December 2009

I have a brief report on two mission trips that I have done since my last news update 4 months ago. Firstly, in August I spent a busy 10 days in Maine, USA and New Brunswick, Canada. It was great to visit friends and supporters in churches in Camden and Port Clyde, Maine and also in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. These churches have faithfully supported No Limits over a period of years and we could not have accomplished what we have without their partnership in the gospel.

Having been in India in July with Jean, it seemed strange to be back there again so soon in November. I travelled with a friend, Bruce Millar, whom I regard as a Teacher/Prophet and together we conducted three leadership conferences. We arrived back in UK at the beginning of December feeling as though we had really been operating in the zone of God’s anointing.

Once again I felt quite ill before departure and, on this occasion, not very well upon my return. However, all the time I was in India I was really well. Go figure!! I’m beginning to suspect spiritual conniving! Since our itinerary ended in Mumbai (Bombay) it seemed to make sense to fly in and out of there. As a result we got a really good deal on the ticket although it meant a bit more internal travelling. Before the first conference in Eluru we spent a day in Hyderabad consulting with a local auditor regarding setting up our own Trust/Society that will enable us to get finance into the country much more easily. I am hoping to complete the setting up of this on my next trip in March. It was also a great blessing to see Malaki & Beulah’s newly arrived baby – although it was a real brain-teaser trying to find a suitable name for the little boy. 

We travelled that evening by overnight train from Hyderabad to Eluru. Once in Eluru we had a great time with around 75 pastors and leaders teaching, praying and ministering to them. It was a great conference and it concluded with us holding a graduation ceremony for the MTC students from Pakala. Actually I’d like to share the story of just one of the students by way of example – admittedly a rather unusual story. The young man in question comes from an idol-worshipping Hindu background. He received the gospel in 2007 and immediately became a fully devoted follower of Jesus. He was baptized and took the name of Jacob. In 2008 he applied to and attended the Ministry Training Centre in Pakala, studying under Pastor Adams, our Director, and participating in practical aspects of ministry. He completed his time in June and was graduated last month. The amazing thing about this young man is that he has raised three people from the dead (including a young girl) during and since his training. I guess he hadn’t been a Christian long enough to know that you just can’t do that sort of thing these
days!!

The photograph pictures him receiving his graduation certificate from me. It is always a privilege and an inspiration to be with these students who sacrifice so much for the cause of the gospel and the Kingdom. 

On Saturday evening we had a great meeting in a nearby village church celebrating the 10th anniversary of the church. On Sunday we ministered in local churches in the morning before leaving for Hyderabad in the evening. We spent Monday and Tuesday with a group of young leaders who had come in from all over Andhra Pradesh to spend some time with us. These young leaders are all acquaintances of Malaki, our Field Administrator, and have asked us to teach and mentor them. They are very trainable people and it is a joy to spend time with them. Actually, it felt a bit like when Jesus chose the ‘twelve’ that they might ‘be with Him’. The main difference is that these young men appear to have chosen us.

The ‘twelve’ in Hyderabad who came from as far away as Adilabad and Vizianagaram districts. One man even came from Chennai in Tamil Nadu!

From Hyderabad we headed back to Mumbai to teach in Abundant Life Ministries ALTAR (Abundant Life Training Academy Resources). There were about 80 leaders in attendance and it was great to teach and renew fellowship with these dedicated men and women.

On the final weekend we ministered at the Abundant Life 10th Anniversary Celebration. At a guess, I estimate that there well over a thousand people in attendance on the Saturday night and it was a truly joyous occasion as they celebrated all that the Lord had enabled them to accomplish in 10 years including hundreds of churches planted, schools, orphanages and training facilities. On Sunday we spoke in Jerry D’Souza’s church in Bandra and the Hindi service at night.

The church building (right) defies all the principles of suitable church facilities, but it houses a thriving and growing church in Bandra East. We also ministered at a weekly pastors’ meeting the following morning at the same place. I must say it’s the first time I’ve had to climb a fire escape built into a tree to go to church. Could it be in violation of Disability Legislation, I wonder?

The journey home passed without incident (except for arriving home without my suitcase) and we had the feeling that all had been accomplished and a deep satisfaction that we had imparted all that we had prepared. I’m still suffering with an “Indian “ stomach – but I don’t think you want a report on that!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support in prayer and finances. It is such a blessing to know that so many stand with us as we seek to do our bit to reach the multitudes of this great nation of nations.

Viv & Jean

Archive of News items

June 2009 July 2009