Projects

Team India Update - November 2023 Report

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 22:07:33 GMT

Team India Update - November 2023 Report

My beloved brother in Christ, David Odor, Chairperson, S&R Ministry,

Greetings from CIMS, Sudhakar Rao, India,

Dear brother so sorry for my delay to wrote a letter to you dear brother. I and Nirmala have sick last week by the cause of viral fever, not only us few JLCH children too. So right now, we all are recovery well and joined our daily works. Praise to be God and thank you so much for your continues prayers.

EVANGELISM: 2023 is a good year for CIMS to do His service. At the same time Satan also hardly working to disturb Lords work. Some of the extremist/culprit groups trying to destroy Lords work, but they failure. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD” {Isaih 54:17}. We are sending Team India to reach the unreached nook and far corner villages, slum colonies, tribal villages to proclaim the gospel in all possible ways, by giving gospel tracts door to door, to conducting home Bible studies, conducting street meetings, conducting open gospel meetings and personal evangelism. We did our works for the Lord smoothly. Till yet we won 7518 souls for Christ. Pray for these souls and CIMS. By God’s enabling grace, we are committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and we believe that it is the power of God to save those who believe it. We have been grabbing every opportunity to explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will continue to do that. Our Team India reaching to unreached far and nook corner areas to preach about Jesus, it is very hard working, harder, and hardest each day often making sacrifices in their own lives to better others. These all are unsupported preachers, only sometimes I given them little traveling. Please continue to lift us up in prayers. And if possible arrange each preacher one pair of New Clothes for Christmas. Thank you

VBS-2023: This is a big and huge work. We are invited high school children and college youth. We ask them that do you want to know more about who Jesus is and want to understand your faith more. If you answered yes then you must get involved in our VBS-2023. Come by and bring a friend with you. Our VBS has wonderful opportunities for children and young people. We will help, guide you and grow your faith in God with youth oriented services and events. We have conducting VBS-2023 in the month of 20 April through May 2023 in 100 villages. Nearly 13000 children and youth attended and knowing many things that how to pray, how to sing, how to scripture reading and praying and importance of baptism. They happily participated and trying to live with Christian life and regularly attending in their nearby congregations in Sunday. We are hoping to see better children, youth better generation in these villages coming years. We need more laborers to go and work in fields. This is why we are conducting online Bible classes giving training Team India. Please join us to encourage this VBS work each year April and May months.

WINGS: Women IN God's Service is a woman who teaches the women team when women are alone at home. When our WINGS team go to door to door to conduct Home Bible Studies, they asked the women that are you looking to seek meaning with God in your life. We offer spiritual and emotional enrichment to your life. So, our women's group joined with women and conducted home Bible studies. These WINGS team meets four times in a week. These women speak about several women's topics in our community.

JLCH: Jesus Loves Children Home is God blessed orphan home to do very valuable and needful works to encourage many orphan kids. Till yet 57 kids are raised and went to live in their own, they are grown and settled in their lives with some private jobs and works, and five kids grown as an Evangelists. Right now, currently 106 kids are with us. These all are growing well, studying well, living well and trying to get bright future. Pray for these children’s new clothes for Christmas. Each child needs $100 to buy for their clothes etc.

Our JLCH belief is that every child has a right to love, and to be loved and to grow up in an atmosphere of love, affection and of moral and material security. This is possible only if the Child is brought up in a family. Our CIMS ambition is to change the future of JLCH children through the love of God and family. Please pray all the children continue to grow in their faith, character, wisdom and in their friendships with each other.

Pray for provisions for the college fund so that every child will have the option of attending college and then university.

Pray for Team India and WINGS teams ‘One time Christmas New clothes Help’

We the CIMS committed to serve orphans, widows, and physically disabled as well as providing humanitarian aid and evangelism to the unreached areas in INDIA.

May God bless you all dear brother,

Thanking you,

In Christian love,

Christ for India Mission Society,

R. Sudhakar Rao

Team India Update - VBS-2023 Report

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 20:48:15 GMT

VBS-2023 Report with Newsletter

Special News Letter…

My beloved brother in Christ, David Odor

Greetings from Sudhakar Rao, CIMS, India.

I am prayerfully bringing these ‘Special News Letter’ about our CIMS works, especially our ‘Good Work’ VBS-2023. I know your busy works, but kindly spare few minutes read it and pray for CIMS and extend your love for CIMS.

VBS – 2023: -

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word”. (Psa. 119:9)

‘Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong’ (1 Cori. 16:13)

Happy to inform you that our VBS-2023 went well and good. Our Team India continuously had done their part and doing very hard work to the children and youth, to turn up them from their teenage life to God fearing life. Very good response got from them, good testimonies received from the youth that what they are learning here in the VBS. In the day time conducting VBS, and night time conducted public gospel meetings in the streets. We greatly conducted VBS-2023 in five states in India. Through these VBS-2023, nearly 17000 children and youth attends, in the nights 309 Open Gospel meetings in the streets, 99 peoples obey the gospel, accepted Jesus as their personal savior and baptized. Our Jesus was glorified and we all blessed even in the sun temperature too hot.

Now a day’s children and youth are playing a predominant role in all spheres of life in the society. In the future they are playing a major role, so our VBS classes made them to become a future soldiers for Christ. We are invited children and youth to VBS-2023, taught and encouraging them to lead the Christian life. We succeeded to build their character and mental ability. We are also assisting them to grow spiritually in the name of Jesus Christ.

Each year we the CIMS have conducting VBS programs for children and youth since 27 years in the summer months of April & May. Summer is after months of school, homework, exams and wearing uniforms, they finally get to just sit back, do fun things and playing games at their villages. Our children and youth were excited about their holidays. At this time, we have invited 20,000 thousand children for VBS from five states in India, conducted each center with four days. Our Team India trained Evangelists have taught the children and youth with parables from Bible, learning and recite of scriptures by-heart, how to pray to the God, how to sing hymns, and how to lead the Christian life etc. Our attended youth and children learned about the importance of the Christian life, Cycle of Blessings, and the contents of prayers. Sometimes because of the child & young age they were not learning or listening in classes, our VBS teachers organized games and quizzes. All the children and youth happily completed their summer VBS-2023. They shared their testimonies with us that what they knowing wonderful opportunity to lead nature of life spiritually and inculcate Christian values. Every year thousands of children and youth dedicating their lives to Christ through VBS programs. They all got many blessings from God, witnessing a new generation of Christian leadership who were themselves introduced to Jesus Christ through CIMS conducted VBS children’s and youth ministry.

It is very happy to inform you that our VBS attending children and youth are extending their energy and enthusiasm to building a wonderful Christian atmosphere. These all are regularly attending Sunday Schools at their congregations and youth Bible classes singing melodious songs and with their heartfelt prayers. They are taking part in all Christian activities those which are conducting regularly in the Team India, CIMS. Through our congregations, we are regularly conducting ‘Youth Meetings’. So as to avoid them not to take part in bad habits such as taking alcohol and tobacco products etc. We are preventing them to take themselves away from customs, convention and superstitions. “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). Thank you.

Our theme succeeded about VBS: -

Our CIMS main focus is to motivate children to respond to God, to live as His future disciples and future soldiers for Christ, to actively participating in their congregations conduct Sunday schools, youth meetings etc. Every year, we the CIMS prepared the VBS material and printed to supplied five states in India where our Lords work is there. Our purpose is to provide a systematic Bible study like parables from Bible, By-heart verses, how to sing a song, Scripture reading, how to pray and through fun-filled learning activities for our four or five days VBS programme in each center. Every year, new biblical themes and songs are written and activities are suggested to meet the contemporary needs of children and youth in five states of India. We are preparing a new concept for five days VBS for all the rural, remote, urban, slums and urban out cut areas children. Teaching the children and youth in each and every Sunday schools and especially in VBS time. We taught them how to live healthy children and youth to grow mentally, emotionally and socially by involving them in group dynamics.

TESTIMONIES

“Since five years, I am attending VBS, it is very interesting sessions for me, I am knowing about Jesus Christ and it was presented in an excellent way to live Gods fearing life. Overall the four days Vocational Bible Classes was very blessing to me and helped me to know Jesus is the son of God and I need to understand each and every Sunday need to attend Sunday school and youth meetings meeting Gods children”

Nagarajan Pillai, Tambaram, First Cross Street, Chennai

“It was great getting to learn through VBS so many things on how to deal with Christian life. I don't regret attending Sunday school and youth meetings. I can say that I have also have learned more on how to read the Bible, sing the song and how to pray to God, frankly saying, some of Biblical teachings brought me to tears”

Kemp Gouda, Dammulur, Bangalore.

“VBS has been a part of my life since childhood as a student of beginner’s class till today as a Sunday school Teacher. And I am right now VBS Teacher, nearly seven years, Right now I am 21 years old, studying Degree. VBS has helped me to grow spiritually and serve the Lord. Apart from bible stories helps me and children to study the Bible. It helps children to be in Christian fellowship. It creates an environment where children spend maximum time in learning the scripture through songs, stories, theme, skits etc. It moulds the spiritual foundation of children which will help them to serve the Lord in future. Today my zeal is to serve the Lord through children ministry is because of what I was taught in Sunday school and VBS”

B. Ashok Goud, Sanath Nagar, Hydrebad

Word from VBS-2023 faculty (Team India)

To bear the title of a teacher is not for show. It is an amazing title which our dear Lord has chosen to give us. He has chosen us particularly to bring the little children and youth closer to Him without any barriers in their life.
This year ‘VBS-2023’ the theme “Proverbs 22:6”, Encouraged the children to forget their sorrows and Praise God. We the Team India take this wonderful opportunity and succeeded. We say our thanks to be Lord for giving us this wonderful opportunity to succeed in the VBS. We succeeded VBS-2023 through your prayers. Thank you all.

Thanking you

In Christian love,

R. Sudhakar Rao, CIMS, India

Team India Update - December 2022

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 20:04:05 GMT

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Hello Friends,

I hope this email finds you doing well!

If you are like me, you may be asking yourself, how is it already December?

As you know, December is a big month for the orphanage in India, Jesus Loves Children Home. The 107 orphans are doing well finishing up school for this semester and are growing up loved and well taken care of. These kids are blessed by your generous giving.

India can be a difficult place to live especially for children. Take a look at the following statistics.

Conservatively, UNICEF reports that over 30 million children in India are orphans and live in the streets.
44% of children are malnourished.
26% of the population in India are below age 14.
UNICEF reports that out of 12 million girls born per year, 3 million will not see their 15th birthday.
There are approximately 16 million girls trafficked for commercial sex under 21 years of age.
50% of Indian children aged 6-18 do not go to school.

Living in America, it is easy to look at these stats and not fully allow them to set in. We can’t imagine what it is like in the slums of India for homeless children.

Thanks to your support helping Search and Rescue International, you are making a large impact in 107 orphan children now getting the love care and support that they weren’t getting. Each child has a story of their own that would cut your heart.

This is the time of year we give clothing to each orphan child for Christmas. Will you come alongside and help us?

It’s because of you through your prayers and support that this Kingdom work is able to happen in India. We are so grateful and appreciative. If you would like to donate to this good work, please visit our website www.sandrministries.org or you could send checks to the address below. As always, we seek your prayers!

May God bless you and your family and have Merry Christmas!

David Odor

Search and Rescue Ministries

www.sandrministries.org

Members password is SRJames1:27

Team India Update - May 2022

Tue, 10 May 2022 17:57:42 GMT

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Hello friends,

I hope this email finds you well and ready for summer! Time is really flying by!

The last time we sent a letter we had Covid mandates in place and we are now all thankful that is over. It still doesn’t mean the hardships are over by any means as we have war going on in Ukraine and what seems to be a global economic downturn. The good news is we can always rejoice in where our joy comes from and that is Jesus!

There is certainly lots of joy going on in India as Sudhakar Rao and his team of over 200 preachers and a vibrant women’s ministry are starting a very large Vacation Bible School series in approximately 175 locations spread out over five main areas starting in the Andhra Pradesh State then Bangalore (Karnataka State), Chennai (Tamilnadu State), Mumbai (Maharastra State) and Hydrabad (Telangana State). Hundreds of teachers and helpers will participate. They have a goal of over 20,000 children to attend with hundreds if not thousands of home bible studies to follow after. This work of Sudhakar’s team is well known throughout the region as he has been invited to other countries to speak about and train others how they implement such an outreach ministry. We anticipate thousands of people to come to Christ through this effort! Please pray for this! S&R provides funding for this thanks to so many of you!

The orphans at the Jesus Loves Children Home are also doing well as they recently finished their school season and we will soon be enrolling for the next school year. Your donations also pay for all the costs associated for school to include tuition, books etc.

Two months ago, we had an orphan named Mary needing to go through surgery to remove a large five-pound benign tumor that was close to her uterus. She was going through almost unbearable pain and we praise Jesus that Mary is fully recovered and doing very well!

May God bless you and your family!

David Odor

Search and Rescue Ministries

www.sandrministries.org

Members password is SRJames1:27

Praise God! Mary is fully recovered!

Team India Update - November 2021

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 18:20:04 GMT

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Hello friends,

I hope this email finds you doing well!

Looking back on this last year as Americans, words such as exhausting, chaotic, lost, surreal, and heartbreaking might come to mind. World events, the pandemic, supply shortages, and the politics of our nation are the leading news stories we encounter on a daily basis.

We shouldn’t be shocked or dismayed. Jesus said: “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold." (Mathew 24:12). The good news is that, in spite of the wickedness which fills the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ will continue saving sinners! Yes, evil is powerful, but Jesus is more powerful!

Even as Jesus talked about the spike in lawlessness, He also promised that the gospel would be proclaimed in all nations:

“And the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14).

So we can rest in knowing that Jesus has a plan and nothing can stop Him. We are instruments in His kingdom and are full of His joy because of His promise.

There is no doubt that Kingdom work is being done in a mighty way through Sudhakar and Nirmala Rao’s ministry in India. This year was especially challenging for them as they also had lockdowns, mandates, Covid-19 illnesses, and the loss of several preachers to Covid-19.

In spite of all the challenges from the enemy, thousands of souls were saved throughout India because of their effort of sharing the gospel with the lost. There is a passionate desire in the hearts of these men and women to continue with a dogged determination to share the gospel with the small villages in India. With the power of Jesus, nothing can stop them!

The 102 orphan children are all doing well as they are all enrolled and advancing in school. The amazing stories of each child from where they came from to their current lifestyles are nothing but miraculous!

It is this time of year where we do some fundraising for Christmas as we like to give gifts to each child. Would you be open to donating and having a big impact on a child’s life?

We know that you get asked all the time to give for many different causes. We can assure you that all of what you give outside of the cost of sending the money will be received by this good mission work.

If you would like to help, please visit our website www.sandrministries.org to donate or you could send checks to the address below. As always, we seek your prayers!

May God bless you and your family!

Grace and Peace,

David Odor

Chairman of the Board

Search and Rescue Ministries

www.sandrministries.org

Members password is SRJames1:27

Team India Report – May 2021 Living Conditions

Mon, 10 May 2021 15:57:51 GMT

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Hello Friends,

I hope this email finds you well!

I am writing to share a letter that Sudhakar Rao (our India Missionary) wrote to me to explain the current living conditions they are dealing with in India. To help you understand properly, preachers in India, as Sudhakar calls them, are laborers (farmers etc.) that have committed to also preach and evangelize the good news of Jesus to rural villages in India. They have been through Sudhakar’s preaching school and are poor men committed to reach the poor and lower caste in India. Some are full time and most are part time.

VBS coordinated by Team India is different than what you may be thinking of in the states. This is a strategic effort to not only impact the children and youth but also to reach the parents. Parents are invited to this effort and are involved. In spite of the 2nd wave of covid that hit at the half way point this year the VBS efforts reached 6700 kids and youth across 5 states and 74 locations. Andhra Pradesh 32 locations, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) 14 locations, Bangalore (Karnataka State) 17 locations, Hydrabad (Telangana State) 7 locations, Mumbai (Mahrashtra) 4 locations. This enormous effort with God’s help reaps an amazing harvest of new believers.

The current gathering rules in India is limited to 10 to 15 people so most churches are zoom or live streaming currently. The challenge is that most don’t have internet service that live in the rural areas.

Please read Sudhakar’s letter in broken English below that explains the dire circumstances they are dealing with.

Christ for India Mission Society, Team India COVID-19 Crisis

a special newsletter for your kind prayers …

My beloved brother in Christ, David Odor,

Greetings to you in the precious name of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

With my sunken heart, I am prayerfully bringing these following few words for your kind prayers. If Lords will and if there are any possibilities, kindly explain our Preachers critical situation to possible supporters & please extend your generosity and help “Team India” and ‘JLCH’ at this crucial time. Your one-time medical help will save Team India Preachers families and JLCH children lives.

Through JLCH, we were taking care 103 kids in three centers. But, last year, Covid-19 pandemic first wave, one of our JLCH girls slept in the Lord by the cause of corona virus. So, currently we have taken care 102 kids through three JLCH centers. In those 102 children, three kids were attacked Covid pandemic positive in this ‘Covid second wave devastating and getting treatment. And two JLCH workers (One cook & One helper) and night watchman attacked by Covid virus as positive and admitted in the private hospital getting treatment. Pray for them.

Covid-19 positive JLCH two Ayas (JLCH cook & helper) names:-

1) Sis. Prabhavathi, 2) Sis. Visranthamma

Covid-19 positive (Mild) JLCH three kids names: -

1) Yesubabu (TB Patient), 2) Samuel, 3) Prasoon Teja

Covid-19 positive (Mild) night watchman name: -

1) Bro. Devasahayam

TEAM INDIA: - Very recent we the CIMS, through ‘Team India’ have almost all completed VBS-2021 in five states in India. Only few centers remaining to complete VBS-2021 with 2000 children and youth. Suddenly COVID-19 Second Wave starting devastating. So, we the CIMS, ‘Team India’ have facing a deadly second wave of Covid-19. Millions of the people as Covid 19 positive cases were recorded, and thousands have died. Hospitals and medical facilities are running out of oxygen and ICU beds, with patients left outside hospitals waiting for care and suffering the worst. In these circumstances 17 Team India Preachers were attacked Covid-19 (Corona virus) pandemic and one of our Sister in Christ Rahab (if anyone want to know these women tragedy life story, please ask our Bro. David Odor, because of her life security unable to explain).

Our Team India Preachers are working congregations among the lowest caste people in their respective areas like tribal, slum and out cuts of the rural and remote areas. The people of their congregations are very poor and are unable to support the Preachers urgent medical treatment. And most of our Team India Preachers are very poor and poorest. Most of the preachers’ wives daily working labors for agricultural works, scavenger works and migrant workers. At the same time, we the ‘Team India’ Preachers are facing persecution from people in their areas who are opposed to the Christian faith. Our ‘Team India’ Preachers are all in full-time gospel workers in CIMS ministry since 15 to 20 years without any support.

Right now our ‘Team India’ eight preachers died because of urgent treatment like to give ‘Remdesivir’ Injection and Oxygen because of their poor financial condition. At this time these 8 Preachers wives and their families need your prayers to pay their husbands medical owes.

Covid-19 pandemic kills Team India 8 full-time Preachers details: -

1). Bro. Abraham, age 49 years, blessed with wife and two sons, three daughters, working with Team India since 20 years

2). Bro. Luke, age about 51 years, blessed with wife (she is slept in the Lord Covid-19 first wave) and three daughters, right now they are orphans (home isolation now with treatment), working with us since 17 years.

3). Bro. Yohan, age about 35 years, blessed with wife and two daughters one son, working with us since 10 years

4). Bro. Mathew, age about 32 years, blessed with wife and one daughter and one son, working with us since 10 years

5). Bro. Hanok Paul, age about 37 years, blessed with wife and two daughters

6). Bro. John, age about 50 years, blessed with wife (slept in the Lord Covid-19 first wave) and three sons, these are under isolation, very tragedy these kids as right now orphans, working with us since 20 years

7). Bro. Lazar, Age about 35 years, blessed with wife, have no children yet, working with us since 11 years

8). Bro. Mathayya, age about 49 years, blessed with wife and three children, working with us since 18 years

Covid-19 Positive 5 critical condition Team India Preacher details: -

In these 5 Preachers are in critical condition, one Preacher died yesterday, because of treatment like Remdesivir injections and oxygen. This Team India Preacher name is Bro. Veeraiah, age about 46 years. He is blessed with wife and two daughters aged about 20 and 18 years. This preacher wife is scavenger worker. Through her scavenger works she got some money and used for her husband gospel tours expenses and fed their family.

The remaining 4 Team India Preachers are in dangerous situation. They need immediate treatment. They are suffering full body pains, cough, cold, un-controlled fever, oxygen levels down day by day in dangerously, they need treatment to give Remdesiver injections and oxygen. One Preacher need five Remdesivir injections and Oxygen. These products are scarce. If anyone will extend their helping hands as one-time medical help, their lives will save. Pray for them.

The Corona Virus has disrupted Team India Preachers lives. People have been in lockdown for well over 2 months. Public transportation is shut down, food markets are closed, and no church services or children’s ministries are happening right now. Most of the people do not have access to social media and therefore are not able to experience online services. The cost of food and medicines has skyrocketed and many people are suffering greatly.

Me and my wife are trying our best to provide food for who lost their husbands (Team India 8 Preachers families) and in need. Here this is hottest time of year 44°C and the time of summer diseases. Please keep us in your prayers. If you are able to help financially in anyway one-time-medical help, please send donations to S&R Ministry,Inc., OKC, USA.

We the Team India with kindest regards to each one of you and we do believe being in an attitude of prayer that the Lord will surely move your kind heart, in order to lend your kind help to us, during this pandemic (covid-19) uncertain days.

Thanking you all,

In Christian love,

Team India, CIMS

Friends, we as always, cherish your support and prayers. Sudhakar’s efforts are 100% reliant on S&R International and without your support this good work would not be happening. So, thank you so very much for all you do to help!

If you would like to help, please visit our website www.sandrminstries.org to donate or you could send checks to the address below. As always, we seek your prayers!

May God bless you and your family!

Grace and Peace,

David Odor

Chairman of the Board

Search and Rescue Ministries

Please visit our website:

www.sandrministries.org

Member Password is: SRJames1:27

Team India – January 2021 Newsletter

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 20:47:04 GMT

Team India – January 2020 Newsletter

H ello,

The purpose of this letter is to say, “THANK YOU”! As you know, the last letter we sent included a request for help to provide Christmas gifts for 102 children and to help fund a roof that was destroyed by a cyclone. I am grateful to say that not only were we able to provide for those needs because of what you so generously gave, but we have a surplus that should help with school supplies for the kids and with various other events. If you remember, for instance, the last VBS had over 9500 kids attend in 27 locations and thousands of adults were saved through bible studies that were created through that effort.

Here are a few of the kids with the Christmas gifts of clothes.

A small village meeting prepared to hear the gospel.

This last Sunday, Romans 15:20-21 was highlighted in our worship service at church. It strongly resonated with me that Paul was focused on unreached people groups.

“…and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written, those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

As followers and believers of Christ, we are all to have a heart for the nations because that is God’s heart. For Jesus is worthy to be praised by all nations, tribes and tongues. India has 1.3 billion people and most have never even heard of Jesus. The percentage of Christians in India is somewhere between 1%-2%. Many who have heard of Jesus just add him to the millions of other Hindu Gods they worship because they don’t really understand that He is the one true God!

I say all of this to just remind us that everyone has a role. Some of us plant, some of us water and some of us harvest. You are playing a big Kingdom role with your help!

We hope to have the 2020 yearend report posted soon to the Members page of our website. Please check back to see this report as it will be encouraging for you to see the impact of your support and prayers that we are so thankful for!

May God bless you and your family this year!

Grace and Peace,

David Odor

Chairman of the Board

Search and Rescue Ministries

Please visit our website:

www.sandrministries.org

Member Password is: SRJames1:27

Team India – Christ for India Mission Society - November 2020 Newsletter

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 22:02:38 GMT

Team India – Christ for India Mission Society - November 2020 Newsletter

My beloved brother in Christ, David Odor, Founder Chairman, S&R,

We the CIMS glad to present our special NEWS letter to your kind heart. You know our Christ for India Mission Society (CIMS) is a religious organization and dedicated to work among the rural, tribal, slum and out cuts of urban areas in India. This year 2020 is very devastating year, but our mighty God blessed us, protected us from Covid-19 pandemic. So, we say our thanks to the God and heartfelt thanks to your prayers with prayerful support.

Through your great help, we will continue to make Him where Christ has been not known yet every far corner in India. Each day there are thousands who die without a saving knowledge of Jesus. We need your prayers and prayerful help to change those peoples.

COVID-19’s Intensified Impact in Impoverished Areas. While Covid -19 has proven it is not a respecter of persons, targeting young and old, healthy and immune compromised, it carries with it the increased potential for deadly impact for those living in poverty. Preventative measures, like lockdowns, have helped slow the spread of the highly contagious virus. However, in South India particularly, they have also kept numerous daily wage laborers from work. For these workers, many of whom live on less than Rs. 140 ($2) a day , the money they earn each day provides the necessary funds for their next meal. Without income and without food, the illnesses caused by despair and starvation threaten to play an equally devastating role in claiming lives.

In addition to difficulty securing food, many living in India poorest areas are also limited in access to sanitation and medical supplies. Many of our village congregations are left without simple resources like soap and running water to help prevent the virus. Meanwhile, villages lack the medicines and technologies important in helping to fight the virus arrival, and densely populated areas exacerbate the potential for fatal impact. Through CIMS, The Team India workers, response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. “You know the greatest need? For the people to hear the love of Christ in word and indeed,”

Christ for India Mission Society stated Team India around five of our neighboring states where we working hard to do exactly that. They are uniquely positioned to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of people in their own communities. Even in the midst of regional and national shutdowns, believers from many churches and other ministries have had the opportunity to work with the government to provide relief during this difficult time. We helped food groceries, Vegetables, Masks and Sanitizers. They handed out the masks throughout their village, along with vital information on how to properly wear the mask, the importance of regularly washing hands and social distancing. Following strict safety guidelines and social distancing regulations, most of the people’s attendance from our congregations, received corona virus prevention kits, which I mentioned above.

Our CIMS Stories of Sorrow, Stories of Triumph:

Team India & WINGS themselves have not been immune to COVID-19. Many of our congregational members known the first hand of the experience of fighting corona virus and, sadly, mourning the losses of loved ones to the diseases. We the CIMS provide material blessings to those in need, they also serve their communities with spiritual support.

In the states of Maharashtra (Mumbai/Bombay), Chennai (Madras), Karnataka (Bangalore), Telangana (Hyderabad) and Andhra Pradesh (my native) are the most populated cities in India. Our Team India workers have reported several urgent prayer requests for healing as the number of COVID-19 infections rises.

One of the preacher and his wife were hospitalized with corona virus after attending the funeral of a relative who passed away from COVID-19. They left their children in the care of the children’s grandparents as they fought for their own recovery. Tragically, the wife lost her father, brother and brother-in-law to the illness. After much prayer from the congregation within their community on their behalf, the couple recovered and was discharged from the hospital. While praising God for the couple’s healing, the congregational members also mourned with them the loss of family members.

Several Team India Evangelists & WINGS team have been diagnosed with corona virus and are isolated from their families. Some of other has spoken with congregations who were in tears after learning of the passing of a family member due to the virus. While fighting the virus’s effects in their families and communities, believers in my areas lean on prayer and hold on to hope in the midst of fear and uncertainty.

Though at times there may seem to be no end in sight to the spread of COVID-19, we the CIMS team persists in hope and in their practical efforts to serve their communities. We all are continually pray for the virus to be stopped in its tracks, for wisdom for government officials and for resources to continue sharing the love of Christ through their words and their deeds.

The corona virus COVID-19 is now impacting our daily lives, and for many of us consuming our thoughts and conversations every hour. It’s also driving us into physical isolation as many of us self-isolate and try to stay home as much as possible to lower our risk of contracting and spreading the disease. All of our Churches/Congregations have cancelled Sunday Worship services, Special Gospel meetings, Group Bible studies, Personal House gatherings and switched to a streaming platform instead of meeting in person. But in this time of unprecedented isolation, we the Churches need to come together like never before. We might have to socially distance ourselves from others physically, but we must allow this crisis to draw us closer to each other in our hearts, minds, and Christ-like actions.

Due to the pandemic situation, many are interested and expressed their expression to take baptism, but the ‘Law & Order Police’ are observing strictly not to gather many. So we are unable to conduct gospel meetings or anything else. We are seeking forward for the time to give. Still one thousand above people looking to take baptism. Pray for these peoples. After February 2021, we may get chance to do baptisms as lock down rules are going to be un-locked.

Dear brethren and sisters, thank you so much for your generous gifts through S&R Ministry, USA. We are excited to transition back to our usual programs where it is safe to do so. Relief efforts will continue in many far corner and slum areas, where Covid-19 cases are still on the rise, your generous gifts are still being accepted for the JLCH, Aged Home, and JLCH building re-construction etc.

Pray for these things: -

JLCH asbestos roof collapsed because of cyclone high winds
JLCH all children (102) have tested by corona virus. In those 27 kids have positive and remaining all negative. I admitted them in the isolation ward and giving treatment. By the grace of God all kids safe, one kid, name Mary slept in the Lord . So, I purchased “Vitamin-D, Vitamin-C, Zinc Tablets and Azithromycin and given to all kids to increase their immune system. Also purchased Masks, Hand Sanitizers and Gloves etc. to protect our kids from the crucial covid pandemic. It is much expense for me to do, but I did to get hand loans from my friends and dear ones. Pray for these with Bro. David Odor.
Good Samaritans Home for the Aged people 11 folks slept in the Lord by the cause of covid pandemic . I admitted them at hospital and giving treatment, because of their age factor, they died. Pray for our aged home.
Covid-19 created in my area as 21 children as orphans . These all are lost their father and mother. These all looking for shelter, food, cloth and bed.
Kindly remember our all kids Christmas NEW Clothes in your prayers.

May God, Our Heavenly father will bless you with good health and long life to you all.

Thanking you,

In Christian love,

R. Sudhakar Rao & Nirmala,

Christ for India Mission Society

Letters from David Odor & Dwayne Guthrie

Tue, 12 May 2020 20:03:15 GMT

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Hello Friends,

It was in 2012 that I was blessed to learn the story of Sudhakar Rao and his wife Nimala of their work for Christ in India.

Initially I was fascinated by Sudhakar and his passion for Christ to live a life that is truly worthy. His single focus of sharing and living the gospel reminded me of the apostle Paul. Sudhaker invited me to pray for the needs of the increasing numbers of children sleeping on floors and threatened by scorpions, as well as his team of preachers navigating a Hindu-hostile environment. I sensed a deep prompting in me to join His mission in support of Sudhakar’s effort to make His name known in 2013 along with my American brothers-in-Christ, Dwayne Guthrie and David Ross, Search and Rescue International was born as a way to help and support.

Dwayne has put in his words below a letter that shares his heart felt belief of the good works in India through the effort of this amazing ministry.

In the words of James, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep one self from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

There is no doubt God is doing amazing things in India! To be able to live out James 1:27 with Sudhakar is an incredible blessing!

Thanks for reading our letter and considering the opportunity to help financially and through your prayers.

Grace and Peace,

David Odor

President Search & Rescue International

dodor@mdm-midwest.com

405.370.6097

“I have waited my whole life for this!” My Indian friend and brother in Christ hears those words often as he and his team travel to rural villages sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and passing out bibles in the language of Telugu.

A couple of weeks ago I was listening to Rick Atchley, at the Pepperdine lectures, mention in a moment of “rant” that the church has lost its missional compass and has exchanged a mission of changing the “social injustices” of our day for the mission laid out by our Lord Jesus and those men and women who were the first to witness His predicted death and resurrection. Although a good cause, and certainly worthy of concern, discussion, and our defense, it was not at all what the early church thought was the primary focus and message to result from a resurrected Lord. There was a certain reality that we are sinners and a lost humanity meant exactly what is implied by that word, “lost”. We have given over to words like, “seekers”, and the “non-churched”, and the like, but the Bible seems to clarify any misunderstanding of the world’s real condition and of Jesus’ mission when He says, “I have come to seek and save that which is lost.” I have never looked for something I lost that I didn’t value. No one looks for something they don’t value. Do they? The thought that Jesus’ mission was to “seek and save the lost” implies we are valuable to Him and He is searching for His valuable possession. The interesting thing about it is that He goes into this “search and rescue” mission soliciting the likes of His followers to help in the effort of reaching unreached people groups.

Village comes to hear Sudhakar preach through CIMS

Through a providential meeting of an American businessman for a finance company in the city of Bangalore India, and a rural Indian Christian leader, Sudhakar Rao, we became aware of God’s work in rural South Central India in 2012. We found Sudhakar, and his wife Nirmala, had an orphanage of around 35 children, a place to live and earn a living (sewing) for widows, a school that his brother was leading, and, above all, Sudhakar and his team of indigenous preachers were spreading the “aroma of Christ” to everyone who would listen. Everything he was doing got our attention, and since the day of seeing this good friend of David’s on social media, with Sudhakar at this orphanage, God has placed on our hearts to see after as many kids as possible, help with the aged, and support this mission of preaching to a lost and confused people in the rural villages of a very poor area of south central India. Just since those early months of 2012, when David and I got involved, thousands of people have been saved through the preaching of Sudhakar Rao and his team of preachers under the charitable organization and government recognized name of Christ for Indian Mission Society.

From this work, many churches have been established (77 to be exact), and 100 boys and girls taken off the streets and cared for at JLCH (Jesus Loves Children Home). Among the many things that hearing and believing the good news of Jesus Christ brings to the listener is the hope that it gives. In the Hindu religious caste system that is ingrained in the Indian society, as well as the government, your lot in life is strictly determined by the family you were born to. The only hope it offers is that in your death, you might come back to this life slightly better off than your status today (moving up in the caste ladder). As you can imagine, preaching a message of salvation to all people--that God loves them and values them so much as to offer them not only salvation from the coming judgement but elevated status of children of the King--is more than anything they could ever hope. That they don’t have to die to slightly improve their position, but are immediately elevated to the family of God with all rights and privileges, is without question, a hope beyond their wildest dreams. Say what you will, the gospel message is beyond anything else, a message of hope and especially so to those who live in a very dark world.

The task of reaching the adult population with the good news, and helping so many orphan children with a home, is quite frankly a little overwhelming. Providing meals, shelter, clothes, medical attention, cost of school tuition, books, supplies, and other miscellaneous things costs money, and we can only go as far as the money that is generously given. When we first began to be involved with the work in south central India, it really began with our families giving to help support the orphanage with special needs, i.e., cots to sleep on (before this the children were sleeping on the floor), school supplies, bicycles for the preachers to get from village to village, bibles, and lots of medical and health related needs. It was only after God captured our heart for this work over the course of several months that we realized the thousands that were actually hearing the gospel from native preachers that support themselves. Very few of the teachers and preachers are actually subsidized with any kind of financial support, only discipled, encouraged, prayed for, and overseen by Sudhakar Rao and his brother. Within the following year, Search and Rescue International was born, as a way to responsibly give financial support and allow for expanded ministry. Being around missions since I was young, I’ve seen many good and productive mission efforts, but none quite like this one.

Search and Rescue International, and the work specifically in India, has seen over ten thousand souls saved since I personally have been a part of this work. This has happened on just a small fraction of the amount of most churches’ mission budgets. I say this not to overshadow other work, but to highlight the scores of people who are coming to Jesus through the work of CIMS and JLCH. These sorts of numbers are even more astounding when you consider it is happening in the midst of severe persecution and trial. Many of the CIMS preachers have been beaten—one preacher was recently murdered, many have been beaten, a vehicle was burned, bibles and supplies either burned or stolen, interrogation faced at every point, and still, God continues to work in this part of the world in unprecedented power and numbers.

So, we are asking for help. You can financially help in one of two ways. One is just continual monthly support. In doing this, the money primarily will go to supporting more children with a home (JLCH). Currently, we have 100 children that are being taken care of and brought in off the streets. As you may or may not know, human sex trafficking is rampant in India, and with the Hindu caste system in place, if a man cannot exchange his daughter for money in a marital arrangement, girls are often discarded and left on their own. Obviously, handicapped, diseased, and children of special needs are left to their plight without their basic needs seen to, without love, and without hope in the world. The other way you can help financially, is support for several events that we sponsor every year. One is a special two week campaign to reach over 10,000 children in a “VBS” type of event held in seventeen locations. It is an annual event that Sudhakar and his team have done, and is an extremely effective way to introduce Jesus for the first time to children of rural villages and slum areas. We have seen many adult studies that have come as a result of this work, and of course, many saved people have resulted. This will take place in late April and early May of this year. We also solicit funds for school supplies and clothes for the children in late May, as well as money to help with gifts for the children during Christmas. Quite honestly, we’re grateful for anything you can do, but if we had our “druthers”, it would be best to have consistent monthly donations and budget for these special events would be made within those funds.

We are praying that seeds will fall from this electronic message on good hearts … on “good soil”. We know there are other needs in the world, and lots of good work that is being done for the kingdom in other parts of the world, but none we have seen which compare to what God is doing in this part of the world. We believe the Spirit, at this time, is moving in a powerful way through those men and women who are ministering to the people in rural India, and lives are being transformed by the redemptive message that “God so loved us that He gave us a Savior”. Please see below the two ways in which you can give as well as contact information if you have questions, or need additional information about this work. We would love to talk with you! We are currently updating and revising our website but it is open to give donations. We will be sending a quarterly electronic newsletter to update you on the work. With almost zero overhead expenses almost 100% of your gift goes to the aforementioned work in India, and 100% of your gift is tax deductible. Thank you for your prayerful consideration to give. We appreciate you!

C. Dwayne Guthrie

Vice President Search & Rescue International

dguthrie@prattindustries.com

405.708.9747

We have two ways to donate:

(1) With a check:

Search and Rescue International

Attention: Travis Guthrie Treasurer

P.O. Box 563

Edmond, Oklahoma 73083-0563

(2) Donate through our website:

Even though our website is under currently being updated it should be available to donate. The donate website address is:

www.sandrministries.org/donate

S&R International is recognized by the United States as a 501(c) (3) charitable organization.

Vocation Bible School vs. Vacation Bible School

Tue, 12 May 2020 19:05:11 GMT

S earch and Rescue International (S&R) in support of: Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS) and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Vocation Bible School vs. Vacation Bible School

As most of you know, many of the children that come to these rural villages for VBS come from the street and slum areas of India. Most have never even heard the name of Jesus, let alone, that He’s their Savior and loves them and pursues a relationship with them. Many of the children have run away from abusive families, many are homeless, some come out of slave or sex-trafficking, some out of prostitution, rag pickers, beggars, or other such jobs of dire circumstances. All of this, just to survive each day. Obviously, a much different situation than many of us have experienced, where VBS meant puppet skits, children’s songs, Bible stories and a finale of punch and crème sandwich cookies. Growing up, VBS usually lasted between 3-5 days for about a couple of hours per day. However, the VBS in India is a full rounded ministry to these children which lasts throughout the day. They don’t just send them out each day with a napkin of cookies and punch, but actually offer counseling, vocational training, courses to help them pass government certification tests for employment, reading and writing help, shelter, and feed them each day they are a part of the VBS program. Because girls are rendered as less desirable than boys, there is special help in this regard as well. In fact, here’s a direct quote from Sudhakar in this area:

“Christ for India Mission Society aim is at raising the status of girls in current society and to change the way people think about them...‘many were thinking cheap about them’. Sometimes, when we have little funds available to reach this type of children, we work hard to promote gender equality and empower girls who are denied and deprived their rights. We see girls to join schools for education, safe living conditions. We educate our children through JLCH (Jesus Loves Children Home); including the boys and girls we help, on the importance of equality. We teach the girls basics of life, the importance of educating themselves and their future, the basics of hygiene and much more. We teach all the above things in VBS classes.”

Pictures are of VBS locations in India.

God is doing the miraculous through this “two fish and five loaves” ministry we call Search and Rescue International. The need is great, but we trust that God is stirring hearts to serve and give. “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37. We know many of you are already doing all you can in other ministries and mission work around the world. We are grateful that you are, and ask that you pray for us. However, we are praying that these newsletters fall on tender hearts of compassion and mercy. It’s hard for us to comprehend approximately 110 Christian servants ministering to almost 10,000 children over a period of 8 weeks in a nation that is hostile to Christians. Incidentally, the VBS went several weeks longer because they had to cancel, or postpone, several VBS locations because of pressure and persecution from the Hindu government. In addition to all of this, we are appealing for help now with over 30 of the approx. 100 orphan children at JLCH suffering from the mumps. Medical help is needed to treat them, and also assistance with preventative measures to keep the rest from contracting it.

Our mission is to bring hope to the hopeless, the broken-hearted, the fatherless, the oppressed, the poor and those facing trials of all kinds.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

JLCH Needed a Well

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 21:06:39 GMT

(Home, Family & Future for every Child)

Note: We did get them a well…but this is what they used to do.

My beloved brother in Christ, David Odor,

Very happy to inform you that by your good will go to give my JLCH information to others and also you are going pray for my ministry. I am so happy for that and trust and believe with your generous help, certainly our unfortunate JLCH kids well get bright future. It’s my pleasure to bring the following to your good self. Kindly read following information and if God’s will and if there is any possibility kindly taken up or recommend if anyone will wants to help these ‘foremost’ important needed JLCH “Bore well Project”.

Due to loose soil the JLCH bore well is collapsed and motor burnt down. Due to bore well failure, our JLCH children have faced many difficulties. Previously with our own bore well all kids happy. And also the public street bore well is always big line in a Q and it will fully rush. Every day our 46 kids need water for toilet, water for taking bath, water for cleaning clothes and water need for cooking etc. Nearly per day our 48 JLCH kids needed 2500 liters. This is the reason big ‘Q’ in public taps or bore well. In these circumstances we need bore well. It is a must for than to dig another bore well than repairing the old one. It is my humble and prayerful request to pray for the “JLCH bore well Project”. Or else our children will suffer a lot. For the past two years in these hilly areas, there were no rains. This is the reason fully (highly) water scarcity going on here many places in my far corner areas. If Lord’s will and if there is any possibilities kindly raise some funds for this project from your friends or dear ones, if possible for you my brother. This is only my request. Decision is yours my brother. "And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail” (Isaiah 58:10-11).

Three reasons our kids unable to bring water:

If they are bringing water from the agricultural bore wells, that is away from JLCH building and it is very difficult to bring.
Your good self seeing the big ‘Q’ in public tap.
If they will bring water from small rivers, the kids faced many skin diseases because of the dirty water.

This is the reason, our JLCH kids more essential need is Dig bore well and fitted submersible motor. Kindly think over this foremost important need pray for this project and do your part this.

I am attaching all the pictures for your kind thinking and blessing prayers.

Thanking you.

JLCH - Clothes Distributed at Christmas

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 21:06:38 GMT

Projects

Team India Update - November 2023 Report

Team India Update - November 2023 Report

Team India Update - VBS-2023 Report

VBS-2023 Report with Newsletter

Team India Update - December 2022

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Team India Update - May 2022

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Team India Update - November 2021

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Team India Report – May 2021 Living Conditions

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Christ for India Mission Society, Team India COVID-19 Crisis

Team India – January 2021 Newsletter

Team India – January 2020 Newsletter

Team India – Christ for India Mission Society - November 2020 Newsletter

Team India – Christ for India Mission Society - November 2020 Newsletter

Letters from David Odor & Dwayne Guthrie

Search and Rescue International (S&R) in support of:

Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS)

and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Vocation Bible School vs. Vacation Bible School

S earch and Rescue International (S&R) in support of: Christ for Indian Mission Society (CIMS) and Jesus Loves Children Home (JLCH)

Vocation Bible School vs. Vacation Bible School

JLCH Needed a Well

(Home, Family & Future for every Child)

JLCH - Clothes Distributed at Christmas

Dear brother, every year I helped new clothes for JLCH kids in the Month of December for Christmas. Pray for my kids.