“I regret to inform you that my father is in the hospital again. He is not feeling well. He has been losing his health day by day. He is unable to walk because of the weakness in the legs. Pray for God’s will to be done. What a joy to know we have open access to the throne of grace and mercy to appeal to our loving Lord in all things. And what joy to know that He will give an answer even better than we ask, because He knows all things and loves us.” – From Pastor Jyothi Benjamin

Nepal is currently experiencing an particularly difficult time as political factions have recently become more violent, bringing to a complete stop almost all travel within Nepal.

We remember our brothers, there in Nepal and ask the Lord to protect and bring them through this difficulty.

Denis Mulumba in South Africa spent two weeks in the hospital after his accident. Pray that he is able to get back to work. Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope and hope does not disappoint us because the love of God has been poured into our hearts. Romans 5:3-5
Pastor Kham of the CLCM,Myanmar  reports that strong winds swept through Chin State. Three pastors (each serving seven villages) report that 38 homes were damaged. Pray that our brothers are able to help one another, as Pastor Kham is encouraging them. Remember them in your prayers. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit are what counts above the material things. These cannot be swept away because they are in the heart. Rom. 14:17
In the Chengleput Dist. of the BELC,India Pastor Dayalaraj has gone to be with the Lord. It seemed as if he might recover with his heart trouble, when he came home from the hospital, but it was not God’s will. His son has replaced him in our monthly pastoral studies.Elijah’s mantle is passed to Elisha. May God comfort the family such that they anticipate with joy being in that great white host.

Dennis Mulumba was apparently recently in an auto accident. He survived and is recovering. We thank the Lord and pray for a speedy recovery on his part.

From Dennis:

i was in car accident as i was driving one of the car did jump the roobot when it was red light for them and green light priority

for us but GOD is real Cornerstone savior for us i am a life.

Dear CLC Members — Recent severe flooding in India has caused untold hardship for millions of people. It has happened in Andhra Pradesh State, where our fellow believers of the CLCI live. As Pastor Jyothi Benjamin reports below, there are 3 known deaths among CLCI members due to the flooding. 12 congregations and 36 preaching stations have been severly damaged. Many families have been left homeless and without basic becessities such as food, clothing, and clean drinking water.  We are therefore making an appeal to our CLC people for immediate help to be sent to the CLCI. Please make your churck out to the “CLC MDF” and include it with your regular church offering. Or, you may send it directly to:

CLCI Flood relief, 501 Grover Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701

In Christ, the CLC Board of Missions

For more pictures click here.

Read more…

Massive flodding in Andrhra Pradesh causes destruction of villages and loss of life currently totaling 39. Although we haven’t heard whether any of our congregations are affected, the affected area is near a number of CLCI congregations.

This letter is from a pastor in the AP area:

October 7, 2009

Ina wave of devastation not seen in southern India since the Tsunamiof 2004, several States in India, includingAndhra Pradesh (AP), have been hit hard by massive flooding due to an unexpected surge ofheavy rains across the region.

More thanfifty villages a day along the Krishna Riverweresubmerged asfor days water levels rose and pouredover the unprotected river banks. The death toll from the unseasonal rains crossed well over the 200 mark today.Many colonies along the left bank ofKrishnaRiver inVijaawada city got submerged as the flood level exceeded 4 feet in many areas.

Tens of millions of dollars in damage has been done to crops, homes,roads and bridges. The trail of death and destruction hascovered more than 200,000 homes in 1,467 villages in one state alone. Estimates arearound 453,000 refugees have fled to some 13,330 relief campsbuilt on higher ground throughout the region.

The government of India is doing all it can to bring relief to theeffected areas, but it is nowhere near enough. I have received several requests from pastors insouthern APfor food, blankets,water, and buckets to remove up to 4 feet of mud inside of people’s homes. Many families will need clothes and household items as well.

The following is an email sent out by http://theburmaconnection.org/

There have been numerous news articles lately about the military junta of Myanmar targeting Christian churches, schools and orphanages. Read more…

In a letter Dave discusses the men who would like to be trained by us in various areas around the BELC.

I just got back from Vaniyambad where we have a waiting list of 40 men who want to start study at Ambur.

I will go to Chittoor and teach Fri. and Sat. and know how many Bhasker will have new to start there, 10-20.

The Vaniyambadi man Saravan, who is from Bangalore, was at the study and seems like an alert go-getter  and he has ten men interested in Bangalore.

Then there is the Bangalore group Moses has waiting.

And when I was in the Andamans there is a list of interested new men there of 15 waiting.

And we are not touching Jharkand State for now. In Him, Dave

Among our brothers and sisters in India work has proceeded in translating lessons into their languages of Telugu and Tamil to be used in Vacation Bible Schools. We ask for the Lord to help those doing this translation to have wisdom and knowledge to be able to simply portray the truth of His glorious word in their native langauges.

We need your prayer for our third congragation we’re trying in a village not
far from Lom