Beloved Partner in His Mission,

Greetings in our Lord's Mighty Name. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He continues to work His wonders among His chosen people for His glory. And He is worthy to be praised. Amen.
Past few weeks we have been studying verse by verse 1 Corinthians ch 14. It is so clear that Paul expounds on the usefulness of the gift of prophecy (now forthtelling/preaching God's Word) in the church). In contrast to the speaking in tongues, Paul argues so convincingly that it is better to edify, exhort and encourage others than speaking in unkown tongues that no one understands. Many today are boasting that they can speak in tongues but are least concerend about using gifts for others' edification and God's glory.
Above all, the excellent gift the Holy Spirit bestows on believers is to pour out God's love into hearts that are abodes of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Here are the highlights of the recent work of the Lord in out midst, for your praise and prayers:

><> Changing lives, Transforming Communities: True gospel preaching results not only in change of one's heart as he repents and receives the Lord into his heart, but also makes a person totally new as per 2 cor 5:17. But we rarely see this happen in the mission fields today. This is because, there is no clear preaching of the gospel of salvation but a lot of social gospel and much talk of cheap blessings. Praise God, we in our ministry have made a definite commitment to  present clear gospel to the heathen and idol worshipping Hindus and Buddhists here. In the weekday house meetings here, we see souls added as gospel is the power of God for salvation for all who believe. Bibles are being taken by the new visitors whom the Lord is touching. Here are some real examples of power of the gospel in penetrating the darkness:

* Recently, a house meeting was held in a Buddhist's home as per their desire and when gospel was presented and prayers were made for the sick in the family, God worked wonders. Sick were healed and the lady in the house accepted the Lord and began to attend church meetings on sundays too. Hallelujah!
In another meeting, a man with leg ailment was healed and he comes now and shares his testimony in church on sundays.

* Two Sundays ago, a Buddhist lady came to the Sunday worship meeting. She was demon-possessed and began suddenly shouting and crying loudly when we were breaking bread of communion. She was telling her husband, to take her away as some people are trying to bind her! Then I went near and laid hand on her head and prayed. Asked the Lord to set her free and commended the evil spirit to leave her. She stopped crying and began quite and we continued the worship meeting. At the end of the service, she and others came forward for prayers and I explained the need to accept the Lord into her heart not to allow Satan entrance into her body. She prayed and received the Lord into her heart there and then. She is now coming for worship meetings and also house meetings with her family. Praise God.

* Last sunday, a young man, a Buddhist got up to share his experience and said that many ridiculed him for carrying and reading the Bible but he defended saying that the Lord Jesus is the True God and that he was healed by His power alone. Praise God.
As the Lord is drawing souls and changing lives, we see transformation taking place in the community as people see the difference in the lives of those who follow Christ. Our church believers are witnessing powerfully and making an impact on others around them. Glory to God.

><>The Lord draws people but no room to seat them!: We began ministry in this unreached place with a few souls who came to our meetings in the village and soon they began to witness and bring others to the meetings. God saved souls and we baptized several families, almost twice a year. We moved from place to place, village to village, building to building to gather for worship and fellowship meetings. When more people began to come for meetings, opposition rose from the neighbors and relatives of the new believers and thus we were forced to move.
Now past few years we have been meeting in a Christian school classroom on Sundays for worship and then during weekdays in homes at various places. Now as the Lord is bringing new souls, the room has become small to seat them all. We need to pray for the Lord to show us a bigger place to gather many more whom the Lord will add into the church.

><> Special Gospel Rally on 15th Aug: Praise God for enabling us to hold special gospel rallies on public holidays here. If Lord willing, there will be a special gospel rally on 15th Aug, the Indian Independance Day Holiday. New people are being invited by church believers and we hope the Lord to speak to many new souls that day. Please join us in prayer for this special meeting and for God's blessings.

><> Invitations to visit and minister in African Countries: Praise God for the invitations received from several African countries to visit and minister in various churches and cities in September-October '09. Pray with me that the Lord may provide all needed resources and visas, etc to fulfill His plan for His glory.

Finally, pray for my health and for His grace for the burden of work on my hands and for Timothies to be sent.

It is very encouraging to me to know you share in the vision of multiplying disciplemakers among unreached peoples of the world. I would be glad to hear from you and know your prayer needs as well.
May the Lord continue to bless you and make you radiant for His glory. Amen.

With love and prayers,
In His Grace,

A.Othniel
1 Cor. 15;58. Jude 3.

Calvary's touch ministries,
Mumbai, India.

><> Rebuilding lives-- Multiplying disciplemakers <><