Again, we were delighted to have Robert with us on this trip. He took everything in stride and seemed perfectly comfortable in those very different surroundings. He was also well received by the local brethren wherever we went. We now look forward to the time when he will be able to take along his family, and to all of the good work they will be able to do.

Our return home has brought an extraordinary amount of pressure. Had it not been for the fact that we had Vol. 46 of The Voice of Truth International to get to the printer, we would have probably stayed longer. We are thankful for sisters Eulene Ramsey, Barbara Oliver, and Michal Swain (along with Jamie), for all that they did to get the magazine as far along as possible, along with all of the other work they had to do. The Voice of Truth International has been sent to the printer, so we feel some relief of pressure on that deadline, but now our missionary magazine, Global Harvest, needs constant work if we are to get an issue out this summer. We not only have the huge job of putting it together but also much time is consumed in trying to get brethren around the world to write and submit articles. This is a magazine that needs to exist for the sake of informing the church about mission work, needs, triumphs, and tragedies. We can’t do it without a lot of help. Please pray for this work.

Going back to the subject of our work in Asia, let me tell you that we have received word that the 5-week spring session of Myanmar Bible College has had an enrollment of 62. A number of men and women participated in teaching the Bible during these several weeks, some of whom were L.T. and Jo Ann Gurganus of Parrish, AL. Betty and I will be doing a session in November of this year. We understand that Dennis and Sharon Larson will also be teaching in the fall.

While in Bangalore I prepared two sets of sermons to be aired on the local radio station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, one set of mine in English and one of Swamy’s in Tamil. In Colombo I heard my English program and was happy that it was coming through loud and clear. Both the English and Tamil programs are being heard throughout Sri Lanka and in the lower part of Tamil Nadu in India.

The TV work in India continues. We saw the brethren who are doing the telecasts and left funds to cover payments for the next several months. Since coming home we have added another weekly program in the Telugu language by Joshua Gootam, taking advantage of the wonderful response he has been getting on the other channels. Joshua has 5 weekly programs on 3 different stations in Telugu. Sunny David in New Delhi has one weekly program in Hindi, the national language of India. S. Rajanayagam has 2 weekly programs in Tamil and Philemon Rajah also has two weekly programs in Tamil. In Northeast India we have programs in the Paite language. I am not sure just now whether they have two or three weekly telecasts because changes were to be made after we left India and up to now I have not had any information from them. It is sometimes difficult to get mail in and out of that part of India. They have E-Mail but even then it is not always easy to get letters to them. We will let you know what the situation is as soon as we know.

Our 15 weekly radio programs continue to get good results with many writing for a Bible correspondence course and with a constant flow of those who want to obey the gospel. I get numerous letters telling of radio contacts being baptized. In addition, the TV programs are bringing in hundreds of cards requesting a Bible correspondence course and the various speakers are constantly sending reports and e-mails telling of those who are being baptized. We are so grateful to all of you who are providing funds for the radio and TV programs. Please be assured that your money is being well spent, at a time when people in India are still eager to take correspondence courses and to have personal studies.

I have sent brother Tualchin Neihsial of Churachandpur, Manipur State, India to Northwest Myanmar several times to conduct gospel meetings. I have also sent him to Mizoram State, Northeast India for the same purpose, because no congregations of the Lord’s church exist there. More recently I have also asked K.K. Varam to make a preaching trip to Mizoram. He lived and worked in Nagaland for several years and continues to go there to help strengthen the Naga Christians, including his daughter and her husband. Once we are able to convert some of the local people to Christ in Mizoram, we can hopefully see the work grow and spread with the help of brethren visiting and providing them with Christian literature. Please pray for these efforts. We as Americans have not been able to visit the Northeast states, even though some of the local brethren in Manipur have been encouraging us to make applications to do so. They tell us that, because of the magazines and books we have printed there through the years, we are well known to the local people, and a visit from us would be a big boost to the Lord’s cause in the whole area. We pray that time and permits will allow this soon.

Recently we reprinted 10,000 copies in Telugu of Vol. 1 of The Voice of Truth International. Now we have printed 10,000 copies in Telugu of Vol. 4. Vol. 2 is now being printed in the Tamil language. All of these printings are being made available to the tsunami victims and also to those who respond to our radio and TV programs.

Here at home we are presently printing Vol. 46 of The Voice of Truth International. Vol. 5 in the Spanish language is being prepared for the printer at this time. In the combination of these languages, we are printing between 65,000 and 70,000 copies.

And that brings us to a situation that is heavy on my heart. We have an emergency on our hands. Not counting all of the magazines that are being used in India, in the Spanish language, and throughout the U.S.A., my postage bill for Vol. 45 for the copies we send to foreign countries around the world was over $5,000. I might add that all of the magazines that go to foreign addresses are sent free of charge and postage paid. But how can I do this? The only way is by getting brethren here in the States to use the magazine in their own work. Your payment for the boxes you use goes to cover the cost of the boxes that are sent free to mission areas.

We need 300 congregations, or individuals, that will give $35.00 a month to help me send these magazines to India, Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, and numerous other countries around the world. Listen, in Africa alone there is a battle going on now between believers in Christ and those of the Muslim religion. Islam is trying to take Africa. At the same time these people are calling for Christian literature. Are you hearing what I am saying? They are calling and pleading for books and magazines, through letters and e-mails. If we don’t answer them, one of these days those calls will stop coming. Why? Because we did not answer, and Islam won, even if the winning was by torture, rape, pillage, starvation and death, rather than by winning the minds. My heart breaks when I think of what we could do if the Lord’s people would only listen to these calls and would respond.

Brethren, we could use thousands of dollars on these needs, but we are not asking you for that kind of money. We are asking for 300 congregations to send only $35.00 a month. That amount will enable us to send one box of 35 copies of our magazine each month to some foreign address, and then the one receiving it will give copies to the local congregation and to their friends. You should see the letters I receive from those who have been receiving our magazine and how they want us to continue to help them with literature. Brethren, they are not asking for much. Surely, we can do this small thing. Please, let us rise up and do as Jesus said and take the gospel to them, even in this almost effortless way. If we fail, will not their blood be on our hands?

By printing 50,000 copies or more, each copy will cost about 50 cents. That’s less than a typical tract! The printer will fill out the foreign forms and prepare them for mailing for $3.00 a box; the postage on an M-Bag is $11.00. Add this to the printing cost, and we have a grand total of approximately $35.00 a box. So if you as an individual or a congregation can, and will, give $35.00 a month we will have the funds to send one box of 35 copies each month. That means that for a total of $420.00 a year we can send out 12 boxes — a total of 420 copies — of the magazine in one year. But beyond that, it is said by the experts that every piece of literature that goes out to third world countries will be read by at least 10 people! If that be true — and I believe that it is — then for $35.00 a month for one year you will be making it possible for 4,200 people to read 116 pages of Gospel! What will be the result? Many of these will become Christians, and many who are already Christians will be strengthened in the faith. It will enable those Christians who receive these copies to have literature to share with fellow-Christians and with those who have not yet obeyed the Gospel. What a privilege! What an opportunity! I plead with you brethren to help us with this work. My prayers are that you will make your decision to help souls to be saved in this way.

We are reaching for a goal of printing and distributing 100,000 copies of The Voice of Truth International. Locally, if you brethren will send $25.00 a month or $300.00 a year, we will send you a box of 35 copies of the next 4 issues. You can use it in the congregation, in doing personal work, in putting it in reading racks in the hospital, in medical clinics, giving it to the workers at banks, the Post Office, at the Court House, put copies in Motels, etc., and so on. There are many ways to let it work effectively for you — and remember: if we are going to have a harvest, we have to sow the seed. Don’t let the devil tell you that people won’t read, that literature is a waste of money. We hear too many good reports even from people in the US to believe that kind of philosophy.

Let me also encourage those who go to Mexico or to other countries to do short-term mission work: DON’T GO EMPTY HANDED! We have a Spanish edition of The Voice of Truth International. Go to those people, loaded down with copies. If you will, you will be the most popular person there as you share needed materials with them.

And you would be surprised at the number of letters I get from prison inmates, wanting literature. One brother wrote concerning a prison in Lubbock, Texas: “We have 500 inmates here and can use all of the magazines you can send us!” There are opportunities throughout this country to help make better citizens of those who are currently in prison. If they can learn the truth and save their souls, they won’t be as likely to rob and kill or break the law in other ways when they get out. Again, now is our opportunity. Will we take advantage of it?

God bless you as you help us with this work.

Here are some other needs that I would encourage you to think about:

WE NEED MONEY FOR BIBLES. During the past few months we have spent several thousand dollars on Bibles in India alone. We can buy them there for about $2.00 a copy. Bro. Joshua Gootam sends a Bible to each one who completes a Bible correspondence course, and that comes to about fifteen hundred copies every month! Swamy also provides Bibles for thousands of people each year in his radio and seminar work. We have been helping the other TV speakers with Bibles to fill their requests.

We need more funds for books like The Church of the Bible … The Gospel of Christ … New Testament Worship … You Can Be Just a Christian … Why We Believe What We Believe, Vols. 1 & 2, and many others. We print these in English and in other languages. They are supplied below cost to World Bible School teachers, for jail ministries, and other types of personal evangelism (at 75 cents a copy), and we send thousands of copies of each new printing to George Funk and his Gospel Chariot work in South Africa and other countries in Southern Africa, On April 20, brother Ray Cox and Blake Jones drove to Winona from the Rainbow Church of Christ in Gadsden, AL and picked up 4,137 books and magazines to send to Zimbabwe, Africa. They have done this before, and plan another trip shortly. We have given these free of charge to help with the work in Zimbabwe. But they didn’t come to us free. Their cost was met by the sale at full price of other books, or from contributions made for literature. If you can help us cover these costs, we can make more study books available for more people.

We continue to support a number of radio programs in the Philippines, and that work is bearing lots of good fruit. Other islands need to be covered, but more funds are needed if that is to be done.

Brother Thomas Koh has just ordered several boxes of books for the work in Kuching, East Malaysia. They have a Bible School there, and of course the church is always in need of literature.

Sis. Ruth Orr of Lewisburg, TN and two other ladies are coming to Winona on May 17,18,19 to help prepare materials for mailing overseas in response to requests. This will mean a large postage bill for the shipping. Sis. Orr makes regular trips to Nigeria and Ghana to work with World Bible School students. She is a great lady and is doing a great work. We appreciate her, and the other ladies, for coming to help us to deal with all of the mail we receive, especially from Africa. Later, Bro. and Sis. Charles Barker will also come to help in this part of the work. Any money that can be given to cover these literature and postage bills will be deeply appreciated.

Thank you again for all that you mean to us and to this part of the Lord’s work. You are a big part of everything we do, and please don’t forget that. God bless you for your faithfulness, and we ask that you please pray for us. Pray especially that we can find more help with our magazine work.

Please let us hear from you.

We love each one of you,

J. C. and Betty

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VERNON DOUGLAS (SWAMY) HAS SENT THE FOLLOWING REPORT ON THE TSUNAMI RECOVERY EFFORTS:

The following programs have been started:

Tsunami victims from Andaman and Nicobar Islands
A housing colony is being begun for victims of the Andaman and Nicobar islands related and known to our preacher, Jesuraj. In Ramnad we have already purchased land for this purpose.
Self-employment program. Center for Relief and Rehab of Tsunami Victims (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
A place has been rented in which the victims may meet regularly to ventilate their grievances and pain. This is also a training center for the self-employment programs, and a central office allowing us to keep in touch with the victims and government officials of the local district.
Under the rehabilitation program, the women in the group are being trained in the manufacture of fruit squash, fruit juice, and pickles. The training has already been given and also a test conducted to assess their ability to make the products qualitatively. They are being trained by one of our preachers, King Solomon, who is approved and certified by the government of India in food processing and nutrition technology.
This program will enable the victims to earn a part of their livelihood and ultimately stand on their own feet. Eight of them have come together as a group to begin this business. They will be making, bottling and labeling 150 units this coming Monday. At first we will market the finished products through the different congregations we work with. The profit made will be equally shared among these eight families.
Fast food shop. One of the women has started a shop to make and sell breakfast items.
A tailor shop by the name “Island Tailors” has been opened with two sewing machines for two young men (Kalidass and Brahmavar) from the group. To encourage this program we have given an initial order to make one pair of pants and shirts for the children and adults from the victims group.
Another Tailor shop has been opened for a lady (Bharathi) who will operate from her temporary home in a village. She is a highly qualified (certified by the government of Tamil Nadu) instructor. This lady can also influence her locality by teaching the unemployed youth the tailoring trade.
Also eleven families are being provided with a monthly stipend of Rs. 750 for a couple and Rs. 250 for every additional child in the family, from March, 2005. The first payment was given by brother J.C directly and from then onwards we are continuing to give from the funds with us. Bible study for the complete group we help is being organized every Sunday at Ramnad where the church of Christ meets. All these victims are provided with traveling fare and food expense. Jesuraj, our preacher, is in charge of all these programs and we are paying him a small remuneration.
Center for Children’s Development in Kanniyakumari district
A suitable premise to house and raise 15 children has been rented and furnished. 15 children of the tsunami affected victims have been interviewed along with the parents and guardians, to be raised in the home. A prominent doctor of the area has done complete medical check ups and the medical chart has been attached with each application. The admission process to the nearby schools is going on. All these steps have been taken so that the raising of these children will go unhindered. Our preacher, Samuel Raj who has previous short experience with a children’s home, has been put in charge.
Program for the tsunami affected victims in Nagapattinam
Counseling Center. A suitable premise near to a few relief camps set up by the government and other NGOs has been rented and is now being made ready. Our preacher, Selvaraj, is supervising this center and also a new congregation has been started. The church will be meeting in a different location for which we are looking around. Five have been baptized but 15 are attending the services regularly on Sundays. We expect this center to attract many victims and their families to come and connect themselves to us. According to their needs we will be initiating many programs to enable them to let go of the past and stand on their own feet to become productive members of society.
Premises are also being located to begin Counseling Centers at Kanyakumari, Cuddalore, and Pondicheri areas.
Thank you all for your help. Please be praying for us in this part of the work.

Vernon Douglas for the team

P.S. We believe that Douglas and his co-workers are doing a good job of carrying out the plans that were made when we were in Bangalore. Please be praying for these brethren. They are carrying heavy responsibilities for all of us and making weighty decisions that will affect many lives for now and for eternity. Please also be praying for them in their travels. I can’t begin to describe to you the danger on Indian roads.