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In Jesus’ Name Ministries 2008 trip to India |
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Court and Sandy Wood, and a small team visited India once again and what a glorious trip. After many hours of flying and an overnight train ride, we finally reached Hyderabad, India at 12:30 am. We had a very restful sleep in a local hotel, and the next morning were all warmly greeted by our India Director, Pastor George, his wife Dorothy, Pastor Pradeep, Brother Rajesh, Brother Manuel, Pastor Vinod Babu and Pastor Martin Luther, as well as Pastor Jeevan Lacto and many other pastors from Hyderabad. It was so wonderful to be back in India with our precious family in Jesus Christ once again.
Our first day in India we visited the Hyderabad Pastor’s Seminar where Elder Clay Sterrett from Stanton, VA was teaching a 3 day seminar with many Hyderabad pastor’s and Bible women attending. Clay would later go to Agra, India teaching another 4 day seminar with the local pastor’s and Bible women of Agra. Clay is one of the best teachers and writers we know, and we felt so honored when he agreed to go to India with us in 2005, and again in 2006 to teach seminars to the pastor’s and Bible women in the cities of Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam. He has been very well received in India, and the pastor’s and Bible women have been blessed by his extraordinary teaching along with the clear revelation of Jesus Christ in his own life. Clay has written several books that we highly recommend reading. He has written THE SURVIVAL SERIES, and several other books. To learn more about Clay’s teaching books, click here.
After leaving Hyderabad, we visited Visak, India, being warmly greeted by many of the precious local pastor’s and Bible women in that area. After a few extraordinary days of meetings, prayer and love, we drove to Rajahmundry, India for the remainder of our visit. The love received from the pastor’s and Bible women in Rajahmundry was overwhelming. We arrived late at night, and yet many of the In Jesus’ Name Ministries pastor’s and Bible women were waiting to greet us with the traditional garlands, warm smiles and hugs of love.
The Lord and His Holy Spirit was with each team member in such a personal way. Each one daily described how God had touched their hearts by the love flowing from His precious people in India and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We all have lasting memories of the things we individually experienced. The Lord showed us His love in so many ways.
Of coarse we can’t forget about eating! During our visit, the whole team were well fed with various kinds of deliciously prepared Indian food. And as usual, many days ended with a nice cooling bowl of ice cream. Santha Kumar, (right with Sandy) a precious sister, and sister-in-law to Pastor George and Sister Dorothy, made sure our every need was met, and met abundantly. She would humbly and graciously wait on each team member no matter how late we returned from our church or home visits, with such love and tenderness. Our many thanks to Santha and the other gracious ladies that were also there to wait on us.
Thank you Pastor Pradeep, Brother Rajesh, Pastor Kiran Kumar, and others who spent their day being servants to us and our team, taking pictures and video for us, as well as any other kind way they could serve us.
We so much appreciated Pastor Ratna Raju for keeping our clothes cleaned and ironed. His joy radiated when ironing our clothes, or when greeting us as we entered the room. Thank you dear brother for allowing the Holy Spirit to shine through you and encourage us.
Our thanks also to the pastor who kept our rooms so clean.
Our special thanks to Pastor George and Sister Dorothy for allowing us to come to their country and for always treating us and our team members so warmly. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of what you are doing in India, and introducing In Jesus’ Name Ministries to many wonderful and worthy men and women of God, giving us the opportunity to show Christ’s love to them, and fulfill our Biblical responsibility to help them—our brothers and sisters, with financial encouragement. We have been so blessed to meet and help many of our extended family in Jesus Christ.
Pastor George and Sister Dorothy certainly know what “hospitality” is all about. They have lovingly welcomed every In Jesus’ Name Ministries team member into their own home for many years. One year, In Jesus’ Name Ministries was a team of 18, and were each provided a comfortable place to stay during our visit, and were all very well fed with delicious Indian meals. Thank you again Pastor George and Sister Dorothy for your Christ-like love, and for making our trips to your country so meaningful, and memorable. |
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In Jesus’ Name Ministries team (not shown) saying good-bye from the train in Rajahmundry. What a “happy / sad” time it was while many pastor’s, Bible women, Pastor George, Sister Dorothy and their sweet daughter Mel Rose/Sony (in the bright pink) smiled and waved as the train started to leave. Our hearts were deeply saddened to leave our precious family, and this wonderful country of India.
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Bishop & Pastor James Bell is Vice-Chairman of In Jesus’ Name Ministries and not a stranger to India. He has gone on several team trips. |
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Betty, having fun with Pastor Bell while he was trying to catch some ZZZZ’s on our train ride to Hyderabad, India. |
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Pastor Bell filled with the joy of the Lord sharing the Word of God with Pastor George interpreting his message. |
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One of many congregations we visited. Can you imagine Americans sitting on the floor while waiting for a speaker to come to one of our churches to share the Word of God with us? |
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Dear sister R. Leyamma garlanding Court & Sandy |
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The In Jesus Name Ministries USA & India directors. Pastor P. George & Sister Dorothy—India & Court and Sandy Wood—USA |
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Danny experiencing a very tender moment |
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Court with Vimal Kishon |
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Sandy with Vimal’s precious mother Eluri Vijaya Lakshmi |
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Sister Dorothy’s Sewing Ministry with teacher Sister B. Divya (standing left) sitting—Betty, Sister Dorothy, & Sandy—standing teacher Sister Y. Ananda Kumari (right) |
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Sandy and Betty at the Pastor’s Fresh Fire Fellowship. |
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Betty with a sweet sister in the Lord |
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Betty holding Sonny Kumar, precious son of Pastor Sunil & Sumana Kumar |
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Elder Danny McCready & Pastor D. Vara Prasad. Danny makes regular visits to India with the In Jesus’ Name Ministries teams. |
