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