January 2010 Update

January 19, 2010

Hearty New Year greetings to all GSH friends and supporters!  It has been too long since I last sent an email update, and I apologize for the lapse.

Last year was an exciting year as we watched God continue to grow His ministry in and around Rajahmundry, India.  Brother Joseph, Sister Sowmya, and all those who are helping them have been very busy doing the work that God has prepared in advance for them to do (Ephesians 2:10).  We in America are privileged to be a part of this work through the grace of God.  As you read the updates below, please keep GSH Ministries India in your prayers.

Miraculous protection for Bro Joseph

As has become his tradition, Joseph and some of his church members distributed wool blankets to the homeless on Christmas Eve. Not wanting to waste a blanket on anyone who isn’t truly in need, Joseph typically waits until the wee hours of the morning to go out, and looks for people who are sleeping on the ground without any covering. He quietly lays the blankets over them as they sleep, blessing them and praying for them. On the evening of the distribution, he noticed some people sleeping on top of a roof. He climbed up, and as he walked around, covering people, he said it was as if the Holy Spirit just halted him in his tracks. He froze and slowly turned to find that his head was within one inch of a high voltage electric cable running over the top of the building. Contact with the wire would have killed him instantly. He says it was as if a hand was placed between his head and the wire, and God surely preserved his life. He has been giving this testimony ever since. I know you are praising God with me for this miracle. If Brother Joseph had gone to Heaven this past Christmas Eve, it would have been his gain, but our great loss.

Opposition on the Island

Joseph has been encountering an obvious spiritual battle on the Godavari River Island. People are continuing to come to faith in Jesus slowly and steadily. However, staunch Hindu leaders there have been spreading lies about Joseph to plant mistrust among the people. They claim that Joseph has been receiving millions of dollars from America for coming to teach and preach on the Island but that he is keeping the money for himself rather than sharing it with the people. Such lies make it impossible for Joseph to meet any physical needs there, because doing so would only validate their lies and show the opposition leaders that the Christians can be manipulated. God is working there, and the enemy opposes it. Please pray for wisdom for Joseph in this situation.

Recently, a wife in a Hindu family on the island became deathly ill with an antibiotic-resistant bacteria. At the hospital, she did not respond to any treatment and was told she would live only a few more days. Though the family was Hindu, they asked Joseph to come and pray for her, which he gladly did. They claimed, “If God heals her, we will renounce our other Gods.” Joseph prayed and anointed her with oil, certain that God would heal her. She was healed and left the hospital within 3 days! The family repented, professed faith in Christ and was baptized. This miracle has prompted the intense slandering from the Hindu leaders.

Jesus Prayer House (JPH)

Brother Joseph’s church observed Christmas with a dinner and celebration.  Approximately 1,000 people attended the celebration, and everyone present heard the Gospel message.  God continues to grow the church as more people give their hearts to Him in repentance.

A local Christian has committed to sponsor 2 of the 4 monthly, televised sermons which Joseph preaches from Jesus Prayer House. These sermons are broadcast on the local Rajahmundry station, and Joseph is still praying for sponsorship for the remaining 2, at a cost of $200/month. He says that many “closet Christians,” mostly women, are benefiting from God’s Word coming into their homes because their husbands will not allow them to go to church. Many people are also hearing the Gospel for the first time via television and then coming to JPH to hear more.  Bro. Joseph asks us to pray that God will give JPH the opportunity to broadcast the sermons on a statewide network.

Children’s Home Construction and Political Unrest

Boundary Wall and Motor Room

Half of the boundary wall for the new children’s home has been completed, and construction of an out-building for equipment storage is in progress.

Storage / Motor Room

Electrical and water lines have been installed in conjunction with the building of the wall. Progress has been very slow because there has been much political unrest in the area.

Bro Prabhakar Supervising the Work

Plumbing work for construction

There is currently a movement to divide Andhra Pradesh into two states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana). Disagreement over the split has resulted in violence, riots, and the shut down of government offices and private businesses. Please pray for peace in the area.

Sister Sowmya and Baby

Sister Sowmya is about six months pregnant and doing well. Joseph reports that her “womiting” has stopped, which is probably a good thing. An ultrasound revealed a healthy, normally-developing baby.  Bro. Joseph asks for continued prayer for the new baby and for Sister Sowmya, who suffers from anemia.

Video Ministry

The video ministry team continues to faithfully show videos glorifying God and spreading the Gospel message one night a week.  The elders of JPH have been trained to run the video equipment, provide commentary during the video, and distribute bibles after the video.  This gives Bro. Joseph the chance to preach the Gospel or take part in prayer meetings at JPH during the weeks he does not go with the video ministry team.

Children’s Home

All the GSH children are doing very well and are very healthy.  Sister Sowmya is continuing to disciple and train the older children.  All the children enjoyed a wonderful time of celebrating the birth of our Savior with a Christmas party.  Included with the party was a gift for each child (a new dress for each girl), dinner, cake and dancing.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support in the Lord’s work in and around Rajahmundry. Please continue to lift up our Indian brothers and sisters in your prayers and ask that the Lord of the Harvest would continue to draw more souls to Him.

God bless you and your families this New Year,

Brother Gregg

Video From Brother Joseph

Brother Joseph BBQ

A huge THANK YOU to all of you who attended and Brother Joseph BBQ on Sept 12th at Lake Shastina Community Bible Church. We had such a great time putting on this event! JT Martin and the New Creatures played some great music and even though Brother Joseph’s video update did not make it from India on time the presentation was great too.

The story about the video was pretty funny.  We were expecting a short video from Brother Joseph, but in his enthusiasm he ended up recording an hour long video that included scenes from all his different ministries. Then on the day of the BBQ Brother Joseph called to say that the video was in California and asked if someone could just pick it up but since California is a pretty big state and the drive time to Sacramento or Redding is too long we did not get the tape quite in time.

GSH is going to have the tape edited and sent out to the churches. We’ll keep you posted for an update on the viewing.

The BBQ was a great success in raising awareness and funds for GHS ministry – $4200 were raised! Thank you to all who gave!

Please remember Brother Joseph and GSH Ministries in your prayers and if you’d like to be added to the email list for updates from India simply subscribe to this blog.

July 2009 Update

July 16, 2009

Hearty July greetings to all GSH friends and supporters!  I hope all are well and enjoying (or at least enduring) the heat of this summer month.  I spoke with Brother Joseph Tuesday morning (11 pm his time), and he informed me that the hot season is now past in Rajahmundry, and they are experiencing constant, heavy rains during the current rainy season.

As reported last month, Brother Joseph and the Jesus’ Prayer House Church (formerly JEM Church) have been reaching out to the city of Rajahmundry with weekly gospel meetings in a large, rented hall.  They have been attempting to draw in non-Christians with a movie, followed by a time of worship and music, followed by a gospel message.  God has been blessing the meetings with 300 to 400 people in attendance each Sunday.

Last week, the Church showed a Telegu-dubbed version of the Ten Commandments (with Charlton Heston) during the Sunday night gospel meeting.  God has been blessing these gospel meetings, and four people who had been living in the Hindu religion gave their lives to Christ and were baptized last Sunday!  Brother Joseph asks for your prayers that God would continue to bless this ministry, bringing many more Hindus to the meetings and opening their eyes and ears to the Gospel of Christ.

I need to make a correction to last month’s update; I misunderstood Brother Joseph that the boundary wall for the GSH land was already under construction.  It appears that the boundary wall had not been started when I wrote, and I apologize for the misinformation.  The construction of the boundary wall was scheduled to start during late June.  However, due to the advent of the rainy season, start of construction is delayed until the rains abate.  Uncle Prabha has been assigned the task of managing and overseeing the construction.  Bro. Joseph believes that construction may be able to begin in two or three weeks when the heavy rains are forecasted to diminish.

Romoving Telephone Poles from Land

All of the GSH children are continuing in good health.  The new school year began last month, and all are doing well in their studies.  Padma D., who graduated from tenth grade this year, has begun studying at a local junior college for her plus-one year of education.  After completion of the plus-one and plus-two years at the junior college, she will start her university education in a four-year Bachelor of Nursing program.  Srinu P., who also finished tenth grade this year, is waiting to begin training at a local technical school in Rajahmundry.  Gopi, who has not lived at GS Home but has been supported by GSH Ministries, passed his first year of engineering (not an easy task in Indian universities) and has begun his second year of the program.

Both medical clinics (the clinic at the leper colony and the clinic in Vadlamuru), continue to serve many people.  On average, the clinic in Vadlamuru has been serving around 1,000 people every month.  The clinic in the leper colony is not open every day but continues to serve the people of the colony and other lepers from the community.

Although the heavy rains had made the Wednesday night video ministry difficult this past month, the Video ministry team is continuing to faithfully visit areas in and around Rajahmundry.  Last Wednesday, the video ministry team visited their ninety-fifth location since beginning the ministry in 2007.  Please pray that God continues to protect the team and works through them to spread the Gospel.

Brother Joseph reports that although it is difficult to visit the Island during the rainy season, he and his team are continuing to visit them every week.  The children of the Island are still being taught daily in the school and are being given a chance for education that their parents never had.  Bro. Joseph assures me that he and Sister Sowmya have been faithfully wearing their life jackets when crossing the river to the Island.

Bro. Joseph asks that we pray for the beginning of a TV Ministry in Rajahmundry.  He has been recording his Sunday gospel messages and is pursuing airing them on the local Rajahmundry television channel.  The channel reaches 150,000 households, and while not every household will watch, it will be a way to reach many non-Christians who would never set foot in a meeting hall to hear the gospel.

Finally, I would like all of you to mark your calendars for Saturday, September 12th.  On this day, we will be having the first annual GSH barbeque at the Lake Shastina Bible Church.  We are in the planning phases of the event, and I do not have many details at this time, but it will be in the evening on Saturday, Sept. 12th.  I will email the specific details as soon as the plans have been solidified.  Please plan to attend if you can, and bring a friend or family member who would like to know more about God’s work in Rajahmundry, India.

Thank you for taking the time to stay updated and for your continued prayer and support.

Bro. Gregg

June 2009 Update

June 9, 2009

Hearty June greetings to all GSH friends and supporters!  I spoke with Brother Joseph and Uncle Prabha late last week, and they are both excited by the direction God has been leading Bro. Joseph and the JEM Church.

As I mentioned in an earlier update, the Sunday services at the JEM church have been overflowing with people, many of them having to stand in the hot sun outside the building, sacrificing personal comfort in order to hear God’s Word.  Brother Joseph has been praying about this situation and was directed by the Lord to rent a hall which can seat 1,000 people for Sunday evening services.  In preparation for these services, he has been conducting the video ministry at various locations within Rajahmundry, in order to spread the news and reach more people.

Bro. Joseph was able to connect his DVD projector into the sound system of the hall and plans to offer a free movie every Sunday night.  Following the movie will be a time of worship songs and of preaching the gospel.  Sister Sowmya has been training the children from GS Home to sing in a choir and to help lead worship during the services.   Bro. Joseph’s prayer is that many more unbelievers will be reached with the gospel message through this step of faith and will be saved by Christ.

Brother Joseph and the leadership of the JEM church were also led by the Lord to change the name of the church from Joseph Edwards Memorial to Jesus Prayer House (JPH).  Although Joseph loves the memory of his grandfather, he and his family want to give all honor to Jesus.

All the children of GS Home are continuing in good health and have passed their end-of-year exams successfully.  Padma G. and Srinu passed their final school exams with “good marks” and will be entering “plus one” this month.  In India, school is offered free of charge through tenth grade.  Following tenth grade are “plus one” and “plus two” grades. Then, if the student is qualified and has the financial means to continue, college/university follows.

The other areas of GSH ministry continue to serve in Jesus’ name.  The water tank at the Leper colony is half completed and will be finished in two to three weeks.  The two medical clinics (at the Leper Colony and in Vadlamuru) continue to meet the basic medical needs of many.  The Island ministry is continuing to educate the islanders, and the Island Church is growing.  All the widows’ physical needs are being met, and they are all attending JPH church.

Sister Sowmya sends her thanks for the prayers for her health.  God has answered your prayers; she is feeling much better and has the energy she needs to instruct and care for the GS Home children.

Progress is being made on the two-acre orphanage/school/church building site.  Construction of the boundary wall has begun, and the “bore-hole” will be drilled once the wall is completed.  The original plan was for the bore-hole to be finished before construction of the wall took place, but the village elders advised against that plan; they believed some of the locals would quickly strip the property of the above-ground bore-hole accoutrements without the protection of the wall.  I am not sure how the workers are obtaining the needed water for construction.

Praise the Lord for his unfailing love and mercy for the people in and around Rajahmundry, India.  Thank you for your continued interest in and support of God’s work.

Brother Gregg

May 2009 Update

May 11, 2009

Hearty May greetings to all GSH friends and supporters!  I spoke with Brother Joseph and Uncle Prabha a few days ago, and they both send their “hearty greetings” to all of you from a very hot and humid Rajahmundry.

I first called Mercy Colony last Thursday, and because Bro. Joseph was not at home, I was able to talk with Uncle Prabha for a few minutes.  Bro. Joseph had taken the older children from GS Home on an outing during the “cool” of the evening.  The children were able to attend some type of Russian and Chinese dance show.  After the show, Bro. Joseph took them to a local park to play.  These activities were done after dark because the heat during the day is now too intense. In fact, Weather.com reports that it is 95° F in Rajahmundry at this moment, but it feels like 113° F with the humidity.

Bro. Joseph informed me that all the GSH children did very well on their end-of-year exams.  The children are now on their summer vacation, and the elder girls are preparing for next school year by gathering materials needed for all the children.  All the children continue to be in good health, and Sister Sowmya is spending much time with them in God’s word.  Brother Joseph asks for prayer for Sowmya, as she has been feeling weak lately and has not had the energy she needs for the work with the children and at Mercy Colony.

Uncle Prabha reports that the medical clinic in Vadlamuru continues to serve many people and that the gospel of Christ is being spread because of the work of the clinic.  The medical clinic brings in many people who would not come to a regular church service or an evangelistic meeting.  The gospel and the love of Christ are being shown to some of the world’s poorest and neediest through the medical clinic outreach.

Bro. Joseph and the Video Ministry crew continue to reach out to villages outside of Rajahmundry every Wednesday night.  Bro. Joseph reports that their last visit was to a primitive “Tribal Village” approximately 70 km. from Mercy Colony.  Apparently, this was the first time this Tribal Village had been treated to anything like the Video Ministry. According to Bro. Joseph, “the people were very much inspired!”  Please pray for the safety of the Video Ministry crew as they visit these tribal areas, as there is much more opposition to the gospel in the rural areas of India.

All the widows being served by the Widows Ministry are doing well and continuing to attend JEM Church.  Under the leading and with the help of the Lord, Bro. Joseph is planning to start an education program for the elderly poor and illiterate people in the slum area surrounding JEM Church.  The classes will be held in the church building and they will be open to those of all castes and religions.  Please pray that God will use this ministry to bring many of the elderly poor to a saving knowledge of Him through this outreach.

God has been faithful to bring many people from the slum area surrounding JEM Church to hear the gospel there on Sundays.  The people are packed inside the church like smoked oysters, and many are suffering in the heat of the Indian sun outside the door to hear the message and take part in the worship.  Many profess faith in Christ, and Bro. Joseph has the privilege of baptizing our new brothers and sisters.

Joseph gives message before baptisms

Brother Joseph baptising in Godavary River

Satya is baptised

During the Indian Parliamentary Elections, work seems to slow almost to a standstill, but now that the elections are over, improvements on the two-acre property are underway again. The power lines have been relocated, and the poles situated on the property will soon be removed.  Bro. Joseph and Uncle Prabha give all praise and glory to God for what they are calling a miracle.  Although Uncle Prabha has a friend in the utility company, he said he had his doubts that the power lines would ever be moved without God’s help.  Now the lines have been moved and the “bore-hole” (well) should be drilled by today or tomorrow.  The next phase will be the construction of the boundary wall.  Praise the Lord!!

Geologists checking for water

The lepers were all provided with new shoes this last month in order to help protect their feet from unwarranted damage.  The medical clinic at the leper colony is an ongoing success, and construction of the water tank will soon be completed.  God is continuing to show His love to these precious outcasts of India.

Special shoes for Lepers

New shoes for all

Brother Joseph’s final request to me was that we pray for the “prosperity” of the Island Church, as most of the Islanders are extremely poor.  He also asks that we pray that he will be given the opportunity to preach the gospel on the Telegu language television station as a way to reach many Hindus who would not otherwise hear the gospel.

Thank you all for your continued interest, support and prayer for God’s work in and around Rajahmundry, India.  May God continue to bless you and keep you firm in the faith, and centered in His will.

Brother Gregg

April 2009 Update

April 9, 2009

Hearty spring greetings to all GSH friends and supporters!  Warmer days are here, and Easter is quickly approaching.  When I spoke with Brother Joseph a few days ago, he asked me if the weather was warming up here.  When I told him we had had a few nice days in the 60s and 70s, he informed me that those temperatures would constitute a severe winter in Rajahmundry.  It is now in the low 40s during the day in Rajahmundry (40° Celsius, that is).

God is continuing to do exciting things in India for His glory.  As Brother Joseph told me, “God is so gracious towards GSH Ministries and blessing all the works we are doing which are beyond our ability and strength.”  The story of the “mud” is a great example of how God is working to build the new orphanage/school/church on the GSH property.

As I wrote earlier, Brother Joseph believes it is very important to build a wall around the GSH two-acre parcel outside of Rajahmundry, and we were able to send some funds to begin that project.  However, Bro. Joseph was informed that the land needed to be cleared, filled, and graded before the wall could be built.  Also, the power lines would need to be moved and a “bore hole” drilled so that water would be available for the boundary wall construction.

In order to fill the land to the level of the road so that the water will drain into the surrounding rice paddies during the monsoon season, it was estimated that 1,000 Lorries (dump trucks) of “mud” would be needed at $10 per load.  As you can quickly calculate, it would cost $10,000 just for the fill to be bought and delivered to the property.  Joseph sought the LORD for help and the LORD delivered quickly.

A friend from Bro. Joseph’s school days is now a local politician.  This friend heard of Joseph’s need for “mud” and pulled the necessary strings to allow GSH Ministries to have the “mud” which was being excavated from a nearby reservoir at no cost.  988 Lorries of  lake “mud” later, the GSH property is now cleared, filled and graded at a cost of only $3,000 for the Lorrie, bulldozer, tractor and diesel expenses.

Bringing the Mud

But God was not finished.  Brother Joseph was told by the utility company that it would cost $4,000 to relocate the power lines outside the property.  However, Uncle Prabha “has a friend” at the utility company who worked it out so that the cost will be only $1,700.  Therefore, with the money sent a few months ago for the building of the boundary wall, the land will be cleared, filled and graded, the power lines will be relocated, and a well will be drilled.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

However, God was still not done yet.  The same day that Bro. Joseph called Sister Shawna with the great news about the “mud” and power lines, a large donation was given to GSH Ministries in an amount that will cover the projected cost of building the boundary wall!!!!  We thank God and give Him all the glory.

At this point in time, the power lines need to be relocated and the “bore hole” needs to be drilled before boundary wall construction can commence.  Brother Joseph says that government processes (such as the workings of the utility company) are currently moving slowly because of the impending elections.  Please pray that God will continue to provide the funds for this project and that He will build it according to His plan.

All the children of the GS Home are doing very well.  Sister Sowmya spends much time with the children, teaching them the things of Jesus.  Four of the children from the home have expressed their desires to publicly announce their commitment to follow Jesus through baptism.  Padma D., Sujatha M., Rani N. and Satya C. will be baptized this Sunday during the Easter Service along with some of the JEM Church congregation who were recently saved.  All the children are working hard in school and Padma and Srinu both did very well on their 10th class examinations.

Those living at the leper colony are continuing to enjoy an abundance of “sweet” water, and the water tank will soon be constructed.  A Mr. Satyanarayana, who lives with the lepers as a helper to Lak-shmay-ya was suffering from hydracell and a hernia.  He did not have the money for a surgery and most surgeons were not willing to treat him because he is HIV positive.  One doctor was willing to perform the surgery for $500.  Joseph asked God for help and let the situation be known to some of his friends who are doctors.  Thanks to the Lord’s intervention, a successful surgery was completed for only $110.  As Bro. Joseph says, “Mr. Satyanarayana is very happy and highly thankful to Jesus through the help of GSHM.”

Mr. Satyanarayana with his family

The medical clinic in Vadlamuru is continuing to serve many people in the Lord’s name.  On a typical day, fifty to sixty people come to be helped with minor medical problems.

Brother Joseph is continuing to stay very busy with the building project, JEM Church, the children, Video Ministry, the Island, the lepers and spreading the gospel.  Please keep Bro. Joseph and all those who work with him in your prayers.  As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord this Sunday, please remember all those around the world who Jesus came to save and give life to.  “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

In Christ,

Brother Gregg

March 2009 Update

March 6, 2009

Hearty Greetings to all GSH friends and supporters! Yesterday, at 11pm (Rajahmundry time), I called Bro. Joseph at his home in Mercy Colony.  Not long before I called, he had returned home from the JEM Church where nightly prayer meetings are being held in preparation for Resurrection Day.  More than fifty members of the church are fasting every day after their noon-day meal and meeting at the church each night (except Sunday) for prayer.  Joseph reports that God is continuing to grow the church in faith and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

All of the children and staff of Good Samaritan’s Home are continuing to live in health and activity.  The demands of school take up most of the children’s time. Sister Somya continues to teach God’s word to the children and has also been training a number of the older girls in the knowledge of the Word so that they can be “preachers for the little children.”

Last Sunday night, Joseph and the Video Ministry Team showed the GSH kids a children’s movie called “Hope”.  The children had a popcorn treat during the movie and were quizzed by Joseph at the end.  Prizes handed out by Sister Somya included hair clips, t-shirts, Bibles, and extra popcorn.  I am sure this was a great treat for the children. Unlike many American children, they do not have a television in every room (or ANY room, for that matter) and rarely have the chance to see a movie.

During this time of fasting-prayer before Resurrection Day, Brother Joseph and his team from JEM church have moved the Video Ministry to Sunday nights.  I apologize that I did not quite have the story straight in the last update concerning preparation of a new movie for the video ministry.  If I understand Bro. Joseph correctly, he is in negotiations with a number of companies that can translate an English movie called Esther into Telegu.  I do not know if this movie is the newer movie, “One Night with the King,” or if it is another version of the Esther story.  Joseph said he picked this movie because Esther was an “exemplary woman” of faith and because it shows God’s work and faithfulness to his people.  He will continue to show the “Pilgrim’s Progress” movie, but he believes he needs another movie to show as well (not necessarily on the same night).  Bro. Joseph asks for prayer that God will provide the dubbing of the movie for a reasonable price.

In preparation for the construction of the boundary wall around the two-acre GSH parcel, the land has been “cleaned” and cleared, and the leveling of the ground should be completed this month.  Please continue to pray that God will provide the necessary means to forge ahead with this building project.  “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1a, NIV)

Brother Joseph again sends his thanks to all who are supporting the Widows Ministry in prayer and sponsorship.  He reports that the additional $150 received from American sponsors each month has made all the difference and that the material needs of the widows are now being met.  All the widows are continuing to attend the JEM church.

The “Bore Hole,” also known as a well, was drilled during the month of February at the Leper Colony.  The well-driller was skeptical of the prospects of finding “sweet water” in the area of the leper colony because of the nearby town dump and years of pollution.  However, Bro. Joseph anointed the land with oil and prayed to God to give them good water.  After drilling to a depth of 220 feet, an abundance of “sweet water” was found, and the members of the colony now have a reliable source of healthy water. Praise God for his provision for these precious people!

Bore Hole drilling pipes

The next goal is to construct a larger water tank, fifteen to twenty feet above the ground, and to provide plumbing connections to each dwelling in the colony.  Thanks to the Lord’s provision, the Lepers will soon have indoor plumbing with faucets that can be operated by disfigured hands.

Fresh Sweet Water

Thank you for your continued interest in God’s work in Rajahmundry, India.  Please pray that the Gospel will continue to be proclaimed by Bro. Joseph and his team and that many lives will be transformed to the Glory of God.

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” (Proverbs 19:17, NIV)

God Bless You All,

Gregg Neitsch

February 2009 Update

February 6, 2009

Hearty Greetings (as they say in India) to all GSH friends and supporters! It is now time for our second monthly email update on the activities and needs of GSH Ministries India. I had the pleasure of speaking with Bro. Joseph yesterday at around midnight, his time. I had tried to reach him at a decent hour (9:30 pm in India), but he was not at home because he was working on the video ministry (more about that later). Instead of Bro. Joseph, I was greeted by Uncle Prabha who sends his “Hearty Greetings” to all of us and informed me that they are keeping all of us in their prayers. Brother Joseph let me know that the best time to call him is 11 pm, Rajahmundry time.

All the children and staff of Good Samaritan’s Home are healthy and active. The children are in the midst of preparing for and taking another set of exams. From what I gathered from Bro. Joseph, it appears that the children sit for exams five or six times a year. I am still a bit vague on the details, but it seems the exams vary from Unit Exams (those they are now taking) to Quarterly Exams, to the final Public Exam at the end of the school year. From what I have seen, Indian education, especially at the Esther Axene School, is quite rigorous and demanding.

GSH USA was able to send GSH India $7,000 for the start of a boundary wall around the two-acre parcel. Bro. Joseph estimates the total cost of the wall will be around $9,000, but he is planning to start construction this month with what has been sent. The next goal will be the relocation of the power poles that divide the property so that they will be located outside the new boundary wall. Bro. Joseph was not quite sure what the power company would charge for the relocation of the poles, but he estimates it will cost at least $3,500. As the Lord provides, we will continue to advance towards the completion of this building vision.

Faithful to the charge he has been given by the Lord, Bro. Joseph has been continuing to present the gospel through the Video Ministry on Wednesday nights. He reports that some members of JEM church have been helping him by performing skits after the video to reinforce the gospel message of the video. They have been visiting areas with a mostly Hindu population and have been successful in reaching large audiences. One non-Christian man recently came up to the video team after the presentation and said that it was the best meeting he had ever attended.

Bro. Joseph was not at home when I called the first time because he was editing and translating a movie about Esther that he would like to present during the Video Ministry. Although I am not certain, I believe the movie may be “One Night with the King” that was in our theatres a few years ago. He said that a few inappropriate scenes had to be cut so that the entire audience of children to elderly could watch it. Please continue to pray that these seeds being planted by the Video Ministry will bear fruit, and continue to pray for Jesus’ protection around the team as they travel to tribal areas.

Sister Sowmya has been busy with the Women’s Ministry in the JEM church. God is blessing that ministry and growing the women in His word through the preaching and teaching of the Bible. Sister Sowmya has also been regularly teaching God’s Word to the children and staff of Good Samaritan’s Home. As I observed while visiting last November, Sister Sowmya does not let any grass grow under her feet as she serves in the GSH Ministries and meets needs at Mercy Colony.

During January, the GSH team was able to construct a very large blackboard out of concrete with a smooth black finish for the Island School. Bro. Joseph reports that the school teacher is very pleased with the blackboard, and it is a great aid for her in her duties.

Brother Joseph sends his thanks to all who are supporting the Widows Ministry in prayer and sponsorship. He reports that the ministry currently has the means to meet the basic needs of all the widows who have been promised help. The additional sponsors have taken a great weight from Bro. Joseph’s shoulders.

January 31, 2009 was a special day for the village of Vadlamuru and the Leper Colony. Unbeknownst to me, January 25 was World Leprosy Day. The GSH India Team celebrated the day on the 31st by opening the medical clinic at the Leper Colony and the medical clinic in Vadlamuru. All praise to Jesus who has provided the funds for these projects through willing servants. Dr. Reddi (pronounced red-ee, and I am probably misspelling it) and Bro. Joseph’s brother, Dr. Prabha, were instrumental in setting up both these clinics. A medical practitioner has been hired for each clinic. So far, sixty to seventy people per day of all castes and religions have been served by the Vadlamuru clinic.

The “bore-hole” has not yet been constructed at the Leper Colony as Bro. Joseph hoped it would be. The well driller was not able to come in January, but it looks like he will be able to drill within the next few weeks. They plan to drill to 200 feet and install a submersible pump. The existing wells are very shallow and do not provide reliable water during the summer. Besides that, they are operated by hand pumps which are impossible for some of the lepers to use. The deep well should provide plenty of clean, reliable water for all the lepers at the opening of a valve.

Please pray that God will continue to work through these ministries for His glory and honor. The needs in India and around the world are multitude, but God is working through faithful givers and prayers to cloth and feed the needy, heal the sick, and bring hope to the hopeless. Thank you for your continued support and prayer.

God Bless You All,

Gregg Neitsch

January 2009 Update

Happy New Year to all GSH friends and supporters!  I hope all of you had a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior.

In order to keep our friends and supporters informed and up-to-date on the activities and needs of GSH Ministries India, we have decided to begin a monthly email update.  I have the pleasure and honor of calling Brother Joseph once each month in order to hear the latest news from Rajahmundry and pass it on to all of you.  This month I called Bro. Joseph at 8 a.m., our time (9:30 p.m. Rajahmundry time), and he answered the telephone after one ring.  He quickly informed me that he had just sat down next to the telephone and that it must be God’s timing that I had called when I did.

It appears that Bro. Joseph has been hard at work since the India Team said farewell to him and his brother at the Hyderabad Airport in November.  He has been overseeing the operation of Good Samaritans Home, visiting villages every Wednesday night for the Video Ministry, preaching at the Island, preaching and praying at JEM Church, visiting the Leper’s Colony and conducting some extra-curricular activities, including preaching the Gospel to students at a Medical College.

The Wednesday night Video Ministry continues to be a successful means of reaching many people with the Gospel of Christ.  Brother Joseph, Sister Sowmya, and the Video Ministry Team had a great opportunity to visit an Island located eighteen kilometers off the coast of India in early December.  They showed the videos and gave away Bibles and blankets to a very poor group of Indians.  The entire team spent the night on the island, and God protected them all during this time.

The Video Ministry Team is now planning to expand the presentation to the villagers by including short dramas.  Bro. Joseph believes that a few dramas highlighting the important points of Pilgrims Progress will help drive home the Gospel message and give the audience a better understanding of the video.  He seems very excited to implement this plan and asks us for continued prayer for his Wednesday night treks to tribal areas.

On the 23rd day of December, Bro. Joseph was given the opportunity to share the word of God to the non-Christian community in his neighborhood.  The Esther Axene School (EA School) had a Christmas celebration for all the attending children and their families.  The EA School is the Christian school located on the grounds of Mercy Colony where Bro. Joseph lives with his wife and parents.  The school teaches approximately one thousand children, 90% of whom are from Hindu families.

The 24th day of December was a special day for the children of Good Samaritan’s Home.  That was the day that they celebrated Christmas with skits, dances and feasting.  Bro. Joseph informed me that all the children are very healthy and doing well.  Manasa, the girl who had broken her arm shortly before the India Team arrived in Rajahmundry, has recovered well and has had her cast removed.  All the school age children are working hard this month, preparing for and taking school examinations.

GSH Young Boys Christmas Presentation

Bro. Joseph has been visiting the two acre parcel of land that was recently purchased for the new GS Home and school.  He says that the neighboring villagers have been using the land for sport and grazing, and he hopes we can soon construct a wall around the perimeter of the property.

God continues to work through Bro. Joseph to reach the lost on the Island in the Godavari River.  He preaches every Sunday in the new school building and says that the villagers “are slowly knowing the truth and hearts are changing.”  The GSH India team had a Christmas celebration on the Island on December 25th.  All the Islanders celebrated with the team with feasting, singing and skits.  The school children performed the skit of the prodigal son, and the school teacher was presented with a Christmas gift of a much-needed raise in salary.  Bro. Joseph’s parents, siblings, and siblings’ families also attended as they were all together at Mercy Colony for Christmas.

Island Christmas Feast

When I called him, Bro. Joseph had just returned from visiting the Leper Colony (a dark and dangerous drive across the Godavari River, if I remember correctly).  They had a wonderful Christmas celebration on the 27th of December.  Uncle Prabha was able to join Bro. Joseph, and a meal was provided for all the residents of the colony.  Bro. Joseph said that all had a great time praising the Lord and listening to a Gospel message.

It is Bro. Joseph’s hope that medical help and a solution to the water problem may be provided for the Leper Colony before the end of January.  If you had a chance to attend one of the India Team’s presentations, or if you had a chance to read the India Trip Newsletter, you may remember that many residents of the colony are not able to operate the hand-pumped wells within the compound because their hands have been crippled by the disease.  They asked us to pray that they would be able extend the village pipeline to the colony in order to provide pressurized water that would be accessible to all.  Bro. Joseph has been investigating this plan and has determined that, due to the distance to the nearest village water-main, it will be much cheaper to have a new well dug (they call it a “bore-hole”) and an electric pump installed (I assume a submersible pump).  Besides being a more affordable solution, an electric pump in a new well will provide the residents with 24 hour access to water (except for the inevitable power-outages), while the village water system would provide only one hour per day of water service.

Lepers Celebrating Christmas

While the members of the Leper Colony have been treated for the disease, the effects of the disease are irreversible by man.  Many of the lepers lose fingers and other pieces of their bodies from infection because their wounds are not treated properly.  Bro. Joseph and his team have located a medical practitioner in the area of the Leper Colony who is willing to make regular visits to the colony in order to treat the lepers.  Again, Bro. Joseph hopes to have these visits begin by the end of January.

The JEM Church celebrated Christmas together on December 30th with a service and feast.  Bro. Joseph reports that the church is increasing in spirit, faith and attendees.  Every Sunday sees the inside of the building packed with sweating worshipers, sitting cross-legged (or “Indian style”) on the concrete floor, while many more sit and stand outside the building.  Sister Sowmya has recently started a Women’s discipleship ministry, and forty women are currently attending.

While we continue to ask for prayer for all these ministries, Bro. Joseph has specifically asked for prayer for the Widows Ministry.  All the widows are currently attending JEM Church and growing in faith.  However, Bro. Joseph has not received enough donations lately to cover all the costs of supporting the basic needs of these widows who have no means of supporting themselves.  He would also like to buy them each a new sari, if the Lord provides the funds to do so.

Bro. Joseph also asked that we pray for the opening of a basic needs medical clinic in Uncle Prabha’s home village of Vadlamuru.  We visited the village for the “Vision to the Elderly” campaign during our November trip.  While there, we were able to speak to the village elders about opening a basic medical clinic to treat the minor wounds and illnesses of the villagers in the name of Christ.  The village elders were receptive to this proposal and were told that GSH would try to open the dispensary in December or January.  While traveling ten kilometers to see a doctor may not seems very difficult to us, traveling more than a few miles from the village is a hardship for most of the villagers.  Therefore, many wounds and sicknesses remain untreated.

As you can see, the GSH India team has been very busy and will continue trying to meet some of the physical and spiritual needs of the people of India with God’s help.  Thank you for your continued support and prayer.  God is doing great things in India.

God Bless You All,

Gregg Neitsch