Indian women responding to the gospel in large numbers

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands.

Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife, all this despite impressive gains in economic investment and output.

Prabhawati – I come from a strong Hindu background family where superstition and Hindu traditions are strictly followed. Some of the things which I followed compulsorily to make offerings on every occasion and climb the temple stairs on my knees. I did not allow the Christian believers to come and preach in the village.   

But one day I got the news that my son-in-law had a paralytic attack. Doctors and other treatments could not heal him. Then I realized that it was due to the harassment and the criticism which I did to them. I ran down to the Pastor of the local church and asked for pardon and I repented for what I did. I told them about my problem and requested them to and come to our home and pray for my son-in-law.  

They came and read from the Bible about the healing Jesus Christ did and also prayed for him. He got well after 6 months and now I completely believe that Jesus is a living God and I have accepted HIM as my personal savior and live happily with my family.

One day wife of one of my husband’s friend came to visit our house and met me. While talking I told about my problem and she read few lines from a tract about the miracles of Jesus Christ and also prayed for me. I started going to the local Church regularly and prayed to god for a child. After 13 years I was blessed with a boy child and from then onwards I accepted Jesus Christ in me and now I live happily with my family and the child. Do keep me in the prayers. 

20,000 people turn to Christ daily

In India About 20,000 people are becoming Christians daily.  According to Ad 200,  " more than 5,000 congregations have been started by workers from 25 denominations or missions agencies since the 1970".Prayer and a new missionary zeal are behind the success.. Christians used to be reluctant to travel to the north because of its difficult terrain, climate, and hostile spiritual atmosphere. But the prayers of Christians worldwide have given the Indian church more boldness. Now, because the Spirit of God is moving, people are willing to sacrifice--you have to be willing to sacrifice your very life--and we are sending more native and local missionaries there.

Many Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Sikhs, discouraged from trying to gain salvation through good works and religious rituals, respond immediately to the message of grace preached by Christians, Anderson said. When they hear that Jesus sets you free and gives you eternal life, they respond very quickly.

Others become Christians after seeing a demonstration of God's power. Hundreds of people became Christians after a woman was cured of a stomach tumor. "Her husband said he had gone to the [Hindu] temples all his life and made all the pilgrimages, but still had no meaning in life and his wife was dying. The evangelists told the man that Jesus Christ would heal his wife and he invited them to his home to pray for her. That night in a dream he saw Jesus Christ touch his wife's stomach, and later told the workers. In the morning her stomach pains were gone and a visit to the doctor confirmed that the tumor had disappeared. More than 80 families from their village became Christians.

New Life though Jesus Christ

Kavita, a young woman from Mauaw village of North India is married into a very conservative Hindu family. Her in- laws were deep in to idol worship in their home. Every day she was beaten and harassed by her new family because she did not understand the rituals of Hindu worship. Sometimes she was locked into a room without food for days because she trembled at the altar of the idols. They believed that she was possessed by evil spirits. She was forced to kneel, ask forgiveness and pray to the countless idols. The main idol was built on the concrete foundation in the center of their courtyard. What is more, the family was very poor and unhappy, suffering from sickness and even several deaths.  

However, many times Kavita had seen in her dreams that there was a true and living God who could make her understand the truth and lead her family out of the darkness of false idols.  Last year Chandra, a Harvest NOW missionary went and preached the gospel to this family. He told them of the ‘Gospel of Christ’ and how salvation could be obtained freely by God’s grace. The whole family listened with great interest.

Kavita committed herself to accept Jesus Christ first and she was given a Bible. Her transformation was evident from the day she received Jesus in her heart and began to read the Bible.  Soon her entire family started believing in Christ.  They too wanted to experience this new found faith their daughter in law has found.  Few weeks later they all gave their lives to Jesus.   

Last week her entire families, consisting of 8 members were baptized! Every idol has been thrown out of the house and peace and joy have now come to this family. The idol in the middle of the courtyard was broken down to pieces and leveled to the ground. In the villages of India where Christianity is not so very popular and everyone else is Hindus, new believers suffer shame, persecution and rejection from the society.  Please pray for Kabita and her family to continue to be Disciples of Christ.

Gospel to the villages

Santosh (Harvest NOW missionary)  is working in Central India among the tribals who are mostly Hindus or animists.  Though Santosh was born in a Hindu family.  He was considered an outcast because he was from a tribal lower cast family.  After practicing witchcraft and worshipping of spirits, one day he was over powered by the demons.

Harvest NOW missionaries working in that region preached the gospel to Santosh and he was set free.  Later he got saved and started telling people in different villages about his newfound faith in Jesus Christ.  Last year Santosh went though training in our Missions Training Center.  After his graduation, he returned to his own village to preach the gospel.  So far he has started 3 different churches among the tribal region.  Recently  25 new believers were baptized in water. 

Healed of Cancer

Mrs. Poonam is  56 years old, lives in Delhi, was suffering from liver cancer for the past 4 years. Missionary Isaac met her on his outreach and she shared her problem with him. After 3 days of fasting and prayer he prayed for her and she received healing. Many have come to know about this mighty work that has taken place in the name of Jesus, as a result of it three more families have come to the Lord. Please pray for Isaac and his family as they continue to serve God in this unreached place.

Delivered from tormenting evil spirits

Bina is 17 years old. She was often tormented by evil spirits. This made her mentally disturbed every single day. Her parents were full of anxiety and fear. They took her to many doctors and witch doctors but it all proved to be in vain. They spent much money towards the treatment of their daughter. With broken hearts, they finally came to visit some of the Harvest NOW missionaries to be prayed for her. We assured them of the promise of Jesus that if anyone comes to him he would in no way turn him away. We prayed and fasted for Bina for three days and after three days of round the clock prayers and casting out demons, she was set free by the power of God. This family was from a Hindu background, but their daughter’s miracle caused all of them to believe and give their lives to Jesus.

Taboo to draw water

Whether they are called Untouchables, Children of God or Dalits, lower caste Hindus say their plight has not improved in centuries.

It has been nearly 50 years since the caste system was abolished, legally at least. But in many Indian villages it is still taboo for lower castes to use the well to draw water or enter Hindu temples temples or the homes of their high caste neighbors. Many of those at the bottom of the caste system still feel there is no way out but to change their religion. But in many cases even that has not removed the prejudice felt by the rest of society.