God has done
amazing things in 2013, and we are honored to be part of His work. Many
of you follow our blogs, and have seen our presentations and photos.
But what is the reality?
India is a living kaleidoscope, ever changing,
yet the same for millennia. It is hard to imagine unless you experience
it: Oppressive tropical heat; crushing poverty; ear-shattering
noise; terrifying traffic; glittering palaces and temples; millions
of oppressive gods, crowds of men, women and children living their
lives--with no understanding of the One True God. A God of love, forgiveness and salvation who yearn
for each of His children. And He wants them to know Him. That is why
we go to India.
The Annual Board
Meeting of AIM will convene October 17th to look back over the past months, and
seek God's direction for 2014. Sounds impressive...but we are just
ordinary people who are compelled by the Lord to bring His Gospel to people who
have never heard the Name of Jesus. What is your part in bringing the
Gospel of Jesus Christ to millions of lost souls?
First, we know
you are interested, since you are reading this newsletter. So, we ask for
your
As we said before,
Asia International Mission has a two-prong goal: First, change the lives
of children so the next generation can
escape inherent poverty and illiteracy—and impact their culture for
Christ. Second, enable national pastors
and missionaries to reach their own people with the Gospel. Whatever we do is committed to reaching
these goals.
Looking back on
our 3+ month trip, we are grateful for what the Lord has accomplished through
us:
- Russ preached 31 times in 14 weeks, bringing the Gospel to many unreached people
- He led 5 Pastors’/Missionaries’ Conferences, equipping men in Leadership and Discipleship to bring Christ to their own people
- Alice led two Women’s Conferences, on for Pastors’ Wives—a first in that area
- The final two weeks, we and our Missions Teams led 2 VBS for over 200 children from slums, villages and a leper colony
- Two water wells were gifted—through your generosity—to ministries and their communities—we know they have already reaped several new souls for the Kingdom
- The new Sunshine Medical Clinic was opened in Bangalore, free to the poor.
Your giving is
changing the lives of a whole community!
AIM now has five
ministry partners in four states: Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and West Bengal. Three
have children’s ministries; one is a Bible
College; the fifth is a
missionary group reaching tribals from the seacoast to the mountains.
Our trip was
extremely difficult and much more risky than we knew—we only realized the full
extent after we had returned and read the headlines from the area. The Lord protected us from Maoist rebels,
political strikes and anti-Christian demonstrations. After we left Orissa, 27 politicians and
state police were ambushed and brutally murdered in nearby Chhatthisghar;
recently, a national missionary was beaten to death. As we left Bangalore, a serious outbreak of dengue fever
erupted with about 1000 initial cases.
The Lord is truly merciful to us.
So what lies
ahead? Our plan is to return to Hyderabad and host
“Christworks Ministries” conferences in January, instructing science teachers
and pastors in teaching Biblical Creation through astronomy. These facts will help counteract the deeply
ingrained superstitions of astrology which govern the lives of most Indians—even
young believers. AIM’s strategy is to
equip the people of India to
reach India.
This is a process of multiplication, far more effective than what we alone can
do—our legacy for the Kingdom.
We also want to
provide scholarships for 25 young village men at Shalom Bible
College and send them out
to plant new churches across the land ($50 each per month, $150 per semester,
$450 per man for the entire course.)
The new Grace Children’s Home in Pithapuram would love to have us hold
VBS for the children in the Home and surrounding slums.
But—and this is a
pivotal point—we cannot function
without your help! In order to
return to India,
Russ and Alice need $7000 for tickets, living expenses on the field, and the
costs of the Creation Conferences. (See
Christworks Ministries’ website: christworksministries.org) They have compiled a unique curriculum which
we would like to translate into at least one Indian language—and it will remain
free to everyone. Please pray about
helping us make our goals a reality!
It is hard to
believe we have been going to India
for ten years! We will update you after
our Annual Meeting. Thank you for your faithful prayers and
generous support! May God bless you!
--Russ and Alice
Sharrock
Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c) (3)
non-profit ministry.
All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of donations are
used as designated
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