Widows in India: Our mothers, sisters, and daughters, in Jesus Christ

"And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:7-8

Dear Friends,

Following is the moving testimony of a godly widow from India, Sister R. Leyamma. Sandy and I have been blessed to know this dear saint for many years. Some of you have graciously helped her over the years, and recently provided financial help to build her a new home. Until last November she had lived in an unheated area no larger than a walk in closet, cooking over an open fire outside her small living area.

(Photos by In Jesus' Name Ministries are of Sister Leyamma and two widows in the same region of India.)

TESTIMONY OF SISTER R. LEYAMMA, AN ELDERLY WIDOW FROM INDIA

"Greetings to you in the most holy and precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

My name is R. Leyamma. I am 60 years old. I was born in a Hindu family. I used to worship Hindu gods and goddesses. I was saved in 1972 after hearing the gospel at a church my Christian neighbors took me to. Now I am serving the Lord among the un-civilized and Tribal people called as Koya and Konda Reddy. These tribal people live in the hilly area in the West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh in South India. I am working for the salvation of the Tribes.

A new home for Sister Leyamma being dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ during our visit to India in November

My father died in my childhood. My mother and husband died a few years after my marriage. I have no parents or brothers, and sisters. I had only one daughter. I sent her to study for God's ministry. A few years after graduation she was also called to His glory. She slept in the Lord. I was very sad, my one and only baby left me, and went to God. I am very sad one way. I am very happy in other way. Although I was serving the Lord alone helpless and hopeless, my faithful God was with me all the time. He only provided all my needs for the last 30 years of my ministry.

I am working alone, among the tribal people and idolaters. Tribes are very poor and illiterate. They have their own gods and goddesses. I have decided to work among them to reach them with the Gospel. They never heard about our Lord Jesus Christ. Every day I share the love of Christ, and my testimony, distributing Holy Bibles, and gospel tracts. Telling of God's great plans and purposes for them. Loving them and sharing the salvation of Jesus.

I have struggled a lot these 30 years of ministry. Many days were very bitter for me from loneliness, being a widow, and with no one to help me. Several years ago, Pastor George, the director for In Jesus' Name Ministries visited my work, and encouraged me to write to brother Court and sister Sandy. They prayed for me, and encouraged a few dear American brethren to help me, in Jesus' Name. They loved me very much. They treated me as their family member. Now I

Sister Leyamma happy at the dedication of her house/church

Sister Leyamma, smiling with tears of joy, while dedicating her new home to the Lord Jesus Christ.

am living because of their love, support and encouragement. I am grateful to the Lord for their love.

Because of the love of my American brethren, I have a new home and house-church to live in. My desire is to serve the Lord and lead many people to the presence of the Lord till my death. Kindly pray for my Ministry. I am also helping, and ministering to the other widows in this tribal area.

I will pray for you, please pray for me. God Bless us together. Thank you very much.

Yours In Jesus Christ,

Sister R. Leyamma,

Kannapuram, India."

(100% of gifts designated for Sister Leyamma will be forwarded to her. She needs continued love and help.)

As His servant (slave), I often ask the Lord: "Are we in your will? Do you want us to continue to cry out concerning the sufferings of the Body of Christ, especially our brethren living in the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Communist nations?"

The answer from the Lord is always clear. These are not His exact words, but the repeated encouragement and mandate from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit is unmistakable: "Keep before the American Church the sufferings of her brethren. Repeat the Scriptures often. The "traditions of men," and giving under the law, will continue to blind many. Many others will embrace New Testament giving, have ears to hear, respond, be blessed, and be encouraged; and saints, who are persecuted and suffering, will be comforted, and strengthened in Jesus Christ. '...Do not become weary in doing good"

I hope these oft reminders of our brethren will not offend you, or become old to you. They are not meant to overburden you, or to become too familiar to you; but rather to give us all opportunity to see our struggling yet extraordinarily beautiful family, to pray for them, to reach out to them, have relationship with them, and if we are able, to help them. I believe the Lord is asking us to see Himself in His people, so that we might love Him more intimately, and have opportunity to lay down our lives for our brethren, as He commanded.

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.....My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." John 14:21; 15:12-14

Two minute video describing the suffering of the widows of India

Thank you so much for joining us in "laying down our lives for our brethren."

1 John 3:16-19

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."

2 Thessalonians 3:5

Court and Sandy and Kim

Walt and Esther, Jim and Carol

The Board of In Jesus' Name Ministries

Our supporting partners of In Jesus' Name Ministries

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Galatians 1:3-5

In Jesus' Name Ministries Web Site