More news from Mid-India

Some of you may have heard about the terrorist attack that has taken place in Mumbai. Mumbai is about 14 hours journey by train towards the West of Damoh. I have been getting phone calls from the U.S. where people are wanting to know about us. First of all, I want to tell you that we are safe here in Damoh. Some of the Christian families who are acquainted to us are also safe there in Mumbai.

I do not know how much news you have about this incident, but it is said that this is the biggest terrorist attack ever on India. About a hundred and fifty people have been killed and over 350 injured. This is the recent figure that we have. This figure can go up as more news is coming. The commandos are still fighting at some locations while I am writing this letter.

Hotel Taj in Mumbai which is located just facing the ocean near the Gateway of India has come under severe attack. Other locations are the Trident Oberoi Hotel and the Nariman building. Nariman building is the place where mostly the Jews stay. These hotels are five star deluxe hotels and mostly top rank officials, politicians and business men stay here. The attack started at one of the largest train station in Mumbai and from one of the Café. A couple of years ago when I took my family to Mumbai for the first time, I had taken them to the Gateway of India and the hotel Taj just to visit it, (not to stay there.) as it is more than a hundred years old hotel.

Two of these Islamic terrorists called one of the news channels. According to them they were doing the right thing. It sounded like they had no guilt in taking innocent lives. The news is that these terrorists are from our neighboring country of Pakistan and they are in touch with Karanchi constantly.

Since the military attack has started, it has been said on television that India needs to respond in the similar manner as the U.S. responded after the 9/11 attack. I do not think that this can take place here. We do not have God fearing leader like you had at the time of attack on the U.S. It seems that the people of India, at present are full of appreciation for what the U.S. has done to protect its country from terrorists.

I am thankful to all of you for your prayers and concerns for our family.

Vivert & Neelam Lal

Email from Phil Smith

Supporters of the Prison Ministry in South Africa,

The following is a recent update from the Eastern Cape Director of Hope Prison Ministry in South Africa (Richard Gallant). I thought that I might pass it along to you as he gives several specific prayer requests. This has been a very demanding year as he is now directing the prison ministry without my direct involvement and guidance. It sounds like several individuals and churches have come on board to help in the work. They have also added an additional prison; the first women’s prison that we have been able to work within so far. Thank you for your continual prayer and financial support on behalf of Hope Prison Ministry!

Happy Holidays from our family to you!

Phil Smith

---

From: Richard Gallant
Sent: 03 December 2008 04:11 AM
Subject: Prison Ministry Report

Dear Brothers In Christ & Prayer Partners

Greetings in the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. We are still well thanks to God our Father. It is a Great honor for me to report to you about the ministry in the Eastern Cape at the close of 2008.

Activities
All the correctional Centres involved in the Christian Faith & Lifeskills Programme have written their final exam. All activities including Religious Programmes are stop from 17 December untill the 8 January 2009. This is for security reasons to safegtuard the inmates and to minimize the risk of inmates escaping.

We will be having our closing exercise on the 16 December or at a date suitable for the communication officer at the East London Centre. I did commit an amout of R 250 for the programme of the day.

The closing exercise of the Stutterheim Centre has been postponed untill the 15 january 2009 when the Chaplain will be able to attend. I also committed an amount of R 150 to help with preparations of the day.

New Work
As from February 2009 we will be involved with Meduim C at the East London Correctional Centre. I hope that the women of the Mdantsane Church Of christ will keep their commitment to get involved as they indicated.

The Zwelitsha & Dimbaza churches has committed themselves to make some leaders available to visit the Kingwilliamstown Centre every Sunday.

Photos
The authorities at Mdantsane & East London have objected that I take photos of inmates but they can take the photos and provide me with copies. I`m still busy discusing with the security personell and their communication officer.

Prayer Request
We need prayers for the Work in the Eastern Cape
We need prayers for the volunteers that work alongside me in the prisons
We need prayers so that more people can commit themselves to the programme
We need prayers so that human & Financial resources be made available
We need prayers for me and my family so that we can stay focus

We are looking forward for the visit from Brother Phil Smith in 2009 in the Eastern Cape. We want to THANK our PRAYER PARTNERS and the different people that supported us during 2008. We are looking forward for that same type of support in 2009. Without your financial support this project is doom to fail.

Yours in the Ministry
Brother Richard

Email from Vivert Lall from Mid-Indian Christian Mission

Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for your continual prayers for the situation in the state of Orissa. In the past few days, we haven't heard of any major incident of atrocity on Christians, but again we have gotten negative news. One of my friends has sent an article on persecution on Christians that was printed in the U.S. some of you might have already read it, if, not, I am attaching it.

About 35 miles from one of our Churches in Birmaal, extremists went to a Christian orphanage there on Friday, October 24, 2008. A Christian lady, Rajni Manjhi was there as its care-taker. They asked her to come out. Extremists were looking for the owner of that place. When they could not find out about him, they set the kitchen on fire, tied the hand and legs of Rajni, covered and tied her head with a plastic bag and threw her into the fire. She was burnt alive.

There is no single week that goes without an incident of atrocity on Christians in Orissa. The effect is now seen in our state as well. About five days back, a Church was set ablaze at Tikamgarh, a place about 85 miles from us.

I want to thank people who have supported us to help the victims here. We were able to help the evangelist and some of the family who have gone through this. Acts of persecution continue and so do the needs of these people. In next two months, November and December, we are planning to do further relief work and would be targeting majority of the families who have lost someone in the family and Christian families from our Churches who have been directly affected by persecution. If any of you still wish to support the mission in helping the families you may do so.

Thanks for your continual prayers for the situation here in India.

Vivert

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-10-25-india-attacks_N.htm?POE=click-refer

MID INDIA CHRISTIAN MISSION

VIVERT & NEELAM LALL

NEWSLETTER

October 2008

We want to thank everyone for their prayers for the situation in the State of Orissa. We have been sending updates about the situation and are grateful for your response and for the prayers and support.

We have been in regular touch with the evangelists working in different areas where the persecution is taking place. Some of them have been here to Damoh and we have been helping them in their needs that they expressed to us. To some families we have provided help for their clothes, blankets and household needs and books and school supplies. Some families are left with nothing and we have helped them so they will have enough to eat and have things to wear. There were houses where extremists have gone and blamed new Christians that they are sending their kids to schools and educating them and this is the reason that they are turning away from their traditional religion. These people have taken everything out of their homes including books and Bibles and have burnt it. People are also threatened by them and they have asked not to send their kids to school for education. We are having challenging time to do relief work in affected areas. So, we are working out strategy to do relief work from the neighboring state of Chhattisgarh. We plan to do relief efforts in these coming two months.

Brother keshav Rai is working with the mission at Lohar Gaon, in Sagar area in the state of Madhya Pradesh. On the 7th of October, when he was returning after one of evangelistic trips, some people stopped him on the way, beat him up and threaten him not to evangelize people in future. They snatched away his Bible and broke his spectacles.

Brother Yohan Raj who works with the mission in Delhi is having some opposition there as well. Regular services are being held at a home in Shalimar Garden area. Some people in the neighborhood have been opposing these services; perhaps we may have to change location.
At Pasana in Mandla area in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Brother Dhruv Kumar is working with the mission. Five new families have accepted Christ during the last month.

At Midnapur, in the state of Maharashtra, Brother Anand Prasad and Brother Bahadur Prasad hold regular services on every Mondays. Six new families have started attending the services regularly. Of these, three have expressed their willingness to accept our Lord. The evangelist there has started to work on the necessary paperwork involved.

Mission had purchased a plot of 11 acres, which is about 4 kilometers from the Main office. The legal formalities to start the construction there have been completed and we have obtained permission from the Government to construct building there. Now the construction work is in progress. Please pray for campus "ACTS".

We were honored to have with us Brother David McAnally and Brother Riley Shelton. They visited the mission from the 16th to the 19th of October. Their visit was an encouragement to all at the mission. A nine-member team from Savannah Christian Church, Georgia visited the mission from the 17th to the 23rd of October. This team led by brother Jarred included brother Ghuman, Brother Austin, Mrs. Austin, sister McGinnis, sister Hedemark sister Baggett, brother Simmons and sister Jefferson. They visited and appreciated the mission's work in the states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. It was our privilege to have them with us. They encouraged the evangelists and mission co-workers doing Lord's work amidst adversaries in different areas.

On the 22nd of October, over 100 visually impaired children presented different programs for the visiting team from Savannah, GA, at the Mission's Outreach Center/Prayer Hall. During the function, almost 5 feet long cobra came out and was at the main entrance of the building. Our son Lae was playing with the children in front of the entrance. Salil, who is one of mission's co-worker, his mother saw the snake and also Lae running in that direction without noticing the snake. She shouted just in time for Lae to leap over the snake. Cobra is one of the most poisonous snakes found in India and it strikes very swiftly. The snake was killed. We are thankful to God that it could not harm anyone.



NEEDS
In the months of November and December, we plan to continue our efforts of relief for the victims and their families who are facing persecution. Some of you have asked if you could still contribute towards this. Yes, your contribution will be very much appreciated. The need is large and a lot need to be done.

For Security Fence for mission's new campus in Damoh - $ 31,650. (We have $ 5,000 towards this need, the balance now that we need for this purpose is $ 26,650)

For van for the mission's Satellite Center at Bilaspur - $ 6,667.

For generators set $ 7,500. (There is six and a half hours of scheduled power cut everyday, there is unscheduled one also.)

Update from Spur Ministries -- First Hogan foundation poured

Hi,

We poured the first Hogan foundation for John & Roberta's home this past week.

We thank God for providing the funds and gifts!

We want to thank our supporters who helped donate to this cause, and the extra gifts that the local businesses gave to help begin the foundation work. Plus we thank John and Roberta's family for working along side us setting forms and pouring concrete.

Plus a big thanks to Marty Etsitty, (the brain on hogan building), and his family for helping us.

Please keep us in prayer as we build the rest of the house this November 1-9. Pray that God will provide the rest of the funds also.

Lord bless ya!

Steve Thompson

Spur Ministries

3453 Spur Lane

Show Low, AZ 85901

928-205-1279

azspur2002@yahoo.com
www.spurministries.com

UPDATE ON THE STATE OF ORISSA

We are back in India now. I traveled extensively in the U.S. in the last few weeks of our trip. We are thankful to God for travel mercies.

On our arrival here, the first thing that we came across was the information about persecution. Town 70 miles from us, Jabalpur has gone through a major incident when people tried to burn a Church. Christians got together and protested. One of our evangelists in Jabalpur, Solomon Masih and others were beaten up by the police.

Evangelist Rajendra Nand, who works with our mission team in Orissa was chased by a group of people. His bicycle was taken away and burnt by the miscreants. Rajendra Nand was beaten badly but he somehow managed to escape and save his life. One of our other evangelists from Orissa, Jyoti Pike called me but I could hardly hear him. He wanted to make sure if I had arrived in India or not and wished to come to Damoh for help.

The situation of Christians is still very bad in Kandhmaal area in the state of Orissa. Everyday on National Television there is news about attacks on Christians. Also you can read about different incidents through the print media.

Yesterday in Orissa, 36 houses of Christians were burnt and according to television, one person was killed. In reality the figures are much higher that those that are reported.I am thankful to several of you who are praying and have sent emails to us in this regard. Many of you have also responded to the financial need of these people. Please continue to pray for the situation. If you would like to contribute towards the financial needs of these people, please do so.

Once again we are thankful to all of you for your prayers.

Vivert Lall

Mid-India Christian Mission
First Christian Church
1100 Killarney Dr.
Greenville IL – 62246

From Marsha Relyea-Miles from Pioneer Bible Translators

Dear family and friends,

Floods...

The Aruamu people have a flood story. This summer when I was in PNG, part of our Aruamu team was working on the book of Genesis. When we were talking about the Noah flood story from Genesis chapters 6 through 9, the Aruamus told me again about their traditional folk tale. In their flood story a brother and sister climbed up in a coconut tree to get away from a raging flood. Rangai, their spirit-god, caused the tree to grow and grow, and the brother and sister survived the flood. When the earth dried out they came down and re-populated the earth. Then we talked through aspects of translating the Biblical flood narrative -- about how God saved Noah and his family in the Ark when the whole earth was destroyed by a flood.

Now our family has flood story. As you know, Hurricane Ike tore through the Galveston area 2 weeks ago, leaving destruction in its wake. Our Heather and Philip have been living on Galveston Island, both studying medicine at UTMB. They evacuated to our house in Dallas right before the hurricane. Ten days after the hurricane, residents were allowed back on the island, and they returned to assess the damage, accompanied by Philip’s father James Ashley, as well as several wonderful PBT co-workers. The house they have been renting had been flooded, leaving most things in their house damaged by sewage-laden floodwaters or by layers of mold. They spent one day trashing many items and salvaging things that they will try to de-mold or repair, and returned to Dallas that night with a load of things, as there was no place to sleep there. Then a day later Philip, James and I returned to Galveston to finish the trash-or-salvage job. They are currently going through what they salvaged, steam cleaning and disinfecting...and crying some...and trying to put an eternal perspective on the whole traumatic thing. Even though the loss of sentimental things brings tears, it’s just STUFF! God is in charge. He knows what he is doing. Thankfully, Heather and Philip have been able to reserve a temporary apartment in Galveston by phone, so they will have a place to lay their heads when classes at UTMB resumes classes in a couple of weeks.

Thank you very much for your prayers this last month. We are grateful that Heather and Philip are safe. We are grateful that the Aruamu translation team is progressing on translating the book of Genesis. We are grateful that God used Nathan this last month to help lead a course in Stuttgart Germany for Bible Societies computer support personnel working in places like Norway, Holland, Finland, Coatia, Czech Republic, Portugal, North Africa, and several former Soviet republics. We are grateful for a week of much-needed vacation time -- we used our frequent flier miles so that I could join Nathan near the end of his course, and then we relaxed in Switzerland for a few days. Whew. We SO needed that break! (I was especially thrilled to walk around the streets of Bern, Switzerland, where my ancestors are from.)

Please continue to uphold us in your prayers. Our Pioneer Bible Translators’ team is working diligently on many things, one of which is the PBT Annual Banquet to be held on Thursday October 30 at Valley View Christian Church in Dallas, with Max Lucado and Greg Pruett speaking. If you live close enough to attend, make sure you get tickets SOON at www.pioneerbible.org. This will be an unforgettable evening devoted to the Bible-less peoples of the world. I hope you can share it with us.

As we walk through this next month, may the declaration of praise expressed in Psalm 29:10 be true in our lives: "The Lord sits enthroned OVER THE FLOOD; the LORD is enthroned as King forever."

Blessings,
Marsha
(for Nathan and our whole clan)
To donate, checks may be made out to Pioneer Bible Translators, P.O. Box 420335, Atlanta , GA
Cell: 214-205-7060