Ministry of the Word to Nadiad, Vadodara, Anand, and Surat

Nadiad
This city was not in our original plan. But, a brother who is a possible translator for Gujarati was introduced to me. Thereafter, this city was inserted into the distribution plan. Later, I realized that there was a sister from this city who was gained while she was studying for her nursing course in Hyderabad. This sister and her family became the key contact for Nadiad. In fact, as we arrived in the city, she and her family had prepared a meeting with their neighbors. Though our plan was to stay in a hotel, we eventually had to cancel the hotel and stayed in the seeker's home as they requested. In fact, we were seven brothers, but still, out of their love toward the Lord and us, they made arrangements with all the facilities they had in their home.

As we began the meeting, we sang a Gujarati hymn, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine! Based on this hymn, I picked up the phrase "Born of His Spirit" and fellowshipped on the line of the need to be born again using the life of Nicodemus in John 3. Other brothers followed suit in sharing the truth on the same line with some testimony. We had a wonderful group meeting with the new ones in Nadiad. I do believe, the Lord will gain these families for the church life in Nadiad!

After the night halt, the next day, the family again prepared a sumptuous breakfast though we told them not to. Still, because of their love, they gave their best again. Then, a brother and I went to meet the Reverend Pastor of the Methodist church who also purchased the ministry books after introducing it to them. Then, a contact who was supposed to be a Gujarati translator but did not work out was met. After meeting him I realize that the Lord uses some people to give us direction, and some to open the door, and some to actually be the pillars for His testimony. He sovereignly moves in His wise ways.

Vadodara
The key contact in Nadiad, our sister, volunteered to join us in Vadodara as well and she wanted us to meet with her relatives. In fact, there too, they prepared lunch, dinner, night stay, and breakfast. They all loved the Lord and did their best for us. May the Lord richly reward them, especially the sister who took the initiative in making all the necessary arrangements.

In the night meeting with our host, we sang a hymn in Gujarati, What a Friend we Have in Jesus!. Based on this hymn, I ministered the word on the need to treasure the Lord's presence all the time in prayer and the word of God. I also released the burden of reading and eating the word of God using the Lord's words in John 6 along with my own testimony. My burden was to help the families who have young brothers and also the new brothers who coordinated with us in the ministry journey for the first time.

In Vadodara, the Lord also led me to meet the President of the Gujarat Tracts and Books Society. Although their bookstore and office were in Ahmedabad, we did not have time to visit them there. But here, the President who could make the decision placed the order for the ministry books and Bible for display in their bookroom. Therefore, the Lord led us to meet the right people at the right place and at the right time again! Besides, a Hebrew professor at a theological seminary who also knows Greek was met and he appreciated the Holy Bible Recovery Version and purchased a copy for himself.

Of course, a few other Pastors were met too along with the sister who actually helped in finalizing the Gujarati free booklets which were distributed in Gujarat on this trip. By the way, a group of brothers went to another city Anand.

Anand

In the city of Anand where AMUL, Anand Milk Union Limited, the famous Indian milk company is situated, the Lord has His remnant, a family open to the ministry. The sister there had been in Mumbai enjoying the church life and actively serving there.

Surat
The brothers were concerned that there was no accommodation arranged in this city. However, we met a Pastor in Vadodara, and he helped us in booking the CNI church guest house. This turned out to be a key venue in Surat for us to meet seekers and introduce the ministry literature. Initially, the meetings with seekers were not very encouraging, but as we left the city, we stopped by on the way to meet a Pastor. Our meeting with him turned out to be a big breakthrough for the distribution. As the brother was the son of the Pastor who ran the biggest independent Christian ministry in Surat and was also a part of the mainline churches. The door has been opened and the seed has been sown in Surat!

Lord, raise up Your testimony in Nadiad, Vadodara, Anand, and Surat!