Life Stories

Children are born everyday into families whose financial position inhibit them from providing all that the desire to their children. But what happens when the parents of such circumstance live in an area that is neglected, supported by a government that refuses to help them. In India nothing happens! And nothing keeps happening until the child and the parents are dying of starvation and literally begging for help. Very quickly the situation can shift from bad to worse as a survival mentality takes over and parents turn from their children and abandon them into the world to care for themselves. This is the story of hundreds of thousands of children in India, this is the story of one child in India, this is the story of Bhagayasri Thata.

Thata Bhagayasri
Age: 13
Birthday: September 13, 1997
Village: Papavenasanam

Born into a strong Hindu family background, Bhagayasri’s family was very poor. Her father, who as in most Indian household, was the sole provider of the Thata family deceased while she was still very young. Quickly the already struggling Thata household became desperate for food and her mother began begging. She was able to raise Bhagayasri until the age of 10. But the environment, in which, Bhagayasri existed was not providing for her growing needs or body. Her mother became very ill and deemed that she could no longer render care to her daughter. Refusing to abandon Bhagayasri she sought anyone that would take her in and raise her as their own but she feared her efforts were in vain. Then she heard news of an organization that was caring for poor, downtrodden and orphaned children in Papavenasanam. She ran into the arms of Christ as she sought Harvest India to adopt her child in hopes that they could provide Bhagayasri with the food, shelter, education and opportunities that she could not. Three years ago Bhagayasri joined the orphan children home at Papavenasanam and her life has been marked by every opportunity in these last years of thriving. Sitting down with Bhagayasri she told us this about her experience.

“I am so thankful to God for the new life I have been given in my home. Because of BriteCity (who sponsors the children home at Papavenasanam. We are being fed three hot meals per day and we have shelter and education.. I love school and I have done very well and study hard. I am currently first in marks in the 8th class and was just recently awarded 2000 rupees for my academic achievements. I am very thankful to BriteCity, Bishop Suresh Kumar, Harvest India, and it’s staff and supporters who make my life so wonderful.”

Imagine that! Bhagayasri was just a poor, oppressed kid whose society told her she would never become anything more than her mother, a beggar. And now she is at the top of the ranks, first in class at her public school amongst 57 other young peers studying in the 8th standard, and being awarded rupees by the same government that refused to help her desperate mother. What’s even more powerful is that she has surrendered her life to the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and gives all the glory to God!

ANUSHA, BISHOP SURESH KUMAR, & BHAGAYASRI

We also met Bhagayasri’s best friend and sister in Christ, Anusha. Anusha holds the second spot in the 8th standard and together in the orphanage they push each other forward, studying together and giving all the glory to the redemptive power of Jesus Christ! Bhagayasri and Anusha are keeping their eyes focused on the road ahead. They refuses to be marked by anything other than their perfection in the eyes of their Father. They both aspire to be general doctors so that they can provide medical care to others that are growing up the society that tried to oppress them into a future God never chose for them.

To find out how you can make a difference and sponsor the future of India please contact Suresh@HarvestIndia.org or visit Harvest India online.

Name: Satyayathi Rao
Age:24
Place: Butumalli Vemuru, Andrah Pradesh, India

Like many Indian marriages Satyayathi’s betrothal was arranged. Unfortunately, the man in which she was betrothed to marry frequently abused alcohol, releasing an evil that would rear it’s head regularly only after their union. Through years of marriage the situation has continued to escalate and has become a dangerous situation for Satyayathi and their two children. Satyayathi is a dedicated and faithful woman, wife and mother. Occupationally, she makes beautiful flower garlands and dries fish which are sold in her village, to provide for her family. Her husband doesn’t work. He spends his days drinking away the money Satyayitha works all day to provide for the well-being of their family. Satyayathi has pleaded, countless times, with her husband to stop drinking, crying out to him, “please change, please stop drinking.” He regularly experiences bouts of rage, and when combined with his normal intoxicated state of mind the situation escalates quickly and dangerously. To ascert his power and control as the man of the family, he often removes their seven year old son, Samba, and nine year old daughter, Srilakshmi, from their home and hides them in different villages. He then demands money from Satyayathi if she wants to see her children again.

SATYAYATHI, SAMBA, AND SRILAKSHMI

Last June, during one of his many alcohol binges, Satyayathi’s husband became violent and attempted to end her life with a knife. She managed to escape with only a minor cut on her arm. With love in her heart, for the father of her children and a longing desire for him to change his destructive behavior, Satyayathi returned to her chaotic life after brief separation. Despite continued abuse, with no other options for survival, she remained in submission the athority enforced by her husband. In July, Satyayathi refused to continue to financially supporting the addiction that was ruining her marriage and family and so she refused to give her husband anymore money for his habit. Enraged, he threw acid on her. Blocking the toxic poison with her left arm, she endured horrific burns. After hospitalization, and burn treatment, in a nearby facility, severe damage to her left arm and side remains and Satyayathi continues to endure constant pain, suffering and permanent scarring. During her hospital visit, she explained to the doctors what had happened. The doctors immediately called the police, who sought to arrest Satyayathi’s husband. Unable to locate him the police placed a warrant for his arrest. Three months after the mutilation of his wife, Satyayathi’s husband was located and arrested in Tenali. After serving three months in prison for his crime, he posted bail and has been released. Satyayathi and her children are currently living with her mother. Satyayathi’s husband has not made further contact with his family, nor are his current whereabouts known. Due to the lenient punishment in this government system, he remains unaffected by the sufferings he has inflicted upon his family. Divorce is currently pending between Satyayathi and her husband and is expected to be finalized in a matter of days. New doors have opened to new opportunities for Satyayathi and her children. Satyayathi, Samba, and Sri Lakshmi will be relocating to the Harvest India campus in Tenali. Satyayathi will be welcomed into the family of the Ashraya Project, a home devoted to giving women the opportunity to live a life of dignity and hope. Her children will be placed in Harvest India’s orphan school which is on the same campus so that they can remain a family, living together. Samba and Srilakshmi with gain 398 brothers and sisters immediately and begin their education at this newly accredited school operated by Harvest India. Despite this families many trials, new opportunities are on the horizon. They will be welcomed by the body of Christ at the Harvest India campus in Tenali. The family is currently from a strong Hindu background, but through new opportunities new hope of a new future emerges. Through Jesus Christ we remain prayerful and hopeful that they too can experience the love of our Father in Heaven and live happily ever after in the Kingdom of God.

Please join us as we pray healing and blessings upon Satyayathi, Samba, and Sri Lakshmi and continued prayers for repentance and deliverance upon Satyayathi’s husband.

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Get an inside look as we interview one of the many men who have answered God’s calling “…The harvest is great but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37 We thank you for your support and faithfulness in prayer. God is equipping and sending out new workers daily to share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ!

Location: Donapudi
Church Plant Date: March 2000
Pastor: Jayaraj Moka

In the midst of temples and idol worship there lives a family of five. A white, brick home with a thatched roof sits in the midst of many multiple story homes in the village of Donapudi. The surrounding homes are inhabited by high caste members of the Hindu faith. In this particular home lives a family who has dared to plant themselves in Donapudi. Their main focus is to live out the action of love in a biblically rooted, revolutionary way, amidst a culture that opposes them. In a place where the belief that of no matter what you do in this life can change your destiny, live the Moka’s, under an entirely different belief. This is their story.

THE MOKA FAMILY

Now a Pastor, Jayaraj Moka was born into a Christian family. His mother and his father were fishermen and raised their son well, instilled a solid foundation, and spoke truth and affirmation into their son during his development, through biblical teachings. As Jayaraj matured and reached working age he also began a career as a fisherman. He found the challenges of fishing enticing, enjoyable, and productive. The work was continuous and gave a means to aid his parents financial circumstances. He recalls the happenings of 1996 as the year God placed a clear call on his life in ministry. In April 1996, Jayaraj had a vision in his sleep in which he was tending to a flock of sheep. A voice called out to him to “feed the sheep.” When he awoke he disregarded the vision as nothing more than dream and continued in his work as a fisherman. In May of the same year, he went on a late night fishing excursion. While at sea he fell from the side of the boat and was quickly carried down current. He struggled to swim back to the boat, but was unsuccessful and drifted further and further away. Growing tired and losing hope of survival, he began to sink. In that moment, he was visited by the same voice from his vision with this instruction, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” and then the voice again instructed him to “feed the sheep“. This time the calling was clear and in that moment Jayaraj surrendered his plans for his future and pleaded with the Lord to spare his life so that he could give himself to the Kingdom work of God’s plan. Although he cannot recount how he survived, he is indeed a survivor of that near death experience as he awoke on the deck of the boat, soaking wet, minutes later. Jayaraj counts this miracle as the turning point in his life where the scales fell from his eyes as he was awakened to God’s calling. In the days that followed Jayaraj retold the happenings of his fishing trip to countless friends and sought the biblical counsel of Sambasavarao, a well respected and Godly mentor to many men in the area where Jayaraj had grown up. Sambbasavarao advised Jayaraj to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and study the holy scripture daily. He referred him to a bible college run by Harvest India near Vijayawada. In late 1996, as though the year had not brought enough life changing moments to Jayaraj, he met and married Usharani, the young woman whom his parents had arranged for him to wed earlier that same year.
Life has changed quite drastically since 1996. Jayaraj did seek out the opportunity to study scripture and has fully embraced the call the Lord so clearly placed on his life. He studied at Harvest India’s bible college near Vijayawada from 1997-1999 and upon graduation he fully immersed himself in ministry. He has, since the completion of his degree, begun and continued ministry programs in three local villages near his home. In order to gather materials for his village ministry in the early years he had to travel quite a distance to obtain tracts. Tracts are preprinted materials that tell the story of Jesus Christ. During his return travels from a ministry conference, gathering materials, Jayaraj encountered an boy on a train ride from Vijayawada. The boy was panhandling on the train. Jayaraj’s heart moved with compassion as he inquired how the bow had come to panhandle at such a young age. He learned, in what became a lengthy conversation, that this young boy’s parents had passed away and there was no one to look after him and so he, at the young age of eight, was caring for himself. Although the current living condition of the young Moka household was not without struggle or opposition, Jayaraj welcomed the boy to come and stay with him and he would look after him as one of his own. That day Jayaraj and Usharani were blessed with their first child, an eight year old boy whom they later named Sampson. Jayaraj and Usharani now have two more children; John is 10 years old and Teja is 8 years old. Sampson is now 21 years old, away at school, and receiving high marks in all areas of his education. All three of the Moka children have received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Together, the family faces extreme adversity in the local village where they both live and conduct ministry. They rent the home in which they reside and the cost of living in Donapudi often causes them to go without other necessities in life. But the Moka family is deeply rooted in their faith and their destiny is clear. While their service to God often leaves them with hungry bellies and empty pockets, the Moka’s are a family that faithfully press forward in the work God has placed in their path. Their needs cause them to fully rely on the Lord and grow their faith. In tribulation, they rejoice over those in their ministry who have crossed from death to life, through Christ‘s ultimate sacrifice.

DONDAPUDI CHURCH

If you feel called to join the ministry God is doing through the Moka family, they have asked for prayer and support. Please pray that God would provide the funds for a larger church building. The Harvest India funded church plant seats about 50 women and children shoulder to shoulder as we witnessed in holding service with the congregation on Wednesday evening. But, as the service progressed a crowd began to form and gather outside the open doors of the small church. At the moment, Jayaraj holds a number of services to “feed the sheep” of his growing flock but he is prayerful that God will provide a larger building so that he can hold the additional services in other surrounding villages that have not yet heard the good news of Jesus Christ.

It is through men and women like these that we will take the name of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Please visit Harvest India online at www.HarvestIndia.org or e-mail Suresh@HarvestIndia.org for further information on how you can get involved.

Get an inside look as we interview one of the many men who have answered God’s calling, “…The harvest is great but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37 We thank you for your support and faithfulness in prayer. God is equipping and sending out new workers daily to share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ!

Location: Guruvindapalli
Church Plant Date: September 14, 2006
Pastor: Yasu Padam which means the “the feet of Jesus”
Favorite Scripture: Job 1:21 “…Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

January 14, 2010

We travel for hours on unpaved roads of rock and dirt until we come to a small village called Guruvindapali. There we are greeted by Pastor Yasu Padam; a man I have come to recognize in the few weeks I’ve been in India for his high spirit, warm welcoming nature and faded orange and white collar shirt which he has worn all three times I’ve been in his presence. It is not his favorite, but rather his only shirt that is in a condition suitable for wearing while out in ministry. We are greeted in the Indian tradition with beautiful floral leis and hand tied bouquets as the people congregate, both believers and non-believers, to get their first look at white westerners in their village. They ask our photographer if they may take a picture with us and we oblige. It’s as if by taking the picture the memory will be captured eternally although the likelihood of them ever seeing the picture again is improbable. It’s humbling, to say the least, that in this poverty stricken town where the people can barely provide for their earthly bodies that we are welcomed in such grandeur. Inside the church sits one woman and in the background there is one speaker, one small piece of audio equipment and a Christian CD that plays worship songs in the native tongue which radiate throughout the village via a megaphone that sits atop the church. The structure itself brings a whole new meaning to the word “church.” The foundation is a solid dirt floor that is covered in tarps. Six concrete pillars are the sole permanent materials used to support the structure. It’s walls and ceiling are comprised of sticks, straw and other raw materials found in this indigenous landscape. The more we learn of the construction the more we come to appreciate this House of the Lord. Pastor Yasu has built this church with his hands alone a total of three times. The first was just prior to the church plant in 2006 and then twice more after being completely demolished and brought to the ground by Hindu militants. Through God’s provision the most recent version of the building has been standing since the rebuild which took place after the last devastating demolish on May 9, 2008. With a smile on his face Pastor Yasu tells of God’s faithfulness in allowing him to rebuild the church stronger and better after each militant attack. We walk through the village until we come upon a small, humble, rather empty home where we meet the rest of the Padam family. Pastor Yasu and his wife Miriam, have been blessed with two children. Sindhu their 7 year old daughter, and Manohar their 5 year old son. Yasu’s mother Esther joins us as we sit down to get the untold story of how Yasu was first called to the Lord’s service and the journey he and the Padam family have faithfully embarked upon to further the Kingdom of God.

GURUVINDIPALLI CHURCH LEVELED TO THE GROUND AFTER HINDU MILITANT ATTACK IN MAY 2008

THE PADAM FAMILY IN THEIR SINGLE ROOM HOME IN GURUVINDIPALLI

Pastor Yasu describes his youth as a time of chaos and disobedience as he caused many problems for his family and became involved in heavy drug and alcohol abuse. His parents, which at the time were of strong Hindu faith, prayed to the gods that they would deliver their child from his afflictions and restore peace to the Padam family. But to their disappointment Yasu remained resistant to change. He did eventually continue on the path set by his parents and married Mariam, a young woman who at the time was also young in her Christian faith. In viewing his wife’s faithfulness Yasu’s heart was softened to the voice of the Lord and it was in a dream that Yasu came to know the calling God had for his life on earth. He immediately repented of his sins and began faithfully carrying out the plans God had revealed. A connection with Harvest India was established later that same year and he and his wife began to attend Harvest India’s Bible College. Yasu was again called to his knees as he cried out to the Lord to provide in his pursuit of biblical knowledge. Because of Yasu’s rebellion in his youth he had not retained the skills of proficient writing or reading. Miraculously, God provided and Yasu began to excel in his studies at the college. Because of the Lords provision through financial support, Harvest India was able to provide resources to sustain this young family as Yasu and Miriam faithfully leaned to the Lord for all their need. While still attending the Bible college Yasu was called by God to start a ministry in his home town of Guruvindipalli. He sought the wise counsel of Bishop Suresh Kumar, Director of Harvest India, and shared his calling. It was in his counsel that he was asked to pray continuously and that God would provide an opportunity when the time was right. Yasu’s prayers were answered on September 14, 2006 when Harvest India partnered with it’s supporters to open a church in Guruvindipalli. It was there, while still attending bible college that Yasu began his ministry. Upon the completion of his studies, Yasu graduated on February 17, 2007 and became the pastor of the church plant in his home town. Harvest India provides opportunities to support pastor’s who have completed the studies conducted at their bible colleges. For between 50 and 100 US dollars a month your contribution can support one of the many Harvesters like Yasu and his family, in India.

Since Yasu’s ministry began in 2006 he’s been burdened to start two additional churches in the surrounding Hindu villages of Davarpalli, and Pedisenagal. Through his determination to spread the good news and gospel message of Jesus Christ Yasu has been faithful to taking his needs before the Lord in prayer and he is hopeful that you will join him in his ministry. Yasu is trusting God will provide the financial support for he and his family‘s well-being, financial support to build churches in the surrounding villages of Davarpalli, and Pedisenagal, and to provide abundant opportunities to make great the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The congregations of those in the villages are growing and a permanent place of hope and salvation is key to nurturing the needs of these new Christ followers. The cost of building a permanent church home in the village would be 15,000 US dollars and would provide both a 300 person church and living accommodations for the pastor and his family, which would free the family from renting their current housing. If you feel called to join in the work God is doing through his children at Harvest India we encourage you to join us in supporting the Padam‘s and countless others that God is equipping through the ministries at Harvest India. It is through men and women like these that we will take the name of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Please visit Harvest India online at www.HarvestIndia.org for further information.

Though Yasu has faced many oppositions, he remains strong in spirit as he lives out the scriptures. The people in the villages where Yasu is administering the gospel are primarily of strong Hindu faith yet just last night as we broke bread with the Padam family and shared the gospel with those that attended the service nearly 30 men, women and children gave their lives to the Lord. And for this reason alone we will not slow our pace. We will proclaim the good news! Jesus Christ has died for the salvation of the lost, and until all of India has heard the truth and been given an opportunity to repent of their sins and find eternal life in Christ’s sacrifice we walk faithfully forward.

My name is Manohari, 35 years old. From two years onwards I had heart pain and head-ache, I went to the Hospital Doctors and they said I need to go to surgery that cost lot of money, but we don’t have that much money. One day somebody took to me to Harvest India Crusade, I went with lot of pain and faith to the Crusade and they prayed for my pain, after the Crusade my pains has gone. Thanks to Jesus. Glory to God.

My name is Koteswara Rao, 40 years old. Since 15 years ago and onwards I have been having head-aches. One day I decided to commit suicide. One day I went to Harvest India Crusade and they prayed for me. God has healed me and I given my life to Jesus. Now I am praying god and worshiping. Glory to God.

My name is Santhosamma, 50 years old. From 4 years onwards I have a problem with urinating, I showed my self to many doctors and nothing happened. One day I went to Harvest India crusade. There, God healed   me. Now I am following Jesus. Glory to God.

I am one of Orphan boy, living in the Orphanage at Bandalagaruvu. My name is Gopi, studying 2nd class. One night I went to outside, then Cobra bitten me. Soon Orphanage staff took to me to Hospital, doctors said no hope for me to live. All our Harvest India orphans, staff and pastors prayed for me. God has showed His grace and love up on me. Glory to God. Now I am okay and happy.

My name is Kotamma, I am 70 years old. I am deaf from 15 years old and onward. One day Harvest India conducted Medical Camp in our village, I went to the medical camp, I got medicine and they prayed for my hearing, immediately I was healed. Thanks to God and Glory to God.

My name is Santoshmma, 75 years old. I have 3 children. After the death of my husband my children pushed me out. I went to my relatives homes they also did pushed me out. Then I started to beg. Sometimes I can get food and sometimes I can’t. I was struggling so much and I hated my life that I decided to committ suicide. One day a Harvest India pastor saved me and he brought me to Harvest India Elderly home at Tippalakatta.

Now I am very happy. Here they are giving good food, clothes and shelter. Really, God saved my life. I given my life to Jesus Christ. I thank God and Harvest India leaders and those who are supporting this Home, special thanks to them.