A Hero of the Faith - Pastor P. Sanjeeva Rao and his wife

The severe disability of Pastor Sanjeeva Rao and his wife

Shortly after I met Pastor Sanjeeva, he sent me this photograph to reveal the extent of his disability.
His wife Rani is also partially paralyzed by polio in her left foot and leg. Rani walks with great difficulty.
They have two precious daughters without any disabilities.

Brother Sanjeeva and his wife Sister Rani's oldest daughter

Court and our India Director, Pastor George, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ at a street meeting
outside of Pastor Sanjeeva Rao's home in January 2008.

Sanjeeva's Deacon with polio reading Bible

Pastor Sanjeeva Rao's godly deacon, unable to walk due to polio,
at the street meeting, reading from the Word of God. His knee is permanently twisted upward.

Precious people responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ at the street meeting.

A precious saint at Sanjeeva's church

The people at Brother Sanjeeva's village are so open to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is the fruit of Sanjeeva's labor for many years.

The godly deacon with disability from polio. He cannot walk.

Pastor Sanjeeva Rao's godly deacon.
He cannot walk due to polio, but this is a strong and courageous man in Christ.

Brother Terry DeHaven, seated next to Pastor Sanjeeva at a pastors fellowship meeting in India two years ago. Terry was the first US donor to give toward land purchase and construction of a new home/church for Brother Sanjeeva. Terry and I were blessed to lay the cornerstone at the beginning of construction on this visit.

Court and Pastor Bell at the home of Pastor Sanjeeva Rao

In January 2007, Court and Pastor James Bell, Vice Chairman for In Jesus' Name Ministries,
at Pastor Sanjeeva's former rented home with his wife Rani, and their two daughters.

Pastor Sanjeeva Rao and his family in front of their almost finished church

This January, in answer to many prayers, Pastor Sanjeeva and his family posed for this picture just before I arrived with our son Walt and grandson Walter for dedication of the building, and the first worship service.

Following are photos taken during that service.

Worshiping at the first service in January

Flooding this week on Mindanao the Philippines

Sister Rani, Sanjeeva's dear wife with their elder daughter

Pastor Sanjeeva with our India Director Pastor George in January

Our godly India Director Pastor George with Pastor Sanjeeva. Our grandson Walter is in the background.

Our son Walt in January praying for an elderly saint

Court with an elderly saint and Pastor Sanjeeva

In January, our son Walt praying for an elderly widow, and Court being lovingly greeted by Sanjeeva's mother

Recently, I received a beautiful letter from Pastor Sanjeeva Rao, thanking our US donors for their help with the ongoing construction of his church. He also faithfully writes to each donor. In his letter he gave the following gospel work report for the past two months:

365 house visits, 4 baptisms, 8 hospital visits, 8 childrens classes,
8 womens classes, and 12 gospel meetings.

This is a normal two month ministry report for this devoted brother, reaching his nation of India for Christ. The attendance and response at the three gospel meetings I have attended on seperate visits to his small village are testimony of the fruitfulness of this brother's labor for the Lord for many years.

Please keep Pastor Sanjeeva Rao and his wife in your heart and prayers. He still needs approximately $4,000 to complete his church. Your gifts toward this worthy goal will surely be "treasure laid up in Heaven."

If you would like to email a word of encouragement to Pastor Sanjeeva it would mean so much to him and his family and congregation. He does not have email at his home, but goes once a month to an internet cafe to check for emails. His address is:
sanjeevarao2007@rediffmail.com

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."
Proverbs 25:25

Our Lord Jesus plainly told us:
"When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Sandy and I cannot think of a more suitable application of these important and compelling words of our Lord than helping this dear brother and his congregation, which includes many poor, crippled, lame, and blind brethren. We highly commend this dear saint and his family and congregation to you.

Gratefully your servants in Jesus Christ,

Court and Sandy Wood

To learn more about Pastor Sanjeeva Rao click here.