India Trip Highlights

     In February, Great Lakes Director Earl Mills and CCM Director Don Dennison visited India after being in Bangladesh with a team from Mt.Carmel Church of God (see Feb. 15 blog). Earl and Don walked across the border from Bangladesh to India at Hili in the Dinajpur District on Saturday, May 2. They were the first Americans to be processed at that Bangladesh checkpoint using a new computerized system! India Field Director Samir Singha met them and took them to the city of Malda (in the Malda District of West Bengal, India). Malda district has at least 4 million people, and the Malda urban area is roughly 325,000 in population.

The Bhawar congregation worships outdoors.

The harmonium accompanies singing.

     













     

Earl preaches to the Udaypur congregation.

     While in that area, they worshipped with 8 churches from Sunday morning to Tuesday night and met with field evangelists who are leading an effective ministry among tribal peoples. On a few occasions (as pictured below), Don and Earl's messages were translated first into Bengali, then Santali. (That process was difficult but necessary in those contexts.) One of the challenges the evangelists face is a growing religious opposition from tribal parties who want their people to retain their animist backgrounds rather than become followers of Christ. These workers need our prayers!


    



     On Tuesday night, Feb. 5th, Samir, Earl and Don took the overnight train from Malda to Kolkata (about an 8-hour trip) and went to Uluberia where our Churches of God Mission is based. From there, they visited 3 (newer) churches in the Midnapur and Hoogli districts. One of the Bengali churches baptized 27 new believers last year. Another church planted just last May already has 49 baptized believers!

 

Samir, Madhumita & Charusheela Singha

  







 

Cultural dance by Child Development Center

                                                            While at Uluberia, Earl and Don also visited the historic Uluberia Town Mission School--founded by pioneer missionary Clara Landes; the Uluberia Mission House School (started by the Singhas); and the Child Development Center (in partnership with Compassion East India). Retired missionaries Solomon & Betty Biswas continue to do well and were preparing to visit Kolkata for an upcoming Keswick meeting and then a week of holiday.

     Appreciation is expressed to all who contributed to the 2012 "Share the Blessing" Christmas offering designated for India Churches & Evangelism (CC2720). Monies are still coming in for the project. Last year, 216 baptisms were reported among our churches there.

     Additional designated categories for India include:  CC 2722 India Field Director Support; CC 2723 Mission Compound Maintenance; and CC 2827 Mission Schools.