Preparation to prepare

India Update 6 – Preparation to prepare

“Stotirum!” or “Praise the Lord!”

                This month has gone by so fast, and some of this month’s updates were in the last update, so I pray that you are still blessed and encouraged by the Lord’s work here!

                God’s still giving me the opportunity to share at the church, and I’m thankful for learning more about Him by doing so. He’s given me so much grace. This last weekend, He had me share on Galatians 5:13-26, regarding what most would consider “the fruit of the Spirit”. It was neat to see Him touch people’s hearts and lives, encouraging them to step out in faith and seek God more. The pastor seemed to have people tell Him they were impacted. So praise God! Also this month, the body began home fellowships, going to four different places in the local area, concluding with being back at the church this month for the 1^st of the month prayer service(they do it each month). As we move into December, I’m excited for one couple, who were diagnosed with AIDS, but God has been working in them to bring them to Himself. They only come on the first of the month because of the distance and costs to come, but have a church they go to near their home too. The first Sunday in December, I am praying we get to baptize them, as has been their desire the whole time I’ve been here, and even got to explain it to them one Sunday. So please pray they come and receive their baptism in water, but even more importantly in the Holy Spirit!

The orphanage and school have been going well, as the boys finally got moved in completely! The bathrooms were finished, and now they live in the new building, Praise God! So thank you for your prayers! The last testing period, one of the younger boys, Sanjay, got low scores in English and English reading. So God gave me the opportunity to work with him one on one to improve. And by the grace of God, he got all 90’s on the tests he just took! And because of the boys moving in to the new building, by next month he will be in the old living space as his new classroom! The boys cleaned up and painted the rooms fresh, that the building could be used entirely as a classroom, so it’s exciting because they may have a new grade level introduced next school year!

As God is preparing me to leave, I’ve been saddened with having to leave my new friends and family here, although happy to visit back home again. God has blessed me with gifts that I didn’t expect, even physically, as Solomon’s family gave me an outfit known here by the name “safari”. I’m super thankful for their generosity, and even more by being able to be with them for this last six months. But I’m not the only one receiving gifts from the Lord. The boys at the orphanage are getting blessed by my church family at home. They sent some soccer balls, footballs(which I will teach them how to play), and a dodge ball, like from schooling days (Praise God I’ll get to teach them how to play that too!). God is also providing through them to get personal bibles for the boys, to take home when they go, along with mechanical pencils and some swimming shorts. They tend to be mesmerized by the mechanical pencils, and the shorts to have something besides underwear to swim in. I fly out from Chennai on the 12^th, and arrive back in the states on the 13^th. Please pray for a great and safe journey home, with a good debriefing and outreach on the way.

Along with the prayers aforementioned, please pray for the following:

-          Solomon and Clara, and their family – that God would continue to be their strength and rest, keeping them healthy, as there has been much work going on here toward their work for the Kingdom.

-          The children at the orphanage and school – That God would continue to do His work in their hearts, and win them with their families to Christ.

-          The congregation here – that more people would sense and know God’s calling on their lives, and any hindrances be broken/left behind to fulfill His calling

-          The people here in India – that God would continue to remove the blinders Satan has placed on them, so they will see the light of His glorious gospel before Jesus returns and it’s too late.

-          The team to come here from New Mexico in late December – that God would use them powerfully to reach out in the community here locally, and in the city the orphanage is.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support. They mean so much to me, as I can tell people are praying for me and these needs, as the spiritual attack weakens in those times. You are such a blessing, and I pray you get even more blessed as you have sown here in Jesus’ name. May your fruit abound even more through those seeds you have sown into everyone here. God bless you!

Blessings!

Justin

for pics/video, feel free to check out: http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=1613310128

Merry Christmas!

“Praise The Lord!” or “Stotrum!”, as the local believers say for a greeting.

First I want to thank you for your support through prayers, encouragements, emails, packages, cards, finances, and any other way that I can’t think of at the moment. I really appreciate you taking time to read this update as well. I pray you are encouraged, and are exhorted to a new place in faith in Jesus Christ as well as blessed both now and in heaven. Our visitor from the U.S., “Sister Lisa” as the saints here call her, got to visit here after 17 years of praying for God’s work through Solomon here. She was blessed to see the work that God has done. Her first time at the school, the students welcomed her with flowers and a “gauntlet” of kids to walk through in giving them to her. During her visit we got to chat, God providing fellowship with a sister who speaks English and is from the U.S. He used her to refresh me a bit, as she got to share frequently at the school chapel, churches here and be the special guest speaker during the Church 1 year anniversary. The message God gave her was in part with a song: “There is power in the Name of Jesus to break every chain!”. Such a great reminder in the midst of some temptations the enemy had been throwing at me all trip. We also got to go with Solomon and play volleyball with some young guys at the juvenile detention center in Chengalpet. The guys were way blessed to have some people visit, and we laughed and had fun.

The orphanage/school site is continually being improved, as the Lord keeps supplying. At the beginning of my trip, I began praying for the back building to be finished before I leave, and God to supply all the finances (and possibly so have you, as I included that in my prayer requests the first few times). And God has supplied all that has been needed, and the building being almost finished, we have had the dedication, and began moving beds in. Praise Jesus Christ for His faithfulness! The final touches are being done as I write. The dedication was great, as we worshiped the King together, we prayed and anointed the building with oil and water throughout. God provided for a mobile volleyball setup, using some extra posts, old tires, and concrete supplies. So we have been playing volleyball quite a bit as a group! Praise God! God has been blessing my relationships with children at the orphanage. Last week I went to go preach at Solomon’s church, and Sanjay (one of the kids) held onto me and said “I don’t want you to go!”. So God has been showing His love through me, and touching the kids’ hearts. One of the boys, Christopher, had a birthday this month, and he has warmed up to me as well. At the beginning, he was a quiet and reserved “new kid” to the orphanage, and now he initiates fellowship with me, although he doesn’t speak much English. It’s such a blessing to see God break down walls in a child’s heart. We have been swimming in the well in the back (which is not for drinking just in case you are wondering), and having a blast! My mom sent me a care package with some coffee (instant and real – THANKS MOM!) and the kids got to taste some more American candy (like Skittles, Now & Later, Whoppers, Jolly Ranchers, and others) from her package. They were excited! The kids at the school have had their quarterly testing (very important for the kids here in India). The majority in the school did well, and because of a package my friend Jenn Beck sent, the best overall testers got blessed with some putty to play with (since if you study hard, you should be able to play some, right?). So God has been blessing the kids as well as me with the packages sent!

The Youth have been able to lead worship at the church, and God’s continued opening the doors for me to preach, even though I’ve made a few mistakes. Praise God for His opportunities to confess, forsake and continue following after Him! And He’s been strengthening me against the attacks of the devil, as all trip I was fearing the enemy. The Lord has helped me in so many ways, and one of the main verses He’s had me commit to memory has been Psalm 27:1-3, which states:

“The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life. Who shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear. Though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.”

So praise God He’s been working it all out for His glory!

I could still use a prayer covering for continuing to overcome the enemy’s temptations. And please pray for an easy and blessed “re-entry” as I come back to the states in a little over one month. I have been planning to come back to India again after my 2 month requirement out of country has been fulfilled, and I want to be lead by the Lord in what He wants me to do next. So please pray for His direction for me, and for provision to do what He wants me to do as well. He’s already provided around $2000 for my next trip, and I’m excited to see Him provide the rest. Beyond my own requests, please join me in prayer for the following:

- Solomon and his family to be refreshed and their gifts to continue coming out in the power of the Holy Spirit, to minister to the congregation, staff and kids as well.

- The needs of the church, school and orphanage to be met this and next month – as they do many outreaches in the area (including 70 widows they give gifts to each year, on top of the places they reach out already.

- God to continue to show His love through me to the students of the school, staff, and kids here at the kids’ home.

- For the believers at Solomon’s church – that they would be edified and exhorted to serve God without reservation in areas of their gifting, and that God would provide the comfort they need in every area of their lives.

- The boys at the juvenile detention center, that they would see the love of Christ every time we even set foot on the property, and that the Lord would break down walls and chains in their lives that the enemy has held them captive with over the years.

for more photos, see:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1613310128&sk=photos

India Update 4

September 25, 2011(written on September 13th mainly)

Praise the Lord!

                He’s been faithful to keep me here in India! This last month has gone well. The Lord opened up an opportunity to attend what is called an India Network Meeting, which is to “pray-nstorm”(like brainstorming, but with God’s heart through prayer, instead of our own minds) on how to reach India better, with other people involved in outreach here directly or indirectly. He’s also had me hang out with some pastors from Sri Lanka, and see what their outreach looks like here in India. And, as I write, the Lord got me here safely to Bangalore to see a friend who just had part of his leg amputated.

                The India Network Meeting went well. The Lord had me come to Bangalore with Solomon, and we had a great time connecting with others involved in outreach here, even more so was the fellowship of people from around the globe and in India. The Lord spoke through the gentlemen who led devotions, and even our prayer time was such a blessing! We prayed together for India and the meetings, and FOR each other in smaller groups. It was such a blessing to receive prayer from my brothers here, and an honor to pray for them as well! God helped free me from some of the spiritual attacks that have been going on, and is continuing to do that! Praise the Lord! And I believe God gave the group a little direction in connecting with other parts of His body here in India as well!

India Networkers

                God allowed me to go and see the Sri Lankan outreach too, as my hopes had been shot down to go with them at first, God restored the opportunity. And He truly blessed me in getting to go on what my brother Harim dubbed “the official Indian harbor cruise” from Andhra Pradesh to a small island off the coast. There the Sri Lankan outreach has been able to establish a school, by the grace of God, and rent a house from the village leader, which they are praying will open up doors to share what has been considered the “unable to be shared” at this point. The Lord had us pray for a few churches in the area too, as they also reach out to Sri Lankan refugees.

Sagar, Sam, and I

                And as I write, God was faithful to take me to Bangalore and have the opportunity to see my friend, Atma Ram, who I’ve done outreaches with in the past. He had toes, and then the bottom part of his leg removed, but the doctors tried and couldn’t keep his pulse up because of his weakened heart. He ended up passing away on September 14, 2011. Although this has occurred, God’s timing for me to be here in India as a whole is perfect! To have been able to encourage a man of God in their time of need is such a great opportunity, and even more so as they are a friend and family member of the body of Christ! God has provided all, even for me to go back and “celebrate” God’s gift of Atma’s friendship(along with some mentorship) to me, with his son Jeshu and daughter Joy(Mark, Joy’s husband was there too). Praise God He provided for them to come from the states. It was great to share and hear what God did through Atma and Molly (Atma’s wife that passed a few years back) in peoples’ lives in their physical family, and spiritual family. The Lord truly blessed me with knowing them both, not to mention Jeshu, Mark, and Joy. They have each been such a blessing to me in ministry, and even more as friends.

picture of "Bishop" from 2007 outreach

                God has also opened the doors for me to attend a few Christian weddings here as well. This one, my first Indian Wedding, was spectator only. That was for a Sri Lankan couple, who plan to live in the U.K., as the husband is working there currently. Shanger and Sulax were married on September 7,2011. Then, on September 15, 2011, Nithya (one of the teachers at the school) had invited me to her wedding. Both were a blessing, as they were Christian Weddings. Afterward they had some good biryani(special rice dish with lots of spices and meat or vegetables, which is common for weddings and special get  togethers). Praise the Lord for the native cuisine and special occasions!

Shanger and Sulax

                Thank You for all of Your prayers and support. They definitely are helpful, and go along way. As You pray for the people here and myself, please pray for:

-          India to continue to be freed from bondage of idolatry, and be healed so they can see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ.

-          The Refugees from the Sri Lankan Civil War(which ended a few years ago) who are still here in Tamilnadu, to know Jesus intimately and for them to know His provision as a whole.

-          Jeshu and Teresa, Joy and Mark (I use Atma’s childrens’ names first), and all others who knew him, whether family or friends to receive comfort regarding his passing.

-          Shanger and Sulax (for the wife’s visa to get approved quickly so they can be together in the U.K.

-          Nithya and her husband to have all of their provisions for their house and life together.

-          Solomon and Clara(his wife), Irene and Graham(his children) to be refreshed in-between visitors, and intimacy to be continually renewed as a family.

-          Solomon and all his extended family as well for comfort, as Solomon’s brother Immanuel- a.k.a.:“Raja” just passed away.

-          Me – that God would continue to protect my mind from the temptations and deceit the enemy has been throwing at me since I’ve been here regarding God’s power and authority in my life.

                Thank You for your continued prayer support as well. I pray you are blessed, and would enjoy seeing some requests from you as well. Praise the Lord!

God bless ya!
        Justin

"Harbor Cruise" video

Greetings!
                This month, the Lord has done more work in my heart, than in the people here I think. Nevertheless, His grace has been sufficient. Besides, the prayers I asked for in the last update are being answered through the challenges. In fact, today I was encouraged by 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which state:

                “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

                This is the work God has been doing in my heart as I’ve been challenged, even in my faith in Him. He has been so faithful in keeping me in His steadfast love, and continually renewing my strength. He’s been so good to me. I’m thankful for His gift of life!

                His work in the people here has been low profile this last month, as both the pastor here and I were concerned over drawing too much attention to myself. However, significant victories have been won by our King! One of them was at the school, where a little girl used a razor from a pencil sharpener to cut a boy’s arm. Well, after school, the girl’s dad came, and got upset as he claimed that the marks on the girl’s neck were caused by the boy. He went home after being very apparently angry. The staff and teachers, along with myself, went into one of the rooms and sang some praises to our Lord Jesus! We had a word of prayer and then both parents came back to talk some more. Since I didn’t know the language, and couldn’t really understand what was being said, the Lord led me to pray while outside with them. As I did, I could see the atmosphere go from elevated down to a peaceful conversation. And the truth came out in the end with a victory in Christ’s wonderful name!

                Among Christ’s victories at the school have been some headaches taken away, fevers, and teachers (along with staff) asking me openly to pray for them. God’s good! Although it is a Christian-based school, there are some non-believers that attend. So it’s been a great opportunity as well to teach them some songs for their morning set of worship and prayer before school begins.

                The Lord had me teach some slang to people at the church, which has helped in communication a little, and made me feel at home! Now I can say, “What’s up bro?” to the youth, and get a reply from them. And I heard the pastor even say one of the phrases at the pulpit, which I don’t believe was planned! Talk about fun! To my list of favorites to teach them were, “Let’s grub down!”, “My bad…”, and my top favorite, “Shady gangster!”. Praise God that he has a sense of humor, as my favorite to hear them say was “Shady gangster!”.

                The Lord was gracious enough as well to get me a few days of rest in Bangalore with the people I spent my first week with in India this time around. It was a blessing to get to visit them, and to see many pastors from the 4 square Indian church. We even had a few special guests including the 4 square president Glenn Burris, and FMI director Jim Scott. It was a blessing to see those two gentlemen as well, and laugh with them a bit (including Jim’s messing with me about being an “intern”, which was mainly jokes about slave labor). But this time was refreshing, not only spiritually, as we got fed the word, but also physically, as the weather was significantly cooler (like going from Blythe to San Diego). Plus, I got to get some real coffee! (For those of you that don’t know what it’s like being out of the country this long, some of your favorite items become a real special treat!)

                Along with some fun and stories in this letter, I still need your prayers, as that is the way God breaks down strongholds of the enemy in others’ lives, and makes things happen. So please pray:

-          For Solomon and family, that God would continue to pour out His Spirit upon them, and cause all of the family to flow in their gifting, and protection from the enemy’s attacks.

-          For the finances and construction of the east wing (future orphanage site) to be completed before I go.

-          For me, that God would continue to protect me and fill me up daily through His Word, with the Holy Spirit, and answer prayers.

                        -     For the kids at the orphanage and school to be touched by Jesus’ love daily, and
                            for Jesus’ protection to be on them at home and everywhere they go.



                             Above is my first attempt at a video/slideshow update. If you have any suggestions on how to improve that or this update, please let me know! Thanks and God bless!

What up 2

Stotirum(Praise the Lord)!

Seeing as though I’ve relied on writing in the past, or emailing, to communicate all of the things God has been doing, it has been on my heart to communicate it through video instead. But as I prepare it, here is my update, and thanks for being interested in God’s work in my life!

Praise God He’s had me here for a month now, and this has been a time of acclimating to the physical AND spiritual climate here. He’s been doing a great work in my heart, and also in those around me. I thank Him for His grace and His love that continues daily.

The first week I was blessed in meeting the area workers for South Asia. They and their children were a great welcoming committee back to India. While in Bangalore with them, I got to meet some pastors, and share with the local congregation why God has laid India on my heart. I was so encouraged as they prayed me out to my time of service in Tamilnadu. The Lord also blessed me in getting to visit with some of my family(or contacts) here from past trips and pray with them for the circumstances in their lives.

Then I was off to Chennai, where God has been moving powerfully. Pastor Solomon and His wife Clara (who just turned 40) have been so hospitable and willing to meet any need that I have. I am truly blessed by them. As God opened the door to preach in their congregation, He also provided some insight into some suffering that 3 people were going through. So 3 (formerly) hindu aids patients got saved, and one person for sure (of 3 people) got healed of back pain. Praise the King!

Since that time, God has opened the door to share music in classrooms at the Lighthouse School(part of pastor Solomon and Clara’s work), instruct the teachers in how to speak English a bit better, and sharing at the Lighthouse Children’s Home(also part of Solomon and Clara’s work) church service where the kids all raised their hands to accept Jesus my first week! This last week was a blessing to one of the kids, and Tom (one of the overseers of the Kids’ home) got healed of back pain as well! Praise God for His faithfulness to touch people’s lives and confirm His word!

As I’ve been acclimating to the physical heat (around 95 degrees Fahrenheit with at least 30 percent humidity), God’s also been working out the kinks in my heart and mind spiritually, strengthening me in weaknesses through repenting of sins and renouncing any spiritual influences I’ve allowed in my life from the past. He’s been healing my heart through confession and forgiveness. He’s also been strengthening my mind as I have been tested daily with attacks of the enemy on my salvation and righteousness while I go out into town. Praise God for His helmet of Salvation and breastplate of righteousness that He’s been faithful to remind me of each time I find myself battling the enemy.

So I am still in need of your prayers as God continues to move here. Please pray for those I am with and myself. However the Lord leads you is great, but here is some direction as well:
- pray for the leaders of the workers I am with: pastor Solomon, his family, staff and church that God would continue to bless their work and bring people to salvation in Christ Jesus
- For the Children’s home and School, that God would continue to impact their lives as I am there to be a blessing
- For me, that God would continue to reveal His grace and further establish and strengthen my heart and mind in His peace and His grace.
- For my work, that as He has provided over and abundantly for this first 6 months, He would provide for the next six months as well the $5000 I need to return after a brief 2-month visit back to the states

Thank you very much for all of your prayers and support both financially and emotionally. I am blessed to be in this work with you, and have you in this work with me. I pray God will continue to touch your heart and draw you nearer to Himself daily. God bless you (Karthur Oongale Asirvedupaar)!

In His love,
Justin

Mission Indescribable

As I listened to my friend, I was surprised at how much courage she had to face her grandma’s death, and begin the grieving process. It was when she was showing me gratitude for listening, that God opened my eyes to what all He has brought me through concerning my dad’s passing. In the last two years of being back in Blythe, God has brought much healing to my family and I, and has begun a new chapter in my life specifically (not to mention theirs). By God’s grace, He’s plugged me into a ministry here in town, drawn a close friend back to Himself, ministered to my friend Stefanie (mentioned above), and much more while preparing me to go back out on the mission field.

As they were lead, the church family here sent me to Missions training with Foursquare Missions International (FMI), the denomination's sending organization. As the Lord had FMI accept me to be a missionary, He's also opened the doors to serve at an orphanage in a South Asian city. Since being accepted, He's provided my friend and brother in the Lord, Biju, who has been willing to teach me some of the local language of that region. God has also brought in some finances – approximately $1000 so far. The Lord has also been faithful to put me on many people’s hearts to pray, encourage, and exhort me during this trip.

The initial commitment for this ministry is for 6 months, and upon review, possibly another 6-month term, after a 2-month visa trip back here to the states. There are 22 boys and 2 girls at the orphanage, ages 7 to 17. What the Lord has laid on my heart is to serve however possible, including: cooking, cleaning, spending time with the kids, evangelism with the local church, and anything I can contribute in building up the body of Christ there as well(i.e.- bible study, preaching, etc.)
So God is on the move. As I prepare to move with Him, I ask for your prayers. Will you join me in praying for the following or consider contributing to this ministry by praying for and/or prayerfully giving to one of the following needs:
- clear, concise, and effective communication with FMI
- an estimate of $4,500 needed by June 1, and $9,000 total over the next year:
- tax deductible donations can be made online at
http://give.foursquare.org/justin or be sent to: Blythe Foursquare Church, 361 N.
Lovekin Blvd., Blythe, CA 92225 with “Justin's Mission" in the memo
- continued clarity in the Lord's direction and guidance concerning my trip - items to give the children, that they would enjoy: suggestions being backpacks, t-shirts and shorts