US diaries - week 2

 

WEEK 2

▪️ Jehovah Nissi - The God who protects

Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭

“If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

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Within a couple of days of landing in US, my elder daughter woke up early morning crying, after seeing a bad dream about her younger brother. She shared the dream to me and we prayed together and cancelled the schemes of enemy in Jesus name.

We didn’t know that God was revealing the schemes of enemy to us, so that we will pray and take victory over it in Jesus name.

This week what happened really shook me to my core. The place where we are staying has stairs to the basement down (which has a children’s gate) and stairs to the upper floor (which didn’t have any children’s gate).

Our younger son is very much fascinated by the stairs and always try climbing up and down. Somehow he mastered the climbing up part but he was yet to master the climbing down which he was afraid of.

We tried blocking him by putting obstacles before the stairs to stop him from climbing.

One of the days, my son came upstairs without any of us noticing. Somehow he climbed over the obstacle kept before the stairs and came up.

When I came out of my room I saw him and he was holding a toy in his hands and smiling to me like he has achieved a great thing by climbing up all alone. Seeing me suddenly come out, he threw the toy downstairs and he was looking down. He was near the edge of the stairs and Suddenly he fell down.i don’t know if he tried to step down to take the toy or he was trying to move quickly downstairs but he fell. It was a shocking moment for me. I was near to him but not near enough for a quick catch. Before i could react he started bouncing down the stairs like a toy. His head was hitting multiple times in the stairs.i rushed down stairs to catch him or break the fall but i couldn’t match the speed of the fall. 

Hearing my shout my wife came running and she caught him at the last stair by then he had hit his body and head multiple times from the top of the stairs to the bottom. My heart stopped for a moment.His face was red and I could see nerves stretching on his face. My son couldn’t stop crying due to the immense pain. I was praying in my heart to God that no brain injury should happen for him.I couldn’t stop crying for long time asking for mercy of God upon his life and to save his life.

God almighty Jesus Christ in his sovereign mercy , again answered our prayers in Jesus name and protected the life of our little son. Nothing happened to him, he is active,alert, smart, quick witted and healthy so far.

▪️ A US birthday celebration

Proverbs 15:29

Lord hears the prayers of the righteous

Since we were staying with my brother-in-law and fully dependent on him for transport as we had newly immigrated to this nation. This time when my wonderful wife’s birthday came I couldn’t plan any major outing like I used to do every year. My wonderful sisters in Chennai tried arranging a gift for my wife but they also couldn’t make it success.A gift which I ordered through Amazon didn’t reach in time on top of that. 

However God honoured my hearts desire and prayer to celebrate my wife’s birthday. One day before her birthday my brother in law took me to Costco.we could buy a beautiful rainbow cake. Another wonderful elder brother in Christ and his two kids came to my brother-in-law’s home and we could celebrate the birthday as a family like we used to do in Chennai. 

The elder took me to a famous restaurant in US and bought another expensive pastry as a birthday present. Overall it was a great experience for my wife who has a sweet tooth.

▪️ First night ride in USA that too in a Tesla 

Psalms 37:4

Rejoice in the Lord and he will give you desires of your heart

I was always fascinated by the automobile named Tesla . God graciously gave me an opportunity to ride that vehicle. One of the days my mentor from bachelor days visited us in my brother-in-law’s home. His kids went for the kids bible class and would be there for two hours. The elder decided to take me & my family for a night long drive in his brand new Tesla.

We went on a long drive, catching upon 12 years of our life. He taught me about US roads, vehicles, driving , church and spirituality in US.i shared about the church in India and life in general.

It was an awesome experience and I would like to thank my father God who fulfils even the tiny desires in our hearts.

US Diaries- Week 3

Week 3

This week was power packed with a lot of learning especially regarding ministering and evangelism.God was opening our hearts and minds to new possibilities.

 ▪️South Indian gathering

Zechariah 4:10

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin “.

This week God opened an opportunity to minister to a gathering of 7 South Indian families which has the potential to become a church. My wife & brother in law led the group in an intense time of worship. God enabled me to preach about faith to the small group based on Hebrews 11. A wonderful family with origins from Kerala, generously opened their house for all of us and provided wonderful home cooked food.

The gathering started at 7pm and went on till 11pm. Felt at the siruseri Saturday gathering, people from four different states of south India were there.

This was mainly a Malayalam speaking gathering however there were many families where one of the spouse was from a different state. There were many more families to join and if this fellowship can be carried forward in this fashion this can blossom into a wonderful church.

After a week time God helped to meet the person and his wife who was driving force behind this monthly gathering.This brother who had to be away from US for a period of time(his wife & kids alone are in US) was very happy because me & my wife could come over to USA. As they were looking for someone to drive this fellowship.

It’s amazing how God brings like minded people together for building His kingdom.

▪️ Meeting American street evangelist

Romans 11:4-5

“And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, are the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.”

 God opened an opportunity to meet with a Tamil brother, who along with his team shares gospel message in the streets of Ohio. This brother is in US on a H1B visa however he goes to the streets of Ohio and shares the love of Christ. We had a wonderful time talking since we both shared same passion for reaching out to the lost souls.

 After sharing what led me to US and how they can reach out to people effectively in US. They were encouraged and invited me to join along with them in their prayer and share the burden for lost souls. God willing coming days expecting Holy Spirit to help in some effective evangelism outreach as summer is approaching.

▪️ Meeting US prison minister from Tamil Nadu

 “The world has yet to see what God can do through a man who is totally yielded to Him”

- Henry Varley 

 By grace of God I could meet Cyril Prabhu, an ex senior VP at Bank of America who was ministering among the prisons in America and successfully transforming lives of children of prison inmates. Due to the effectiveness of his break the chain program as part of his proverbs 226 initiative, US government has recognised him and given him the access to all prisons in US. Through his ministry where the hardcore prisoners are taught and led to repent and reconcile with their children (based on the washing of feet of disciples by Jesus) the prison population in many states of US where this work was done has significantly reduced. Even many prisons were shut down and local communities prospered.

I could watch his life story which is made as a movie and later hear his message which is challenging on what God can do through one man who stands for a God given mission. Inspired.

▪️ Redeeming the culture-  Evangelism through Easter egg hunt

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season.

 Sunday the American AG church we attend had organised an Easter egg hunt for children which was a new learning experience in evangelism. Church culturally appropriated the Easter egg tradition of popular American culture and used it to invite non Christians to the church on that day. More than half of the crowd in the church were non Christians they sat through the worship &a short evangelistic Word of God and then proceeded to the open ground for Easter egg hunt. 

Children were given a church name printed cover to collect Easter eggs which were filled with chocolate of all kinds. Even the 17th month old EbenHaezer also loved picking Easter eggs.

When we entered the teens and youth of the church were lined up from the gate to the entrance with welcome signs and waving and smiling and welcoming. Inside the elders of church setup a quick registration & welcome desk and were given church logo printed covers to collect eggs and a palm leaf and  ushers guided the non believers & guests to the church. The worship involved children performing actions for songs. There were two quick short games. Pastor engaged the crowd with the message involving the crowd (majorly kids) to wave and respond using palm leaves. Then clear instructions were given to go to the ground behind church for egg hunt. Thousands of eggs were scattered in a huge ground and in a count of ten kids rushed to pick the eggs and collect the chocolates inside. The volunteers from church ensured no kid was left without a chocolate. After the egg hunt Photo Booth was set up for families and kids to take a picture as a special memory.

The elders of church explained to me how the church uses this opportunity to reach out to nearby non Christian families across different nationalities to share gospel by doing something that appeals to their kids.

▪️ Meeting an American missionary

Isaiah 65:24

“Before they can I will answer; while they still speaking I will hear.”

Met a wonderful American missionary from assembles of God to Switzerland working from a base station out of Germany. 

He spoke on something interesting which really resonated with me.

It was called theology of waste based on watch man nee’s message. During q&a after sermon he took good amount of time to kindly answer my questions with his own personal experience during his move to Germany to start missions to Switzerland,challenges he faced,how God helped him handle his identity crisis through the teaching on theology of waste and was kind enough to pray for me. God really spoke to me and addressed the questions in my heart at the right time.

Full message of watchman nee here (it’s a classic Christian article).

https://ccel.org/ccel/nee/normal/normal.xviii.i.html#:~:text=Waste%20means%20that%20you%20give,that%20Gospel%20should%20be%20carried.

A concise summary is below.

 Lord Jesus was laying down one thing as a basis of all service: that you pour out all you have, your very self, unto Him; and if that should be all He allows you to do, that is enough.Lord is not so concerned about our ceaseless occupation in work for Him. That is not His first object. The service of the Lord is not to be measured by tangible results. No, my friends, the Lord’s first concern is with our position at His feet and our anointing of His head. Whatever we have as an ‘alabaster box’: 

the most precious thing, the thing dearest in the world to us—yes, let me say it, the outflow from us of a life that is produced by the very Cross itself—we give that all up to the Lord. 

To some, even of those who should understand, it seems a waste; but that is what He seeks above all. 

Often enough the giving to Him will be in tireless service, but He reserves to Himself the right to suspend the service for a time in order to discover to us whether it is that or Himself that holds us.

To be continued…

US Diaries - Week4

 Week 4

Chronicling some memorable things that happened on our fourth week , in the land of the free, home of the brave. This week we saw God answering our spoken and unspoken prayers and hearts’ desires.

▪️ Jehovah Jireh provides furniture

Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬ ‭

““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Myself & my wife were doing a lot of deal hunting and online searching to find some cheap furniture for our new rented apartment. Since we were new to this country and starting from scratch, we were struggling to find something that is good and within our budget.We were even ok to have some good condition second hand furniture.

Finally the good Lord Almighty arranged for us to receive two piece of sofa used by an Indian family in excellent condition. This family was moving to Texas (which is far down south in US) and forgot to sell off their furniture, in their rush to move they covered the furniture but to list for sale.A friend of my brother in law, informed us and we went and gladly received this furniture for free, with a heart full of gratitude to God.

A couple of days later we were informed that an excellent office chair ,which was given by the family which moved to Texas to a family friend of ours was no longer required and that was also given to us.Praise be to the Lord , who provides all that is needed for his children.

Again some known and unknown friends informed my brother in law that they have some good furniture they wanted to give us. All in all most of the costly furniture we needed are now taken care. (2 set sofa, computer chair,TV,TV stand, comforters etc).

“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭22‬ ‭

▪️ An answered prayer

Psalms 37:4

Rejoice in the Lord and he will give you desires of your heart

By grace of God our application for an apartment for rent was approved in the same community where brother in law and family are staying. This was one desire in our heart and a not so strong prayer. Since we are new to US and we are being taken everywhere by my brother-in-law in his car until we settle down, we wanted to be near to his home to avoid unnecessary travel for him. My wife most likely will be working in the same location where my brother in law is working, so they can travel to work together until we get a car for ourselves. God graciously answered this desire and suddenly got the apartment at a rate within our budget. 

God the father knows our deepest desires and according to his heavenly riches he provides the same. Thank God.

▪️ The Down but not out

“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness”

Psalms 41:3

 This week all family members were down with sickness, either fever/body pain/stomach bug. Prayed for protection of God and healing over everyone. The sun outside was playing hide and seek for many days with temperature fluctuating between negative to low teens. May be the sudden fluctuations in temperature was causing issues for body.We were told that until body temperature stays above 100 degree for kids don’t stay any fever medicine/antibiotics. This is for developing natural immunity for kids.

However medicine for soul that is prayer is always needed.

We are thankful to God for protecting us so far from any major disease. Also thanking God for healing us from all minor illnesses.

By HIS stripes we are healed indeed.

▪️ The God who heals his children

James 5:14-15

 "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.

For two days my son was suffering a lot with diarrhea , it was sad to see him so tired due to continuous loose motion.

He is usually a bundle of non stop energy but he was down for couple of days. finally I couldn’t take it any more and couldn’t hold my burden in my heart. Even though myself and my wife had the same condition before it didn’t bother us much. However when children go through sickness and suffering it pains the hearts of parents.

Since we don’t have insurance (it will start only once my wife starts working with her client as per her contract) we can’t go to a hospital. We can only do home remedy and over the counter medicine. But nothing was working so far.

Desperate, I prayed and surrendered our 17 month old son to God and requested his divine healing in the name of Jesus Christ.

God graciously healed my son. Though it took longer for healing of my wife and me my son healed soon without any medicine. All glory to our Lord Jesus Christ who hears the prayers of his children and heals them immediately.

▪️ Showers of blessing

Psalms 34:1

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be in my lips”

Psalms 136:3-4

“Give thanks to the Lord of lords, His love endures forever. To him who alone does great wonders,His wonders endures forever “

We still needed some more household essentials which cannot be avoided like heaters (it’s an extremely cold part of the world where we live ) , microwave, stools, office desk, drawer, bed and many other stuff. But we didn’t want to spend much money for these as the work didn’t start and salary was not available. However these items are essentials and cannot be avoided.

Again kept in prayers.

It helped a lot that we started from nothing after our marriage in a rented house in Chennai without a vehicle. God had taught us lessons in faith, in trusting God.

God again answered us, through a couple of friends in church, we came to know about an app which sells brand new products at deep discounts (these products which are returned or over stocked, but the retailers cost for transporting back is more than doing a write off sale). The App Store review was pathetic, the friends opinions were divided and no return policy was there. It’s a risky gamble. 

But with some strange faith myself and my wifey decided to try bidding for some essential items. Either we will lose fifty dollars in a scam or we will get some good products at steep discount. I didn’t have much hope to be honest. After successfully winning the bid we had to collect the products. The location was far away from where we lived (close to 20-25 miles away). The warehouse was a bare minimum one ran by a couple of employees who had neatly categorised the products. We had to search over that huge warehouse to find the products ourselves. Finally we got all our products checked they were all working. Good condition / brand new electronic products from original manufacturers at less than 20%of the MRP rate.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. We got microwave ,a tower heater and a thermometer for around 25 dollars while its MRP is around 200 dollars or more in Amazon. And all equipment was brand new and working fine. Praise be to God once again.

God is miraculously meeting so the needs.

To be continued ….