Dear Friends,

Often times when we make a request we like a quick short easy answer. Or at least I do. But with God he often takes his time in answering. While we wait patiently or not so patiently God begins to work on relationship with him. Soon he turns our impatience into trust and faith and soon we find ourselves leaning on his "Everlasting Arms". This update is about one of those times.

Shortly after moving to India we met Pastor David and his family. He told us his burden to reach his community of Avadi. He soon became apart of the PAOI (Pentecostal Assemblies of India). In the beginning we were meeting in a building, which belonged to David’s in-laws. The family thought we may eventually claim the building for the organization so the congregation was thrown out of the building and had no place to worship. The congregation was devastated and came to us for help.

We knew we had to find a new building for the church to meet.

With the scorching sun in summer and pouring rains during the rainy season the people needed a church. We soon found that it would be impossible to rent a building to hold a church service. Our only option was to buy a piece of land and to build a church.

Miracle number one: God works in mysterious ways, while we were desperately looking for a piece of land short on funds and time we were approached by a Muslim man in the community. Seeing our need he offered to sell us a piece of land right beside the building where the church had been.

Miracles number two: When this man heard that we wanted to build a church he offered to sell us the land and half of the regular price.

We put up a temporary church building for the congregation to meet. Just a simple hut made of coconut leaves and bamboo. We began to believe God for a new church building.

Many people saw the humble hut and believed with us for a new building.

At Christmas 2009 that year I announced to the church people that some of the funds had come in and that we would soon start construction on the church in the New Year.

Construction began on the new building and we knew God would build “his”church. Slowly we saw the funds come in for the church and the foundation was laid. In the middle of construction a great need arose. Pastor David and his family had to move from their home where they had been living.

This is when the next miracle took place. Murray Cornelius and the "HEART" program donated funds to the project. With this money we were able to build Pastor David a new home for his family and continue you work on the church.

Work continued on and for a while and we had run out of fund and began to trust God. Just when we felt that our faith was being stretched funds would come again and we would continue on. Thanks again to "Heart" for a donation and we saw the beautiful building completed.

On Feb26th we dedicated this beautiful new building to the Lord! God has truly done a great thing. This church is just not a structure but a testament to God’s faithfulness to his children. Although the journey may have taken us longer than we would have anticipated we would never want to change it. It has boosted our faith blessed us to see what God can do.

Looking ahead, in May most of of the kids from "Hope for the Children" will be heading home for the month for their summer break. Those that have no parents or relatives or that don't want to go home come to stay with us. Please keep the kids in your prayers as they head home this summer.

Much love and prayer,

Prasad and Dawn