The Potter Became the Clay

Durei and Prabhvathi sat amazed at what they had just heard.  Could this be true?  Could Jesus really be the answer they had been waiting for? 

Team member Hank Gibson had just finished sharing his testimony and the Good News of Jesus Christ with this man and his wife.   Durei was a potter and made his living selling his pottery.  He said that clay had been his family god for many years because the clay had been the only thing in their lives that had provided so much for them.  But now, they had just heard of another god that seemed to offer so much more…Jesus Christ.

Hank carefully explained that Jesus is not just another god to add to their collection of gods (as is custom for Hindus).  Rather, Jesus Christ is the Son of the ONLY living God.  Despite a life of “worshipping” clay as their god, Durei and Prabhvathi quickly realized that Jesus Christ truly was the Son of the one true God.  Both of these precious Indians prayed to receive Christ and made Jesus the new God of their family.

As Durei showed Hank all of his pottery, Durei pointed to the clay smiling and saying, “This used to be my god…but now, it is different!”

The Beginnings of a House Church

“We didn’t speak to many today,” said team member Joe Taylor, “but those we spoke with made a profession and will speak to MANY more!”

Joe and his translator approached a home with a large, shady tree in the front of the house.  They were greeted by the grandmother of the house, Sarasu.  She readily welcomed them to sit under the tree to rest and visit with one another.  Eager to share what he had come such a long way to share, Joe told Sarasu of the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ.  Sarasu prayed to receive Christ! 

Just a few minutes later, as Joe was sharing with Sarasu about the importance of reading the Bible, praying to God, and having fellowship with other believers, the wife of the house, Ambika, came walking up to the tree.  Joe repeated the same process, sharing the Good News of Jesus for the second time.  Ambika also prayed to receive Christ!

Again, just a few minutes later, the husband of the house, Srinivasan, approached the tree, unaware of what had just taken place within his family.  Interested in knowing what was going on, Srinivasan asked what they had been talking about.  And of course, Joe began to share about God’s saving grace for yet a third time.  Completely amazed at what he had heard, Srinivasan desperately cried out to God, asking him to also be the God of his life!

Three family members…three new believers in the family of God!  Overjoyed with the change that had just occurred, the family invited Joe to stay and have his lunch under the shade of their tree.  After some time of eating and resting, two neighbors approached the house.  Following his pattern, Joe shared the Gospel with these two women as well, and both women prayed to receive Christ!

The joy in this place was overwhelming.  As all five new believers were gathered around Joe, he encouraged them to meet together regularly to study the Word and encourage each other.  “Do you know of a place where you can meet together and with other believers?” Joe asked. 

“No, but we can meet at my house!” exclaimed Srinivasan.

Praise the Lord for this house of peace and a new family of believers that is willing to have a fellowship of believers within their home!

Please pray for all of these new believers as they are just beginning their journey of faith in Jesus Christ.  Their community will present them with many difficulties in pressing on in their newfound faith.  But praise the Lord that the same power that victoriously shattered evil forces of darkness in these two homes today will faithfully protect and strengthen these homes!

Please pray for the people of Kirmambakum during our third day of ministry in the villages.  We are excited and energized by all that God is doing in the lives of the Indians and are ready to see more! 

Thank you for your prayers that are allowing us to experience the hand of God even more powerfully!