Stories from Andhra Pradesh

There is no more powerful way to celebrate what God has done and is doing through Scriptures in audio than to share stories of the life transforming impact of God's Word in a heart language. The following stories are all recent and are a result of a distribution of Mithra Scripture players in India. It is thrilling to see the lives of non-readers changed by God's Word in audio. This is from our India-Asia Director, JP Sundararajan.

Pittapuram, Andhra Pradesh: A small nondescript town where people live simple lives. The land is fertile due to the rich silt deposits of the Godavari river. People farm and also raise prawn(shrimp). Water buffalo roam the streets and soak themselves in any puddle of water that seems at least 2 inches deep.

We arrived here on a pretty typical summer day. The sun seemed a little "extra-hot" when we woke up, but that was only the beginning. The temperature began to rise exponentially as the day wore on. We planned a distribution of audio kits for about 230 families in 2 days. I did not understand the logic when they explained to me the breakdown. It was only much later that I realized just how important it was to split the distribution over two days. We met at the local church, which was really only 25% complete, leaving it a shell of brick and mortar. The people had no idea what sort of an impact a small meeting like this would have on their lives. They wanted to hear God and wanted his letter in audio. As we shared a little bit of our stories, people began to get ready to take home their new audio Bibles. I ventured outside with a little thermometer and watched it soar. It stopped at 122 F! 

The next day we went to the neighboring small church and it swelled with people. The sun was hot! Out of curiosity I set up the thermometer again. It finally settled at a mere 129 F! We explained how the tapes were to be used, the people lined up and got their copy of the audio Bible and off they went to their homes.

During this distribution, we encouraged people to listen to the Bible and if God did something, to send a postcard to let us know about it. Close to 195 families wrote back with stories! God is at work in miraculous ways in places that might seem nondescript. As you read these stories, remember that these are fingerprints left behind after God performs His miracles. Ordinary people touched in extraordinary ways! Praise God!

Here is a random sampling of these stories:

"Sir, I was an idol worshipper, I use to fast and pray to gods. My friends gave me the Bible cassettes. I came to know Jesus after listening to the Bible cassettes pray for us."

"Sir, I was born and brought up in an idol worshipping family. I don't know who Jesus Christ is. If anyone tells about Him, I had no interest to listen. I used to argue with them blindly. At this juncture my wife became sick. At that time someone from my village gave me the player and Bible cassettes to use. We became believers of Jesus Christ after listening to the cassettes. My wife was also healed."

"I was very sick and there was no one to look after me, at that time Pastor. Paul gave me the player and Bible cassettes and encouraged me to listen the cassettes, I put my faith on Jesus Christ. Now I am healed now I am making my neighbors also to listen the Bible cassettes."

"My village is an interior village in East Godhavari Dist of A.P. In the month of June most of the people in these areas were affected with a disease called Cikungunya. I was also suffering from this disease. At that time I got the Bible cassettes and started to listen God's Word. I was healed of the disease and got peace of mind. Since then we have trusted Jesus and accepted him as our God as a family we are going to Church."

"I am a poor lady working for daily wages. My husband was a drunkard. Everyday he would come home and beat me abuse me physically. I suffered a lot because of him. Someone gave me your player and Bible cassettes and let my husband listen. He is completely changed. Thanks to you, please pray for us."

"Olusulupeta is a place in Samarlakata. We as a small group of 25 members gathering together and worshipping Jesus. In our area many are Hindus. Marudamma is the name of the village goddess. One Mrs. A used to come to the church was possessed by the evil spirit. We let her listen to the Word of God from the cassettes given by you. God's Word delivered her from the evil spirit, now she has become a child of God. Please pray for her and also for our church."

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