter

"On my way home, God spoke to me once more from II Cor. 9. “I have given bread for you to eat and seed for you to sow. I will now supply and multiply that seed and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” Please stop right now, and give thanks to God. And receive our thanks to each one of you."

Prayer request from Dan September/October Newsletter

"I NEED prayer...that God will enable me to see beyond the circumstances, and speak His vision for the children of India."

Prayer requests from the July/August 2012 Newsletter

Abhijit Nayak who is spearheading our 2 weeks of presentations in India, has made frequent trips there to set up meetings, direct TPSB printing and oversee construction of the office/church building. Many of you have asked about details related to the ministry. Below is the latest “prayer target” information from Abhijit. Our September/October newsletter (being the last letter before the trip in November) will have more details including the itinerary and specifics for intercession.
 

1. Cities scheduled for seminars to church leaders: Mumbai, Kolkata, Dimapur, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar. Pray for those who are arranging meeting details and for the registrants. 

2. Pray for the printing process and that we will be able to ship the materials to our representatives on time.

3. Pray for God’s provision that the office/church building will be completed on time.

4. For Dan- pray that he will hear clearly what God wants for each seminar. Abhijit and Dan will be meeting on 7/12, to discuss his passport, handouts needed for each seminar (which must be printed in advance), and presentation details. At each seminar, Dan will use 3 types of visual aids: his Ipad/projector, an overhead projector and a large drawing pad.  

Prayer requests from November/December Newsletter

"Your prayers are our life-line to the throne of grace."

Here is Dan’s “starter” list for India. (6:35pm 11/16)

1. Love. Even with many years of speaking, standing before a group of strangers is scary for me. The unfortunate result of fear is losing contact with God and with His people. The only remedy for fear is what the Apostle John counseled: “Perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:18). That perfect love includes having such a compassion for those in front of you, you are “driven” to give your best with little regard for “looks.”

2. Discernment. Only Godknows the needs of my various audiences. In addition to having the “normal” challenges facing pastors, leaders, teachers, families, and young people, India is a 3rd world country. They suffer terrible poverty. The normal “shot gun” lesson will not work. I must see and hear what God is doing and get in step with Him.

3. Trust. I learned (I hope) an important lesson in Honduras. A card from Juanene (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your ownnderstanding”) prompted me to virtually discard my notes. Every morning before leaving for class (or the night before), the Lord gave me a new drawing. Once trusting Him, it really became exciting to see what He would assign for the day.

4. Boldness. Many have described what I would see on the streets of India. Logging on to New Delhi newspapers gives me a first hand look. However, whatever I see cannot be more troubling than what the early disciples confronted when sharing the gospel. Their prayer was not, “save us, God!” They said, “Lord...grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29).

5. Safety. On the other hand, I know I must use caution. The Lord gave me very comforting words a few days ago when I was expressing concern about the trip: “Dan, I opened this door. When I open a door, no one shuts it. I will take you in and I will bring you out.”