As we approach Christmas, I want you to know how much your friendship and prayers have encouraged me this year. It has been quite a journey: In the hospital with pneumonia in January, traveled to North Carolina and entered my new two room apartment in February, sold my house in Novelty in March, and started my “new normal” life here. It’s been quite a journey! I’ve worked at learning my new neighbor’s
names, shared some of my books with residents, prayed with two as they accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, and led three Sunday afternoon “Vesper” services. Please pray that God will bless as I lead the next Vesper service on December 17. Also, that I might bloom where I have been planted by the Lord “for the display of His splendor” (Isaiah 61:3)
Fifty years ago, we as a family of six, did a special Christmas project, sending New Testaments to 250 people, the only ones listed in the telephone directory of Sikkim, a small Himalayan country northeast of India. It now is a province of India. Mur typed the addresses, and the rest of us packaged, stamped and sent out the NTs from Novelty, OH.
Three months later we started receiving letters from some who received the NTs. Mr. Lingdong, was a believer and elder in a church in the capital of Gangtok. I corresponded with him for a number of decades, sending literature to help with the ministry of his church. Another fascinating experience involved a group of young troublemakers who were planning to kidnap the wife of the Prince of Sikkim the day after the NTs arrived. They resented her, a socialite from Cleveland, OH. When the young leader of this group got home his father showed him the NT that came to their home that day. He started reading it and was so fascinated that he read it all night. When he didn’t show up to lead the planned kidnapping the group came to his home to find out why? He told them not to bother him and kept on reading. While this was happening, the Prince found out about the planned kidnapping and whisked his wife and son out of the country to safety. I don’t know the rest of the story. Sorry. But God promises that when His Word goes forth it will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:10-11).