Darrell Dunham recently returned from spending several weeks in India. His detailed report of his trip is posted below. Clicking on the links throughout the report will direct you to the cooresponding photo from the Flickr photos album from his trip. (The photo will open in a new window.) To see the whole set of photos at once, click here.
April 20, 2010
March-April Missionary Report
Introduction.
I decided to write a more detailed report of my recent trip to India so that Margham USA would receive a better feel for the movement in India. I am also hoping and praying that reports such as this one will spark an interest in some that read it to take a trip themselves.
March 17th through March 19th
Unless you enjoy spending an extensive time on airplanes, the worst part of a trip to India is getting there and getting back. This time I was able to pay for the trip with 80,000 bonus points accumulated on my American Express Credit Card. You can fly there pretty much whenever you want to with 130,000 bonus miles, but you have to look hard for flights where you exchange only 80,000 bonus points.
On this trip I flew to Newark, New Jersey, and spent most of the day of March 17th there. I left for Bombay on a 8:00 p.m. flight and arrive the evening of March 19th. The flight itself took slight over 15 hours. The difference in the dates, of course, is because of the time change. India is roughly 12 hours ahead of Illinois. Interestingly, on the way back, I left at 2:30 a.m. on March 31st and arrived in St. Louis at 5:30 p.m. on March 31st.
March 19th-20th; March 29th-30th, Bombay/Mumbai
I arrived in the evening on March 19th and was met at the airport by one of the senior Margham team leaders. I spent that evening and the following evening at a hotel near the Mumbai airport. By American standards the hotel was inexpensive, approximately $50.00 USD per night. It was safe and clean but did not have hot water. Of course, if your preference is for nicer hotels with hot water, they are readily available. But the price will be at least double what I paid.
The next morning I was met by Brother Jerry Dsouza and his wife, Bella , and daughter, Joybell. That morning I gave my presentation on I Thessalonians to a group of about 60 pastors. Jerry is the founder of Abundant Life Ministries, which has a fellowship of 700 churches. The philosophy of this movement is that when a church reaches the size of 100 believers it is time for it to split into two. Potential pastors are always being groomed. Please pray that Jerry, Bella, and Joybell will be able to travel to the United States so that we can be with them in southern Illinois on May 8th and 9th.
This Pastors’ meeting was held in what they call “The Upper Room.” It was on the second floor of a building in Mumbai, and you literally had to climb a very steep flight of stairs to reach it. All building inspectors in the United States would tag the stairs on sight and take steps to prevent access to the upper room until the stairs were fixed. The problem, of course, is that there is no room by the side of the building to do anything other than use these type of stairs.
I was only able to complete the first three chapters of I Thessalonians. When I returned on March 30th, I as able to complete the last two chapters. I have said frequently that you don’t need to be a good teacher or preacher to go to India and participate on a missionary team. All you need is a good interpreter. My interpreter generously filled in the gaps. Several times my one sentence statement, taking five seconds in English, took more than 45 seconds in Hindi. Of course, I like to encourage these embellishments.
We dedicated a baby at the end of the session, celebrated Bella’s birthday, and I was very impressed with the testimony of a young Muslim convert from northern India. He told a detailed story of his life in a Muslim family and how the Lord came to him when he was on his deathbed. He gives credit to his present good health to the God of the Bible because of the prayers of praying Christians in his community.
The Abundant Life Ministries holds house church meetings at least once a week. The Lord’s Super is taken, and a fellowship meal is also served. It appears that most of the evangelizing is done in these house church meetings, some in slum areas.
I got the chance to meet Brother Bernard. He is an interesting pastor. He is of Indian origin, but he pastured in England. He came back to India after his wife died, and he met an English missionary woman, who had lost her husband. She actually speaks better Hindi than he does.
The evening of March 20th I was with Pastor Moses in Mumbai. Recall that this pastor ministers to the Telugu speaking community in Mumbai. Hindi is the native language, and this group is similar to what we would call migrant workers. In the dominate Hindu culture, these folks are considered to be at the lowest end of the spectrum.
When one you go to India, the local pastor will insist on your being a prime speaker at the meeting. In the past, I have tried to avoid being garlanded with flowers and receiving a shawl of honor, but the Indian Christians simply will not let you decline. Our modest contributions, usually $45.00 per month per pastor, do seem to provide significant encouragement. Whenever I have the opportunity, I do emphasize that by giving me honor that I am representing over 100 donors in the United States.
At the meeting conducted by Pastor Moses, I was asked to hand out 60 baptism certificates . This meeting was held in the court yard of a Catholic school.
March 21st – Bangalore
The following morning I took a plane to Bangalore. “ Lecturer,” met my plane, along with local pastor, Willy, elder, Joshua, and valuable helper, Reubens. Recall that the Lecturer is another of our senior leaders. He came to the United States last year. The hotel cost a little more, $65.00 USD, but the rooms were large and nice and had hot water. I shared my room with Joshua, who clearly and loudly enjoyed his sleep.
After having a nice lunch at the Hotel, we took a three hour drive to a village near the city of Mysore. This was the place that Arun Kumar served when he started his ministry. He was born and raised in the area. The church has 1200 believers, and I was part of the ceremony dedicating the new church. The believers insisted on giving yours truly a crown. Sometimes you have no choice but to grin and bear it. If you travel to India you, you have to learn to endure being “honored.” Recall that Margham gave over $20,000.00 for the construction of this church. The roof is solid, and the floors is concrete. It makes an impressive statement in the area. The old church had a grass roof and dirt floor.
The time in Bangalore was too short. We had the evening meal with Pastor Willy and his family after the dedication ceremony. The food was delicious, if especially if you are like me and enjoy spicy food.
March 22ndt through March 24th – Pastors’ Conference
The Lecturer and I then flew to Vijaywada for the Pastors’ Conference. We exchanged planes at Hyderabad. Some of you may have heard about a state of unrest in Andhra Pradesh. The issues involve the death of a popular Christian Prime Minister of the State by a helicopter crash and the desire by certain leaders in Hyderabad to have the state divided into two. While I was there, I saw no signs of political or civil discontent. Some of you may have decided to forgo a trip because of political unrest, but Arun and the Lecturer advise me that it is safe to return.
The second day of the Conference I was joined by Sister Megan Reeder. For those of you who may not know, she is a Wycliffe Missionary to the nation of Bangladesh. I have known Megan since she was a small child, and she is a good friend with my daughter Emily. Megan taught the Margham pastors how Bible stories could be used to spread the Gospel to the illiterate population. Again, we were honored with many garlands.
Some of Arun’s orphan children came to the conference. I was very impressed with their demeanor while they were there. They actually seemed to be interested in what was being said. His children activity participated in Megan’s question and answer and presentations.
I thought you would be interested in getting to know his children a little better. The first child is Deepika. She is age 11. She wants to be a singer when she gets older. Her favorite book of the Bible is Proverbs, and her favorite Bible verse is Psalms 23:1. She is a very lively girl.
Next is Lela. She is 10 years old. She also wants to be singer. Her favorite book of the Bible is Psalms. Her favorite verse is Psalms 27:10. She, like her brothers and sisters in the orphanage, was very attentive during the pastors’ seminar and took good notes.
I also interviewed Sanjeetha. She is 20 years old. She does not live in the orphanage, but she was active in the Christian community in Machillipatum, where Arun’s orphanage is located. She is studying to be a pastor. Her favorite book is James. Her favorite verse is Psalms 1:1. Her favorite person in the Bible is David. She will be getting married over the summer to a young man that Arun has endorsed.
The next child I interviewed was John. He is 16 years old. He wants to be a Pastor. His favorite book in the Bible is John. His favorite verse is John 3:16. His favorite person in the Bible is Abraham. He is a modest young man, and he supports those around him.
I then talked with Leethsami, age 11. She wants to be singer. Her favorite book is Psalms. Her favorite verse is Psalms 1:1. Her favorite person in the Bible is David. She seems to be a favorite with the other children.
Rachel is 13 years old. She wants to be a Pastor when she grows up. Her favorite book is Psalms. Her favorite verse is Psalms 27:10. Her favorite bible person is Paul. She appears to be one of the more intelligent children in the orphanage.
I talked with Naomi. She is now 17 years old. Recall that two years ago that Margham paid for her to have an operation to fix her eyes. She indicates that her eyes are much better after the operation. She wants to be a Pastor when she gets older. Her favorite book is Exodus. Her favorite Bible verse is Genesis 1:1. Her favorite person in the Bible is Nehemiah.
Monika is age 12. She also wants to be a singer. Her favorite book is Psalms. Her favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 1:1. Her favorite person in the Bible is David.
Gopi helped with the drums during the singing at the Pastors’ Conference. He is age 12. He wants to be a pastor. His favorite book is Revelations. His favorite verse is Revelations 19:16. His favorite person in the Bible is Joseph.
March 23rdth & 24th – Pastor Kalahdar
I spent the evening of March 24th and March 25th with Pastor Kalahdar at the home of his family. He has an extended family. Many of you know Kalahdar because he was able to come to the United States three years ago. He is married to Mumgila, and he has a son Sonny, age 14, and daughter, Shinny, age 12. I spent both evenings in the home of Mumgila’s sister, Roni. Mumgila and Roni have a brother, Shacker, who appears to be afflicted with Downs Syndrome or related type of impairment. Shacker is age 25. He is very limited in his speaking ability, but he does enjoy dancing. A man by the name of Srinu, is a close friend of the family. He is a photographer.
Kalahdar’s family, like the other families I observed in India, is an extremely close family. Everywhere I went I was treated like I was a member of the family. I was given the best bed, which was a 3 inch mattress on a box bed. It was hard, and the next morning, my back ached. It was not much better the next evening, but I found out that by the third night my body adjusted to the harder mattresses. I was always very well protected. Everywhere I slept, there was someone sleeping immediately outside the doorway to my bedroom.
Kalahdar has decided to start a missionary church next to a government housing project. He has purchased a house that is in need of repair, and he intends to move there. This church started approximately six months ago. Already it has 25 believers. Kalahdar would like to build a church next to the project. The cost of the land is approximately $4000.00 USD, and the building is another $4000.00 USD.
March 25th
On March 26th I proceeded to Pastor Timothy’s village. Timothy ministers in a remote Agency Area. He is the pastor of 5 village churches, between 40 to 90 in size. The church is growing in his area. This is a primitive area. The influence of the terrorist Naxilite group used to be substantial, but I understand that the Naxilites have now left the area. Timothy is an intelligent man. Timothy had his wife have two birth children, Anupama, and Glory, age 4. Glory had never seen a pale-faced white man before, and she was afraid of me when she first saw me. Timothy is also raising as his daughter a young woman, Hadassah, age 13. (Hadassah is the Hebrew name for Ruth.) Hadassah’s father was killed by the Naxilites.
I spent a couple of hours talking with Hadassah and her two cousins, Anusha and Hymayathi, both age 21. I was very impressed with the intelligence and faith of these three young women. It is obvious that Anusha and Hymayahthi have taken as special interest in Hadassah. Anusha and Hymayathi are in college and are roommates. They are studying to become science teachers.
I was especially well protected in this village. I had three strong men sleeping on the floor next to my bed.
The next morning, I intentionally decided to create a commotion by taking the womens’ job of hauling water from the bore well. I performed poorly, getting more water on my shirt than was hauled to the water barrel. The women in the village were very much amused; the men were not.
March 26th - Pastor Moses
Pastor Moses is being sponsored Mississippi Margham, specifically, the Ellison United Methodist Church. Pastor Moses is 38 years young. His wife is Ester, and he has three children, Sujatha, age 16, Eliza age 10, and Marantha, age 8. His church was built through the efforts of Margham-Mississippi in 2006, and had between 25 and 35 believers. The church now has 150 believers. Perhaps one of the most significant events in the expansion of this church was the conversion of a local Hindu leader, on whose land the Temple was erected. The Temple has been taken down, and this new believer would like to build a church on that site some day. Moses would like to expand his church, and has purchased the land immediately adjacent to it for this purpose.
Moses keeps a busy week. On Sundays he preaches at three services in three different churches. Monday is his day of rest. On Tuesdays he conducts a prayer meeting in one of the villages. On Wednesdays there is a prayer meeting at his church, prayer and fasting meetings on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Moses is convinced that the Lord responds to fasting and prayer. He would like additional funds so that he could purchase rice for 10 widows in his church. He believes that this could be down with an additional $25.00 per month. He would also like to give further support to a boy who is afflicted with polio and a blind man who has been deserted by his Hindu family.
March 27th – Smiling Solomon
“Smiling” Solomon was given that name because he is always smiling. He is easy to pick out in a crowd. This ministry is sponsored by the Ozark Baptist Church in Ozark, Illinois.
Smiling Solomon was born in very poor circumstances. He is not even sure of his age, and does not know his birth date. He believes that he is around age 45. His father died when he as around age 8, and at that time his mother “lost her balance of mind.” She therefore left and abandoned him along with his younger brother and sister. At that time his Grandmother’s sister took the family in. He worked in the fields beginning at age 8. At that time, all of his family were “Idol worshippers.”
When he was around 22 years old he was out in the field performing the job of a watchman, and he heard a Christian meeting. He remembers the words of the song vividly: “Even if your Mother and Father leave you, your God Jesus Christ will not leave you.” He could not sleep that night. The next day the Christian pastor, Sugnanaratnam, visited his home, and urged him to attend a school for the illiterate young adults in the village. He did not want to go, but eventually agreed to. At that school he learned the alphabet, and learned about Jesus Christ. For several months he resisted, telling Sugnanaratnam, “I have my own gods, don’t tell me about the American God.” One week later, he suffered a severe insect bite, and people thought he was going to die. The Christians prayed for him, and he was healed. He was still not convinced. Later in the week, he believes that he was miraculously saved when he a lightning bolt struck a transformer next to where he was standing. All of the trees and vegetation was burned severely, but he was not touched. He still was not convinced. Two months later he was up in a Mango tree and the branch he was hanging onto broke, and he fell into electrical wires, but there was a power outage and the wires were not hot. He fell an additional 30 feet into a ditch. He was uninjured. He decided that Jesus Christ has been protecting him. He became a Christian, but did not go into the ministry.
He started his own construction crew, but felt that the Lord was calling him into the ministry. He didn’t want to undergo all of the struggles and problems of being a pastor. With each month he felt a stronger and stronger conviction. Finally, in 1992, he went into the ministry in the Village of Gopaloapuram full time. He was around 25 years old. The church started with less than 10 believers. He heard Arun speak in Rajahmundry in 2000, and has been a Margham members since that date. Since 2000, the church has been averaging 7 to 10 baptisms per year.
Solomon is married to Salomi, has two sons, Jayapaul, age 15, and Victor Paul, page 13 (who tried to earn some extra rupees by fanning Arun and I for 20 minutes straight). Solomon would like to finish the construction of his church by putting a roof on the top floor where service is being conducted. The estimated cost is $3500.00.
March 28th - Pastors Nahum and Ratchnanadam
My last day with the Pastors was spent with Nahum and Ratchnanadam. These brothers married women who are sisters. The families are very close. Nahum’s church is approximately 15 kilometers from Ratchnanadam’s church.
The morning I spent with Nahum and his family. He is being forced to move to a new location as his house is located adjacent to the main highway between Rajahmundry and Vishnaputnam. The Indian government is expanding the highway. Nahum has purchased new land with the government money and would like to raise $8000.00 USD to construct a church and pastors’ quarters. Along with Arun, I was given the privilege of laying the cornerstone of his new church. Nahum is married to Ratnam Kumari, and has a daughter, Salomi Grace, age 16, and as son John Bunyan, age 14. Kumari’s brother, Joythi, age 28, is known as “the policeman.” This young man has been decorated by the Indian government by helping to stamp out the terrorist activities in remote regions in Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states. He has been earmarked by the terrorists, causing his supervisors to remove him from the field. He presently is serving as youth minister for Nahum and is thinking of going into the ministry.
Nahum started his ministry in 1995 with 8 people. Presently there are 150 believers in his church. He attributes the growth in the church to the guidance from Arun Kumar and the support he receives from Margham. He was raised in a Hindu family. He was converted in 1987 when he became deathly ill and was not able to keep down food for several days. He was forced to go to a church and the believers prayed for him and he was healed the next day. The next month he was afflicted with kidney stones and began to pray. The stones passed immediately after he ended his prayer. He became a Christian.
In addition to his church building, he would like to purchase a vehicle for church transportation, either a motorbike or auto rickshaw. Like all Margham pastors, he preaches at several village churches on Sundays.
Nahum requested that some day that there could be as school for the children of Margham pastors and believers. I have heard this request often from other pastors.
Pastor Ratchnanadam is sponsored by Margham-Mississippi, specifically the Maudie Hiram family. His church has been named after Maudie Hiram. Ratchnanadam is age 35, is married to Annand Kumari, and has two children, Ruth Helen, age 13, and Raj Kumnar, age 10. Like most Margham pastors, he was raised in a Hindu family.
When Ratchnanadam was age 8 years old his mother was seriously ill. She was vomiting blood, and the doctors told the family that there was no hope. A lady Gospel worker came to the house and prayed. The vomiting stopped. His mother wanted to start going to Christian services, but his father forbade it. Then his father was in a serious accident when a tunnel he was digging collapsed. The bones in his left leg were shattered. The operation was going to cost more than $5000.00 USD, money the family did not have. His mother took him home and prayed. His leg was healed. His father was touched, and the family became Christians. Ratchnanadam, himself rebelled at age 11. The rest of his family and high caste friends rejected him when his family became Christians. Then at age 12 he was walking in the fields and was bitten by cobra snake. He fell to the ground unconscious and was in a coma. He had a dream. It was a vivid dream of a furnace. He thought he was in hell. In this dream he was dropped in front of a big chair, but he did not dare look up. In his dream, he heard a voice say, “Go back, you have many things to do for me.” He woke up the next morning.
For two months he was totally blind and water and blood oozed from his wound. Two months later his eyesight was restored. He begin to read his Bible, but he had no interest in becoming a pastor. He reasoned that he had only a sixth grade education. After a series of events, at age 25 he relented and became a pastor.
He started his ministry at the village of Elankolunu. He labored for two years with only three to four people. Then in 2000 Pastor Yesudas organized a meeting which Arun attended. His church started to grow slowly. In 2007 the Maudie Hiram Church was built with 35 believers. Presently, the church has 250 believers, and Ratchnanadam states that the church must expand. He wants to buy land immediately adjacent to the church for $4000.00.
Ratchnanadam attributes the growth of his church to the existence of his church building which has made a strong statement in his village. The $45.00 stipend has provided powerful encouragement. It has also given him, his family, and the elders a sense of boldness and confidence.
Ratchnanadam would like to put a floor on his church as well as fence around the church property to serve as a barrier to the anti-Christian people who occasionally threaten the church. One day he would like to see Margham establish a Bible college.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this review with accompanying pictures will provide with a better insight into this little ministry. Please recall that we have 65 pastors whom we also believe are worthy. In future trips, I would like to tell you about the ministry of these other pastors. You are welcome to join me.