Last June Sherly and I (Regi), along with two of our missionaries, spent 9 days visiting one of our mission stations in the mountains. We usually make three visits a year, but for the last couple of years it has been once in the summer and once in the fall, due to extreme weather issues. As we started the trip, we were aware of the anti-Christian activities and hardship, oppression and persecution our missionaries and believers are facing in these remote areas. Definitely they were paying a big price physically, emotionally and mentally for their new-found faith in Jesus, the liberty from evil bondage, and from the spiritual darkness they have experienced in their lives.
Fifteen years ago, it was an area full of spiritual darkness, idolatry and spirit worship, and immorality was freely practiced. But one young man who received the Gospel through our outreach team was transformed by the power of God. Led by the Holy Spirit, he went to this remote area. Our Lord in His divine power used this young man to bring deliverance to many who were oppressed by evil spirits. The testimony of deliverance and healing spread to other villages. The light of the Gospel slowly and steadily began to shine in that remote area.
Because the villages were spread out, transportation between them was very difficult. House churches sprang up in many villages. Our house church leaders’ training program came as a great help, and in this area alone, over the years we have trained more than 200 men and women, and equipped them to share the Gospel and lead the local house churches. We have also sent some of them to Bible seminaries to study and receive training in teaching and leadership.
When we visited, we were taken to some of the remote villages where we fellowshipped with native believers and heard their testimonies how our Lord worked in their lives.
Satya Davi is a 47-year-old single woman who came from a very influential family in that region. At a young age she was offered to their goddess by her parents. Her parents compelled her to light the lamp in the temple in her home, and perform all the rituals. At 13, she was possessed by the same goddess and began prophesying the future of people. She became famous around that area. In her own words she said, “All through my life I lived a very depressed life, away from freedom, and away from common people. I tried to commit suicide several times. I was locked up in a room for years. I was abused by my own relatives, and mistreated when I was alone. In the temple festivals and other religious rituals I was considered as a goddess. One day I was being brought back to my home from a religious ceremony and our car broke down. We got on a bus and as I sat down I felt uncomfortable but I don’t remember what happened after that. Later, my sister told me that I began shouting abusively at a couple who was sitting near us. I even tried to attack them physically. Everyone was fearful and I was almost out of control, when the couple came close to me, laid their hands on me, and told me to be quiet. On the bus in front of everyone, they commanded the tormenting spirit to leave my body. At that point, I fell on my seat. The next thing I knew, I was in my house. All the village had gathered around our house. I was feeling very light, warm and my sister told me what happened in the bus. Within a few days, I went to another religious ceremony, but that day I was sitting like a normal woman. The religious songs were playing and instruments were playing, but nothing happened to me. I just sat there – no prophecy came out of me. I was not acting like someone possessed by a goddess. I was free and was liberated. Afterwards, my sister and I met the couple who prayed for us, heard the Gospel, and we dedicated our lives to the Lord.
Since that day, two years ago, we have suffered a lot from the hands of our family and relatives. Several times they tried to kill us. One time they bound us to trees and set us on fire, but a great rain came and foiled their plan. Our Lord saved us! We are happy that we have a savior who saved us from sin.” She and her sister showed us the burn marks on their legs. That day we baptized them along with 18 others. Every one of them has a testimony of God’s divine grace and mercy that saved them.
In another village we met Kilash and his family who came to the Lord a year ago. His 12-year-old daughter had an asthma attack, and they almost lost her. Some believers who they met on their way to the hospital prayed for her, and after the prayer she began to breathe normally. Their curiosity led them to Jesus and the whole family gave their lives to the Lord. Since then, they have faced great hardship and persecution from other villagers and relatives. That day, in spite of all the difficulties, they came willingly to obey. We baptized Kilash and his wife Somy, and their four children, along with 21 others.
As we went from one village to another, visiting house churches, we heard testimonies of our Lord’s divine miracles, goodness, mercy and deliverance. We visited 29 house churches in that region, baptized 211 people, and dedicated 27 men for the Lord’s service. We ordained 6 couples, husbands and wives together, dedicated 3 church buildings, set the cornerstones for 4 prayer halls and started 2 house church leaders training programs. Fifteen years ago the Christian percentage in that area (including Catholics) was 2% of 78,000 people. By our Lord’s grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit, there are now more than 3,800 baptized believers, and thousands of others heard the Gospel.
Help Us Share the Gospel
The 9-day visit to the mountain area reminded us of the power of the Gospel we preach, the light of the Gospel that will overcome darkness and is still shining. Please consider helping us in this task. Without your prayers and support we would not be able to reap the harvest.
To read more inspiring and exciting testimonies of what God is doing among the unreached people groups of India, click the links on the right, and keep reading!
Proclaiming the Gospel…
…until He comes