VOICE OF GOD’S EMPLOYEE
Greeting in the name of Jesus, it have been now for last three months I am in my own country India, after leaving the Doulos ship on 14th of Sep 2008 from Australia. I am unable to accept myself to be back in India because to be onboard for two years in the ship Doulos, made part of my life. Working with different nationalities was wonderful and amazing. I enjoyed onboard life making friendship building good relationship with the people.
I Praise God for the unique experiences in Doulos and the Friends like you who I met and work together. It is not by my skills and talents but because of Almighty God. Now the time from me to acknowledge you and thank you for becoming one among those who helped and shape my life helping hand and all the support in the ship.
Often I have been asked by friends ‘’ do you miss the ship?’’ my answer is simply – NO, I don’t miss the ship: but I miss all of you the people who are in the ship Doulos.
After landing in India, had time to meet OM India’s Leadership, soon then had the chance to go home to see my family and friends enjoyed staying with them.
There was a something unavailable experience, I think all the ship people have gone through – to my surprised there are something different lives on the land. I hope there who have left the ship might agree with me. Friends if you find difficult to understand me, you will experiences when you leave the ship, that would the time to say Edvin you right.
Yea, life on the ship is different then the life on the land. In ship no today think of what is next, tomorrow …etc: such as food, work, cloths etc: but on the land we need to think carefully before get in to the job.
I praise God for the great experience in the ship and the ministries. Now I am working in Orissa state with OM India as a Administrator of the Evangelism Team, I desperately need of your prayer support for my ministry and needs of my life.
On 19th Sept 2008 I went home, My dad had come to pick me up from the railway station: whole my family and relatives anxiously waiting to see me. it was such a joyful moment to meet every one of them after long gap.
I felt it was so exciting for me, my house is a stone throw distance from railway station got down from the train at 3:30 am early morning. As I stepped down looking around the platform, nobody was there with sad said wow there is none to welcome me ……..but after few mints my dad was approaching towards me, I feel with joy as I saw him after two years. There my home I arrived after 5 min. At home my mom and two sisters waiting to see me soon. I did not want to disturb their sleep. Yet as soon as they hear my voice, came to me we had lot more to chat and continued till morning am, till they fell they need to go for their job. A fantastic moment to be back at home and with to be the family.
I had three week my parents, by this time my relatives and near and dear ones of mine. There was one comment repeatedly told by many ‘’ hey you are the original piece- neither you put weight, or the way you talk. You have not even chased in color.’’ I was asked about the ship ministries and them life onboard. I had with me the cd, which helped me to share about the Doulos then just speaking, they were glad to see the ministry of the ship. Some of my relatives it was th3e first time to they have heard about the ship ministry.
At the end of the three week I went to see my old friends, who were surprises to see me at their door step I was standing.
My first visit was one of my bible school teacher, who taught me the subject RELIGION. During this visit made me to think to measure my faith in the Lord and my dependent to God for the Ministry.
Mr. Prabhakar is the name of my teacher; he came to the Lord in his young age. After his completion of his High school, went to bible school for B.Th study and went to the other bible college for M.Div, completed in 1998. After his Master came to teach in a bible school, where I was one among the students. There our relationship was as brothers, since then we were in touch by phone and emails.
Now he is married blessed with two daughters, they are so cute I spent two days with them. He left the bible school teaching but begin the ministry in a village by his own interest. When I ask the reason for leaving the Bible School, in answer said ‘’ God has given me the vision to work in the place. I obeyed and following the vision by faith. I am sure God will meet all my needs at right time’’. I started to see him faith in God. It was challenging to my own faith in God.
If he had worked in the Bible school, there would not have been struggling of supporting financially, to his family. There are needs and difficulties of family supply and meeting the needs. You must be aware of the situation he, prabahakar, goes through. Yet he is firm in his faith and the God’s provision. I have asked him to go back to the Bible collage, and where he earn even do the ministry. But his answer was simple and sincere ‘’ My God is able to supply the family needs; if I walk and obey Him according to His direction; so I don’t need to beg someone else for the needs or my family support’’ . He adds ‘’I ask everyday to God, where the maker of heaven and earth.’’
His faith was so conforming to my faith that I was praying to God for such a faith to have in the ministry. I had chance to preach to his congregation, where there were 10 new believers. So I request you to pray for these new believers growth in the faith.
Pastor Pabahakar took me to visit, one of the believer’s houses. A lady, who was sad deeply about her daughter’s life. She had married and after a year, she was found suffering from HIV. The doctor confirmed that she is suffering from the AIDS. We had finally return back after visit, not knowing anything about the family. The pastor had not told me anything about it.
One day I had fasting prayer with pastor Prabahaker and his family for the church believers. I was asked to pray or the believer and the sister who suffers from the AIDS. Nothing , till now , have I been told about the family non the sister, who had AIDS.
In the evening we visited the family, where again I noticed their sadness clearly on their facial expression. Now Pastor could read my inquisitiveness and told about the family.
There was an arrange marriage one year before. She was the just finish her high school, the boy was a good in character and family background. Everyone was pleases to give him marriage to their daughter.
After marriage they boy was often fell ill, there no sign of physical growth no any changes of his illness. Gradually on the other side his wife conceived; she had gone to hospital for her health check up. This visit to doctor brought the thunder stroke to the family. On the test she was found that HIV/AIDS. The whole family could not believe the report. There was no option, except to cry and cures their luck. On the other side the family decided to have blood test of the son- in – law, he refused to have blood test, due to the fear of HIV. The family finally found that he too is suffering from AIDS before marriage….. The family goes through in pain and difficulties every day. The daughter is so young and in tender age. They are unable to accept the diseases, she is going through. The young girl has been with her parents. Now she had put her faith absolutely on God, believe that God will heal diseases without any doubt. She also had faith that the child will not have the infection of the AIDS.
My friends it is my request for you that could you pray for the young lady; I am sorry for not mentioning her name, but I wasn’t to keep it in private only. Your prayer can strength her faith. You can help her by your prayer.
I have been to Kerala state after four years, to visit my friend and family. I consider it as my second home town. I had wonderful time, visiting few places for the sightseeing; here I had the time for relaxation and reflection of my life and the future ministry.
In the year of 1997- 1999 I met a friend in Bible school, Mr. Jackson. We were studying together and becoming good friends. Who hails from Kerala state, from the day we became friend, we visited each other’s house and even doing ministry together. Because Jackson‘s father is pastor, so It was easy for both of us to do practical ministry in their area. He married in 2004, since then I had not had the chance to see him.
It gave me great joy to visit, after long gap. To my surprise, at my visit, his son was the first one to meet me and asked me ‘’ where are you from?’’ I was wondering at him, but other side my friend saw and was surprise visit for them. I had joyful moments with his families; he took me to same interesting places, for the sightseeing .once upon a time it was the place we were together doing ministry. I could recollect each moments of those past days. A time of joy and difficulties, the places we visited were so nice and beautiful, the creation of God. I had the chance of preaching to his congregation. God’s anointing was so strong on me that to be speaking boldly and church was blessed. I praise God for HIS work.
I had joined in OM in June 2001; Brother Hanok was one among this batch. Now he is working in Bihar state. Bihar state was once known as the graveyard of the Gospel. Because once it was a place where no missionaries not the christen believers found. I had the privilege of preaching in a convention on this visit.
I was invited by my friend to visit Bihar state. Traveling to Bihar is unforgettable journey for me. I had informed, my friend the detail of my traveling. I boarded in the train, but due to flood in Orissa sate, the train route was changed, which was 18 hours late arrive to the destination.
Since I was traveling for the first time, my friend came to receive me at train station. He looked for me in the station. He was frustrated not finding me at the station. Finally returned home with sad, he tried to contact me; when he could not find me miserably worried. E asked few local people about me; few suggested giving a complaint to the police station. After 18 hours I rang up this phone call was as if the messiah at the time distress and difficulties. He was now normal mentally. After my arrival I was enjoyed about the convention and I was one among them speaking in the meeting.
My friend told me that I have to preach in a convention, which was on a Sunday. I praise God for this opportunity. There were some well known Pastors and preachers invited to speak in the meeting, I was one among them to speak.
People came from the surrounding of the town, the nearest churches. These were almost 70 people, few from the new church background. I was excited to speak the word of God. Finally I spoke in meeting. After the meeting, some of them came to and expressed their feeling and told me how God is blessed them by the word I spoke. God to see many people and God’s manifestation. I thank God for using me here in Bihar.
It was in Bihar, OM has the school, and my friend runs this school. The manger of the school is one of my very good friends. He asked me to visit the school and show move to the students.
One morning my friend wanted to show the move to the school students, which I was delighted to. We went to school, saw the school and students. Most of the students came from poor family background but encouraging to me as I saw their zeal to attend the school. We have informed the children about the movie; children where so excited, jumped and clapped. There were some students, for whom it was the first time ever they have seen movie, students do not have TV at home, no opportunity to watch Movie, so they were happy.
As I saw smile on every child, I silently praised God. When I was so young and tender I had everything to enjoy, but these children do not have; but God made me a channel to bring laughter among them. I praised and thanked God for the privileged to have such a joyful moment with children.
From Bihar sate I went to Uttar Pradesh, the north India. A friend of mine was holding a medical camp in his school. It was the first time and foremost to be part of the Medical camp team. There were more then 800 people came to the camp in two days, so nice to be part of the ministry.
My friend, Siva meat in bible school and now works as Dalit School’s manager. He was from Hindu background and committed his life to Jesus at the age of 20; dedicated for God’s ministry. His transformed life inspired his whole family to become Christen.
To this particular school some doctors from US came for the medical camp. My friend organized the camp in the school compound. There were people from surrounding village. Since people speak Hindi, there was a need of the interpretation from English, on the contrary I am not from Hindi background, yet by the grace of God I could manage to speak the language. It was the first time that I was interpreting English to Hindi. This Medical camp helped immensely to the people, because going to the Hospital was far distance and expensive. This camp helped the people to have free cost of health check up and with the expert Doctors.
People were waiting with much patient to get health check-up done for hours. Although they were from villages, the school conducts such program every year for these poor community, pray for the people the beneficiary local school and manger that God would be manifested in ever action.
Wow!! After two months of break, relaxation and reflection time, I finally back to OM to work. I have joined in Balasore OM office, Orissa state, the Easter part of India. Although you are aware of Christian persecution in Orissa but it is far from the place where the persecution occurred.
My responsibility is to coordinate the 10 church planting Teams (CP Team), who are placed in different 3 states: ORISSA, WEST BENGAL & SIKKIM, Each team has 6 members, where both boys and girls team work separately. Every moth I need to travel to these places for the evaluation, encouraging them to write the report and ministry. Almost two weeks I travel at every month.
Every team need to stay more than a year in one place. The team goes ever day for the evangelism to reach out the un- reached people with gospel. They show Jesus move 3 times in each week, by which they can share gospel to the mutable. Every team has the equipment for the move show. They go different place to show the move and preaching and slowly to the fellow-up work. this is one of the media to reach out the country and the people.
The team not only does the film ministry but also have medical ministry, church services, visiting houses, cottage meeting, book sale etc… according to the need of the locality.
OM have given the chance to all the member in the tram to study B.Th along with the ministry. It is bound for everyone to study every day. Writing assignments and competing the requirements to write examination and get promotion every year. It is a four year course, where both study cum practical ministry practices. Every year they go to central office in Secunderabad for the study. Finally they are awarded with B.Th certificate after the completion of the study.
In the most challenging thing for the team is those localities expect to be the most exemplary life to be seen by people. They do preach in Sunday service, share testimony, conduct prayer meeting and increase the prayer partner membership. And raise fund time to time this is a Holistic practical mission field.
I need your prayer support to help team, as you see the vast work. I need Godly wisdom to work effectively.
Pray for my parent’s good & sound health, this may not hinder me from serving the Lord.
Pray for the Orissa Christian who is persecuted, to keep trusting the Lord, in the time of difficulties.
Pray for my new responsibility in OM ministry.
Pray for the CP team: 10 Teams- 3 girls and 7 boys team in different places working.
Yours in Christ
Edvin Uthayachandran
Address
Edvin UC
OM India, mission compound,
Balasore, Orissa,
N. India- pin 756001.
E. mail: edvinuc@gmail.com
Yahoo: ucedvin
Skype: edvin.raju
