Baitamanjuluru Village

Pastor's House Dedication

Usually we are all done on Friday night, but because of a death in the village, the last pastor's house dedication had to be postponed.  A big crowd showed up for worship and the ceremony--LOTS of kids!  We gave away the last of our Beanie Babies and cars to them.

The two bedroom house is next door to the church with a spiral staircase to the roof with a view of mountains in the distance.

How happy Dewey and Elvera would be to know this was donated by their daughter and son-in-law in their honor!  Someday in heaven, an Adventist pastor will come up to them and say, "I lived in your house!"

The walls have just received their initial coat of paint and are still drying.  After two months of curing, a second coat will make it look nice (in spite of the fact they are Pepto Bismol pink--a very common, loved color here!) 

When fully completed, there will be running water in the kitchen sink that is set into a black granite countertop.  It's the only kitchen of the five homes to have a tiled backsplash!

As she has done for every home, Sherrie presented a house warming gift.

We have worked with Pastor P. Prem Kumar for several years.  The four family members have been living in one room in the back of the church all the time.  They will be so delighted to move in to their own place!

The Final Meeting

Fifteen nights together and it's over.  The crowd filled every chair, all the floor space and people were standing outside listening.  We pray for continued revival in our six village churches.  It has been a blessing!

We had a contest for both the children for the nightly memory verses and the adults for Psalms 91.  These were the top three kids!

Money was donated for a new sari for the poor widows in our villages.  180 beautiful ones were purchased and distributed in the church during the meeting.  They were very happy!

Goodbye India till next year!

Chadalawada Village

A tiny village of just 20 families, their church building has been closed for 8 years and was just recently re-opened by a lady who has made it her mission to do that for closed churches.

The members are so grateful and excited to have their church open!  They support the energetic, young pastor and his family and financially give to keep things going.

The lady on the left just graduated from Jeannette's sewing class!  Here she is standing proudly with her new machine!

When the church was re-opened, the opposition of a local, influential lady had this new pastor put in jail!  Our section departmental people bailed him out.  Next angry village men threatened to kill him!  He said, "I am doing God's work" and we are staying here!  They backed off and he has been diligently tending to his members.  As we were going house to house visiting, that same lady allowed us to pray for her!   God is working!!

These precious people come to church every Sabbath from 35 miles away because they love this congregation and pastor.  There are many closer ones, but they leave home at 8AM, travel for three hours by crowded, non-A/C bus to worship on time!!  Imagine that!  We have trouble making it a few miles away in our comfortable cars!  God bless them!!

Sewing Class Graduation

Twenty women from the class made their decision to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and be baptized!  We praise God for the way He works in the lives of those who seek Him!

This dear woman says she will be beaten by her husband when he learns she was baptized, but went ahead anyway.  Please pray for her!

Graduation followed the baptism and lunch.  The testimonies a few of the students gave were so touching--fear turned to peace, anxiety turned to confidence.  Several told how they have grown in faith and devotion to God because of the worships by Carl every morning.  Many plan to help others and support their local churches.

Just a few of this class--our largest so far!

All 73 women passed the course (and it's not easy!)!

Some of the ladies were so overcome with this achievement they cried in Jeannette's arms.  The little lady on the right said they were tears of joy!

Here they are!  The class of 2025!

New machines and tables headed home with delighted ladies!

Sewing Ladies Spa Day!

Every year, at the end of the classwork, Jeannette has a "Spa Day" for the sewing ladies.  For women used to being used and abused, and only serving others, this was a real treat!

Facials, foot soaks, manicures--just like a pampered women's spa!

Kallagunta Village

At this village we got handmade garlands the folks picked from their gardens and made up just as we were entering the church.  Wish all the villages did that, as each bought garland costs half a day's wage!

As usual, we loved going house to house visiting with the people and praying for them.  Prayer is vital to them, as it should be to each of us!

The villagers were busy working in the tobacco harvest.  This lady is stringing the leaves with a long steel needle onto rope.  They are then tied and hung to dry.  

This is the brightly painted village Hindu temple.  Hanuman is the monkey god.  So glad we worship our Savior instead.  We hope others will follow.

Woodpet School

Situated in the slum area of the capital of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada, is the little Woodpet school, where we sponsor 30 of the 100 students.  The facility is definitely lacking, but the teachers are good and faithful.  We have seem them year after year, carrying on in a less than ideal situation.

So here they are--the sponsored students who are able to go to a Christian school because you supported them!  Thank you so much!

Thimmanapalem Village

This very large village of 250 families sits right on a main road, so definitely not rural, but the rear side backs up to tobacco fields.  Their church has a big, flagstone front yard that is wonderful for functions.  A large government elementary school is right next door.  

The kids were especially friendly and so excited we had come to their village!  The Beanie Babies and cars made it even better!

We had wonderful visits with families!

On the main street, vendors sold fruits and veggies.  Bob loves the oranges here, so he bought a bag full!  The man who presses clothes in front of a shop has live coals inside that big, heavy iron!

India Republic Day!

Republic day is a big deal in India!  It's like our 4th of July.  Four of the team stayed on the Hope campus and celebrated with the school.

The rest of the team travelled 90 minutes to Fjarli Academy, the premier SDA school in Andhra Pradesh.  430 students are enrolled--100 day and 330 boarding students.  They have a 100% pass rate on the government tests each year!

All the school children throughout India practice marching for days to the beat of a drum in preparation for the special day.

The flag is raised with ceremony and Pastor Harry was the guest speaker.

We attended a cultural program by the students lauding India.

Here are our sponsored students!  Seven had graduated, and two were absent but the rest were so happy to receive a Beanie Baby, a car, a ball and a toothbrush!

Sewing Class Update

The ladies are growing more confident, skilled and proficient every day!  Their ages range from 14 to almost 60.

Jeannette has taken them through the whole syllabus and they have finished their learning projects. 

Sari or punjabi outfit materials have been purchased for each student according to their preference.  They were so excited to get to pick out the item for their final project!

Revival Meeting Update

The folks have learned five English action songs--what fun to joyfully sing with them!

Attendence has been building to  a full house--they had to bring in more chairs to accommodate everyone

The team is taking turns doing the health talk, Bible story with felts and five preached.

Headed home after the meeting!   

Things You'll Never See

 from the Roads in New England!!

     Fancy Indian technical college                                   Salt pans

 Hanuman, the monkey god--a Hindu temple--tobacco on the way to drying 

           Water buffalos swimming                   Flocks of sheep blocking the road

     Rice being harvested by hand                A brick yard, all made by hand

  Water buffalos meandering down the street---Newly planted rice paddy

Update on the Children's Program

Our team and the local pastors are doing an incredible job with the children!  Over 90 kids can't wait to go next door to the church every night to hear Bible stories, sing, and do a coloring page or craft!

Every night, the kids get a new item to put in the school boxes they were given the first day.  They bring them every night, and have a clipboard to put all the drawings illustrating the nature story.  They are very proud of their work!

Our resident artist, Marye, gave a drawing lesson.  The kids loved it!

Sabbath and House Dedication 

in Peda Ambadapudi

It was almost 1 3/4 hour drive to this village that was a part of our meetings in Santamagaluru in 2019.  It was a nice surprise to see folks there that had attended the revival meetings then!  

Harry preached on Elijah's running away, depression, and hearing God's still, small voice.  There were several precious babies, and of course, tons of kids eager for "boma" (Telegu for gift)!

After worship service, we went next door to dedicate the new pastor's house.  It was exciting for everyone, as he has been living (like most of our pastors) in the back room of the church for years.  It was notable that in 21 years of being in India, there were no garlands--Harry could have worn his white shirt!

Anita McKown, a friend who has been a team member in past years, donated funds for this house in honor of her young niece who recently died.  What a lovely tribute to her.

A nice 2 bedroom house with the biggest kitchen yet!  The pastor's wife was delighted!  There will be running water in the sink as well.  That seems so basic to us, but it is a great luxury in the simple village homes.  This house already has it's second coat of paint, so it looked really nice and is almost move in ready!

Special prayer for Pastor A. Jacob and his wife, who will live here.

Lunch in the church again!

House Dedication in Takkellapadu

Our third Bible worker home dedication was in this village that bordered a rice paddy and a pond.  This was the first time in 21 years that everyone was in the church waiting for us!  Usually we wait over 1/2 hour for them to trickle in!  A gauntlet of smiling ladies met us with pans full of marigold petals!

We actually got two garlands each!  There were lots of children who were delighted with the cars and Beanies!

This home was large and had a spacious living room, running water in the kitchen and a bathroom IN the house!  The front yard was walled in for privacy and had two water spigots for doing laundry there.  It was given in honor of Hazel Oddie, a friend's mother who is a retired missionary pastor's wife.

Newly constructed, it also needs final finish work, and a second coat of paint in about a month, so the concrete can cure and take the paint well.

A prayer of blessing and a house warming gift for the pastoral couple.

Pastor T. China Pullaiah and his wife are excited to move in!

After the dedication, we were the very first people

 to eat in the brand new house!

While we were eating in the house, the congregation had a big picnic in the church front yard with food served from huge pots!

Reddypalem Village

This village where we hold our nightly meetings is quite poor and small with just 40-50 families, many of whom are associated with the church.  It sits in a very rural area surrounded by lentil, chili and tobacco fields.

The fields were full of workers harvesting tobacco, and a big flock of sheep were being driven down the village road on the way to pasture.

Quite a few water buffalos were "parked" in the yards!

Although there are a few very nice homes, probably for land owners and and officials, many were very crude with dirt floors and even palm leaf walls.  Tarps covered leaking old tile roofs, rough brick walls lined the interiors.  

The man above was attack by a large, angry water buffalo and broke his hip.  Instead of a replacement, he is on 3 months of bed rest with an air mattress!  Poor fellow.  On the right, jute seed is drying in the yard.  The fiber is used to make burlap bags used to transport unhulled rice, cotton and other field products.

House Dedication in Lakkavram

This was one of our villages several years ago!  We went to dedicate a new pastor's house there, donated by the Copsey's in honor of their parents.  Surrounded by rice paddies full of workers harvesting the grain, we were struck by how clean it was--very little trash!  These cute little girls were excited and eager to do the the honor of garlanding us!

Hot pink (next to the lime green church) the house just needed a second coat of paint inside and out and cleanup from construction before the pastor moves in.  With 2 bedrooms, an attached bathroom, spacious rooftop with a view of mountains, and a big front yard, it was quite nice. 

Ribbon cutting and prayer for every room.

Special prayer was offered for the pastor and his wife who will live here.  Then Sherrie presented them with a housewarming gift bag full of food items and other nice things.

While we were busy dedicating the house, this lady was busy peeling and prepping vegetables for our lunch!

Pedaganjam Village

Just 3 kilometers from the ocean, this large (dusty) village of 200 families has many fishermen.  Our church has about 70 attending regularly.  Harry picked up the last of our team in Chennai last night--Wayne McKenney, Marye's husband.

Beanie Babies bring a lot of smiles!

It is such a joy to meet the village folks and pray for them!  They really seek and value prayer and God's blessing.

The Sewing Ladies Learning Fast!

Joyce has spent hours with a translator interviewing each of the ladies to get to know them better and follow up with them.  Many are dealing with alcoholic and/or abusive husbands, or are widows.  Many sad stories--we are glad this training will help them.

Medical Camps in the Villages

This year, our team is again offering a medical camp in each village church we visit, while part of the team visits homes.  Dr. Judith Gabriel and a local physician are overseeing the program, assisted by Icilda, and Adventist nursing students from Indian schools, some of whom we have helped to find sponsors for.  A brief medical history, vital signs, and a glucose check are taken before the villagers head to see the doctors, then to the "pharmacy" where meds are dispensed.  

On the other side of the church, Sherrie and local sisters, Florence and Mercy who have helped us before, screen for the need of reading glasses that are donated by Ernie Yap of NNEC.  A "Steps to Christ" in Telegu and prayer are offered to each person. 

At the back of the church, Alyssa, a physical therapy assistant, advises folks on exercises that may help their aches and pains.  

Maddiralapadu Village

Village welcomes are more subdued now because we don't want to call attention to Christian foreigners in the current Indian government.  That doesn't mean they aren't exuberant and joyful, however!

Beanie Babies and Matchbox Cars for all the children!

About 100 families call this home--40 are SDA.  We spent two hours visiting from home to home and praying for them.  The folks are lovely, friendly and so appreciative.  The kids follow us from house to house, trying to practice their English!

This is the village government school!

We were delighted to find four ladies who had graduated from previous sewing programs--6, 5, and 3 years ago!  All are happy and making money!  

More on the Children's Program!

Songs, memory verses, Bible stories, a nature nugget and a craft!  What's not to love?  The local pastors have been a great help in translating and crowd control.  Groups of 12-15 children sit with the same one each night.

The craft was quick and fun--an origami cat!  The kids loved being creative!

Bay of Bengal Anyone?

Seven of the team took the 30 minute drive to the Bay of Bengal.  The water was warm, but the surf was too wild to swim in, so they walked the beach, looked for shells, and mingled with the locals doing the same.  

The only sad part of the excursion, was seeing more than 15 dead sea turtles.  A local man who spoke English said it was the result of climate change.

It Begins!!

Today the sewing class begins!  After days of setting up and arranging, everything was ready.  73 excited (and a little anxious and fearful!) ladies sat at brand new sewing machines awaiting instruction from Jeannette and her seven former students who assist.  How she manages, we don't know, but God gives her patience and wisdom year after year, and the women learn well and most successfully support themselves!  Please pray for all of them!

Sabbath Services at Hope Center

Ron preached at the church on campus to a full house, as all the ladies for the sewing class have arrived.

It was communion Sabbath, so we got the privilege of serving many of the sewing ladies before the Lord's supper. 

January 18th--Happy Birthday Pastor Harry!

We always get to celebrate Harry's birthday in India!  This year, our friends of the local conference went all out and bought him an authentic Indian outfit (much to his chagrin!) in addition to the usual blessing and cake!

Our First Meeting!

Our opening meeting in the village of Reddypalem began very late, but went very well for a first night!  The folks from the other five villages didn't all arrive until after 8:45!  As usual, they love the singing and were eager to learn the English action songs.  Harry presented how the image of Daniel 2 proves the Bible is true and the Word of God.

Over 60 children enjoyed their own program in the church next door with Alyssa, Joyce, Sherrie and Marye leading out.

A special joy was meeting three ladies who had graduated from previous sewing classes and are active in their churches. These two with Carl and Jeannette, finished six years ago, and are doing well and supporting their families!  Another graduated three years ago, and is successful as well.  This ministry truly changes lives!

Goodies For The Sewing Ladies!

The 70 sewing ladies arrive tonight for their two week training course with Jeannette.  Each one gets a small backpack bag filled with personal care items--towel, washcloth, toothbrush and paste, bar soap, lotion, shampoo, hair oil, powder, comb and a water bottle.  This is just part of the program to make the women feel special and loved.  A bunch of the team made an assembly line to fill them.

Nellore Pastor House Dedication

Today, we drove 2 hours to dedicate a pastor's house in the large city of Nellore.  The church next door is one of seven the pastor manages.  He and his family of 4 have been living in the back room of the church!  We were greeted with garlands, had a short introduction and talk, and passed out Beanie Babies and cars to the happy kids.

After the dedication, we were treated to a big meal in the church!

Pongal Festival

We always arrive in India during the big Pongal Festival that celebrates the harvest and honors cattle that are washed, dressed and decorated!

A night out!

Last night we did a bit of shopping and had supper out at a new restaurant in town.  It was a new culinary experience for some!  All 14 of us plus 2 of our local pastors ate for $24!!

Arrival at Hope Center!

After a 12 hour flight to Abu Dhabi, meeting the last two of our team, a short layover, a 4 hour flight to Chennai, 90 minutes navigating immigration, security and baggage claim, and a 5 1/2 hour drive to Ongole, we finally arrived at the Hope Center at 4AM and fell into bed!

A view of part of the Hope Center Campus from our balcony

Layover in Abu Dhabi

Here We Go!

Here is part of the team ready to fly to Abu Dhabi for the 21st NNEC mission trip to India!

Lots to Do to get Ready!

Thanks to Mrs. Tyson and her twenty-five 7th and 8th graders, what used to take us weeks was done in one hour!!  They de-tagged, un-packaged, sorted, counted and bagged 483 matchbox cars and 950 Beanie Babies!