Missions - God's call to us!

Post Sunday Service on September 21st, God enabled us to once again go for missions in Chikkamagaluru, Shimoga and Channagiri. This was the first in Karnataka after CoVID. We have been partnering with Ebenezer Mission Organisation in various ways in the past years and to reconnect with the workers at their mission stations and praying with them was a wonderful privilege. We reached Chikkamagalore on 21st night by around 07:00. The roads were good and the small group of around 15-20 people had finished their singing session there eagerly waiting for us. The Lord gave us the opportunity to give them a message of relevance of prayer and the attitudes we need to have in prayer. The highlight was to see some youngsters gathering that evening. We could challenge their faith and encourage them to pray and seek God's face. The pastor was so excited and he took us to have Neer dosa with Disco Fish fry(A local speciality). He also arranged room in a hotel and we stayed giving God the glory for what He did.

22nd September morning we drove to Shimoga. I have been here many times in the past and to see the new roads and development across was heartening. Water was in full flow in Tunga and Bhadra rivers and in the canals. The deck of arecanut trees and fertile fields was a sight to behold. We had to travel around 3 hours to reach Shimoga and by the time the pastors had gathered. We laid the foundation stone for a new prayer house in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. The pastors meeting followed , where we could minister to the local pastors. Taking a cue from 1 Kings 19- we encouraged the pastors to never fear the forces of Jezebel but to move to the mountain of God where we would hear the still small voice of God. They were encouraged as they repeatedly stated and expressed their gratitude -after the meeting that this was a timely word.

After a Biryani lunch prepared by the host pastor we returned via chitradurga to Bangalore. On the way we had a stop in Channagiri where the man of God lived with his wife and two daughters. He had to face ridicule and persecution but the Lord stood by him. He had a health issue and we prayed for him. The two daughters who grew in humble background (though we could not see them) - we heard that the elder one got through NEET and is pursuing her MBBS while the younger one was pursuing IIT admissions. The Lord is faithful and we were so happy to hear what the Lord was doing through their life and ministry. We managed to reach back to Bangalore by around 09:00PM. The Lord prospered our trip.

The Gospel is the only hope for the world. Every missionary, every pastor in every location has a great mandate to fulfil. We all need one another and we serve the Lord in various places and capacities-noone is small that he cannot make a difference and neither is anyone big because of their resources. Christ is the answer and we should not leave any stone unturned for people to hear the gospel.

Much Blessings and may the Lord touch Karnataka and beyond and may multitudes come to the saving grace and knowledge of our Lord!