Dr. Anjuli and her husband Dr. Nick are natives of north India. They came to Christ from a high-caste Hindu background, which is very rare. Since then God has prospered them in their medical practice in Bloomington, Illinois where they raised three sons who are following in their parents’ footsteps as medical doctors. Along with serving as the Chairperson of TellAsia for the past ten years, Dr. Anjuli has mentored me in many ministry and leadership issues and is almost like a second Mom to me, and I to her a little like the daughter she never had. She and Nick have also virtually adopted our children’s home and have provided most of the funding for it since its initiation in 2005.

Dr Anjuli with some of the Children’s Home kids

In December 2010 we were all shocked to learn that Dr Anjuli had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or “Adult ALL.” We announced this in a newsletter and asked everyone to pray for a miracle of healing, which I’m sure many of you did. What followed was a horrific battle in which Dr Anjuli spent 9 months in the hospital undergoing various treatments of chemo, radiation, etc. These included a complicated procedure where her entire blood and bone marrow was destroyed with radiation and replaced first with the donated blood from her second son, followed by cord blood from an infant.  During this season I spent several months living with the family to assist Dr. Nick in caring for Dr. Anjuli, who needed constant assistance. She was on 36 pills a day, one of which cost $500/pill. Sometimes she begged to die due to the pain, nausea and depression. Finally after the cancer was all gone, it tried to come back and she had to go back on more chemo. More nausea and suffering.                                                                                           Throughout all this Dr. Anjuli was an inspiration to everyone through her unwavering commitment to Christ and trust in Him. Whereas some of us might have questioned why God allowed this to happen to us, she drew closer to the Lord and came to a place where she was able to thank God for allowing her to get cancer. As time went on, she began to be able to say cancer was the best thing that had ever happened to her because through it she realized so many areas of her life that God wanted to change and grow. It was truly a humbling experience for me to spend time with her in Bible study and prayer, observing her amazing devotion and commitment to the Lord despite such desperate circumstances. Her son Zach also – an amazing young man of God – wrote continuous email updates on her progress, including in each a very deep  devotional meditation generated not from some book but from his own searching of the Scriptures. Meanwhile Dr. Nick demonstrated such tenderness, patience and love in nurturing his wife as I’ve never seen in a husband. I felt honored to be a small part of serving this amazing family.

Today, a year and a half later, I have amazing news – Dr. Anjuli is fully HEALED! She was doing incredibly well – cancer free, regaining her strength, pain free, and taking only one pill a day – when we conducted the spring Board meeting of TellAsia at her home on May 2^nd. Prayer had been going out for the last and final step in her healing which was for her immunity to kick in. Two attempts to restore her immunity to the infant cord blood now sustaining her life had failed and she had to take great precautions and receive injections of artificial immunity called Gamma Globulin. But on May 3^rd the report came back from a blood test and we learned that her immunity also is now almost back to normal!

Besides Dr. Anjuli there have been only seven other cases of Adult ALL in America. Of these, six died from the disease and the one who is still alive is not doing so well. So we are confident to say Dr. Anjuli’s triumph over this disease is entirely to be credited to the awesome healing power of our Lord and to the fervent prayers of His people. THANK YOU for your concern and prayers, which have wrought this great victory!

~ Leanna Cinquanta, International Director

]]> http://www.tellasia.org/blog/tellasias-chairperson-healed-of-an-incurable-form-of-cancer.html/feed 0 http://www.tellasia.org/blog/man-bitten-by-snake-yet-lives.html http://www.tellasia.org/blog/man-bitten-by-snake-yet-lives.html#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 18:11:53 +0000 admin http://www.tellasia.org/blog/?p=606 My name is Chotu Prasad. I grew up in a Hindu family and used to worship many idols. On March 27, while I was working in my field, I was bitten by a poisonous snake. I ran home to get some help and my family and neighbors rushed me to a witch doctor. He did [...]]]>

My name is Chotu Prasad. I grew up in a Hindu family and used to worship many idols. On March 27, while I was working in my field, I was bitten by a poisonous snake. I ran home to get some help and my family and neighbors rushed me to a witch doctor. He did his best to cure me by his magical powers but the pain only grew worse and I began to swoon and felt dizzy. A large crowd had gathered and seeing that the witch doctor had failed, someone shouted, “Call Pastor Shyam! When he prays in Jesus’ name, people get healed!”

Chotu showing the finger that was bitten by the snake

Some people ran to get the pastor from his home. When he arrived, he prayed for me and told me about the Lord Jesus. I believed and put my complete faith in Jesus. After a few moments, the pain began to subside and I began to feel a lot better. After a few hours I was amazed to find I was still alive! I know that it was the Lord Jesus who heard the pastor’s prayer and healed me completely. Even to this day I am alive and well. I am a living testimony to all those around me. Now my whole family has accepted Jesus and we are all preparing to take baptism. I praise God for saving my life and the lives of my family members. This is a miracle indeed and I share this testimony everywhere I go and with whomever I meet. Praise God.

~ Maneesh Massey, Office Manager, Varanasi

Rajan was a Hindu priest and was very devoted to the gods and goddesses. Nevertheless there was no peace in his life and for seven years he searched for the God who could give him peace. He visited many gurus and pilgrimage places but was tormented by a sense of spiritual emptiness. He started building a temple to the monkey god Hanuman. The brick and mortar structure was almost finished and Rajan put in the ordered for the idols to be built. There was no other temple in that village so the whole community was anxious to have it completed.

Rajan was ready to install the idols when one of TellAsia’s native leaders, Pastor Sanjeev, shared the Gospel with him. Rajan asked many questions and had a long discussion with Sanjeev, who showed him from the scripture that Jesus is the true giver of peace. When Rajan realized this then he repented and gave his life to Jesus.

Rajan and his Sanjeev by the unfinished temple

From that day Rajan stopped all construction on the temple. The villagers were very upset and repeatedly pressured him to complete the temple, but he didn’t.  Whenever he attended church, people barred his path and insulted him for becoming a follower of Jesus. Sometimes they also beat him and he was unable to sleep at night for fear of losing his life. Nevertheless he started sharing his testimony and when his family members saw the change in him they gave their lives to Jesus too.

For the past ten years through hard work and dedication Rajan has led many people to Christ and some of them have become leaders too. Rajan and his disciples are taking the Gospel to remote areas and have planted 20 village churches. On the same site where he had built the temple, he is now preparing to build a church! Please pray for him and his ministry.

Gaurav and Vincent, Office Managers, Lucknow, India

My neighbor Mr. Khan is a Muslim and a top leader of a local political party. I have known him for the last twenty-five years and sometimes I visit him and share the love of Jesus. Last week we traveled together and I came to know more about him.

Because he was from a Muslim family, he knew a little bit about the Bible. He had fear in his heart that on the Day of Judgment he would have to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ. I shared with him the good news that Jesus died on the cross for his sins, and that by putting his faith in Him he would not have to be afraid on the Day of Judgment. On the way back he asked me to give him a Bible. I  told him that I would give it to him after I reached home but I didn’t do so because I wanted to see whether he was really hungry for the Word of God or not. The next day when he saw me he earnestly begged me for the Bible so I called him to my house and presented him with a Bible. The moment he took the Bible in his hand, he immediately kissed it. The next  day I went to his house and saw that the Bible was on his bed and he told me that he is reading it and sharing it with his children.

Mr. Khan receiving his Bible

Mr. Khan accepted Jesus as his personal savior and now comes regularly to our church. Whenever I face any persecution or opposition on account of my ministry work, Mr. Khan comes to my aid and defends me. He hopes that one day his whole family will come to Christ.

~ Pastor Moses, Director, Himalaya Region

We are excited to introduce ourselves to TellAsia’s growing circle of friends and supporters! We are David and Shari, originally from New York and New Jersey, but now living in Portland, Oregon.

In 2007 we visited the cities of Lucknow and Varanasi in north India to observe TellAsia’s work firsthand. We were impressed with what we saw: New believers embracing a vision to preach the gospel and plant new churches in their own villages. Impoverished children learning to read and write in TellAsia’s rural education programs. Men and women traveling two days by train or bus with nothing but a Bible and a change of clothes in order to receive equipping at one of TellAsia’s leadership training events

In 2010 we spent time in India with TellAsia’s leaders and sharing our lives with the 32 boys and girls at Blue Haven Children’s Home. During our visit we saw clearly that TellAsia needs a full-time USA team who can raise awareness and build ministry partnerships. With more than a decade of successful work in north India, TellAsia is eager to share with American churches the amazing things God is doing in north India.

Starting March 15, 2012, we’ll be working as TellAsia’s first full-time Development Team. Our new role will include meeting with church leaders, writing grants, contacting donors, developing media, and speaking publicly about the passion in our hearts: God’s love for north India, one of the neediest places on earth.

Please correspond with us! Tell us why you’re interested in India, and how TellAsia can help you take a step closer to fulfilling the desires God has placed in your heart.

Burma is a place of current religious oppression and warring government factions necessitating the exodus of many of the country’s residents to New Delhi. These refugees had a deep desire to learn the Word of God but could not afford the tuition that Bible colleges were charging. Delhi Theological Institute is a response to this need. Started last summer, DTI has now become a part of TellAsia and constitutes our Delhi branch.

DTI exists primarily to serve Burmese refugees living in Delhi. It provides theological classes to them free of charge along with language and cultural training to help them settle-in to Delhi and adapt to the culture. The vision of Delhi Theological Institute is to train these young people to spread the gospel message as commanded by Jesus in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

DTI students are already exercising many skills and demonstrating progress in areas like public speaking, multilinguicity, ministry, leadership and Biblical knowledge. They will graduate empowered with the life changing skills necessary to impact their community and the world for greater good. Here are some of their testimonies:

“When I started to study in DTI I only expected to learn the Word of God but DTI also helps us learn how to preach and lead. At least once every month we go to different churches in Delhi to minister. This way I am growing in boldness and now I have a strong desire to share the gospel of Christ.” ~Biak Zuk

“I didn’t know much about the Bible until I started attending DTI. I really enjoy studying here and it is a privilege for all of us that we can study God’s Word even though we have no money to pay for tuition. I look forward to learning more how to serve the Lord. If it is God’s will then I will be happy to proclaim His message of love in the days to come.” ~Ywa Hay Tha

Please pray for DTI, the Burmese refugees of Delhi and the sponsorship necessary to carry on the school.

What would you do if somebody told you, “There’s $1,000,000 hidden in this room. Nobody else knows about it, but (shhhh!) I’m telling you it’s here somewhere and if you can find it, it’s yours.” Well as for me, after verifying that this news didn’t come from a spam email fished out of my Junk Mail, I would begin searching the room!

Something of far greater value than $1,000,000 is buried in one neglected, misunderstood and forgotten passage of Scripture. If you are willing to see this hidden treasure, it will change your life. On March 18^th  a team from Harvest International Ministries arrived in Lucknow and conducted a powerful leadership conference including casting out a demon. On the 21^st they traveled by overnight train to our eastern Himalayan station. Meanwhile I was visiting a remote village in our western Himalayan region and along with some of our native leaders, drove across via the north route, and got closer than ever to the white mountains and the border of China (proximity to the China border was confirmed in that the small restaurant where we ate lunch served up sloppy bowls of tripe that smelled like… well, the insides of a chicken!) The team endured a grueling five-hour drive over mountain roads that still haven’t been repaired since the monsoon washed them out last June.

In both the Lucknow and Himalayan conferences Dr Mark Tubbs taught the five-fold ministry gifts. I’ve studied the gifts of the Holy Spirit and ministry offices many times but as I sat taking notes mostly to be a good example for my son Lakshman who accompanied me on the trip, I saw something amazing…

Today the most common title and function for a Christian leader is that of “Pastor.” Seminaries train pastors and almost every church is led by a pastor. Many who don’t have that title nevertheless perform that function when they care for the Body of Christ. Women who minister to others in a caring, nurturing environment are functioning as pastors to those individuals. Pastors are necessary to grow and nurture the body of Christ.

“Teacher” is also a common role. People gifted with the ability to teach lead Bible study groups in support of the pastor, or teach Sunday School classes. These individuals are also essential. A rare few are called “Evangelists” like Billy Graham, and in missions circles some use the term “native evangelist” for those who share the Gospel from village to village.

But what about “Prophet” and “Apostle?” How often does someone say “He is a prophet” or “She is an apostle?” Some traditions teach that the only apostles were the original twelve. Others suggest that prophecy was only for the Old Testament or for the original disciples of Jesus.

Both of these perceptions are erroneous. The ministry offices – all five of them – are intended for us, today! Otherwise why did Paul clearly state, “Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph 4:11,12)? God’s Kingdom needs to be strengthened and expanded today just as much as when Paul penned these words. Nothing has changed. Why then have we dropped two of the five offices almost completely out of our vocabulary and out of our experience?

Here is the $1,000,000+ treasure: Mark uses the five fingers of the hand to teach the “five-fold ministry gifts.” But sadly, we have cut off and thrown away the two most important fingers! Notice that the order in which the ministry offices appear is important. Another passage makes it even clearer:  “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers…” (1 Co 12:28) So according to the Bible, Christ’s Kingdom should be led first of all by those functioning in the apostolic and prophetic gifting. Many who are called pastors today feel confined and limited by their office. They long to be doing more outreach and evangelism. These really should be freed to function as apostles or prophets. Others who are called pastors feel burdened by the need to do more outreach or to lead the church to growth or to influence in the community, and would prefer to focus on nurture and care of the believers. These are true pastors. But at the helm of every gathering of God’s people should be an apostolic leader who keeps the group focused on their purpose, which is to expand God’s Kingdom and reach out to the outside world with Christ’s love.

What is an apostle? An apostle is someone who sees opportunities for God’s Kingdom to expand and receives God’s strategies for it to happen. An apostle trains and mentors new leaders, imparting vision and passion to mobilize them to action. Those who establish new churches are functioning in the apostolic gifting. Those who train leaders and hand over to them new levels of responsibility are apostolic. In our work in India we have hundreds of apostolic leaders. I deeply appreciate Harvest International Ministries which in 2010 recognized and commissioned me as an apostle based on how the Lord has used me to develop native leaders and church planting movements in north India. 

What is a Prophet? The New Testament role of a prophet is first of all to “speak edification and exhortation and comfort to men” (1 Co. 14:3). When the Lord gives us a prophetic word for a person, it should be encouraging and not condemning. Secondly, God desires to show us things of the future to warn and guide His people. An example of a true modern-day prophet is Rev. David Wilkerson.

My challenge to you: Do you feel limited by the title “Pastor”? Do you feel that your church needs more outward focus or more passion for the community and for the world? Then God may be calling you to more of an apostolic or prophetic role in His Kingdom! Right now these two most important offices and functions are almost entirely missing. Imagine trying to pick up a glass without your thumb., or to form a pot with only three fingers. One reason God’s Kingdom is not growing today as it should is our failure to recognize, teach on, and encourage people to function in these two essential roles – the apostolic and the prophetic. When God’s people rediscover these two awesome spheres of anointing and empowerment, we will have found a treasure far more valuable than $1,000,000.

The rapid growth of the Gospel work makes large-scale distribution of the Word of God an urgent priority. This past year thanks to the partnership of Voice of the Martyrs and others, we were able to provide over 11,000 Bibles to new believers. When the people hear the Gospel and see that Jesus has the power to miraculously heal their diseases and to deliver them from demons, they accept Him as their Lord and Savior. However in order for their faith to grow strong, it is essential for them to start reading and studying the Word of God for themselves.
We have distributed the Bibles to the neediest believers who cannot afford to buy their own but who hunger to know the Word of God. Below is only one of many testimonies coming to us from leaders and pastors.

“I am very thankful to the Lord and those who have contributed towards the distribution of Bibles. Due to poverty in the villages it is very difficult to afford the cost of a Bible for the lower class families. So by providing Bibles to these people we are equipping them with the Word of God. I am very thankful to TellAsia Ministries for providing us the Bibles. Praise the Lord.” ~ Badri Prasad

As Bibles are necessary for the new believers to grow in their faith, so bicycles are also needed for pastors and leaders to bring the Gospel to new villages. 70% of the population lives in villages and uses cycles as their transportation. Many are from the poorer classes and are not able to afford a cycle. For a pastor, evangelist or church planter a cycle is his most valuable tool second only to his Bible. It enables him to reach those places where even motorcycles and cars cannot go, especially in the remote village areas where there are sometimes no roads at all.　

One of many testimonies:

Pradeep is a pastor and a good networker. He has strong faith in the Lord and is the leader of his district. He has planted 15 churches in his area. Every day he visits at least one village. Some of the churches are about 10-15 km from his home, so he travels by bus or train but sometimes it becomes very difficult for him as he has very little money. We gave him a bicycle and the very same day he received the cycle he went and preached in a village and three new believers came to Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord.

Please pray for the pastors and leaders of north India, who are working hard to expand the Kingdom of God. Pray for the new believers that they may grow in their faith and become even more active in sharing the Gospel in their villages.

In 2005 we initiated Blue Haven Children’s Home with the goal to eventually develop a SELF-SUPPORTING children’s home. This is a ground-breaking project enabling hundreds of orphan and disadvantaged children to have a bright future. The children’s home will be supported by income generated by a high-quality Christian school and medical clinic.

In latter 2011 thanks to a generous donation we were able to purchase 1.75 Acres of prime suburban land in the capital city of the Gangetic Plain of North India. So this great vision is now HALF-WAY to being fulfilled. All that remains is to construct the facility.

In 2012 we urgently request your prayer for the Lord to provide the funds necessary to construct Phase One of the facility – a budget requirement of just under $400,000.

EXCITING DEVELOPMENT:

A generous donor has pledged to match every dollar donated for this project up to $100,000. So your donation will go twice as far!

We also request your personal sponsorship of one of our existing 32 orphan and semi-orphan children who, until the big project is complete, are in need of your loving, prayerful support of $30, $60 or $90/month.

SPONSOR  NOW

Through TellAsia’s micro-loan program the wife of Ravishankar, one of our church planters, was able to buy some goats. This growing business now supports the family with much-needed income.

Through Ravishankar’s ministry more and more new believers were taking baptism but there was no safe and secure place to conduct the baptism. So Ravishankar’s wife sold some of the goats and they built a baptism tank behind their house away from the public eye. Now almost every week people are being baptized there.

It is such a blessing and joy to minister among the poorest of the poor in northern India, most of these house churches do not even have a plastic chair to sit on. The pastor and believers are all equal, everyone sits on the floor.

Thank you all for your prayers. My vision is to win this region for the Lord and see at least one house church in every village. This district has 2,802 villages. I know we have a long way to go but nothing is impossible with God.

Mathew 19:26. ~ By Brother Joy, trainer in Sangam Region