January 25th, 2012

India in the News highlights interesting articles found around the web on Indian politics, culture, and current events.

A Tourist Circuit for Every Religion

“India is home to a number of religions and there is a huge scope in terms of boosting tourism to religious places. Our aim is to facilitate a packaged tour like experience to tourists complete with stay and entertainment options…”

Rushdie Vents His Frustration on Indian Television

“Though Salman Rushdie’s video address to a literary festival was canceled because of threats by people enraged by his book “The Satantic Verses,” India’s NDTV still broadcast an interview with Mr. Rushdie, whose book has been banned in India.”

Oprah’s Thoughts on India

“What I’ve learned is, you can’t see India in a week,” Winfrey told in an interview on Sunday. “You can’t see India in two weeks … India is so complex, I would have to say it’s the greatest show on Earth. I’ve never seen anything like it. India, I’ll be back again and again…”

January 22nd, 2012

No one is sure exactly how old Appayamma is. We do know, however, she is well over seventy. Despite her small frame and the fact that she is permanently bent over at the waist, you will find her full of life. She will sit and hold your hand and chatter away in Telugu, even though she knows you don’t understand.

Her husband of many many years died in 2007. Together they had four children, three sons and one daughter. All of her sons are married, but they do not take care of her.

It is her daughter, also a widow, who has stayed by her side. This widowed daughter lives with Appayamma and cares for her as best she can. However, as Appayamma is unable to work, the money the daughter makes as a day laborer is not enough to support them both.

This is where Vision Nationals steps in to help these two widows afford daily necessities as well as medicine for Appayamma . It is our hope that Appayamma and her daughter would meet Jesus through the love we show them.

For more on the situation of widows in India read Compassion is Hard to Come By.

Vision Nationals cares for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of widows throughout Vizag city. If you would like to sponsor a widow for $15 a month, you can give online or email karla@visionnationals.org.

January 16th, 2012

Pastor Solomon

At the age of 22, Solomon Raju, a Hindu, married a young Christian lady. His young wife, Vimalakumari, prayed for her husband each day, and after they had been married a little while she invited Solomon to a Gospel meeting. The preacher that day spoke of heaven and hell. The Holy Spirit placed a realization in Solomon’s heart about hell – that he deserved to go there. That created a deep set fear that led Solomon to confess his sins and put his trust in Jesus.

With a new found happiness, hope and peace, Solomon set out to tell all his friends about the love of Jesus. He spent three years sharing the Good News with all the villagers in his town. All the while working as a bus driver.

In 1991, he was wrestling within himself as to whether or not he should leave his job to pursue ministry full-time. There is no money in ministry. But while he was praying in church one day, God showed him a vision based on Psalm 34:8:

He left church that day filled with joy and the knowledge that he should leave his job. He promptly did so and began doing ministry full-time in the Gajapatinagaram District!

Tribal people have a separate culture, practice animism, and live off the land.

The first church he planted – 28 years ago – has 100 members! He planted two others which have 60 and 40 members. All together, Pastor Samuel pastors 200 people in three villages.

Besides these three village churches, he also ministers in tribal areas. Many tribal people lack education and medicine. They live in huts and work the land.  Pastor Solomon has made many inroads and relationships with the tribal people in his area. He takes them medicine and shares the Good News as he goes.

When asked how we can pray for him he answered: “I would like to pursue more ministry among the tribal people. It is always hard to find medicine for them, so you can pray God provides medicine to give to those in need. Also, please pray that the people of my villages and my tribal friends will come to know Jesus.”

Pastor Solomon is one of nearly two hundred men planting churches in India through Vision Nationals. We currently have 180 more men like Pastor Solomon waiting to be sponsored. If you are interested in sponsoring a church planter for $50 a month you may give online or email lauren@visionnationals.org for more information.