Prasad, Dawn and their two daughters, Hannah and Asha, live in Chennai, India. They work with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Prasad and Dawn are involved in Evangelism, Church Planting, Equipping National Leaders and Caring for Widows and At Risk Children.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Update December and January
The past few weeks have slipped away so quickly. December is our busiest month of the year. With Christmas concerts and Carol services in all churches, widows meetings, our children’s party, the list goes on and on.
We started early in the month of December with our Christmas concerts this year a total of five programs. It is always great to see what the children have done each year. It is also an amazing way to reach out to the community. So many of the village people come to see the concerts and at the same time hear the “Good News”.
Every year we hold our widows party. This year was another success, so many widows were blessed with a sari and some extra Christmas money. Before lunch we decided to play some games. This was so much fun for the ladies. In the end I must confess I am not sure who had more fun the ladies or the spectators. The gifts made the winners happy for sure.
Blessings,
Prasad and Dawn
Saturday, November 22, 2008
If I had to sum the past eight weeks or so only one word would describe them busy with a capital “B”. On the 6th of October my Rev Carmen Crockett his wife Colleen their daughter Jessica and their Church member Elizabeth Baker arrived after a long journey that began in Greenwood Nova Scotia. Carmen has been a pastor with the PAOC for over 23 years and we were very excited to hold revival meetings with him. I admit we were a little reluctant going into the meetings with all the violence against Christians in Orissia and even right h
As we said goodbye at the airport we gained a new member to our family. My niece Jessica will be staying with us over the next months as a PAOC short term missionary. She will be working in Children’s ministry as well as helping with Hannah and Asha’s home schooling. She will also be helping us with our media.
Just
Our next visitor Janinne Collins from Saskatoon Saskatchewan she was with us for two weeks. This was Jannie’s first mission trip and her focus was on women and children’s ministry. Janinne has a very powerful and personal testimony of how God brought her through miscarriage and post partum depression. This spoke in a mighty way to several of our ladies and opened door for us to minister to them. She also spoke to our widows and encouraged them in who they are in Christ. She also blesse
We also spent several evenings ministering to the local children in the villages sharing the gospel with them and their parents as well. It was a great blessing to see the children’s faces light up as we sang songs and as Jannine shared the story of the “Good Shepard”.
Also this month we had Carol Perrin with us for a few days before she left for Andra Pradesh.
As we look ahead to the Christmas season and begin our plans for Christmas parties and our widow’s ministry it can be a bit overwhelming. Every year we have a Christmas dinner for the widows and buy them each a sari and give them a small amount of money so that they can have a joyful Christmas. We also have a special dinner for the children.
If you would like to contribute towards these Christmas expenses, you can make a check payable to PAOC and mention “India Samson’s Christmas special project” when you send your donation to the national office.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Ministry is going well here in Chennai, we continue to see the churches grow and our children’s home is full and over flowing. Last month we moved into a new home, it is just minutes away from the children’s home and churches. We thank God for providing us with the new house.
We want to thank everyone who prayed for us during the bomb scares in July. Things have settled down again life has returned to normal (as normal as it gets in India). Recently the Chennai government has started a “Load Sharing Plan”. This means that through out the city of Chennai there are black outs, so far about three hours every day we have no electricity.
WHW “Women Helping Widows” continues to grow and we thank everyone that continues to give. I will have another update telling you about all the great things that have been going on ready to send to you shortly.
We are looking at a very busy October and the months there on. Rev Carmen Crockett is coming with a small team and will be with us from 7th till 16th of October. Murray Cornelius (PAOC Missions Director) is coming with a small team and we are planning a pastor’s seminar on HIV/AIDS in mid October. We are also expecting a lady specializing in children and women’s
ministry towards the end of October. Please pray that seeds will be sown in good soil and we will harvest many souls.
We visited the children’s home on Saturday and took a few pictures, as you can see it has grown. We now have total of 40 children! Several of our children need sponsors, please contact the "Child Care Plus" department of the PAOC or us directly if you would like to sponsor a child in our children’s home. Please specify Chennai India.
This month I felt led instead of our usual update to share with you a stor
Selvam and his brother Mani (pronounced Money) came to us over two years ago, scared and timid they sat beside their mother while she filled out forms to have them admitted to the home. With tears in her eyes she explained how her husband had been injured in a traffic accident and was no longer able to work. His back had been broken in the accident and had left him disabled. They had tried to keep the family together but could not provide for the children.
With in a few weeks the timidity and shyness seemed to melt away. Both Selvam and Mani began to open up and began playing and laughing with the other children.
I will never forget the day during devotions we asked if anyone had a testimony that they would like to share. Selvam stood up. He boldly said “I thank God that I live in the Children’s home. That I have lots to eat and can play with my friends. But most of all I am thankful that I can go to school and don’t have to work any more in the factory.” Out of desperation, trying to keep the family together Selvam’s parents made the decision to take all the children out of school. They all then went to work in a factory where their job was to spend the day splitting open green chilies with their hands. Many nights they would come home tired and hungry with blisters on their fingers from the hot chilies. There was no time for school or play and they were paid only pennies a day.
Because of your prayer and financial support we were able to open our children’s home “Hope for the Children”, where children like Selvam are able to attend school. Most children are from Hindu families and they are now attending church where they learn about Jesus and his love.
On behalf of Selvam and Mani and all the other children like them, we thank you for your love and support. With out you none of this would be possible.
Matthew 25: 40 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
We now have total of 40 children! Several of our children need sponsors, please contact the Child Care Plus department of the PAOC if you would like to sponsor a child in our children’s home. Please specify Chennai India.
This month I felt led instead of our usual update to share with you a story of one of our children in the children’s home. His name is Selvam and his story is all too familiar to us.
Selvam and his brother Mani (pronounced Money) came to us over two years ago, scared and timid they sat beside their mother while she filled out forms to have them admitted to the home. With tears in her eyes she explained how her husband had been injured in a traffic accident and was no longer able to work. His back had been broken in the accident and had left him disabled. They had tried to keep the family together but could not provide for the children.
With in a few weeks the timidity and shyness seemed to melt away. Both Selvam and Mani began to open up and began playing and laughing with the other children.
I will never forget the day during devotions we asked if anyone had a testimony that they would like to share. Selvam stood up. He boldly said “I thank God that I live in the Children’s home. That I have lots to eat and can play with my friends. But most of all I am thankful that I can go to school and don’t have to work any more in the factory.” Out of desperation, trying to keep the family together Selvam’s parents made the decision to take all the children out of school. They all then went to work in a factory where their job was to spend the day splitting open green chilies with their hands. Many nights they would come home tired and hungry with blisters on their fingers from the hot chilies. There was no time for school or play and they were paid only pennies a day.
Because of your prayer and financial support we were able to open our children’s home “Hope for the Children”, where children like Selvam are able to attend school. Most children are from Hindu families and they are now attending church where they learn about Jesus and his love.
On behalf of Selvam and Mani and all the other children like them, we thank you for your love and support. With out you none of this would be possible.
Matthew 25: 40 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Thursday, February 14, 2008
February 2008 Updates
After three months in Canada it is great to be home again. So much has happened in these past few months it is hard to know where to begin.
In June we welcomed several of our regional directors and the PAOC mission director Murray Cornelius to our home for a short visit.
After only 11 short days back in India we welcomed a 10 member team from KRT Brampton. It was a packed two weeks with children’s ministry a construction team that helped start the much needed compound wall for our children’s home and revival meetings. We want to thank everyone who took part in the team.
We also had our Christmas widows’ service. A big thank you to all the ladies that have become part our new ministry “Women Helping Widows”. Because of your gifts each widow received a new sari and some money for Christmas. They were very blessed.
Looking a head we are expecting Rev Marie Miller to be with us in the next few weeks. We are planning a special meeting around her visit. This will be the two punch knock outs for the devil in the area. Please keep this in your prayers.
As many of you know our budget was in deficit at the end of 2007. We want to thank everyone who made a contribution. Because of you we were able to meet our 2007 budget.
May God richly bless,
Prasad and Dawn
Please visit our Photo Bucket Albums.... Click on the lines below...
February 2008 - General Photos
Evengelist Chuck Price - Reapers in the Rain Ministry
Monday, February 11, 2008
Our family wanted to take a moment to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year. As we look back over 2007 it truly has been a great year. Some of the high lights are our first women’s conference, seeing the beginning of our latest ministry “Women Helping Widows” celebrating our second year in India and the opening of our children’s home “Hope for the Children”.
“Hope for the Children” continues to grow in the past 6 weeks since we have been back in India 4 new children have been brought to the children’s home bringing the total number to 35 children. We are looking forward to our children’s Christmas party that will be held on Christmas Eve.
It was wonderful to be home in Canada again, to see all our friends and family. We want to thank all the churches and pastors that opened their doors to us. It was wonderful to share our hearts with you about India.
From our power point presentation many of you will remember the story of Siva, a young Hindu boy who came forward for prayer during one of our meetings. God delivered Siva from fear and depression, later he gave his heart to the Lord. A few weeks ago we saw Siva again this time praising and worshiping God at one of our special meetings. According to his pastor he has become a very valuable church member, always helping in any way he can. Pray for Siva as he continues his Christian walk.
During the month of November we made a visit to a leprosy colony, we were able to minister to them and pass out some gifts to the people as well as pray for the patients and their families. Please pray that God will open the doors and we will be able to begin a ministry with these poor people.
A few weeks ago we received the news that our budget is in deficit, although things are improving please continue to pray that we will end this year with out a deficit.
We want to thank you for your continued prayer and financial support, because of you we are able to continue on in the ministry that God has called us to. Because of your gifts and prayers Children and Widows are being fed and clothed; people are hearing the “Good News” of the gospel and lives are being changed.
Merry Christmas,
Prasad, Dawn, Hannah and Asha
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Update for March/April 2007
In March we adopted a new church into the PAOI (Pentecostal Assemblies of India). We welcome Pastor David his wife Gersial and their daughter Blessina into our family PAOI family. Pastor David has an incredible burden for the town of Avadi (suburb of Chennai)
March 23, 24, and 25 were an incredible three days of ministry. We held a three day crusade in the town of Avadi. We made a special prayer request to you for these crusades. Thank you so much for your prayer, great things took place. The emphasis was on salvation and healing, God did not disappoint us. Please don’t forget to look at our “Samson's PhotoBucket” seen on the right side of the blog.
On the first night I spoke from the scripture Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened” “The Invitation” as my title. The response was wonderful so many people came forward for healing and to accept Christ as their savior.
The third night I spoke from Matt 28:30 “I will give you rest”.“The Promise” as my title and the result gave a boost in our own faith. I asked myself am I really worthy for God to use us in this way?
On the 2nd night of the meeting a women came forward for prayer, she had a cyst on her uterus and her uterus was swollen. After praying for her God instructed me to tell her to visit her doctor and the tumor would be gone. Two days later she went to her doctor the tumor was gone and her uterus was a normal size. Praise God! She testified in the church on Easter Sunday with tears of joy.
One week after the meetings a man testified that he had been suffering for ten years with pain in his chest. During the service I mentioned that they don’t have to wait until the end of the meeting for some one to lay hands on them that God can heal them right now. The man testified at the end of the meeting that as I mentioned this, immediately he felt something and the pain was gone. The following week he met Pastor David and said it has been a week and the10 years of constant pain in his chest has not come back.
A young Hindu man named Siva came forward for prayer on the second night of the meetings. He was in tears while he shared his story. He was suffering from sever depression and fear, a few months earlier his sister had committed suicide and this had left him and his mother very lonely and depressed. After I prayed for him the boy left only to return just as we were about to leave the meeting he knocked on our car window and asked to me to please pray for him again. I prayed with him again believing God for his deliverance. Just last week Pastor David told us that Sunday night this young boy came to church, he lay on the floor weeping. Finally after some time he was able to share his story with the church congregation and this is what he told them.
“All my life people have told me to worship all these different gods; finally I am worshiping the one true God. Jesus Christ! For along time now I have been living in severe fear and depression. I was very afraid the evil spirit that had come on my sister causing her to commit suicide had now come to me, but after prayer the fear and depression has now gone. I am so happy and have such a great peace in my heart.” He began to thank God over and over again. Pastor David led Siva in the sinner’s prayer and this young Hindu man accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and Lord.
Everything God did during the meetings was documented on video camera and we took a lot of still pictures as well. So we can share with you what the Lord has done.
After the meetings I was invited to several Pastors meetings and churches to speak. In April we spent almost every other day traveling to meetings. I felt a little over whelmed about this but by the grace of God I was able to minister to these Pastors. God has really birthed a burden in our hearts for the local pastors here in Chennai.
In July we are planning to come to Canada to itinerant until September. If you are interested in having us share about our ministry in your church, please email us at prasaddawn@hotmail.com or psamson@paoc.org.
We look forward to seeing you all soon,
Prasad, Dawn, Hannah and Asha
"The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time" -- Carl F. H. Henry
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Update December and January
We want to thank every one who wrote, emailed and called to express your condolence on the loss of my father who passed away on January second. It was very comforting to hear from almost all of you on our mailing list. We could not response to you all individually since the response was literally in the hundreds. I can’t explain what your mail meant to me at that time.
Greetings to you from Chennai, winter is now coming to an end and spring is now in the air. The day time temperatures are around 30C but there is still a chill in the morning air.
We had also planned three days of special women’s meetings in early December and again those were cancelled as well.
So many people came to the front with all kinds of sickness and problems. Healings and deliverance were taking place every where and while I was praying, behind everyone else I saw two men holding a man that couldn’t even stand. He was a
That was it. The crowd standing around went wild praising the Lord because they knew this man was lame. I give God the glory and praise for this miracle that He has done. Only one problem now the pastor in Avady has arranged a special 3 days healing crusade for me in that area on March 9th, 10th and 11th. When they told me about the meeting I said, excellent I will bring some one from Canada. But the pastor said no the people want you back in that area. Please pray that God will have His way and will in those special meetings.
Christmas day dawned early with the 4:00 Am Christmas morning service. And on New Years Eve we again held Old Year and New Year services.
On January 22nd I and five of our pastors had an opportunity to visit a tribal area and minister among the people there. These people live on a mountain area called Ooty. This is supposed to be a summer paradise for people but in January it did not prove to be that. I felt like I was back in Canada at least early in the mornings when the temperature dropped to about 6C. While we were there we really got back to basics there was no hot water so every morning we had to use freezing cold water.
Our ministry took place among the tribal people who live 700 meters above the town of Ooty. These people are extremely poor and make their living picking tea leaves.
We had a wonderful time of ministry there. Sometimes we had to walk up to 10 Km up the mountain because there were no roads to reach the people. We were able to share the gospel with so many, it was such a blessing to pray and minister to these tribes.
As winter slips away we now are looking to the summer months (April and May in India), just as the weather heats up so does our schedule. We look forward to hosting teams and individuals this summer season. We also look forward to coming home this summer during the months of July, August and September.
God Bless,
Prasad, Dawn, Hannah and Asha
"Love is the root of missions; sacrifice is the fruit of missions" -- Roderick Davis
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Greetings From India
These past few months have been busy ones. It is hard to believe that our family celebrated our first year in India. It has been a year of challenges, culture shocks and learning curves. But all in all God has blessed us and it has been a great year.
In July we had visitors from Thailand. Our directors Peter and Sandra McIntosh visited with us. Peter and Prasad traveled to Nagpur to take part in meetings discussing the future plans of the PAOI in India.
While Prasad and Peter were away, Sandra and Ashton spent time with us in our home. They were able to visit all of our churches and meet our orphanage children. After retuning from Nagpur, both Peter and Sandra spoke in the village of Singaperman Koill, better known as the 'roof top church' for now.
We want to thank the McIntosh’s for buying shoes for all of the orphanage children and for deciding to sponsor one of the children.
Also in July we baptized three new converts from our church plant in Singaperman Koil.
Recently we successfully built our first temporary church building in the village of Nelambakum. After a lot of threats and harassment the church has been built. There is still controversy over the church; some villagers believe that if we build a church the spirits that inhabit the area will leave. Still we press forward and are holding weekly prayer meetings there.
On August 15th (Independence Day in India) we held special meeting where over 300 people attended. Also in August, two of our churches held there annual three day conventions. The meetings were held in the villages of Kollapakam and Kavanoor both meetings had very good attendance.
The months of September and October were very busy. We had special guests with us from Canada. Carl Verhulst came to be with us and spent four days teaching the book Revelation. Daily we had approximately 35 to 40 local pastors and there spouses attending. The next week he spoke in several different prayer meetings and churches.
Carl also brought with him a suit case of clothes and toys from Canada on behalf of WM and Helping Hands Ministries. Passing these things out to the children in the orphanage was a great blessing for us. The children were so excited to get the new clothes, toys, candy and books.
On October 15th a team form KRT (Kennedy Road Tabernacle) came to visit us and stayed with us for 13 days. What a great time we had together. The team focused on four ministries which were children’s ministry, visiting schools and villages. Medical ministry providing free medical camps and medicine to people in the villages, construction team building our children’s home and our ministerial team who spoke in revival meetings.
Threw our children’s ministry we were able to visit 9 schools. The schools ranged in size from 75 to 650 children. What a joy it was to see the children’s faces light up as the team sang songs and told stories. The team also ministered in 7 villages. In the villages the team was free to talk about Jesus and to share his love openly. During their time of ministry they passed out hundreds of gifts and crafts and after the evening services the whole team worked together and passed out hundreds of t shirts. We pray that the seeds that were planted in the children’s hearts during those 13 days will bare much fruit.
The medical team took part in four medical camps over 200 people were treated and given free medications. Twenty seven people had eye examinations and will receive free eye surgery and glasses. Thanks to Operation Blessing for providing us with free medicine.
After a lot of hard work the construction team was able to complete our children’s home to the half way point. Because of late monsoon rains their efforts were hampered but not their spirits. Rain or shine all the ministry teams labored together in a joint effort to see the home built.
Our ministerial team Charles and Marlene reached many people with the good news. Several responded to the alter call and they will be followed up by our pastors.
It was a great 13 days and we want to thank the KRT team for coming to Chennai. Many of the team members left families, jobs and friends behind to be with us. Also we want to thatnk Charles who resighned form KRT several months ago but made a commitment to return and lead this team. Charles has great leaderhip qualities because he leads with a servants heart. This team really worked hard together to achieve a common goal. We both feel that although they came as the KRT team they left us as friends.
Please pray with us that we will be able to finish the children’s home so that we can move the children in to their new home before the end of this year.
If you are interested in coming to India in 2007 as an individual or as a team please contact us as soon as possible so that we can coordinate a time.
Click on the two different Links on the right side... Samson's PhotoBucket and/or Samson's PhotoFlix (November #1 and November #2) to see a good selection of our new photographs.
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break God's heart" -- Bob Pierce
In Christ Love
Prasad and Dawn







Monday, May 22, 2006
May 2006
Dear Pastors and Friends,
Just wanted to say hello and update you on the work we have been doing. The ministry is going strong amidst all the testing we communicated with you.

We had our first Open Air meetings in March and April. Many were healed, delivered and ministered to. The meetings were powerful. Please take a look at some of the pictures that were taken in the meetings. (see photos below..)
Two weeks ago we played the Jesus movie in one of the villages where we have a church. The results were excellent. Over 20 people accepted Christ as their personal savior.

By now most of you have heard about our car accident and how one of our staff got hit by lighting. Amos is improving but still has some trouble walking.
Dawn’s finger is improving; there is no more infection or swelling. The doctors recommended that they operate and remove the nail but we have decided to wait and let nature take its course. We thank you for your prayer covering.
Thanks to the Child Care Plus Program you can now become a sponsor one of our orphanage children. If you would like to sponsor one of our children please contact Child Care Plus by going online at http://www.paoc.org/ and clicking on Child Care Plus. Please specify that you would like to sponsor a child in Chennai, India.
Many of you will remember when we made a special prayer request for Pastor Paul Daniels and his wife Elizabeth, when their two year old son Philip passed away. It was announced a few weeks ago that Elizabeth is pregnant. God is good! Continue to keep this family in your prayers, we are praying for a safe pregnancy and delivery and a healthy happy baby.
Please continue to keep our family in your prayers. We are in the process of trying to enroll Hannah and Asha in a Christian school. Also in June we will be traveling to Bangkok, Thai Land to attend our regional retreat.
Every Blessing.
In Christ Love,
Prasad, Dawn, Hannah and Asha.
"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him." -- Hudson Taylor





Monday, February 13, 2006
Praise the Lord! February 2006


In December we helped the widows of our churches with saris (Sari is a kind of dress women wear in India) and put a small amount of money in their pockets for Christmas. These widows

At Christmas time we bought Christmas gifts for the Orphanage children here. This was the first gift they had ever received. The joy they had when they received the gift brought tears to all 4 of us. It was definitely worth it all to see their eyes when they received those in-expensive plastic toys and school back packs. My children Hannah and Asha decided that they will buy some toys next Christmas for these children from their own money (I know it will come from our pocket to their little purses anyway). In December also Peter McIntosh (South East Asian Director) visited India. We had a meeting and members from all 5 churches attended the meeting. Peter spoke and we were blessed.



We have been complaining to you and to the house owner that the house we rented when we fist arrived had a lot of problems. Water, plumbing, electricity to name a few. Finally we moved on February 1 to a new house. This was our third move in six months.
We are looking forward to the months ahead with a lot of activities though we are not looking forward for the hot days ahead. It is February now and we can not stand outside for few minutes. We may be scrambling our eggs using the suns heat saving our cooking gas!
Special Prayer Request:
A few weeks ago we added a new Pastor to our staff. His name is Paul Daniels. We are asking for special prayer for Phillip who has Sevier heart complications. The doctors have told them that there is nothing more that they can do for Phillip and that he cold die at any time.
Please pray for this precious child that God would do a complete healing in his little body. Also please pray for this young pastor and his wife that God will encourage them and give them strength. We will continue to keep you updated on the situation.
(Before we could publish this news letter, baby phillip has gone to be with the Lord. Please see the updat below)
Update on baby phillip:Last week we sent out a email to you asking for prayer for baby Phillip. So many of you responded and we are so greatful to you.
I wanted to let everyone know that on Sunday at 6:30 PM Phillip went home to be with Jesus. His funeral was held Monday morning at 10:00 AM.
Please pray for Phillip's parents Pastor Paul and Elizabeth Daniels and their family as they grieve the loss of their only child. Pray that God will comfort them in these difficult days ahead.
Thank you again for your prayer support.
We will continue to update you what is happening in India.
Please visit our Web Page at http://www.samsonweb.org/ for more photos.
In Him
Prasad Dawn Hannah and Asha
“You are either a missionary or a mission field”
---Nugget Notebook