Recently I was talking to Jeff (my oldest son) on the phone. I told him I really wanted him to go back to India with me to help with the work. Jeff is an excellent history teacher; as such, he is a very good speaker. This means he can preach and do it well. We need him in India, as a preacher, to help with the work. He said he was eager to return, but his summer work required him to be in the USA during the summers-when he could go to India. And he hates that.
Then Jeff reminded me of our trip to Tanuku in West Godavari District several years ago. Jeff and I worked with Brother P. David Raju in Gospel meetings (and Bible classes for preachers) in that area. After one of his meetings, a little old woman came up to Jeff and through his translator told him that she had a gift for him. For preaching the Gospel, and to show her appreciation for his efforts, she gave Jeff 2 rupees. I had forgotten that-but Jeff never will. As we talked, Jeff could not hold back the tears. I couldn't either. "Dad, everything I did in India was worth it because of the souls I helped to lead to the Lord. What that sweet old woman gave me, those 2 rupees, means more to me than I can ever explain to anyone because of what it represents".
I remember when a woman gave me 20 rupees years ago for the same reason. Kyle, in his very early years in India, was given 1 rupee in similar fashion. He carried that 1 rupee in his pocket for years to help him remember why he was there, and what he was, doing. The effect of these gifts on all of us was the same. We were deeply touched, never forgot what these folks gave to us, and hed tears because we were so moved by their simple actions. These are very poor people, giving just a little money to help us, so we could preach the Gospel. To them, it was a large amount. It was given in love for the Lord, His work and in appreciation for what we were doing for the people of India.
Over the years, one of those we preached to was G. Kanthi Raj. He heard the Word, knew the message was the Truth, and obeyed the Lord. His son, Jyothi Raju (whose article appears in "INDIA NOTES") was 7 when his father became a Christian. Jyothi obeyed the Gospel in 1998 at the age of 16. Jyothi and his father are working together in preaching the Word of God, and they now have about 2,000 preachers laboring with them in Nalgonda, Warangal, Khammam and Ranga Reddy Districts (and in Hyderabad), all in Andhra Pradesh. In last month's newsletter, we mentioned Brother Kanthi Raj and how he needed help for his church building.
Let me tell you why this is noteworthy. After Kanthi Raj obeyed the Gospel, he lost his support from the Baptist Church. We did not replace it. In fact, I knew nothing about his plight until just a month ago. Kanthi Raj taught his congregation, and in short time they became New Testament Christians. Since he was a leader in the Baptist Church in that area (where he lived), he began teaching every congregation of that group. One by one, every Baptist Church in that area heard the Truth and obeyed it. Every one of them! Until this day, there is not a single Baptist Church in that area. Kanthi Raj lost everything to obey the Lord-and still receives no support.
How many souls have been baptized into Christ through Kanthi Raj's work? Only God knows the number. The number of converted now runs into the thousands. He has converted about 200 denominational preachers, most of whom have in turn converted most or all of their churches to the Lord's way. This has repeated itself over and over again in India. The power of God's Gospel is evident in India as no place else in the world today. You may not believe the number of conversions our team is producing in India. If not, that is sad indeed. If anyone tells you the numbers are not correct, just ask them if they have seen our team at work. They haven't. And I wonder if those folks really believe in the power of the Word of God-or what just 2 rupees can help to do.