In India, we see exciting trends among the national believers and their concern to reach their own people.
Young individuals in India are getting involved. They support WCOI financially with one time or monthly gifts. These young people tend to be tech-savvy and are very aware of the impact that technology can have on the mission field.
The Kupia, Garasia, Zou (Zomi), and Banjara languages have a New Testament in audio for the first time. A lot of times we just hear the name of a language and rejoice. However, each of these languages have presented very unique challenges and obstacles.
God has been working in spectacular ways in India. Earlier this year, I made a trip way up to the desert state of Rajasthan in NW India. We were there to meet with some leaders and make plans to do some recordings there. Rajasthan, literally translated, means the Land of Kings. Needless to say, their history is ripe with stories of brave rulers, and regal customs. Being in a desert bordering Pakistan, it also served as the first line of defense for the Hindu kings against rampaging Muslim invaders. Stories of valor and scandal fill the history books here. One such story is what touched me.
The question came to me first; “How is the digital Scripture player being received in other parts of the world?”
Then the question was directed at the India regional center directors.. “how is the digital player received in your areas?”
I was visiting the Board of Directors meeting of World Cassette Outreach of India (WCOI). God had allowed ASM to ship digital players into the country prior to my visit and the responses were coming in. The answer to the question:
It was organized excitement! Half the people moved outside, under the tents, to enjoy their meal on a fresh banana leaf.
With well planned efficiency, huge scoops delivered fresh steamed rice in buckets to each banana leaf. Then came vegatable gravies ("sambhar"), each with a different flavor,
There was a quiet pall that hung around our corridors early last winter. Violence toward Indian Christians was on the rise, and the areas most affected were areas that hit close to home. Our biggest national partner has offices in both Orissa and Karnataka, two of the Indian states that faced the most volatile situations.
Events of this summer confirm the importance of moving as quickly as possible toward a Ministry Center building replacement in Bangalore for World Cassette Outreach of India (WCOI). ASM missionaries, JP and Katy Sundararajan, just returned from a 6 week stay in India and saw firsthand the need that exists there. JP and Katy sat down to explain the wonderful opportunities in India.
JP Sundararajan, our India-Asia Director, has been closely following the situation that has been developing in the eastern state of India, Orissa. Orissa has historically been infamous for the persecution of Christians. It earned its dubious honor especially after the brutal murder of missionary doctor Graham Staines and his sons Philip (aged 7) and Timothy (aged 9) back in January of 1999.
It’s the beginning of the month of August. The days have been getting more and more pleasant. There is almost always a breeze blowing away the last remnants of the stifling heat from the summer months. The sun is hidden by the clouds that begin to gather. These ominous clouds bring with them rain from hundreds of kilometers away. The pregnant clouds unload halfway across the Indian peninsula. The rains are heavy. Getting caught in a thunderstorm in India is akin to being pelted with thousands of water balloons. You get drenched within the first 20 seconds. Rain has always been good for the dry, parched land that always seems to want more.
In a few years, India will be the most densely populated country in the world. As a country that is only about 1/3 the size of the US, it hosts a startling 1.15 billion people. Within India, 460 million people over the age of 15, or 40% of the population cannot read.
since 2001
In India, we see exciting trends among the national believers and their concern to reach their own people.
have a New Testament in audio for the first time. A lot of times we just hear the name of a language and rejoice. However, each of these languages have presented very unique challenges and obstacles.
I made a trip way up to the desert state of Rajasthan in NW India. We were there to meet with some leaders and make plans to do some recordings there. Rajasthan, literally translated, means the Land of Kings. Needless to say, their history is ripe with stories of brave rulers, and regal customs. Being in a desert bordering Pakistan, it also served as the first line of defense for the Hindu kings against rampaging Muslim invaders. Stories of valor and scandal fill the history books here. One such story is what touched me.
With well planned efficiency, huge scoops delivered fresh steamed rice in buckets to each banana leaf. Then came vegatable gravies ("sambhar"), each with a different flavor,
