The Sealed

Houston, Texas
Thursday, March 19, 2009

Precious Partners in the Great Commission,

We have some unusual news for you from Orissa, the state in India where as you may recall there was violent and bloody persecution against Christians last fall by Hindu fundamentalists.

You may also recall that our Elijah Challenge-trained brother Pastor Subodh in Orissa had an opportunity to preach the gospel to an unreached people group called the Kui-Soura living in mountain areas. At that time, the Lord graciously confirmed the preaching of the gospel to these mountain peoples by many miraculous healings. The report on that mission trip can be viewed at http://www.theelijahchallenge.org/Elijah%20Challengers/Subodh%20Jena/Subodh_Jena5.htm.

It turns out that this people group living in the mountains originate from the very tribe that unleashed the terrible persecution against the Christians last year. Apparently, the persecution began in the district of Kandhamal at the instigation of Hindus from the same tribe as the mountain people.

Now, in a miraculous twist, these mountain people have invited Pastor Subodh to return to the mountain to preach the gospel to over 3,000 people who are gathering from 15 to 20 different Kui-Soura mountain villages! They witnessed the miraculous healings when Pastor Subodh was with them last January, and want to see and hear much more. The Lord is so gracious!

The evangelistic outreach is scheduled for March 21-22, or this Saturday and Sunday. For more on this ironic twist from the Lord, please click on:
http://www.theelijahchallenge.org/Elijah%20Challengers/Subodh%20Jena/Subodh_Jena10.htm.

We sense that the Orissa Christians have in a manner of speaking “paid the price” with the shedding of their own blood for a great harvest of souls from the very tribe of their persecutors.

Please pray that nothing will stop Subodh from fulfilling this opportunity. Pray that the Lord will anoint him powerfully to proclaim the kingdom of God to the Hindus, and that many great miraculous healings will confirm the message of the gospel. Pray for a great harvest of souls from the persecutors of the Orissa Church. Remember what happened to Saul, the zealous persecutor of the disciples of the Christ in Acts—who ultimately became the great Apostle Paul of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Late last night, a dear brother came to our home bringing a generous offering given by an unknown third party. That offering has been sent to Subodh to help cover the expenses of his trip and the meetings. The Lord is faithful!

Love in Christ,


William & Lucille
www.TheElijahChallenge.org

PS  The report on our Advanced Training last weekend can be viewed at Pastor stricken by heart attack restored at Advanced Training. It can also be viewed by clicking on http://www.theelijahchallenge.org/Training%20the%20Trainers/Advanced%20Training%20Houston%20Mar09.htm.