Ministry Update

Dear Friends and Partners,

Greetings and blessings in the name of Jesus! I am following the example of the Apostle Paul as he was always praising God for his friends and partners. I am so thankful to God for your faithful partnership and prayerful support of Harvest India over all the years. Your faithfulness allows our ministry to do many great things for the Kingdom of God in India. Without your financial and prayer support, Harvest India can do nothing. We deeply appreciate your kind hearts and love.

A Challenging Season
Although I have greatly enjoyed my visit with you in the US this Summer, it has been another challenging year in terms of raising funds for the work of Harvest India. Because of the bad economy and loss of jobs, there are so many people who are facing financial problems. I am extremely thankful that we have been able to raise funds for designated purposes such as sponsorships for many orphans and Bible College students, but we are experiencing a challenging season when it comes to our general fund. These are the financial resources that allow us to minister on a daily basis to the poor and needy in India…feeding, clothing, and sharing the good news of God’s love.

At the end of the day, I know the Lord is in control. I have seen the hand of God through the continual growth of the ministry over the years. I am confident that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and He is always faithful to you and to me.

Will You Invest in Harvest India?
As I trust God to fulfill the vision He has placed in our hearts, I am requesting that you passionately pray for our ministry and the entire nation of India. I believe this is a very important time, and we need to look to God for His direction. Our mission is to take the good news of Christ to every unreached village and bless many untouchables, orphaned children, elderly, and desperate people living with HIV and AIDS.

Will you…?

Open your eyes to the tremendous needs?
Ask God how you are to respond to the needs of Harvest India?
Listen to God’s direction and respond generously?

Please consider investing in what God is doing through Harvest India.

Once again, thank you so much for your support and love. We want you to know that all our staff, pastors, children’s homes, and old aged homes pray daily for you to be blessed. Please stay in touch with us, and let us know how we can pray for you.

God Bless,
Suresh Kumar

We are so blessed to have Suresh speaking in California for the next several weeks. The Lord is continuing to use him powerfully as he proclaims the truth and reminds this American Nation of God’s call to missions. Please join us at one of our partner churches.

Speaking Dates and Locations

June 5th: ROCKHARBOR CHURCH, Costa Mesa CA @ 6PM
June 6th: ROCKHARBOR CHURCH, Costa Mesa CA @ 9AM, 11AM, 7PM, & 9PM
ROCKHARBOR CHURCH, South Orange County @ 10AM
June 13th: St. Peters Church, Huntington Beach @ 9AM & 10:45AM
ROCKHARBOR CHURCH, Fullerton @ 7PM & 9PM
June 20th: Revolution Church, Long Beach @ 10AM
June 27th: TBD (please check back soon)
July 4th: Newsong Church, Los Angeles @ 9:30AM & 11:30AM
July 11th: Grace Fellowship, Tehachapi @ 9AM & 10:45AM
July 18th: North Hills Community Church, Rancho Cucamonga 9AM & 10:45AM

Also join us for two evenings of great fellowship as we gather together to pray for Harvest India, celebrate what God is doing in India, and look to the future together:

INFORMED | God’s story in India
When: Tuesday, June 8, 7-9pm
Where: the living room @ ROCKHARBOR
Q&A with Suresh Kumar from Harvest India to discover how the gospel is moving throughout India and how to join the work God has already started.

CULTURED | Experience the beauty of India
When: Monday, June 14, 7-9pm
Where: the box @ ROCKHARBOR
Capture a taste of India… the colorful beauty, its rich, vibrant culture, and the deep heritage of its people

Continue to ask God how you can become a part of the Kingdom work in India. We love you, we are praying for you continuously and we hope to see you.

In His Love,
The Harvest India USA Team

As Harvest India gears up for what promises to be a ministry full summer, it is once again the time we Westerners wait anxiously for all year; Suresh’s annual visit to the USA! We are excited to share that Suresh will be visiting Arizona, California and Oregon this summer. Suresh will be traveling with David, his son, who is now fourteen. Please join us as we continually cover his family and this trip in prayer. Primarily, this trip will focus on connecting and updating our supporters, fund raising for the 2010 ministry year, and establishing new partnerships while sharing the salvation, love and redemption of Christ with everyone we encounter. Here are some of the ways you can join Harvest India:

PRAY for India

• Pray for Suresh, his wife Christina, and their children as they faithfully press on in the Kingdom work of Harvest India.
• Pray for new partnerships to be formed throughout the World in supporting Harvest India.
• Pray for the funding of projects and continued favor from the Lord in the days to come.
• Pray for the HIV/AIDS Hospice which was dedicated at the end of March. We are still waiting for the gas line to be laid this week and then we will be ready to welcome a combined 20 men and women to receive medical care at this “Hope Home.”
• Pray for the ministries: Orphanages, Elderly Homes, Bible Colleges and Pastors, Churches, Villagers in water well areas, Women still in the Red-light District and those who have come out through the Ashraya Project, Leprosy Compassion, Mercy Camps, Outreaches and Food Distribution and reaching the lost in India.

Follow Us

• Online at www.HarvestIndia.org, sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter, and view our blog
• Join us on Facebook (Search: Suresh@harvestindia.org and join our Cause: Harvest India)

Share the Vision? Be a partner

• Sponsor a child, bible college student, or pastor online at HarvestIndia.org
• Invite Suresh to speak at an event or gathering
• Visit Harvest India and come see what God is doing through the ministry

Have a speaking opportunity for Suresh while he’s in your state? Please contact me at john@harvestindia.org for details.

2010 Travel dates:
Arizona - May 16-May 31
California - June 1-July 15
Oregon - July 16-July 26

Thank you all again for your continued prayers and support. We rejoice in the blessing of serving God’s Kingdom in India and to the ends of the earth. We can do nothing apart from God and we truly believe that through your faithful prayers the ministry will do even greater things in the days to come. Continued Blessings, The Harvest India USA Team

ROCKHARBOR TEAM VISIT IN JANUARY 2010

PRAYING FOR THE LIVES OF THOSE THAT WILL COME TO BE WITH THE LORD THROUGH THIS AMAZING PROJECT

An HIV/AIDS Hospice emerges bringing hope, comfort and dignity to a discounted and abandoned growing population in Andhra Pradesh. There is still a long road ahead before the Hospice doors can be opened to receive patients. Harvest India is trusting God to provide all the medical supplies, workers, salaries, beds, food, and financial costs involved in completing and running the project. The costs have not been accounted for due to the God ordained acquisition of the property. An unaffiliated group, was building the project for HIV/AIDS purposes, but, after financial integrity was questioned, structure between the partners deteriorated. Facing opposition, they were forced to release the property and stop progress on their plans for India. God had other plans for the buildings purposes, for after researching the work at Harvest India the affiliates in possession of the building sought out Suresh Kumar to donate the building to God’s Kingdom work here in India. Although construction was not complete and the building still needed much preparation before it could be inhabited, Suresh saw vision and potential in this divine appointment. Trusting that God’s plans are perfect and that the Lord makes no mistakes, Suresh has continuously, passionately and intentionally stayed aware and available to all opportunities in his ministry. As time would prove, financial resources have come in on time and as needed for the construction thus far. While many resources and materials have yet to be provided we would be remiss to not press on with the plans God has revealed. According to plan, those affected by HIV/AIDS will be welcomed to Leugen de Lacroix’s Hope Center as early as this March. A RockHarbor Team and Senior Pastor, Todd Proctor, will be officiating the dedication of this center, giving dignity and hope for an un-reached growing number of people here in India. The dedication will serve in what Harvest India hopes to be a revelation and turning point that benefits the millions of people here in India that have contracted this debilitating disease. It will provide comfort for their ailing bodies, refuge, miraculous healing and restoration, and most importantly salvation and hope to those that the world has abandoned to a miserable death. We pray that the building would stand as a visible testimony to the hope and freedom found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please contact Suresh@harvestindia.org to find out how you can get involved in the Kingdom work of Harvest India and support this Hope Center

HARVEST INDIA’S LEUGEN DE LACROIX HOPE CENTER TO OPEN MARCH 2010

Over the past few months, as we’ve experienced the worst flooding I’ve seen in my entire life, I’m reminded that the Lord says, “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight. I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron.” [Isaiah 45:2]

There are times in life when we feel like the “crooked places” will never be straightened out. There are seasons in our work when it seems like there are gates and bars holding us back from seeing the vision come to fruition.

But, here’s what we know…WE SERVE A BIG GOD!

God knows what we’re going through, and His eye is upon us. He knows our needs, and He always delivers on time. As I like to say, “He’s an on-time God.”

We are so thankful to God for your love, prayers and support to this ministry always. Without your prayers and generosity, we can do nothing in India. Your financial support is enabling us to touch many lives and share the love of Christ in hundreds of unreached villages. Your partnership is a great blessing to this dark land.  We are praying that the Lord may meet all your needs for His glory and honor in this Christmas season.

$10 Goes A Long Way in India
Will you consider making a year-end, tax-deductible donation this Christmas?
To donate, visit www.HowWillYouRespond.com.

May His peace and blessings be with you.

Suresh Kumar
President of Harvest India

As the flood waters recede in southern India, Harvest India is working hard to provide food, shelter, and clothing to those in need. At least 170 villages have been under water, and over 200,000 people have been displaced. Reports are showing that Harvest India has lost over 200 churches in the process.

A team from Global Sticky Network arrived on the scene early this week to help in the effort and document Harvest India’s work. Thanks to ROCKharbor Church, Global Sticky Network, and all those who are investing financially in this great work.

How Will You Respond to the Flood Victims Today?
For just $10, a person can have their immediate needs met by receiving a blanket, a water pouch, rice, lentils, and a clean sari where possible. Please ask God how He would like you to respond. To support the work of Harvest India, donate online at www.HowWillYouRespond.com.

Last week, Steve and Tracey Ansell (supporters from England) passed along an update on Harvest India’s continued effort to help those who are being impacted by the devastating floods.

“Just yesterday we were thinking that the recovery operation was starting to get underway, but now we hear that due to heavy rain, another flood will come through the state of Andhra Pradesh.   Following a 600% increase in normal rainfall for this time of year they need to operate the flood gates to move the massive amounts of water that has collected.  For 3 months there was no rain and concern was building over the drought that was happening, and then in just 5 days, nearly 2 years worth of rain fell and has so far ruined over 200,000 hectares of crops, causing $25 billion damage to the agriculture industry.

Many of us still have visions of the devastating affect that Hurricane Katrina had on the US; the floods and devastation that are affecting the whole state of Andhra Pradesh is 10 times more catastrophic!

For cultural reasons, India does not like to report the total amount of deaths, but hopefully the above statement, will help to convey the situation here.  It is no surprise that the India government and the state government are reporting this as the biggest relief program that India has put into operation.

750,000 children and their families in the state of Andhra Pradesh need emergency help with the basic provisions of clean drinking water, food and medical help.  With nearly 20% of them malnourished before the floods, you can imagine how quickly diarrhea and water born diseases will spread and inflict yet more pain.

With the news that yet more floods are coming to the same areas, state ministers are encouraging people to stay in the evacuation centres and not to return to their villages.  The floods at the beginning of last week saw villages in over 4 metres of water, and the same is likely to happen again this week.  This is starting to cause confusion and panic.  Where some people have returned, they have faced complete ruin, their homes now just a few sticks in the ground with their few possession half buried in the mud.  The smell and stench is making them ill and the pain, despair and disbelief is written over their faces and engulfs you as try to absorb some of their pain.

We have been so fortunate to be staying with Harvest India and to help with the massive relief work that they have put into operation, we have been able to offer comfort and prayers, hold them and stand beside them as sisters and brothers in their time of need.  We have helped distribute food and water to over 30,000 people at the emergency camps, and have offered them hope through the distribution of blankets, sarees and utensils.  My husband, Steve has been out in the boats rescuing people, and Harvest India have now handed over their boats to the military as the current in the water is so strong and electricity cables are protruding from the water.

Whilst our prayers are still very much needed, this is a time for action, this is a time for us to unite across the globe and put our emotional response into some practical use.  Harvest India have stepped out in faith, using their resources they have immediately, without hesitation to meet the needs of the flood victims, to offer them hope, to stand beside them and to show them that they are not forgotten and that people do care.

I urge you to do what you can, dig deep into your pockets and support Harvest India, by donating online or through contacts that you know that can get the resources to Harvest India.  Every penny that you donate will go to the relief work, no administration or government charges, a donation of $10 will go to providing life saving basics such as medical help, clean water and food for one family.

Harvest India has lost over 200 churches, Pastors will have to begin again, and $100 will provide them with a drum, a light and a bicycle to get them up and running again, and providing a contact for Harvest India in the villages once people are able to return and begin the painful task of rebuilding their lives. God bless you in all that you do and blessings on all your relief work.”

How Will You Respond to the Flood Victims Today?
For just $10, a person can have their immediate needs met by receiving a blanket, a water pouch, rice, lentils, and a clean sari where possible. Please ask God how He would like you to respond. To support the work of Harvest India, donate online at www.HowWillYouRespond.com.

Recent floods have caused much devastation across the state of Andhra Pradesh. At least 170 villages have been under water and many are fighting for survival as corpses of both people and animals have been seen floating in the waters. Early reports are showing that Harvest India has lost over 150 churches, but there have been no reports of death among Harvest India pastors or staff members.

Over 200,000 people have left the area in search of dry ground as reservoirs are full and being diverted to other waterways to protect as many villages as possible. Unfortunately, many people are not heeding the evacuation warnings until it is too late ­— resulting in the need to be rescued from trees and rooftops. As they are being rescued, they often watch their clothing, utensils, and other household goods being washed away. In addition, many farmers have completely lost their crops in the process.

Harvest India Gives Over 50,000 Packets of Support
Emergency relief camps have been put into place, and the local government is doing what it can to help. With limited resources and a lack of contacts to help them respond quickly, the government has reached out to Harvest India for emergency food and blankets. To date, Harvest India has distributed 30,000 water packets and 20,000 food packets. One water packet and food packet will keep one person sustained for 3 days. The focus is on helping people survive and find a place of safety. While this is already draining Harvest India resources, the next stage of sustaining people at the camps with shelter and food will put a greater strain on the resources of India and and Harvest India both. The government is currently estimating that $2,000,000 in support is needed to fund the relief operation.

How Will You Respond to the Flood Victims Today?
For just $10, a person can have their immediate needs met by receiving a blanket, a water pouch, rice, lentils, and a clean sari where possible. Please ask God how He would like you to respond. To support the work of Harvest India, donate online at www.HowWillYouRespond.com.

Each year, Suresh Kumar (President of Harvest India) visits the United States for a “vision trip” to share his passion for India and invite individuals, churches, and businesses to invest in the ministry of Harvest India.

Upcoming Visit
Suresh will be in the United States in the month of September…

Purpose

Sharing the Vision at Gatherings
Here are several possible gatherings where you might be interested in hosting Suresh and Christina…

Your Next Step
If you’re interested in hosting a “gathering” such as any listed above, please Suresh directly at suresh@harvestindia.org.

Be sure to check your mailbox for the newest Harvest India newsletter for the last quarter of 2008. If you just can’t wait, download a pdf version by clicking here. In this issue…

• A letter from Suresh Kumar.
• Highlight of the new “Facebook Friends” well.
• A life story from a child whose life was transformed by surgery.
• A goal to give a Christmas gift to every child in a Harvest India children’s home - 1,228 children!

Give a Christmas Gift!
Currently, there are 1,228 children living in 10 different Harvest India children’s homes. This Christmas, we would love to provide each child with a brand new outfit as a special gift. Will you help us reach this goal?

• 1,228 children x $10 each = $12,280

Invite your friends to help make an impact in the life of a small child on the other side of the globe! After we reach the goal, we’ll post photos of the kid in their new outfits, and you’ll be so glad you participated.

Give a gift through the Harvest India Facebook Cause today!