DISCERNING THE SMALL THINGS
Through a partnership with Christ Community Church, Rev. Mohan Babu and Sion Ministries, and our missionary team in the Philippines, we flew back and forth to India once a quarter to train Paul and 20 of his itinerant evangelists. The power of God fell mightily in one of the modules Jim Ibale and I were teaching and Paul and his team have never been the same since that encounter. Paul said after that module, "Now the God of Craig and Jim has become our God."
It has been 20 years since that simple start in a dusty classroom under the torrid Indian sun. Today, Paul and his leaders run nearly a dozen Bible schools each year, plant a new church in an unreached town or village every 2 or 3 days, and constantly see miracles. Paul's ministry now comprises of 1,000 ministers, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM A GRADUATE OF OUR BIBLE SCHOOLS.
"Recently, we started our 3rd Bible School in Warangal. In the month of July, I went there to teach classes. While I was teaching in the class I saw a boy moving around. He is helping our local leaders by arranging chairs, bringing water cans, and distributing tea and snacks to students during break time. His clothes were torn and he had long, disturbed hair. Before I left that place, I called those children to me and asked them about their situation.
Come to find out, these three children lost their parents and are living with their grandmother who is a widow. Somehow she is providing food but she could not provide them any education. These children are coming to get some leftover food for them.
I asked some of our leaders to meet their grandmother and if she is willing to send them to school, we can help them. Two of our team members took some clothes and groceries to the grandmother. She was very happy to see our concern and she was willing to send the children to school if we would support them. The team found a Christian school in Warangal with a hostel. The children are living together in the hotel and doing well. They are providing nice food, clothing, and education.
Now the real story starts:
This woman and her grandchildren are Hindus. After four months staying there in the hostel, we have seen great change and transformation in their thinking and attitude. Last week, one of our leaders brought the oldest among the three children (13 years old) to a youth meeting. God touched him with the power of gospel and he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and was immediately water baptized. Praise God!
I have been in touch with him on a regular basis. The Love of Christ touched and transformed him powerfully through us."