India Update - Feb 2014

I begin this update on this the last day of February with a quotation by Henry Martyn – missionary to India some decades ago. He said : “ Let me labour for 50 years amidst scorn and never see one soul converted … the Lord Jesus who controls all events is my Friend, my Master, my God, my All. “  On reading this it is obvious that he embarked upon his work with his eyes wide open to the possibility of not seeing the success he hoped and longed for. His life and ministry was characterized by grit, determination and perserverance. He stuck to his task – knowing it is the Lord and Him alone who can save, heal, deliver and transform.

Sticking to the  task  is a very important aspect of our ministry here. In any pioneering situation where success cannot be guaranteed, and discouragement can so easily set in  – stickability  is called for. It’s a matter of knuckling down and toughing it out. Looking at the bigger picture takes on new dimensions. That the harvest will come in God’s time, that you may be opening up a new frontier where someone else will arrive and take it to the next level –  are real possibilities. The Lord of the harvest brings forth the harvest in the most surprising and unexpected ways. This is what makes the MISSIO DEI ( Mission of God ) very exciting and satisfying.

Thank you for praying for our Fellowship Dinner on the 14th Feb. It was a wonderful evening. The Lord was with us in a real way and in His presence there was exceeding joy. Food and fellowship was great. It’s always great when curry and rice is on the menu !!!! The response was very good and we have so much to be grateful for. As a result of this – a couples weekend away is being mooted. Pray with us as we trust God to enrich our marriages and family life.

Our intercessory prayer group reconvened after the winter break. We bought some new chairs for our meetings on a Thursday evening in our home – and last night all the new chairs were filled with people. It was heartening to see. This is a very important aspect of our ministry here. We have reason to believe that if our work is not backed up by fervent intercessory prayer – the battle as well as the war would be lost. Pray that God will keep us faithful in prayer.

Praise the Lord for what He is doing in the village where we are seeking to plant the Gospel. On the 19th Feb we had the opportunity of holding a cottage meeting there. We sang our bhajans ( songs ), we prayed and again we were treated to a sumptuous meal – curry and rice again !!! Praise the Lord for this important breakthrough. The village has been ( and still is ) saturated with prayer and we are seeing our Lord coming through for us. Pray for a rich harvest and lasting fruit.

The Sunday morning aspect of our ministry is also very encouraging as we see a few more people joining us. Our vision is to see a church emerge in this location. At present we are the only Christian witness in the area. Pray for consistency and perseverance as we trust God for great things.

Life is a bit lonely as Vivienne is away in Cape Town taking care of her mother. Pray that the Lord will give her added strength as she attends to various things in this regard. My all round skills ( culinary and others ) are coming to the fore as I hold the fort here. I am encouraged by our neighbours who are keeping an eye on me – in more ways than one. Please remember my mother in law ( Mrs Olive Carelse ) in prayer. And pray that God will meet all our needs especially at a time such as this.

Thank you for your prayers, emails, smses and messages of encouragement. Your partnership in the Gospel is greatly appreciated. Let me end with a quotation by a man by the name of Jon Acuff. He said : “ Next time you feel unqualified to be used by God remember this: He tends to recruit from the pit, not the pedestal. “

May God use you in your own way, in your own context  and with your unique skills, expertise and experience. And may He bless you with uncommon favour as together we seek to reach the LAST, the LEAST and the LOST.

Keep looking up !!!

With warmest Christian greetings

Ed & Vivienne Moses