Church Planting & Mercy Ministry Home Page
Mark and Hepsibah
Village Ministry
Greetings from India. We believe God is calling us to reach our district consisting of 1,486 farming villages and a population of over 400,000 people. Ninety percent of our villages do not have a church. Only 2 percent of the population is Christian.
EVANGELISM:
We shared the Gospel with many people this month. At one village we met three young girls. They were interested to know the Christ. We talked to them about Jesus Christ. They admired His love. They became convinced that Jesus is the one and only God. They gave their lives to Him. Hallelujah! Please keep them in your prayers that they may fellowship with Christ every day.
On Sunday, the four of us including my son went to a village for evangelism called A*. It is located 45 kilometers from my house. There we met and prayed with many people. We had interesting things happen. One example is about a young lad who is 18 years old. His name is J*. This boy was very much arrogant. He never obeyed his parents. He is studying in college, but he is not learning. He is continually playing games on his mobile day and night, very much addicted. His parents shared this with us with heavy hearts.
We talked with J* and counseled him, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” (Pr 6:6) and we preached the love of God. He was quiet while we were talking. God was working in his heart! Then he said, “I will change my habits!”
These words amazed his parents. Praise the Lord! God did a great work in him. So we led him to pray. He repeated while Hepsibah led him in the “accepting prayer.” At the end of his prayers, he went and told his parents he was sorry. His parents could not digest what was happening in front of them. He had not spoken to his parents for the past six months. There was very much joy in that room. Thank you for your prayers.
COMMUNITY
We have been very busy this past month giving out food to the hungry people in our area.
By the grace of God, on one day we were able to give out 100 eggs to poor and needy families. Thirty eggs were given to each family. Please pray so we will be able to give more.
Whenever we are doing relief work, we are so happy. Because the Word says, “But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless” (Psalm 10:14, NIV). Our God is a merciful God. Thank you for partnering with us to build God’s kingdom among the poor and needy.
Here is one example of a touching story of a man named V*, who is begging on the streets. I spoke with this old man. He shared his life with me. His wife died twenty years ago. He had one son and one daughter. They were never married. His son was killed in an accident some years back. His daughter committed suicide. After his son and daughter died, there was no one to take care of him. So he is begging and living on the streets. When he shared his story, he was crying. I comforted him and prayed for him. After the prayers and being approached by me, he was happy. He said that no one talks with him. The people in the community see me as a dog, an untouchable, but you are coming and giving food, being concerned. It feels like my son. When he said it like that, I was so blessed.
When we share the food, many of the people share their stories with us while we are talking with them. Many stories break our hearts down. One man we had met is living on the roadside in a shed with a shelf. On the first day, he never spoke to us. In the next couple of days, he said “thanks”. As we tried to learn more about him, he slowly opened his mouth and told us about him. He is close to 70 years old. He doesn’t have a family and he never married. There is no one caring for him. Eight years ago, he became partially paralyzed so he cannot walk. He always lies down in the shed. If anyone comes and gives him food, he will eat. Otherwise, no eating. We told him, we will provide two meals every day, a breakfast and dinner meal. Please pray for him and also for us to provide for his needs. Thank you.
DISCIPLESHIP
To plant a church, our discipleship class started one free after-school class in a village which is located 35 kilometers from my home. PRAISE THE LORD! It is a very interior village. There is only one bus to this village. There are 42 children attending every day. The children were sitting on the floor without a mattress. So we brought one long tarp and blessed the children with snacks. It was a great time with the children. We hired one teacher for this program. Please pray as we plan to start ten more after-school classes for the villages. Through this endeavor, we want to reach out to their families with the Gospel and plant new churches. If you are interested, you can also join us with your prayers and financial help. If you are interested, let me know.
Health Concerns: We have been missionaries in our country for twenty-three years. Two years back, my wife Hepsibah was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The past couple of days have been extremely rough and the summer heat did not help matters. Today, she is better. Praise the Lord! We still need more prayers that the Lord will strengthen her and give her complete healing. We are also praying for a newer vehicle. We are specifically praying for $17,000. Please join us in prayer.
Thank you partners in this ministry. You always have stood with us in prayers and generosity with open hands. You are holding our hands so our hands are not going down. Thank you for your partnership.
In Christ,
Mark and Hepsibah,
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- Email: markhepsi@gmail.com
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