August 2008: Future updates will be emailed to subscribers only due to ongoing attacks on Christians.

July 2008 Bible Vision (names have been removed for protection of believers)

Please receive my Christian Greetings in the most precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. By the grace of the Almighty I am doing well in my ministry. This month also I visited some new villages and conducted Bible Vision programs, Cottage meetings and Sunday church services. God is performing miracles. You will be happy to know that we have started some three new worship centers in Pradhan Sahi, Bamur and Pendrakhol. 
It gives me immense pleasure when I see new seekers gathering at various places in evening devotions with much enthusiasm. Following are some of the villages where Bible Vision was conducted and encouraging results were observed.
Village Name: Amgaon
Amgoan village is situated in the bank of the river “Brahmani”. One has to cross the river by boat to reach the place. It is situated some 45 Kms away from Deogarh city. Here Janka Oram (30,H) has received the word of God and is very much interested to reach the Bible. Some residents have received the Bibles and are growing in the Lord.
Village Name: Manikpu
This village is situated near Bamur. Here again some residents have received Bibles and are reading it regularly. They have started coming to our Bamur fellowship.
Village Name – Baragadia
Two local men have received the word of God and are growing in the Lord.
Village Name: Medinipur
Some 30 Kms away from Deogarh Town, in a Primary School of Medinipur the class teacher asked a 9 yrs old girl, about the greatest God and she replied “Jesus”. The teacher than asked her, “Why Jesus” again she replied “Because He loves me and heals all my diseases”. The girl's father has received  a Bible. Previously he had received the gospel from another christian and both the girl and her father were healed from a certain diseases.

In this month I planted some 20 Oriya Bibles. Deogarh Dist is a tribal populated area and most of the tribal are migrated from neighboring Jharkhand State and they use Hindi as their language. So Hindi Bibles are needed here.
In Deogarh City there is no single church building (Any Pentecostal or Evangelical) in our home at Pradhan Sahi some 20 to 35 people gather in Sunday service which I conduct. Please pray for the provision of a church Building in Deogarh City so that people especially the new believers would find a comfortable place of worship.
Last of all we are regularly praying for the good health of “Thomas Sir” and we hope and believe God will strengthen him and use him more powerfully. Please pray for the ministry of Deogarh.

Yours faithfully,
Manoj

Quiet Corner India’s Bible Vision teams have been diligently spreading out their network over the entire land. The last few months saw the teams distributing Bibles in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The BV teams work also covered parts of Orissa. Over the last one year some 20,000 Bibles have been distributed to non-Christians who were receptive towards God’s words; some of whom even paying a small donation depending on their economic means. Through their work of prayer, sharing about Jesus and giving away Bibles and encouraging people to read from God’s word, the different teams have touched the lives of ordinary people – mainly daily wage earners, small farmers and shopkeepers and womenfolk. The individual reports from each state give greater details of their work.

BIBLE VISION IN ORISSA

Deogarh Dist: Since the early 1990’s this district has reported several instances of anti-Christian incidents, such as persecution of Pastors, burning of Christian Holy books and damaged buildings. A number of Christians can be found among the tribal migrants from Bihar who live here. In this area, Balram Sagar a police man who turned believer in 2002, serves the sick and the poor sharing about the Gospel and praying for the people here. Our team began work with much prayer in October covering some 60 villages. We distributed some 318 Bibles to mostly poor tribal people living a very hard life. The team travelled to some hilly areas. At some places, although people were a little hesitant to receive the Bible in several places they opened their hearts and minds to God’s word. Although some of them were illiterate, they did purchase the Bible for their children who go to schools.

In Tilaivani village, the Bible vision team chose the weekly market day to distribute Bible and reached out to the people with God’s word. A local grocer saw the Bible distributing team members but did not accept a Bible in that public place. However, later he sent someone and called the team to his shop. In the shop the grocer asked the team to give him details about the Bible. The team shared all about God’s word. On hearing everything about the Christian faith, he took a copy of the Bible without any hesitation.

The Team also had a wonderful fellowship with Mr. Balram Sagar too; who turned believer and whom God is using in so many ways in this region known for its anti-Christian attitude

Bargarh Dist: In September, the Bible Vision team’s work took them to the Bargarh dist. The team visited more than 50 villages in this district. Although the work of the team here faced a number of hardships, by the grace of God, it was very encouraging to see the enthusiasm with which people responded to the team’s sharing and praying. Nearly 453 Bibles were handed out to mostly Hindus. In one village, the team visited a colony which is inhabited by people suffering from leprosy. When the team spoke about Jesus to them who had never even heard of Him, they were very excited. Some of them accepted Jesus as their savior. The team prayed for the people too.

Government school principals eagerly accepted Bibles from the team. Most of them want to read the Bible personally and have voluntarily agreed to keep a copy in the school for the student.

The most wonderful part of the team’s work here was that in every village, that they visited at least one Hindu family accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. This has happened only because of the Grace of God. We need to pray for all these families in a special way as they start and continue their walk with Christ.

A young boy & girl from a very poor family were so keen on having a Bible after the team’s prayer and sharing. Sadly they had not a penny to give us. But all of a sudden the two youngsters remembered there small savings. Quickly they broke open their mud piggy bank to extend some coins. They accepted Jesus as their savior.

In the Diptipur area, is located a Christian hospital. The team shared about the Bible vision, one morning they gathered in the hospital chapel. The Hospital authorities have accepted the challenge to buy Bibles and give it to non-Christians. Most of the hospital staff purchased Bibles from us. In fact they were so moved by our team’s work in that village that some of them cried when it was time for the team to leave.

Bible Vision in Andhra Pradesh

Warangal District: - In mid September, the Bible vision team was in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. In co-ordination with the local Pastors Joel and and Balaswamy nearly 40 churches came together for a fellowship at Manamkonda. The team visited 25 villages with the help of some 15 pastors who work in the above villages mostly among non-Christians and even Naxalites.

The Bible Vision team gave away 60 Bibles. The first Bible was presented to a women staying in Pastor Joel’s house who immediately took upon herself to read and understand God’s word. Once, these women an orphan was on the verge of committing suicide because of her feelings of loneliness and not being wanted. After which she came to stay at the Pastor’s home.

“God has sent you” These are the words of Laxman whom the team met. Laxman told the team that he had been waiting to get a copy of the Bible since his 4th grade in school. He knew about Jesus but no one had bothered to give him a Bible nor did the poor man know where to procure a copy.

Pastor Ashok Paul was an ex-Naxalite who gave up his former ways once he came to know the Lord. Today he works among the people of Kazhipet, Ammapalli. Pastor Paul was eagerly waiting the arrival of our team to get copies of the Bible.

Bibles were also given to three village Presidents. One of whom attends Pastor Ashok Paul’s church. This person never possessed a copy of the Bible and so was overjoyed to receive the Bible when the team presented it to him. The team also visited a widow’s colony in Aanamakonda where 11 people received the Bible. All of them hail from Hindu families.

Bible Vision in Tamil Nadu

Salem Dist

In the month of November’07 the Bible Vision Team covered 31 villages in this district. They distributed 300 Bibles to non-Christian brothers and sisters and covered some 8 different churches too praying and sharing about the Bible Vision.

Gayathri, from Kutta kadu village, told us how there was no peace in her family and personal life. The team prayed for her, after which she instantly felt peace filling her heart and mind.

Govindraj, disabled and unable to walk confided in us about the hopelessness in his life. The team shared the word with him and prayed for him asking him to live a life in the name of Jesus Christ and he believed!

Thangaraj’s tale is remarkable, especially when he came to know the Lord. As a Hindu temple priest, he presided for various blood curling rituals that involved animal sacrifices and blood letting performed with his hands and mouth. Now all these practices are things of the past. He is a pastor and is testifying among his relatives about his encounter with the true and living God!

Tanjavur Dist

The Bible Vision team covered some 28 villages in this well known temple town of South India. The team had a blessed time distributing some 350 Bibles. The team also held meetings in five churches. The team evoked a good response for their work both in the churches and the villages they visited. Pastors of the local churches feel enthused to participate in Quiet Corner India’s future prayer seminar and other ministry activities.

Despite strong opposition from her family a 22 year old woman working as a nurse very gladly accepted a copy of the Bible from the Bible Vision team. “I want to know who Jesus is and would like to read about His teachings,’ she told us.

A retired school headmaster, Lourdhusamy, has agreed to sponsor Bibles for distribution in the village Guruvadi. He has asked the team to provide the Bibles, for the village and visit the place too, since he has a burden for that village.

A lady from a family involved in the craft of casting idols in copper and very staunch Hindu took us by surprise. She took two Bibles one for herself and the other for a worker of her family’s workshop.

Thenkasi Dist:

The Gospel was shared to some 200 students of a local college here of which some 125 students (boys & girls) received copies of the Bibles. With the assistance of the local Pastor Samuel, the team visited the area and distributed 34 Bibles to non-Christians. Even the village Panchayat leader was a recipient. Door to door evangelism was done at Agarakattu with the help of the local pastor. At Kodainallu the team visited four different villages giving away some 74 Bibles to non-Christians, some of whom were school teachers and even high caste people.

Muttamma a high caste woman after receiving her copy over a donation of Rs.100/- quipped, “If I read the Bible I will become a Christian. So I am afraid to read it “Still I will read it” she trailed off.

On a Sunday the Bible vision was shared in two different local Churches, which had an enthusiastic response from the congregation. Many took upon themselves the burden to give Bibles to non-Christian friends. In all some 385 Bibles were distributed in 28 villages. Seven local churches cooperated with the team.

Kerala Bible Vision

The Bible Vision Team covered places in Mallapuram, Ernakulam, Allapuzha, Kollam, Wayanad and Palghat. Their outreached evoked a good response and people were both enthusiastic and keen to listen to the word of God and receive copies of the Bible. Some of the people whom we spoke told us they were in fact hoping to get a copy of the Bible and read it someday and thanked us for approaching them. Such as an old man, to whom the Bible was introduced. He said “My grand daughter Vishnu Maya was searching for a Bible. She always expressed her desire for a Bible. But unfortunately I was unable to get a copy. At last you people came to my home with a Holy Bible”.

In Mallapuram Dist which has a strong Islamic influence, the team landed here and worked for two weeks in the month of Sep’07. The team got an immense response from the local Muslims and 383 Bible were placed in different homes. The Kerala team took initiative to go among this community and place the living word of God. Quiet corner has a motto: “Bible to the Bible less” Bible in every home, prayer cell in every village. When a Bible enters into a non-Christian home, it is like a candle in the midst of darkness. In Tirur many Muslim women received Bible. Though they are within the veil and have no chance to hear the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. One Muslim woman came out of the room and bought Bible and gave donation Rs.100/-. Many Business people joyfully accepted the word of God. Many Muslims especially woman shared their problems and burdens with us. They need our prayers.

In Mallapuram there was immense response from the tribal people. We visited 19 adivasi ( tribal) colonies at Nilambur and could give out 234 Bibles. Ambili, a 22 year old girl from Paniyar Tribe was so happy to get a Bible for herself. When we entered her home we met her brother who was not feeling well. Ambili after receiving the Bible said, “I will read this Bible as we tribals need the word of God and please prayer for our people”. Strange are the ways of the Lord to us ordinary humans, as the account of these forest department workers. Goudaman and Srinivasan have their working hours from morning till afternoon. They were habituated to read books. On the day the team visited them, they were both discussing about ‘what to read this afternoon after work’ and pondered over the fact that they had no books to read that day. They got a Book which can be read forever….and remains a fresh work each time one picks it up to read. As soon as we introduced Bible to them, they were overjoyed. They said “we were longing for a Bible, at last we have got it”.

In the month of September 2007 the Bible Vision Team visited the northern most districts of Palakkad and Wayanad. In Palakkad some 394 Bibles were distributed and 410 copies were received by non-Christians in the dist of Wayanad. Many of them whom the team met were people who had been waiting for years to read the word of God, and the BV team reached out to them at the right moment. Such as Anitha from Wayanad district who belongs to the Jain Community. She was longing for the word of God deep inside. One morning our team reached her home and introduced the Bible to her. She was very happy to receive it. She told us, “Since a long time I was longing to get a copy of the Bible, at last it has reached my home. I am very much thankful to you for bringing the Bible to my home.” For forty seven year old Suresh, the team was actually God sent. He works in a cinema theatre. Once he had an accident in the toilet and was confined to the bed for two months to recover from a broken leg. During those two months he used to watch some of the Christian programmes on the television. He was very much touched by one such programme. He wanted to know more about the word of God and called the programme centre but unfortunately got no response. Following which he was a little disappointed yet he kept watching the TV programme. As a result of his desire and prayer, team visited him and told him about the good news of our Lord Jesus. He happily accepted Jesus as his Lord and savior on the bed. He was so happy to receive Bible also. God met all his spiritual needs on that day.

Manipur

The team here led by Brother L S Paul visited churches in the following areas – Thoubal, Bethelphai, Chaningpokpi, Saichang, Songphel, Molkon, Maphou, Beulahland. At most of these churches located here, members heartily welcomed the team who gave messages and shared on the Quiet Corner ministry work and the Bible Vision. At one place a day of fasting prayer too was conducted. A two day fasting prayer was conducted on one of the highest mountain in Manipur – the Koubru mountain among the local tribes here. Around 650 people participated where Bro. Paul shared on how to do the Lord’s ministry through the Bible Vision. The audience responded excitedly. Everyone prayed wholeheartedly on the top of this mountain for the entire nation.

Ministry Report – January 2008

I Manoj Kumar Agrawalla on behalf of my self and new believers of Deogarh greets you in the very sweet name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Its my pleasure to report that by the grace of the Almighty Lord I am doing the ministry work sincerely. As always this month also I visited some villages where Bible vision program was conducted in October 2007. Following are the some of the places where good response was noticed and very encouraging results were observed.

Village: Padhan Sahi

In this village prayer was held on 1st of January 2008 for the persecuted people of Phulbani (kandhamal) district where 60 churches and 600 houses have been burnt, 12 Christian people were killed and many Christian people are homeless. Some 40 people participated in this special prayer meeting.

Village: Brajamohanpur
Here Mr. Ramesh Behera(60) a retired officer is started believing ‘Jesus’ as his personal savior. I visited his house and he was telling me that he has starting sharing his testimony to his neighbours.

Village: Bamur
Bamur is a very wonderful place where God is performing miracles. Some twenty new families gather on Sunday evenings to attend Sunday Service.

Mr. Damodar Naik has started believing Lord Jesus Christ. He is having a ‘watch shop’. He us to share his testimony to his customers. He was known to us during Bible vision program in October 2007 in Deogarh.

Mr. Jaya Kumar Behera by profession a contractor has become a strong believer in Christ. He testifies that after reading Bible he is leading very peaceful life. Again his wife who is a govt. primary teacher witness that, I have been promoted in my job and by my testimony to school staffs and they are allowing us to have Sunday school service in our school. He was known to us during Bible vision program in October 2007 at Deogarh.

Shantinagar:
The people of Shantinagar are very poor. Some tribal people who had taken Bibles during October 2007 are now reading Bibles by the help of their children.

Hadamunda:
This village is situated in hilly area of Deogarh. There is a Lutheran Church here many people were not having Bibles. In October 2007 Bibles were provided by our Bible Vision team. They are witnessing Christ more powerfully now.

Katai:
This is a very isolated village and some children had taken Bibles from us. They belong to Roman Catholic Church. Still they have got the privilege to read Bible testify their parents.

Due to the severe persecution to Christian people in Phulbani (Kandhamal) District the people of Deogarh are under pressure. There is a report that some 60 churches and 600 houses have been burnt and 12 Christian people are killed. Many Christian people are homeless. Many Bibles are needed for those effected Christian people as Bibles also have been burnt along with the houses. Some 600 Bibles are needed for them.

In the month of February and March if Godwilling I want to conduct a one day retreat taking all the new believers of Deogarh. I expect some 110 new believers who had taken Bibles may join this meting. Please pray for the ministry of Deogarh.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Manoj Kumar Agrawalla