ONLY BELIEVE MINISTRIES

NEWS LETTER

May 1, 2008

Greetings in the the mighty name of Jesus!

How we love to share with you news from India.  Much is going on.   God continues to show Himself strong!  God supplied the funds needed to purchase a new computer for Pastor Joseph.  He purchased a new lap top.  His last computer was very old and was struck by lightening during the monsoon season.  It could not be repaired.   So, Pastor Joseph  had to travel a great distance to Kakinada each time he needed to use the computer.  It was very difficult for him and affected us as well.  We were unable to communicate with him  quickly, as we often need to do. Our only communication with him is e-mail.  But, praise God!  He provided enough money for Pastor Joseph to purchase a new computer through generous supporters of Only Believe Ministries!  Thank you all so much on behalf of Only Believe Ministries and Pastor Joseph!  You truly are being used mightily by God.

Jahnavi's Heart Orphanage

Reporting from his new computer, Pastor Joseph said the children are all doing well.  They are getting ready for their year end exams.   Sony, Sudarshan, and Mercy are planning a Vacation Bible School. It will  be held when their exams are completed.  The children are very excited.  Pastor Joseph is also  planning more tailoring classes for the children.  This has also been made possible by supporters who have purchased sewing machines for the orphanage. 

Pastor Joseph says they are able to take the children to the doctor if they become ill, thanks to the supporters of the orphanage.  He has requested prayer for one child of the Jahnavi's Heart Orphanage.  Her name is Gouripattapu Kumari.  She is losing her hearing and the doctors have suggested a hearing aid for her.  Please keep her in your prayers.

The children continue to grow and thrive.  They are a happy and healthy family.  Please continue to pray for funds to build up on the Grandma's House.  The rooms added will be used to house the older children of the orphanage.  It will take $12,000.00 to complete the rooms and the extra space is definitely needed.

Grandma's House

Grandma's House now houses eleven widows.  All of the widows have a sponsor except for one.  Please pray for a sponsor for this widow.  Her name is Mattla Naga Ratnam.  She was born in a village called Krishnapuram.  She was married at the age of fourteen.  During her marriage she gave birth to four children, all little girls.  Her husband died suddenly one day of a heart attack.  Her daughters grew  and became marrying age.  Mattla had to sell her house to have a dowry for her daughters.  All four daughters married and are prospering.  Mattla went to her daughter for help and all four rejected her, calling her cursed.   She tried to work but her health began to fail and she is no longer able.  She was starving, with no home when Pastor Joseph found her and brought her into Grandma's House.  Her eyesight is failing and it is getting difficult for her to walk.  We thought we had a sponsor for her, but that fell through.  Pastor Joseph has been letting her stay at Grandma's House without a sponsor, but it is a financial strain.

A widow is sponsored for $48.00 a month.  This sponsorship amount only covers the bare minimum of food clothing and medical treatment.  Much medication and doctor visits are required for these ladies because of their weakened condition.  Please keep the widows of Grandma's House in your prayers. 

Pastor Joseph reports that the widows are very happy and enjoying the children.  The children are helping with the widows and relationships are building.  This was the vision God gave to us and it is a blessing to see it come to pass. 

Simple Birthing Kits

Simple Birthing Kits is the newest project of Only Believe Ministries.  The birthing practices of the villages in India result in a very high immortality rate for infants and mothers as well.  It is not uncommon practice for the child to be born on the ground or a table in a hut with a sharp rock being used to cut the umbilical cord. Old and dirty rags are used to clean up the infant and the mother often resulting in infections which can cause death.  The simple birthing kits are designed to create a more sterile birthing environment.  Each kit will contain a piece of plastic for the mother to lay on,  a scalpel blade to cut the cord,  a piece of cord to tie off the umbilical cord, plastic gloves,  gauze pads to clean the baby and the mother, and antibacterial soap.  These items will then be placed in a Ziploc bag.  The kits will be assembled by church groups or other organizations here in the United States and then shipped to to Christ Fellowship Ministries for distribution in the villages. 

If you would like to be involved in assemebling Simple Birthing Kits contact us for more information.

Once again we would like to thank all of our supporters.  We love you all so much.  We thank you for your prayers and your support.  May God pour His blessings out upon each one of you!!!  You are making a differecne.

Your Sisters in Christ,

Cindy, Terry & Angie