March 2021
Blessed in the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land. ~Psalm 41:1-2
Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. ~Galatians 6:2
Dear Ones in Christ,
How grateful we are at IEM for the prayers and financial support being given for the work of God in India! These Biblical passages are just a few that come to mind as I pray for you all and think about all the sacrifices that have been made so that the Gospel is proclaimed and the Scripture is being obeyed in tangible ways.
The stories coming from India are heart-breaking. There are those like Omanna’s. She came to the campus last month and through her tears explained that she is a widow, and that her two daughters were married, but one daughter’s husband recently died and the other’s husband has abandoned the family. And just recently, Omanna’s son was diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment. She is barely surviving as a housekeeper in a home.
The grocery kits we are providing are a lifeline for Omanna’s family, and we are committed to praying for her, reminding her of God’s love and care for her, and helping her with her family’s physical needs. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, there has always been deep poverty among various people and villages in India, but the pandemic has made simple things like access to grocery stores and daily wages very difficult. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for people like Omanna and her family. God continues to allow us to show mercy and kindness as we have now provided over 1,000 grocery kits to individuals since April of 2020.
Our Bible College students are thriving in their online studies and many are ready to graduate and begin ministry in various villages throughout India. Please pray that we may be able to open our physical location in Mavelikara this June.
God bless you as you continue to partner with us to consider the poor, to bear one another’s burdens, and to spread the love of Christ throughout India.
Yours in His Service,
G.V. Mathai