April 2010 Update
April 6, 2010
Hearty Spring greetings to all GSH friends and supporters! Spring has been battling Old Man Winter around here lately, while summer is in full swing in Rajahmundry, meaning temperatures in the mid to high 90s with extreme humidity.
God is continuing to work through His people in and around Rajahmundry. I was able to speak with Bro. Joseph on the telephone today and he related the following news to me:
Prayer Request for Uncle Prabha:
I called Bro. Joseph at 11:30 pm his time and he informed that he had just returned home from the hospital. Uncle Prabha had a kidney stone that was removed last week at the hospital. It appears that he was put under general anesthesia for this routine procedure. However, upon waking from the anesthesia, Uncle Prabha had trouble breathing and was close to death before he was put into ICU on a ventilator. He spent almost a week in ICU and only today was able to breath on his own. Now in the general hospital area, Uncle Prabha is slowly recovering and needs continued prayer support. Please take time to pray for a full recovery for Uncle Prabha to the glory of God.
New baby due SOON:
Brother Joseph says that Sister Sowmya is due to give birth to their first child any day now. Please pray for continued strength for Sister Sowmya, the health of the baby, and a safe delivery without any complications. Thank you for keeping her in your prayers. God has been answering them by giving her a relief from the anemia she was suffering earlier.
Jesus Prayer House (JPH):
JPH is continuing to grow as the gospel message is preached and the church continues to pray for their city. Seven new children of God were baptized in the early hours of the morning on Resurrection Sunday. The church is also continuing to see a response from the television broadcasts of the gospel message. Bro. Joseph had a busy day Sunday as follows:
1. Early morning (7 am?) baptisms.
2. 8 a.m. service at the original JPH building near the quarry.
3. 11:30-1:30 service at the large hall.
4. 2:00-2:30 television broadcast, followed by questions and answers.
5. 4:30-6pm service at the Island Church.
6. 6:30-9pm second service at the large hall.
Island on Godavari River:
Thank you for your continued prayer for the Island. The opposition from the Hindu leaders that Bro. Joseph was experiencing during the winter has subsided. God is slowly growing the Island church as He overcomes the ignorance and alcoholism that is prevalent on the Island. One of the Islanders’ fishing boats recently was lost, greatly hurting their ability to make an income from fishing the Godavari. GSH used this opportunity to help pay for a portion of the cost of a new boat in the name of Jesus. Please continue to pray that God will overcome the spiritual opposition to Christ on the Island.
Boundary Wall & New Land:
GSH was given the opportunity to purchase the one-acre parcel of land adjacent to the previously purchased 2-acre parcel. The purchase of this parcel not only gives GSH more room for future use, but helps to protect the land from noxious neighbors; the one-acre parcel was an ideal site for a noisy, traffic-increasing, diesel-fume emitting petrol station. The owner of the one-acre parcel approached Uncle Prabha while the boundary wall was under construction with an offer to sell. Uncle Prabha wisely declined his initial offer and indicated that GSH was not interested in more land. However, the owner repeatedly approached Uncle Prabha with lower offers until the deal was almost too good to be true. After prayer and consideration, GSH purchased the one acre.
As a result of this purchase, the GSH land is now bordered by the village on one side, a two-lane highway on another side, and government-owned agricultural land on the other two sides. The boundary wall has been completed on two sides of the property, and construction has been halted until enough funds are raised to complete the other two sides (the purchase of the additional land used the remaining boundary wall funds).
Medical Clinic in Vadlamuru:
The medical clinic in Vadlamuru has been treating many cases of dehydration. Most of the patients have been older women who are more susceptible to dehydration as they work in the rice fields during this time of extreme heat and humidity.
Children of GSH Home:
All the children are healthy and continuing to do well in school while preparing for and taking state exams. Thank you for your support to help give these kids a home where they can receive a good education, full bellies, and, most importantly, knowledge of our Creator.
Bro. Joseph’s U.S. Visit:
Brother Joseph is scheduled to visit our area in September. The tentative plan is that he will be here from September 8th through the 27th. We are looking forward to his visit and praying that God will use the trip to glorify His name as people are made aware of what He is doing in and around Rajahmundry, India. As Bro. Joseph’s schedule is solidified, we will keep you updated.
Thank you again for your faithful prayers and support in the Lord’s work in and around Rajahmundry.
God bless you,
Brother Gregg
