by A. Selvakumar and K.M. Suresh

TRIUPPUR, India (BNc) — We are so thankful to our Lord for the privilege we had to study the word in Chennai, India, where we were taught the pure word and were guided in the way of the Lord.

Earlier we were meeting in seven places namely, 1. Kuppandampalayam at 9 a.m., 2. Palavanchipalayam at 1.30 p.m., 3. VGV Nagar at 2:00 p.m., 4. Avanishi at 11 a.m., 5. Semadu at 4 p.m., 6. Raikapalayam at 6 p.m. and Muthanampalayam at 8 p.m. We start from home on Sunday morning at 7 a.m. and return home by 11 p.m.

Brethren were suggesting that we meet in one place. We were earnestly praying for this. Our Lord has answered our prayers by giving us a meeting place in the city centre. It is 10′ x 52′ hall on 2nd floor adjacent to Collectorate and Bus Stand. Mr. Gopal, the complex owner was more than willing to let us use this hall for the cause of the Lord. His advance was Rs.25000.00 and the monthly rent is RS.3250.00 ($65). We have entered into an agreement, which has to be renewed once in 11 months. He has provided panel doors to keep the noise out. The windows are permanently closed.

The first combined worship service was held in the new hall on Mar. 20. About 30 adults and nine children attended. The church members were very thankful for the new facility and were very happy to meet and worship our Father there. As we all meet in one place, we have more time to spare for the new work.

We have begun a new work with six families in Nachipalayam, 12 km away. These are Seventh Day Adventist people related to brother S. Gnanaraj. We have began another study in Raikapalayam South. We have another study started at Semadu Thottam with Jeyaraj and Lakshmi.

We need to provide 40 chairs, four CFL lights, four ceiling fans and one exhaust fan. We can encourage brethren to continue to sit on the floor for some time, but we can’t do without lights and fans. We felt the heat last week. Please pray with us that our Lord would provide for this.

We are so thankful for this meeting hall. This is a blessing to the ministry. We plan to work in and around Tiruppur at a radius of 20 km. Migrant workers would be among our target groups.

Editor’s Note: Beth Johnson, who sent this report said, “These recent graduates are not on support. They are working during the week (when work is available) in a T-shirt factory. If the job were full time, they would work at least 12 hours every week-day plus Saturday. However, on Sundays they do their best to encourage the Christians in that area as well as the ones they have baptized. Please keep their needs in your hearts.”

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