WIN INDIA Thanksgiving 2013

November 2013

Dear Prayer Warriors and Friends of WIN India:

It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.

“Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 117:1-2; Psalm 118:1).

We are thankful for you! Without you, we could not do what God has asked us to do. You have made a difference to orphans, slum churches, schools, pastors, village evangelists, and young people following God in India.

WIN India depends on your Christmas gifts: Since this is the time of year we all think about Thanksgiving and Christmas gifts year-end-giving, let me remind you of WIN India partners and active needs and prayer points.

1. House of Gethsemane: two-year old church for domestic workers/servants and their children. Pray for Pastor Samson, volunteer pastor, we help support with small monthly remuneration for time spent visiting homes, prayer meetings, transportation, and preaching.

2. Calvary Baptist Church: Church in largest slum of domestic workers reaching more than 350 in weekly services. Pray for both Pastor Paul and his wife, who have medical needs and  pending surgery. Joy Pasula attending Bharat Bible College; Joel Pasula serving as Assistant Pastor and attending Immanuel University.

3. Abundant Life Church: Praise: A new church plant in Hindu colony of 100,000 people has found a place to meet. Pray for Pastor Anand and Vijaya as they reach out to neighbors and invite them for special Christmas programs (budget/finances for these meetings for lost and needy). Pray for seminary studies and finances, as both Anand and Vijaya study for their M.Div.

4. Pray For Our Young Adults Following Hard After God, WIN India supports with prayer, encouragement, and finances for schooling:

Dan Symonds in School of Worship at University of the Nations Kona. Needs $5000 for 3-month outreach (December 18 to March 27) to East Asia (Japan, Korea, and China). Become a member of TEAM DAN: Teaching, Evangelism, and Music throughout the Nations.

Samuel Paul, a YWAM-er in India, seeking to attend a School of Worship. Facing extreme financial and emotional struggles following death of his mother, death of sister’s unborn child, and father’s financial losses due to business deal gone bad. Needs YWAM, VISA, plane tickets.

Our Orphanage Boys, who graduated 10th standard, and are trying to complete Junior College (11th and 12th Standard) so they can get into Bible College or Technical Schools. Most do not have financial assistance, some have no housing, others are working night jobs to help with family needs, as well as own school expenses. Remember them by name, God knows all the details and the severity of their situation: Anoop, Prakash, Vinay, Klen, Hemanth, Praveen. (These are 15 to 18 year olds; one is living on the street, another has been forced into child-labor for his family.) Pray that WIN India will hear God’s Will about starting/sponsoring a half-way house for these youth, who love God and just want an opportunity to follow His will.

5. Pray for WIN India: But He said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). We need Gods wisdom on how to proceed and if we need major fundraising efforts to support the ministries God has put in front of us in India.

Thank you so much. This Thanksgiving we are especially thankful for you, our WIN INDIA prayer warriors and supporting partners. May God reward your prayers and your giving ten-fold as He shows you favor in all you are doing for the Kingdom.

Checks may be made to WIN, 5359 Ruby Place NE, Bainbridge Island WA 98110. (Please include a note if you want your donation to go to a particular ministry or person.)

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WIN INDIA: Spreading Love and Hope to India’s orphans and slum areas since 2006,

by partnering with established ministries around Hyderabad/Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

GETTING READY TO WRITE THE BOOK!

 

TITLE:

SUBTITLE:
 
The Concept:  Give me a 1 sentence handle for your book. (a one-sentence summary of what this book is all about.  Central Idea:

The Contents: Show me your 25-50 word synopsis. In 1 paragraph, describe the contents of your book.  Include the central theme, key points, structure or format, any pertinent information.

Put your summary statement into 250 words.  Summary Statement (sometimes called the overview): this portion of a book proposal is a terse statement of your overall concept and mission.  It sets the stage for what’s to follow. Short, concise paragraphs are usually best.  Finding the right “FOCUS” for your book—neither too broad or too narrow—is essential.

Platform: Who else might be interested in this topic? Who do you most want to reach with this book?  (potential audience and target audience)

How do you want your message to change your reader?

What specific need(s) or problem(s) among the audience prompted the project? (Felt Need)

What do you want them to learn or become? (Take-away Value)

How will you get your target readers interested? (Hooks)

What benefits will the reader gain from reading the book? Be specific.

How do you plan to reach your audience and market/sell your book?
Do you know your reader and the size of your audience — inside and out?
What can you do to exactly peg (identify) your audience/reader (establish the market), create a platform.  Answer the questions:

How large?

Why you?  What motivated you to write the book?

Write a one-paragraph author bio.

Survey your competition—other books on same topic for same audience. (Don’t forget about using Amazon.com and other online sources.)  Note how these books are similar to or different from yours. 

Where do you fit?  What is unique about the book?

What will your book offer that others do not?

What Category?

TEST: What evidence is there to indicate a real need for your book?  Who will use it?

Pattern/Format: What will your book look like?

Make sure that you understand WHY your book needs to be published.

Pay particular attention to the popular reader friendly formats of the publishers of your choice.

What unique approach or sources of material do you want to use? (slant/format)

TEST: NAME 5 BOOKS (author, publisher) THAT ARE MOST SIMILAR TO YOURS:

 

 

 

 

DETERMINE YOUR DESTINY

DETERMINE YOUR DESTINY

 
YOU HAVE YOUR SPECIFIC GIFTS FOR A DIVINE REASON.  You were created to accomplish great things—it is your destiny.  We are all talented.  Paul says, “Each man has his own gift from God” (I Corinthians 7:7).  If God has given you certain talents, it is rather likely that they have something to do with your ultimate purpose in life.  “God is always calling us!  But there are distinctive moments in this call of his, moments which leave a permanent mark on us — moments which we never forget.” — Carlo Carretto, Letters from the Desert

STEPS TO TAKE:

(1) Pray. See if the Lord has anything to tell you. 

(2) Read your Bible. You want the thoughts of God? They're right there. “God guides us first through his Word, then through our heartfelt desires, then the wise counsel of others, and then our circumstances.  At that point we must rely on our own sound judgment. … God gave each of us a brain, and he expects us to put it to good use.” — Bruce K. Waltke, Finding the Will of God  

(3) Consider your desires. What does your heart tell you to do?

(4) Seek wise counsel.

(5) Look at your situation.

(6) Ask yourself if this decision makes sense.  “In His will is our peace.” — Dante, The Divine Comedy: Paradise

Details determine Destiny.  To determine your destiny is to become focused on your goals and to live a disciplined life to accomplish those goals.  A focused writer follows up on opportunities that come along.  This will not be easy, because there are many possibilities but only time enough to effectively develop a few.  Sometimes painful events come that seem to interrupt your plans for success.  Visionaries know how to manage the discomfort of discouragement and keep pressing forward to other possibilities.

We can speculate about how we can act meaningfully and purposefully in our world.  But finally we need to do what lies right at hand.  If we are open to grasp the opportunities that come our way, we will have ample things to do.  This does not mean we should act haphazardly.  There may be things that we need to say NO to, but we cannot fail to do what clearly must be done. (Charles Ringma in Seizing the Day with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pinon Press, June 29)

FOLLOWING GOD’S GUIDANCE.  Whenever we are uncertain as to our course, we can rely on God, in His wisdom, to shut doors against us — every door but the right one.  When we cooperate with God as He engineers the circumstances of our lives, there is no limit to what He can do.  God opens and closes doors before us at His will.  When we don’t understand what He is doing, we do well to remember that we are not fulfilled by the plans we create but rather by following God’s plan for us.

Our lives are filled with many questions that may never be answered, but that’s okay if we let God lead and direct us.  We may not understand why certain things happen or why we have to go through difficult situations.  But the one thing we can know for sure is that God is always in charge. (Elaine Wright Colvin in Treasury of God’s Virtues, Publications International, page 297)

Your life isn’t a dress rehearsal, and it’s time to live like you are completely alive, celebrating the blessings you have been given by God. ~ Elaine Wright Colvin

SPONTANEOUS LOVE

The evidence of our love for God is the absolute spontaneity of our love, which flows naturally from His nature within us. And when we look back, we will not be able to determine why we did certain things, but we can know that we did them according to the spontaneous nature of His love in us. ~ Oswald Chambers

 

Our service for others will be futile and burdensome unless it springs from an overflowing heart -- overflowing with the love of God. When God satisfies our soul-hunger, then we'll not be able to contain our acts of love done in Jesus name. ~ Come Away My Beloved

 

It is impossible to have this love unless God helps us set aside our own natural desires so that we can love and not expect anything in return. Thus, the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to others. (I Corinthians 13:4 NLT)

 

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT)

 

"Lord, help me to use acts of your spontaneous love to bring hope and joy to someone you put in my path today. Amen."

THE EMPTY SPACES OF THE HEART

"There are times when I feel absolutely empty." ~ Mother Teresa

In our Christian experience, we will all go through times of weakness, doubt, and emptiness. it is in the silent and empty places of our heart that we acknowledge our need and look to God, our provider.

In the midst of our despair, we can pray as David:

"I remembered the old days, went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked, stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain. Hurry with your answer, God!"  (Psalm 143:6-7 Message).

'Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing" (Psalm 143:10 NLT).

WIN India Praise & Prayer Report, May 2013

WIN INDIA PRAISE & PRAYER REPORT, MAY 2013

 

1. Calvary Baptist Church (Secunderabad) in largest slum:

Aunty, VBS is going on very well, today we had love feast - fried rice, chicken curry and dal. 250 slum children are attending vbs. We thank God that we could feed rice four days this year. Thank you for all your financial and prayer support. [The immediate need is move Pastor’s family to a different house. Their current underground room is too hot and has many problems for their ailing health; Needs to wire electricity and get water to church basement for a room to be made into an apartment.]

2. House of Gethsemane (Hyderabad) new church for domestic workers in unreached area:

The Lord helped us to sow seeds in thirty children. Thank God for contributions for all the needs of VBS: cool drinks and snacks for children all five days; colorful and useful “Children’s Bible” was given to every child. Parents and church members came on the last day of VBS to hear songs and stories of what happened at VBS. They rejoiced in what their children learned. [Needs $ for pastor’s salary.]

3. Ayusha Nilayam Boys Home (Hyderabad):

Three of the boys were the top of their class in annual exam; and 11 boys were in the top 10 of their class. Twelve children were selected to attend computer and spoken English classes. This sparked a great interest among all the boys. Friends of Ayusha donated the much needed overhead water tanks to meet the severe water scarcity; a fun donation was a table tennis set (ping pong) for the hot summer vacation -- this provided indoor sport entertainment. Many children visited relatives during summer vacation. [Need $ for shoes & uniforms; school fees; and books for 33 boys.]

4. Abundant Life Church (Hyderabad):

 

I am happy to let you know I have joined Seminary for M.Div studies. I am enjoying the studies. I believe the Lord will equip and use me. We are putting efforts to reach Hindus, who are our neighbors; we are visiting slums and doing prayer walks in this area of 100,000 people. We are doing personal evangelism and focusing on building relationships. We rented a small room where we can conduct church services and prayer meetings. [Needs money for 2 children’s school fee; M.Div fee; new glasses and eye exam; church rent.]

 

5. Dan Symonds, WIN India Communications Director:

 

Is loving his time of missionary training at YWAM Awaken DTS (University of the Nations, KONA). Has been selected as Prayer Room Worship Team leader, and asked to lead/sing/play on several Worship Teams for special events; Will be doing 3 month Outreach Program in Fiji. [God has provided majority of his school expenses; still needs money for plane ticket to Fiji.]

 

6. Aneesh Daniel,  Director at Shepherd Films (Hyderabad):

 

Excited about two big wins at film festivals; now believing the time is right to come to USA to attend the filmmakers ICVM conference in St. Louis, just prior to the CBA Convention; as well as meet possible investors and donors for missions film production that needs to shoot in Nov, Dec, Jan. [Need: Speaking engagements to your church or group  in St. Louis, Chicago, Toronto, Dallas, Sacramento and San Jose, California areas. Needs sponsors and help with plane tickets, motel, travel in USA.]

Thanks so much for your prayers and support for the needs and work in India.                   

 

Elaine Wright Colvin

WHEN WE GET INSTRUCTIONS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND

WHEN WE GET INSTRUCTIONS WE DON’T UNDERSTAND

Sometimes God give us instructions that do not seem relevant to us at the moment. But later we can see the importance of those instructions.

Don’t discard the lessons of the Bible because certain details seem irrelevant.

God’s instructions (laws) revive us, make us wise, bring joy to the heart, give insight, warn us, and reward us. God’s guidelines are lights for our path, rather than chains on our hands and feet. They point at danger to warn us, and then point at success to guide us.

PRINCIPLE FOR LIFE:  OBEY GOD NOW―IN THE FUTURE you will have a clearer understanding of his instructions and the reason for them.

Psalm 19:7 NLT - The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.

Psalm 18:28-30 NLT - You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God lights up my darkness. I’m your strength. I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

Psalm 18:21 NLT - For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned from my God to follow evil.

ARE YOU IN A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN HEAR GOD?

Do you  hear what God thinks about your life's direction, priorities, and activities? Can you hear again what your heart is telling you -- to be, to do, to say, to write?

When was the last time you said: "Speak, God. I'm your servant, ready to listen" (1 Samuel 3:9 MSG).

The New Testament story sheds a lot of light on how we, His servants, should follow: "The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice" (John 10:3-4 MSG).

IT'S ALL ABOUT KNOWING JESUS HIMSELF.

The true test/sign of His disciples is: An intimate oneness with Him; A knowledge of Jesus that nothing can shake.

DO I HAVE A PERSONAL HISTORY WITH JESUS CHRIST?

The stories are told of three who knew Jesus.

MARY: Once He called Mary by her name, she immediately knew that she had a personal history with the One who spoke. "She turned to Him and said, Rabboni!" (John 20:16).

PETER:  Even after Peter had denied Jesus, Jesus appeared to him alone. Jesus restored Peter in private, and then He restored him publicly before the others (Matthew 26:69-75).

THOMAS: Thomas needed the personal touch of Jesus. When His touches will come we never know, but when they do come they are indescribably precious. "Thomas said to Him, my Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

We can count on it! Now we must get in a place where we can hear!

"He calls His own -- by name." (John 10:3)

FRIENDSHIP: TO KNOW AND BE KNOWN BY ANOTHER

Does anyone really know you -- your hearts desire, thoughts, problems, yearnings? Do you really know your special friends as much as you would like to?

We can never know another person unless he or she practices the gentle art of self-disclosure. And that openness rarely occurs unless we create a non-threatening environment and build bridges of trust and vulnerability. 

To "really know" a person means we intuitively explore what may be there, what could be said, and what may possibly be disclosed.

To get to know your friend -- you may have to name and articulate what the other person will then be able to recognize as true, and then claim as their own.

In charismatic circles this is often called sharing a "word of knowledge" that God gives you or calling the person out on what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you.

In psychological and therapy sessions this could be known as confrontation, intervention, or playing the devil's advocate to see if it brings recognition, admission, or denial.

The point is: this kind of openness that makes room for deep friendships begins with us. It begins with the process of allowing ourselves to be known by others.

"Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach, good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit -- you choose" (Proverbs 18:20-21 Message).

WE ARE SAVED TO SERVE

We are saved to serve.
We are empowered to serve.
And we are blessed to serve.

Christians do not have an advantage over other people.
Our commitment to Christ simply puts us in a position to serve other people.
Being a Christian does not make us special people with special privileges or status in our social standing.

"God didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life..." (Philippines 2:5-11)

"But the parent will die for what the parent did, for the sins of -- oppressing the weak, robbing brothers and sisters, doing what is dead wrong in the community" (Ezekiel 18:18  Message).

HOW CAN I BEST ENTER ANOTHER'S PAIN?

How Can I Best Enter Another's Pain?

We seldom really understand what our struggling brothers and sisters are going through. The journey of pain is the loneliest journey of all, upstaged only by the journey of death.

Some people suffer pain that is not fixable, people with disabilities, the poor, and those experiencing injustice do not have problems that have ready solutions!

We are called to walk in companionship, faith, prayer, and hope with another in pain -- and when helpful, take practical action.

(adapted from Whispers from the Edge by Charles Ringma)