HIMALAYA HARVEST NEWS
April, May, June, 2001

www.himalaya-mission.com

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them". Luke 9:22

This was another season of several miracles and rich harvest in most of our stations.

We received news from Udhampur that just within the past three months, twelve more new people joined the Church. One Hindu family among them had no children. They had been longing to have a child for almost four years before they came to the church. They gave their lives to Jesus early in February and trusted that Jesus would do a miracle for them. On March 2, the wife attended one of the home meetings and at the end, poured out her heart before God with great travail crying before the Lord for a baby. God's saints prayed for her and to their surprise when they went to a doctor a few days later they were told that she is pregnant! The following Sunday, she came with her husband and testified of the miracle. Both boldly insisted they wanted to take water baptism. Another family who did not have a child for the past 16 years of marriage heard their testimony and now believe God for a similar miracle in their lives. Pastor Santosh later learnt that this couple served as Hindu priest and Worship at Union Church, Udhampur priestess in a Hindu temple and had been pleading with the deities for a child. But when they heard that their neighbour's wife was conceived after prayer to Jesus, the woman decided that she would follow Jesus. She shared in the church her testimony and said, "Whether Jesus gives me a child or not, I will still follow Jesus till the end of my life." Praise God for these miracles!

Sunday worship in Union Church, Udhampur

Shimona Thomas continues to takes care of the women's ministry and youth ministry at Union Church. Twice a month many old and young people get together in a house and pray the whole night seeking for a revival in the church and in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The youth is now spending more time before God in prayer.

Another great and exciting news is that Pastor Santosh Thomas is now being invited to many government, and army schools to share with the students about basic moral values, integrity, discipline and character. He proclaims these things clearly from the word of God by quoting verses from the Bible. Children staff and management sit and listen in great awe. Seven new mission field have been reopened in J&K in the last few months. The stations are Doda, Batote, Billawar, Jhajjar Kotli, Jyotipur, Bari-Brahmana and Sopore. We already had work in some of these places in the past. They continue to get exciting reports of openness to the gospel where they go. In one village, the head of the village approached Pastor Santosh asking him to open a mission school there. They said they would provide the rooms for school! They started a school there in May this year with 15 students. In their feeding programs, over 2000 street children were fed in the past 6 months. Many of them had not eaten a good meal in their life time.

Qadar Masih reports from Garhi that one day a family came from 60 Kms away to his house. The woman was suffering due to evil spirits. She would neither eat food nor drink water. When pastor Qadar started praying for her, she started crying and wailing so loudly that it looked she would be dying very soon. But after half an hour the evil spirit left her and she lay unconscious for 2 hours. Later she woke up and ate food and spent the night with them and left for their home the next morning praising God! In another incident a young man and father of very young children was on the verge of committing suicide due to family problems. But when Qadar counseled him from the Word of God, he was convicted and he repented from his sins. He immediately took water baptism and has committed his life to serve the Lord. A young named Raju, from a Muslim family, was suffering from a chest disease. They prayed for him and the Lord healed him. Now Raju and his whole family believe in Jesus.

Randeep and his wife Anu write of exciting things happening in Kinnour valley. They report to have established 12 churches. Pastor Randeep has trained and established 16 pastors who work with him daily to see that many people come to know the Lord Jesus. Randeep and Anu have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl this year! Both the mother and the child are healthy. Pray for them and their work in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. Jinson Varghese continues his good work in Nalagarh.

Niameth Masih reports from Bathinda that one family and three other people got saved. A blind woman got healed after prayer. A drug addict was also delivered when he accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour. Binaymeen reports from Jaura Chhatran that 8 people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and a demon possessed man was set free in the name of Jesus. A couple who were married for some years were unable to have any children. Pastor Binaymeen prayed for the family and they are expecting a child. Four women were suffering from various sicknesses were also healed after prayer. Mukhtar Masih reports from Thariwal that they are now sharing the gospel in a new place where there are no Christians. There are about 50 families in this new village. Recently they prayed for a demon-possessed woman. She was set free in the name of Jesus. Nineteen people have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and some of them are even ready for water baptism. Pray for them. Surjit Masih reports from Kahnuwan that a family has accepted Jesus as their Saviour and they regularly come to the worship. Another family that does not have children is coming in hope that God would bless them with a child. Surjit and his church are praying for them. Yaqub J. Mall reports from Modal Town Dhariwal that three gospel meetings were held in his area. Many attended the meetings and received blessings. Pastor Santosh Thomas and a few guests shared from the Word of God in these meetings.

Sister Raj reports from Batala that a boy was severely sick in a near by village. The parents of the boy called them to pray and therefore they went and prayed for him in the name of Jesus. The next morning they heard that the boy was healed. In another family a demon-possessed woman was set free after they fasted and prayed. A Sikh family asked them to pray for their family to be set free from influence of the evil spirits. The Lord set them free when Sister Raj and her husband Madan prayed for them. Sadiq Masih reports from Bakshiwal that many people got healed when they prayed for the sick in the name of Jesus. Among those healed was a man bitten by snake. A woman suffering from arthritis was healed. A demon-possessed woman was set free. A man suffering from severe stomachache was also healed. Besides this, 8 people accepted Jesus as their Saviour. Retd. Capt. Yousaf reports from Dadwan that a gospel meeting was held in their village in which pastor Santosh Thomas and a few guests came and shared from the Word of God. People gathered in large number. Many people were healed and 26 people fully committed their lives to the Lord. He reports he has been regularly sharing the gospel with the people in his station. Eight people accepted Jesus as their Saviour. God miraculously healed people suffering from different sicknesses. Among those healed was a woman suffering from severe headache. The headache would be so severe that she would just become unconscious. But when Yousaf and his team prayed for her, God healed her instantly. After 10 minutes, they could see her moving and doing her household chores. A man suffering from paralysis also got healed. A woman who suffered many miscarriages was completely healed. Two women suffered from bad dreams during the night were also healed. Last year Yousaf's son had met with an accident and had badly fractured bones. Presently his son needs another surgery due to enlargement of one of the bones. Please pray for his son.

Dilip Kumar Bagh reports from Jagdishpur that some Hindu fanatic people are preaching against Christianity. In spite of opposition they distributed many hundreds of gospel tracts in a nearby fair where Hindus gathered in large numbers. Some people had been showing good response to the gospel. Thus 5 people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and took water baptism. Thesedays a group of people regularly visit their house to hear more about Jesus. Pray for these new people as well for Dilip's wife Loutika Bagh who is not keeping good health. Here in Union Church Gorakhpur, five people took water baptism. Among them Vijaylakshmi who comes from an orthodox Hindu family of Omprakash's village was a great challenge and blessing.

Jai Prakash reports from Akelwa that a man suffering from fits was healed when the church got together and prayed for him. Two sisters came to their church and they were suffering from different sicknesses. When the church prayed for them, they got healed. They went back to their village and told their people about Jesus. Thus the whole village is evangelized and many believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition to this, two people were set free from demons. Seven new people took water baptism and many others are ready to fulfill Lord's commandment.

Vijay Lakshmi taking baptism at Gorakhpur

Jagdish Prasad reports from Bisalpur that the employees of post office in his area who were once his friends have now become his enemies due to Christ. They threaten him not to preach foreign religion. Besides this they do not even deliver his mail properly. Biju Zachariah reports from Amila that the people are not receptive to the gospel. In fact they are quite indifferent to the gospel. Some Hindu fanatic groups are working against the Christians and propagating message against the gospel. They accuse him saying that he is working for foreigners and foreign money. Therefore the people are prejudiced against the gospel. These days he is concentrating on building relationships with the people. Ruel Hansda reports that his opponents asked him to withdraw his case against them. Since he refused to comply with their wishes, the opponents are threatening to beat and even to kill him. One day one of them took a brick to hit him so that he would die but he was saved miraculously. Brother Ruel and his wife live in the midst of stiff animosity in Siswa Bazar. Sometimes they are even discouraged in their hearts. These days they are unable to openly preach the gospel. His opponents, if they see him distributing tracts, they threaten to beat him again or else get him beaten. Thus the gospel work has slowed down. Some people are ready for water baptism but Ruel is unable to give baptism due to prevailing unfavourable atmosphere. On the other hand some of the new believers are unable to cope with the difficulties since the time they got saved. His wife Mrinalini does not keep good health these days. He is also not keeping good health. Pray for the well being of this family that has stood firm for the Lord under severe conditions. Meanwhile, Hari Bansh reports from Mau that a man who had become deaf was able once again hear when he prayed for him.

Satyen Biswakarma reports from Sidharthnagar that one day while he was distributing tracts a young man took them and tore into pieces. Afterwards he threatened him neither to preach the gospel nor to distribute the tracts. But God gave brother courage to continue distributing the tracts among the other people. These days the parents of the children who were attending their Sunday school also are forbidding their children to attend their programs. He reports another incident where he was sharing the gospel among the "Nirankari Group" and "Jay-Guru-Dev" group. When he began preaching the Word of God among them, some of the women came over to him and tried to touch his feet thinking he was a saint. But brother Satyen stopped them and shared about Jesus Christ. Joseph Peter and Taranjit Narzary report from Khalilabad that they conducted gospel meetings in places called Sukha Panthi and Malurna where people had gathered in large number. Many people received the Word of God and believed in Jesus Christ. Many were healed when they prayed for the sick. Some of them now regularly come to the worship and other fellowship meetings.

M.M. Varghese reports from Hardwar that he too faces much opposition against the gospel work. One day he was going to a village called Motichur when suddenly five people riding on three motorbikes surrounded him and threatened him to kill if preached in their holy city of Hindus. One of them even tried to hit but by that time some people had gathered around them and those people fled away. Later one of the local people told him that some people were even making plans to kill and that he should be careful while going alone. Nevertheless he continues to share the gospel. Two people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and took decision to take water baptism. Pastor Varghese and his wife Jolly continue to visit the near by hospital. Many sick people requested to pray for them. All of them are feeling better after prayer. There are some secret believers too. They have been having prayer meetings in their house, but they fear disclosing their faith in Jesus to their society. Subhash Setia reports from Medhawal that two Bible college graduates are doing vacation ministry with him. They all go out together for outreach. Many people readily accepted gospel tracts from him. Two new people accepted Jesus as their Saviour. They have cottage prayer meeting twice a week. Many children also come to the Sunday school.

Pravin Singh reports from Khatima that they now have a small place of worship. Believers come and pray together for a few hours in the morning. God is doing miracles since the time they have started fasting and prayer. They go from village to village and share the gospel. However many Hindu fanatic groups are working against them. Some of the believers are living in fear due to their evil intentions. Brother Pravin reports that God is doing great wonders and miracles through an illiterate and poor believer in his church. Similar miracles and wonders are being done through another believer who has a stammering tongue. Meanwhile Issac Daniel reports from Nainbagh that many Hindu fanatic groups of people are preaching against Christianity. When he goes for outreach, even before he shares the gospel people rise against him and refuse to hear the gospel. In spite of these problems he continues to spread the gospel of Christ among the unreached peoples.

Pannalal Soren reports from Raniganj that five new people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and 2 people took water baptism and stood firm for the Lord. He shares as they do not have any proper place of worship they meet in a believer's house for their Sunday worship and other meetings during the week. Johan Besra reports from Falka Bazar that many people are responding to the gospel. Some of have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and even getting ready for water baptism. Rajender Kumar reports from Bagaha that some people used to stand against him when he used to go for outreach work. He prayed for them and now they are not opposing him much. He conducts prayer meetings in three places in and around his village. Timothy Hansda reports from Budhnagar that 12 new people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and took water baptism and have come into the fold of Christ.

Wilson Hembrom and Silas Rangmo report from Harnatand that a child in a family was sick. The parents took the child to doctors, but it was of no use. Finally they came to brother Wilson and Silas requesting them to pray for the child. God miraculously healed the child instantly. Now the parents believe in the Lord Jesus. Both brother Wilson and Silas have decided to fast and pray three days in a month this year to see greater things happening in their ministry. They report that they live in robber infested area. One night somebody banged on their door and tried to get inside their house. They felt that people were trying to force inside their house to harm them. But while they prayed, the noise died and the people left.

New Believers at Harnatand

Harun Kisku faces opposition from a Hindu fanatic group in Sahebganj. He shares that his wife is not keeping good health. She is suffering from sickness in her chest. In spite of problems in field and family he continues to share the gospel. He requests prayers for his ministry and his wife who is not keeping good health nowadays. V.P. Johny reports from Marhowarah that they continue to share the gospel in their field. Over 20 people received Jesus as their Saviour. Work among the children is also going on well. Hanok Hansda reports from Dumar that ten new people have accepted Jesus as their Saviour. They were all getting ready for water baptism but some Hindu fanatic groups have been threatening and discouraging them from taking water baptism. Therefore the baptism program has been postponed for some other time.

Shobhelal Pateh reports from Gondia that a woman suffering due to the influence of the evil spirit and leprosy came to them for prayer. She is now relieved from her sicknesses. A 35-year-old man was in insane condition and bound by chains for 45 days was brought to them for prayer. After they prayed for him, he became absolutely normal. He is no more in chains now. U.B. Kutre reports from Tirora that 7 people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and took water baptism and many others were healed from various sicknesses. Ravi Kumar Pateh reports from Khairbandha that 19 people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and took water baptism. Besides this, many others got healed from various sickness. G. R. Mandiye continues to work among the insane people to give them new life and direction in Jesus Christ. Many mad people were brought to them for prayer and healing and have left to their homes. Presently there are 11 people residing in the orphanage for the insane. Pray that he may be able to fulfill his God given vision for the poor and needy people. Besides taking care of these people, he continues to share the gospel. Many have accepted Jesus and are preparing for water baptism. Shrikanth Pathode reports from Karanjee that 33 people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and one person suffering from cancer is feeling much better after prayer in the name of Jesus.

Gond tribals worship God in Gondia

Sunil Paul reports from Guna that a man came to them for prayer with defect in one of his legs. They prayed for him and God miraculously restored his leg. Similarly a demon-possessed person was brought to them for prayer. They prayed for her in the name of Jesus and she immediately became well. The Guna Blessing Home is doing well. Sanjay Lilhare reports from Surjatola that a woman named Khalen Bai got healed after prayer meanwhile another woman who had been unconscious since five days after seeking many religious priests for healing got well just within three days when they started praying for her in the name of Jesus. A girl named Asha Lilhare accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour and took water baptism.

Tankadhar Tandi reports from Chapria that three demon-possessed people were set free in the name of Jesus. Two women suffering from brain fever were healed. Four people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and 1 person took water baptism. Brother Tankadhar prayed for him and God healed. A woman suffering from high fever reached critical condition but restored to normal health. Yet another woman suffering from stomach pain also got healed. A boy suffering from severe headache was also healed. P.K. Korkora reports from Amala Bhata that he faces much animosity in his field. Nevertheless the Spirit of God is doing great things in their midst. A man suffering from stomachache sought sorcerers for healing. But when they could do nothing for him he asked Korkora to pray for him. God miraculously healed him after prayer. Gyani Harpal reports from Putiyachuda that he also faces much opposition in his field from Hindu fanatic groups. However the gospel work is going on amidst opposition. Five people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and one person took water baptism. Others are getting ready for the same. Joseph Senapati also reports of opposition from Funda. Inspite of these problems, he shares one person accepted Jesus as his Saviour and took water baptism. Kabi Tandi reports from Jhulenbar that 2 people repented from their sins and took water baptism. Dipak Nayak reports from Badapada that 4 people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and took water baptism. Pray for their spiritual growth. Kaibal Bagh reports from Duarsani that two Hindu people accepted Jesus as their Saviour and one person took water baptism. Binaya Kumar Sipka and Deepti Durga report from Daspur that five accepted Jesus as their Saviour and 3 took water baptism. We regret the sudden demise of Sister Deepti's husband. Please uphold this bereaved family in your prayers.

Sachin Pradhan reports from Saili Hat that a demon-possessed man was set free in the name of Jesus. Five people came to the Lord after witnessing this miracle. Twelve people took water baptism and stood firm for the Lord. Benny V.A reports from Alipurduar that 37 people got saved. Many sick are coming to their fellowship for healing in the name of Jesus. Yabbesh Rai reports from Lanku Busty that many people are getting healed but only few continue to come to their fellowship. A person suffering from chest problem did not show any improvement in health even after medication. However his health started improving after prayer in the name of Jesus. Thesedays both Yabbesh and his wife spend time in fasting and prayer. Nishang Tamang reports from Methibari that two people got healed. Silas Pradhan reports from Moortee tea garden that he held an open-air gospel meeting and five people accepted Jesus as their Saviour. Seven others got saved through healing. He reached large number of people with the gospel through the film ministry also. Jacob Rai reports from Neem busty that a Hindu family has come to the Lord. A person who was sick for a long time got healed after prayer. He accepted Jesus as his Saviour and took water baptism.

Pr. Thidias Rai (standing extreme right) with
believers at Gorubathan

Thidias Rai reports from Gorubathan that some people were healed when he prayed for them in the name of Jesus. Two young boys who have been regularly coming to their fellowship are getting ready for water baptism. Parjaman Rai reports from Sakkam that he works among the followers of Manav and Sai Baba. Two people are showing interest in the gospel and they regularly come to their fellowship. Since Sunday is a working day in Sakkam they get together for worship on Monday. James Ramtial reports from Sonada that they have been continually praying for a demon possessed woman. She had been demon possessed for the past 5 years. Since they started praying for her, she has shown some improvement. Pray for her complete deliverance. Two new families are showing interest in the gospel. James Ramtial and his church were praying for a woman from Buddhist family. She was suffering from pain in her She got healed after prayer. Soon after that one day, she saw Jesus Christ vividly in a vision. John Rai reports from Dooteriah tea garden that his station is infested with a group of people who preach against Jesus. They sing Christian songs and even celebrate Christmas and therefore new believers could be misled easily. Sunil Chhetri reports from Panighatta that three new people are getting ready for water baptism. Two people who had stopped coming to their fellowship are now regularly come to their fellowship. Sunil Chhetri is praying for a small girl who is suffering from a disease of the eyes. The parents come to their fellowship in hope of healing. Damber Chhetri reports from Madharihat that two families had accepted Jesus as their Saviour and were growing in the Lord but they were driven away by their relatives. Three new people got saved and are getting ready for water baptism. John Soren reports from Samuktola that he reaped a rich harvest of 22 people who accepted Jesus as their Saviour. Nine people are ready for water baptism. One day a man who was drunk came to their fellowship and threatened John Soren not to come to their house.

Go to Part 2 of this Newsletter