Group Weddings in Gowribidanur Church

July 18th, Mathew conducted a group wedding for three new
Christian couples.  The wedding was performed at our
Gowribidanur Center.



Madhusudan and Rakshita exhchange rings during the ceremony





Nagarai and Nirmala exchange floral garlands as part of the
wedding ceremony.

  


Mathew lead Venkitesh and Prameela in the oath of
Christian marriage.  Vankitesh is also a member of
the Christhia Seva Mission staff.

 















Many members of the Christhia Seva Mission staff
assist in the conducting of the wedding ceremony.



Over 800 wdding guests are fed following the reception.  Many of the
guests were family members who are Hindu.  This was another
wonderful oportunity for them to see how the
Christian community comes together.



Medical Prayer Request from CSM - UPDATED AUGUST 5, 2013





Gayathri

  
Meet Gayathri.  She is the husband of Jogesh.  Both Jogesh and Gayathri were baptized by Mathew in the church at Chellur 18 months ago.  Both Jogesh and Gayathri are from very poor Hindu backgrounds  When they made the decision to become Christ Followers, both of their families disowned them.

Jogesh has developed a serious medical condition as a result of heavy drinking prior to becoming a Christian.  He had surgery at a medical college in Bangalore on July 27th.

Jogesh's doctor says that the damage caused was severe, and while the surgery was successful, recovery is dependent upon him receiving the blood and medications necessary. 

The surgeon and some of his colleagues have provided sample medications to help short term.  The cost of blood and medicine Jogesh will be needing soon will run between $1500 and $2000 US.

Jogesh and Gayathri have two young children.  Matthew is praying the money will be made available and that Jogesh will receive the needed medications, that God will be glorified in his healing and will serve as a powerful witness among two Hindu families as well as many others.

Please lift Jogesh, Gayathri, their family, the doctor and this entire situation before God's throne in prayer.  If you know someone who could help, please contact Becky Bennett at White Oak Christian Church, (513) 385-0425.  Or you may respond to this post.  Thanks.

********************

UPDATE - AUGUST 4TH

Mathew has heard from Jogesh.  The hospital in Bangalor has agreed to discount his medications.  Now instead of needing $1500 to $2000 US, they have told him they can reduce his medicatons to only $600.00.

If your Sunday School / ABF or other small group would like to sponsor these meds for Jogesh, please contact Becky Bennett at White Oak Christian Church, 513-385-0425 or respond to this post.

*********************

UPDATE - AUGUST 5TH

As of this morning, Jogesh's medications have been covered.  Thank You!!!

Prayer Requests from Chickballapur

Mary Mathai doing what
Mary Mathai loves to do.

Matthew and Mary are currently in Kerala.  Mary is receiving special treatment for her back.  She had been in the hospital for seven days and is currently under restrictions for another seven.  Once she is able to travel, they hope to return to Chickballapur around July 10th or 11th.

 

Please pray for Mary as she recuperates and her back continues to heal.

 

Mathew is also asking for prayers as C.S.M. prepares to wed four couples in one service.  This special Christian marriage ceremony will occur in the Gowribidanur church, Thursday, July 18th.  It is truly Mathew's privedge to help these new couples enter their marriage with Christ as the central focal point of their new family.

Baptisms in Parasandra

The church in Parasandra is a 'multi-site' start from the church in Sdevaganahalli.  Paster Moses was leading this church in his home with 35 to 40 worshipers.  The past year has seen the ministry expand. 

This year the worship was moved from Pastor Moses' home to an empty warehouse.  Pastor Johnson has been working with this church as well.  In June there are now over 300 worshipers meeting in Parasandra.

On June 16th, Matthew had the privilege of baptising 24 new believers into Christ in Parasandra.

As of Friday, June 28th, Pastor Moses reports there are now another 17 men and women who are ready to be baptized.  Praise God for what He is doing through Christhia Seva Mission in Parasandra.



Seamstress Training ...

Did you know that for $100.00, we can purchase a sewing machine, help a woman in Chickballapur get several weeks of training, give her the sewing machine, then help her set up a sewing business that will enable her to be self-sustaining? 

Well......thanks to you, we can.  Thank you!

Matthew Mathai congratulates one of our latest graduates from this program.

2013 Youth Seminar at Sidhleghatta

In May, Christhia Seva Mission conducted a youth seminar at the church in Sidhleghatta. 


Over 300  youth attend the seminar





Sonny led the men in a breakout session




Santhosoma (our Women's Ministry Leader) led the women in a breakout session.



Distribution of School Supplies

In August 2013, the White Oak Chritian Church Colerain Campus will work with the Northwest School District and the Ross Campus will work with the Ross School District in collecting and distributing school supplies to those who have need.

This month, the church in Chickballapur has collected and distributed school supplies to students there as well.  These are pictures of supplies collected.

These are just some of the hundreds of students who have benefited from the supplies in Chickballapur