ARTHUR MORRIS, MISSIONARY

MADRAPAKKAM, SOUTH INDIA

19 7 2

Every Christian in India has a story of how he came to worship God. In many cases, his rejection of.the worship ot idols has meant trial and suffering. He knows that the worship of God is not easy, and that his Hindu neighbors may persecute him for his worship of God. Despite the dangers, many in India have felt the presence of God, and have decided to worship Him,
no matter what the cost.

Over the years, we as missionaries have heard the testimony of the Indian Christians, and we would
like to share these stories with you. These are all

true stories; when you read them, think how you would feel if you were the person who was telling the story,

D. Eugene Houpt, Forwarding Agent

P. O. Box 215

61Z32

GOD IS LOVING - SEEK HIS PRESENCE

My Hindu name was Kusthurie; now I am called Winnie Bonner. I have BEEN TO THE UNITED STATES AND TALKED TO MANY YOUTH GROUPS, SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER ME FROM THE TIME THAT I VISITED YOUR CHURCH. I WANT TO TELL YOU A STORY OF HOW I CAME TO DISCOVER GOD^ AND HOW I CAME TO UNDER
STAND THAT God IS LOVE.

KhEN my FATHER WAS A CHILD, HE THOUGHT HE KNEW ALL ABOUT GOD. My GRANDFATHER WAS A BrAHMIN, A PRIEST. We LIVED IN CALCUTTA, THE LARGEST
CITY IN India. Our family had been priests for many generations. This was our

FAMILY OCCUPATION. THEIR IDOLS.

STONE GoD.

SiNCE WE HAD OUR OWN TEMPLE TO TAKE CARE OF, WE

PEOPLE HONORED US WHILE THEY CAME TO WORSHIP

WERE A WEALTHY FAMILY.

ThEY THOUGHT IF THEY PLEASED US, IT WOULD PLEASE THEIR

My FATHER, WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG MAN, HAD THE JOB OF BATHING THE
STONE IDOLS. He WOULD TAKE A BUCKET OF COCONUT MILK AND WASH THE IDOLS. As HE DID THIS EVERY DAY, HE SOON BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT ANTS WOULD

CRAWL ONTO THE IDOLS AND LICK UP THE JUICE.

COULD NOT PROTECT THEMSELVES.
WORSHIPPED EVERY DAY BY HIS FATHER.

ThE IDOLS, BEING ONLY STONE,

YeT THESE WERE THE SAME STONES THAT WERE

One day he was brave enough to ask his father why the idols could

NOT PROTECT THEMSELVES. "If THEY ARE GODS, THEN SURELY THEY OUGHT TO HAVE THE POWER TO DEFEND THEMSELVES," HE SAID TO HIS FATHER.
My GRANDFATHER BECAME VERY ANGRY. HE BEAT MY FATHER, AND TOLD HIM

NOT TO DOUBT THE GODS, OR INSULT THEM,

QUESTION OF MY FATHER.

BUT HE DID NOT ANSWER THE

One DAY WHEN MY FATHER HAD FINISHED WORK, HE HEARD A MISSIONARY

TALKING ABOUT GoD.

His peopi e.

ThIS GoD WAS A LOVING bOD, A GOD WHO SENT HiS ONLY

Son TO BE SACRIFICED, SO THAT PEOPLE MIGHT UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH GoD LOVED
My father had never heard of a loving god. All he knew were the BLACK GODS, WHO WERE TO BE FEARED. IHIS IS WHY THE PEOPLE CAME TO THE TEMPLE TO WORSHIP. ThEY WERE AFRAID IF THEY DID NOT WORSHIP THE GODS, THEY WOULD BECOME ANGRY. AnD THE STORIES OF WHAT THE GODS DID IN THEIR
ANGER WERE TERRIBLE STORIES, FULL OF DEATH AND DISEASE.

My FATHER ALSO KNEW MOST OF THESE STORIES WEREN'T TRUE. HOW COULD THESE BITS OF STONE DO ANYTHING? ThEY COULDN'T EVEN GET THE ANTS TO
STOP STEALING THE COCONUT MILK. MY FATHER KNEW THESE STORIES WERE MADE
UP TO FRIGHTEN PEOPLE INTO WORSHIP, SO THAT THE PRIESTS COULD MAKE MONEY.

So HE LISTENED TO THE MISSIONARY. HE ASKED QUESTIONS AND BEGAN SECRETLY TO VISIT THE LOCAL CHURCH. EaCH TIME^ THE TALKS OF THE CHRIST IANS ENTERED HIS HEART> AND HE KNEW HE HAD FOUND THE TRUE GOD. When my grandfather found out^ he punished my father. He laughed AT MY father. WhO EVER HEARD OF A LOVING GOD? GoD WAS NOT LOVE> GOD
WAS FEAR. My father DIDN'T LISTEN TO THE THREATS OF HIS FATHER. He

had FELT THE LOVE OF GODv AND WORDS COULDN'T CHANGE THAT,
[-OR THREE DAYS^ MY FATHER WAS A PRISONER. My GRANDFATHER HOPED TO

MAKE HIM CHANGE HIS MIND.

FELT."

He WOULDN'T CHANGE HIS MINDj HE SAID^ "BE

CAUSE I KNOW THE LOVE OF GOD IS REAL^ AND NOTHING CAN CHANGE WHAT 1 HAVE The anger of my grandfather was so strong that he made plans to KILL MY father. My AUNT HEARD OF THE PLANj AND TOOK UP A LONG CLOTH TO MY FATHER. ShE TOLD HIM HE MUST ESCAPE THAT NIGHT. He MADE A ROPE LAD DER FROM THE CLOTH AND ESCAPED. SOME OF HIS CHRISTIAN FRIENDS INVITED HIM INTO THEIR HOME. ThERE HE TOLD THEM OF HIS DESIRE TO BECOME A Christian and was baptised. He studied the Bible and felt the call to become a preacher. He wanted others to come to know of God's love. All of us were raised a?

Christians^ and came to know of the love that God has for each one of us. My whole family is now involved in Christian service. I work with
young people; my sister is a nursej head of the Evangelical Nurses Association of India.

We want all the world to know that there is a God that loves.
want others to share the love that we have found.

We

GOD IS FAITHFUL AND FORGIVING - TRUST IN HIM

My name is John. I was born into one of the tribes of India. When

I was growing UP^ we always ate our food raw.

birds and SQUIRRELS AND EAT THEM RIGHT AWAY.

We would trap RATSy MICE>

We also ate BARK AND SPECIAL KINDS OF GRASSES.

OTHERS LOOKED DOWN

ON US^ AND CALLED US UNCIVILIZED.

FOLLOWING THE WAYS OF OUR PARENTS.

PERHAPS WE WERE> BUT WE WERE ONLY

In ORDER TO SURVIVE^ OFTEN WE WOULD GO OUT ON STEALING EXPEDITIONS,

The people from the flatlands would often cheat us so we felt justified
IN stealing BACK FROM THEM.

Our goddess demanded blood sacrifices, FAVOR by killing A GOAT.

Usually we tried to win her

SOMETIMES THE PRIESTS WOULD SAY THAT SHE DEMANDED

A HUMAN sacrifice.
FICED MANY

UUR GODDESS LOVED THE BLOOD OF CHILDREN,

We SACRI

IN ORDER TO PLEASE HER.

We WERE LIKE CHILDREN IN MANY WAYS.

MIGHT HAVE GONE ON IN THIS WAY^

WHAT WE WANTED WE TOOK.

We

IF WE HAD NOT MET SOME MISSIONARIES.

When we first met them^ we were suspicious of them.

Everyone dif ThESE

ferent FROM us had always TRIED TO CHEAT US OR PUT US IN JAIL. people were different.
HONEST WITH US.

They came and learned our customs.

They were

ThEY DIDN'T LIKE MANY OF OUR MORE PRIMITIVE WAYS^ BUT

WE HAD

THEY TRIED TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS THAT WE HAD THESE PRACTISES, MANY DISCUSSIONS,

We TOLD THEM OF OUR FEARS AND OF OUR TERRIBLE GODDESS,

They told us of their God and of His love.

SINNERS.

They told us how he forgave

We realized that we were sinners.

Sometimes we did not even know

that what we were doing was regarded BY others as evil.

Through the years^ we came to know of this God and to accept Him.
Those of us who had been converted preached to the others. We compared

the ways of the God of Love to the ways of our once powerful goddess.

Now ALL OF OUR TRIBE HAS ACCEPTED THE ONE TRUE GOD.

We ARE NO ThE HEALTH OF

LONGER THIEVES.

OUR CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL,

FOR THE FIRST TIME> THEY

KNOW TO READ AND WRITE.

OUR PEOPLE HAS IMPROVED.

We HAVE BEGUN TO PLANT CROPS.

BEST OF ALL WE HAVE FOUND THAT LOVE CAN REPLACE

IGNORANCE.

We KNOW WHO GOD IS NOW.

GOD IS HOLY - BOW DOWN BEFORE HIM

My Christian name is Samuel. AT MaDRAPAKKAM HIGH SCHOOL.

I am fifteen years old and a student

I LIVE AT THE BoYS HOME.

My FATHER IS A PUSARI, A LOW CASTE PRIEST,

PRIESTS FOR THE HINDUS.

ThE BrAHMINS ARE THE

My FATHER WAS A PRIEST FOR OUR LOCAL GODDESS^

WHO WAS WORSHIPPED BEFORE THE HINDUS CAME.

Baal-worship in THE Old Testament.

It IS A FORM OF WORSHIP LIKE

The main goddess that my father worked for was named Marimammal^

THE goddess of SMALL POX.

KaRIMAMMAL IS AN ANGRY GODDESS.

We USED TO

BELIEVE THAT IF SHE WAS NOT WORSHIPPED, SHE WOULD CAUSE SMALLPOX.

We HAD NEVER HEARD OF SMALLPOX INNOCULATIONS OR OF MODERN MEDICINE.

Even if anyone knew, they would say nothing, because of fear of the
Marimammal worshippers.

When there would be smallpox in a village, we would be called. FATHER AND MY UNCLE AND MY BROTHERS AND I WOULD GO TO THE SHRINE.
BATHE IT. Then we would beat drums AND SING SONGS,

My OnE

OF US WOULD TAKE THE ROCK THAT WAS IN THE SHRINE DOWN TO A STREAM AND

We TOLD THE PEOPLE

THIS WAS TO CALM HER DOWN, TO MAKE HER FORGET HER ANGER.

My father had a book of magic spells.

He would consult the book

TO SEE how long SHE HAD TO BE BATHED AND WHAT SACRIFICES HAD TO BE MADE. When we were through we would go to other nearby villages and get

THEM TO give US MONEY.

THE ANGER OF MaRIMAMMAL.

If THEY WOULDN'T WE WOULD THREATEN THEM WITH

OuT OF FEAR, THEY WOULD GIVE US WHAT WE ASKED.

Several times a year, we had big sacrifices to Marimammal in our HOME village.
iNsiDEs.

ThE SACRIFICE WAS USUALLY A BUFFALO CALF.

ThEN WE WOULD

BEAT THE DRUMS AND MY FATHER WOULD CUT ITS THROAT,

through the village.
get drunk.

TheN WE CUT OUT THE

After that my father would put it over his shoulders and parade

Once the procession was completed, we would all

Some Christians came to our village^ knowing we were the center of

THIS worship.

There was great commotion in the village,

People tried

to frighten them away with stories of what Marimammal would do to them. Then other people threw rocks at them.
Finally people began to listen.

They would not be frightened.

I was impressed by their courage. I knew that much of the power

Their God was far different from ours.

of Marimammal was actually tricks.

They said this in public.

When

Marimammal failed to defend herself 1 knew that all she was in reality
WAS a painted rock.

Now I FOLLOW the real God^ the Holy and Righteous God.
TRUE from the FALSE.

I know the

GOD IS ALMIGHTY - PRAISE HIS NAME

FIy Hindu name was Lukshman Narayan, I was named after the goddess

Lakshmi^ the goddess of good luck. When I was small, everyone thought I was the most lucky boy possible
I was born into a rich and high caste family. My father was a big

landlord, and I WAC "HE ONLY SON.

FORTUNE.

I WOULD INHERIT THE WHOLE FAMILY

When I was nine years old, my mother died.

REMARRIED.

After a while my father

I HAD SEVEN STEPSISTERS BUT I WAS STILL THE ONLY SON. He WANTED ME TO RECEIVE THE BEST
1 PAID NO

My father HAD GREAT HOPES FOR ME.

POSSIBLE EDUCATION AND SO HE SENT ME TO A MISSION SCHOOL.

ATTENTION TO THE CHRISTIAN TEACHINGS.

One DAY, WHEN I WAS OLDER, SOME YOUNG MEN MY AGE WERE WALKING ALONG,

PASSING OUT TRACTS.

DEBATE THEM.

I INVITED THEM INTO MY HOUSE, THINKING THAT I WOULD

To MY SURPRISE THEY SHOWED ME MUCH THAT 1 DIDN't KNOW.

They left me a New Testament, which I read over and over again, until
I knew I MUST follow THE WAYS OF GOD. I HAD JUST FINISHED HiGH SCHOOL AND WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN COLLEGE.

There, at the University of Hyderabad, I confessed my belief and became

A Christian. I was afraid. 1 knew that my family had the right to cut

ME OFF COMPLETELY, TO TREAT ME AS ONE WHO HAD DIED.

HAD TO DO. I HAD TO WORSHIP THE ONE AND ONLY GOD.

YeT I KNEW WHAT I

My father HEARD THAT I HAD BECOME A CHRISTIAN AND CALLED ME HOME.

They tried everyway they knew to make me change my mind. HAND, THEY OFFERED ME PLEASURES.
WAS TO BE MINE.

On the one

ThEY REMINDED ME OF THE WEALTH THAT

On THE OTHER, THEY THREATENED ME, EVEN WITH DEATH.

Day AND NIGHT THEY TORMENTED ME.

When I would not give in, they stripped me of all that I owned.

They cancelled my marriage.

They threw me out of the house.

There I

WAS^ IN FRONT OF WHAT HAD BEEN MY HOUSE AND MY FAMILY.

COME A BEGGAR.

NoW I HAD BE

I HAD TO MAKE MY WAY BACK TO HYDERABAD BY BEGGING.

IHERE THE CHRISTIANS HELPED ME.

Now I CALL MYSELF A CHRISTIAN NAME^ JOHN.

TRIBUTION CENTER.

I WORK IN THE BiBLE DIS

I have no home. I

Some Christians gave me clothing.

WORK as a janitor IN THE LOCAL CHURCH AND I SLEEP THERE.

SOME OF MY OLD
I TELL

FRIENDS WONDER WHY I GAVE UP EVERYTHING IN ORDER TO WORSHIP GOD.

THEM I GAVE UP NOTHING.

ABLE TO WORSHIP HiM.

I HAVE GAINED THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND I AM

GOD IS ONE GOD - WORSHIP HIM ONLY My name is David. I had a normal Hindu childhood in a strong Hindu

VILLAGE. festival.

This village^ named Periapalayam, is the scene of a famous For ten weeks during the summer worshippers throng our village.

As MANY AS THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE CAOME AT ONE TIME.

My FATHER HAD HIS OWN LANDS AND HIS OWN BULLS.

FAMILY.

We WERE A PROSPEROUS
WhEN I

I'lY FAMILY WAS WELL KNOWN AS A STRONG HiNDU FAMILY.

MARRIED^ I MARRIED THE DAUGHTER OF A HiNDU PRIEST.

We WERE ENVIED BY MANY.
SEEM TOO SERIOUS AT FIRST.

ThEN ONE DAY I HAD AN ACCIDENT.

It DIDN't

ThEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY EYES WERE GOING

BAD.

I WENT TO THE TEMPLE AND PRAYED^ BUT MY EYESIGHT GOT WORSE.

FINALLY

1 COULD NOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DAY AND NIGHT.

I KEPT ON PRAYING TO OUR FAMILY GODS.

ERNMENT HOSPITALS.

My FATHER TOOK ME TO THE GOV

NOTHING HELPED. I

k'E WENT TO PRIVATE DOCTORS.

THOUGHT TO KILL MYSELF^ FOR I COULD NOT FARM IF I WERE BLIND.

One day whiif drinking a cup of tea at the village tea stall I

HEARD A man TALKING ABOUT HIS GoD.

ONE THAT COULD SEE ALL AND KNEW ALL.

He WAS TALKING ABOUT A STRANGE bODy

TheN HE STARTED TALKING ABOUT HOW

HIS God CARED FOR people.

When he started telling about the lame and

THE BLIND BEING CURED 1 STARTED LISTENING.

I CHALLENGED THE PREACHER AND WE HAD A LONG DISCUSSION.

HIM TO MEET ME THE NEXT DAY TO CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION.

I ASKED

As THE DAYS WENT

BY I BEGAN TO SEE IN MY SPIRIT.

OF SIGHT THAN ONLY PHYSICAL.

1 CAME TO REALIZE THERE WERE MORE KINDS

When my family found out they were furious.

SAID^ TO have to CARE FOR A BLIND MAN.

It was bad enough^ they

THEY

A CHRISTIAN WAS TOO MUCH.

thought 1 HAD BECOME SPIRITUALLY BLIND AS WELL AS PHYSICALLY BLIND.

I KNEW BETTER.

My WIFE LISTENED TO ME AND SHE BECAME CONVINCED

It TOOK THREE YEARS BUT SHE ALSO BECAME A

THAT 1 HAD SEEN THE TRUTH.

Christian.

I PREACH AS OFTEN AS I CAN,

I ALSO WORK IN THE FIELDS,

I HAVE

LEARNED TO PLOW^ AND MY WIFE HELPS ME PLANT,

WE WILL NEVER BE RICH BUT

WE HAVE FOUND THE RICHES OF PRAISING God'S NAME,

WHAT WE WERE UNABLE TO SEE,
SIGHT,

We HAVE COME TO SEE

My PHYSICAL BLINDNESS GAVE ME SPIRITUAL

GOD IS REAL - WORSHIP HIM SIMCEKELY

My name is Grace. I am thirteen years old and have just entered

HIGH school.

Our village^ Oothakotie, is fourteen miles from Madrap-

akkam.

That is where my father went to Bible College^ at the South India

Church of Christ Mission. My father was converted when he was young. Even before he went to

Bible College^ he often would sing hymns.

People in South India love

to sing and many times they would start singing songs my father made up.

As he grew older he found many ways to worship God through singing. He made a series of songs about the story of Jesus.
SERIES OF songs FROM EVENTS IN THE BIBLE. "kaleshabram" in Tamil.

Then he made another

TH!S KIND OF SINGING IS CALLED

Let me tell you about a "kaleshabram" service.

When we go to a

PLACE where no ONE HAS HEARD OF WORSHIPPING THE ONE TRUE GoD WE BEAT A
DRUM. This is a signal to people that there is to be a performance.

In the villages^ there is no television^ so people are eager to gather

for entertainment.

My father would begin to play his instrument. to sing.

Then he would begin

Usually^ we would begin at nine in the morning and go late

INTO THE NIGHTj LONG PAST MIDNIGHT,

MY FATHER WOULD SING ABOUT ABRAHAM

He would tell how the
Others in

and Moses and Noah^ of John the Baptist and Jesus.

Christian chu'- ,: began to spread and tell the story of Paul.

the group would answer the questions of spectators.

In this way we could go to villages full of Hindus and inform them

of all they had missed by not knowing the existence of God.

TO REACH MANY PEOPLE.

We were able

We also learned to present the story of the Bible in drama form.

Many of the villagers do not know mow to read and write.

By seeing the

Word of boo come alive before them they could begin to ask the questions

THAT WOULD LEAD THEM TO THE WORSHIP OF GOD.

We were happy doing this kind of work.

As my father entered his

TWENTY-SECOND YEAR OF ACTIVE PREACHING^ MY FATHER BECAME ILL.

YEARS OF SINGING WERE TIRING HIS LUNGS.

ThE MANY

FOR THE FIRST TIME HE HAS HAD

TO STOP SINGING.

BuT OTHERS ARE FOLLOWING HIS EXAMPLE AND THE SONGS ARE

SUNG IN MANY VILLAGES NOW.

Since my father can sing no longer he has been busy writing down
THE stories he KNOWS SO WELL. WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THESE STORIES AND

SONGS WRITTEN DOWN.

It HELPS ALL OF US TO BE ABLE TO WORSHIP GOD IN

AS MANY WAYS AS POSSIBLE.

ThE WORD OF GOD WILL GO FORWARD.

GOD IS REDEEMER - SERVE HIM JOYOUSLY

My name is Joseph Muniyan and I am nineteen years old. STUDENT IN THE SOUTHERN AsIA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE IN MaDRAS.
TO BE A PREACHER.

I am a I AM LEARNING

I WAS BORN INTO A HiNDU FAMILY IN PeNANG^ MaLAYASIA.

MANY OF MY

PEOPLE HAVE TRAVELED TO OTHER PARTS OF AsIA IN ORDER TO WORK ON THE TEA> COFFEE AND RUBBER PLANTATIONS. My GRANDFATHER EMIGRATED^ AND WE WERE

ALL RAISED IN THIS FOREIGN COUNTRY OF HaLAYASIA.

Since we were foreigners we followed our old customs strictly. REMAINED HiNDU.

We

WE LEARNED SOME MaLAY BUT OUR MAIN LANGUAGE WAS TaMIL.

We talked of our home back in India in a village named Nagalapuram,

As 1 grew older life became very difficult. died of a plague. I HAD TO LIVE WITH RELATIVES. My mother and father ThEN THE MaLAY PEOPLE

BECAME ANGRY AT THOSE OF US WHO WERE TAMILS.

Tamils should be exported.

ThEY GAVE ORDERS THAT THE

As A result of the

order I had to leave my home and return to the I HAD NEVER BEEN TO INDIA BEFORE

VILLAGE that HAD BEEN MY GrANDFATHER's.

AND IT FRIGHTENED ME WHEN 1 FIRST LANDED.

WITH EVERYONE A TaMIL.
APURAM.

ThERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE^

ThE AUTHORITIES HAD GIVEN ME A TICKET TO NAGAL

When I reached Nagalapuram 1 found that I had an uncle who said he

WOULD TAKE CARE OF ME.

He WAS AN OUTCASTEy AN UNTOUCHABLE.

EvEN WORSEy

I THOUGHT AT THE TIMEj HE WAS A CHRISTIAN.

He was a POOR MAN. I CURSED MY FATE. My RELATIVES HAD BEEN PROS

PEROUS IN Malayasia.

There were no caste restrictions there.

The land

WAS FAR MORE FERTILE THAN THIS LAND WHERE MY UNCLE LIVED.
UNDERSTAND WHY MY GRANDFATHER HAD LEFT.

I COULD

One day I heard of a missionary evangelist who was going to speak

IN Nagalapuram. Uver my protests my uncle and cousins got me to go

WITH THEM.

For the first time in my life I HEARD OF JESUS AND A REDEEMING

bOD.

I HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A GOD BEFORE.

ThAT NIGHT I THOUGHT ABOUT

THE MESSAGE THAT I HAD RECIEVKD.

1 COULD NOT SLEEP.

The NEXT DAY I LISTENED FURTHER TO THE MESSAGES OF liOD THAT THE

EVANGELIST BROUGHT.

SOMEHOW I KNEW THAT THIS WAS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.

This was the answer to all of the confusion.

After I was baptixed the missionary and the evangelist asked me

what further plans I HAD IN LIFE.

I TOLD THEM MY STORY.

ThEY INVITED
I ACCEPTED

ME TO COME TO THE BiBLE COLLEGE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT GOD.

THEIR INVITATION.

Many of the Christian ways were new to me but everyone was friendly.

I was able to explore the words of the Bible and the meaning of Christ
ianity. 1 WAS ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE FEELING I HAD FELT THAT DAY
NoW I AM PREPARING MYSELF TO CARRY THE

WAS ONE OF God CALLING ME.

MESSAGE OF GOD TO OTHERS.

GOD IS GRACIOUS - GIVE Hlfi YOUR ALL

My name is Chinnamau and I live in a small village near MadrapAKKAM. My grandfather was well provided with the GOOD things OF LIFE.

He had several acres of good farm lanDj and his own bulls.
was his oldest daughter.

My mother

Since there were no schools in the village^

HE sent her away TO A MISSION BOARDING SCHOOL.

Here she learned to read and write.

She also came to know of

Jesus and was baptised.

She was a good student.

Her family made plans

FOR HER TO GO ON TO HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN ON TO A WOMEN'S BiBLE TRAINING

SCHOOL.

Then her father got sick and within a week he was dead.
BECAME HEAD OF THE FAMILY.
PLANS THAT HAD BEEN MADE. ACCORDING TO HiNDU CUSTOM.
FUTURE HAD BEEN SMASHED.

Her uncle

HE WAS A DEVOUT HiNDU AND DID NOT LIKE THE

INSTEAD^ HE FELT THAT SHE SHOULD GET MARRIED^ WiTHIN A WEEK HER FATHER HAD DIED AND HER
SHc WAS ONLY FOURTEEN WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED.

Within the next three weeks^ her uncle had selected a man for her

TO MARRY.

In the TaMIL FAMILY WHAT THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SAYS IS LAW.

Yet when she found out who the man was that her uncle had picked she

FELT like rebelling.

ThE MAN WAS A HiNDU.

HiS REPUTATION WAS TERRIBLE.

He ran with a rough crowd and was constantly fighting AND drinking.

She thought to kill herself.

stricken AND POWERLESS TO HELP HER.

The rest of her family was griefSo SHE SPENT THE NEXT FEW DAYS

IN PRAYER.

Then it was the time for the marriage.

Nothing prevented

THE wedding from TAKING PLACE. MUST HAVE FORSAKEN HER.

HaD GoD ABONDONED HER?

For a while she thought this was the only possible answer.

God

ThEN SHE DECIDED THAT THE WAYS OF GoD ARE

She patiently but firmly

OFTEN BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING.

She began to teach him to read and write.

TALKED TO HIM ABOUT THE WAYS OF GOOD AND EVIL.

My FATHER WAS HESITANT

TO LEARN FROM HIS NEW WIFE BUT HER EXAMPLE BEGAN TO WIN HIM OVER.

He

BEGAN TO LEARN THE HYMNS SHE KNEW.

FINALLY^ AFTER FIVE YEARS^ HE TOLD

He THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT BE

HER THAT HE WANTED TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN.

POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF HIS SINFUL LIFE.

ShE WAS ABLE TO SHOW HIM THAT

God's mercy and love was far larger than his sins,

There was no preacher in their village.

My father decided that he

He

WOULD strive to BECOME A PREACHER SO THAT THEY MIGHT START A CHURCH.

learned QUICKLY AND SOON THERE WAS A CHURCH WHERE THERE HAD BEEN NONE.

My PARENTS TOLD ME THIS STORY.

My MOTHER LEARNED FROM THIS EXPER

IENCE THAT God watches over His own.

When life is filled with sorrow^

My father learned the extent

often it leads to a time of fulfillment.

OF God's love and the difference it can make in one person's life, They have taught us well.
LEARNING THE WAYS OF GOD.

We all go to church together.

We all are

GOD iS COl^iCERf^D - 60 TELL THE GOOD NEWS! My name is Satya^ and I want to tell you about the life of my
FATHER. He was A SIMPLE VILLAGER. YeT ! AM PROUD OF HIM^ FOR HE WAS

A Christian who knew that others needed God.

His whole life was one of

CARRYING THE GoOD NEWS TO THOSE WHO HAD NOT HEARD.

None of us were able to receive much education except from our FATHER.
LAGE^

We stayed ON THE MOVE WITH HIM AS HE WENT FROM VILLAGE TO VIL

PREACHING.

In each new village we went to my father would build A HOUSE THAT

COULD BE USED AS A CHURCH.

would become THE CHURCH.

On SUNDAYS AND AT MEETING TIMES, OUR HOUSE

ThE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE, WHO WERE AS POOR

AS WE WERE, WOULD GATHER TO WORSHIP.

WhEN THE CHURCH GREW STRONG ENOUGH

TO TAKE CARE OF ITSELF WE WOULD MOVE TO A NEW VILLAGE AND BEGIN AGAIN.

Because my father was a simple man, a Christian with unlimited faith

IN God, he was able to reach many Hindus.

THAT he practised WHAT HE PREACHED.
curiosity AND STAY TO LISTEN.

They could see from his life

ThEY WOULD COME TO SEE HIM OUT OF

Although my father got older he never slowed down. VILLAGE that HE WAS ABLE TO PREACH TO HE BECAME SICK.
still young and WEAK SO HE WOULD NOT REST.

In the last ThE CHURCH WAS

HiS SICKNESS BECAME WORSE.

He SAID HE COULD NOT REST UNTIL THE CHURCH WOULD TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

One DAY THE DOCTOR TOLD US THAT HE WAS DYING. MEMBERS CAME TO SEE HIM, YOUNG AND OLD.

AlL THE CHURCH He

He KNEW HE WAS DYING.

ASKED THE CHURCH MEMBERS WHO WERE ASSEMBLED TO PROMISE TO STAND TO

GETHER, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENED.

PRAYER.

SOME OF THE NEWER CHRISTIANS FELT

My FATHER WAS A GREAT MAN OF

THEY WERE TOO WEAK TO STAND TOGETHER.

He ASKED ALL THOSE PRESENT TO PRAY UNTIL THEY FELT THE STRENGTH

OF God's guidance.

One BY ONE THE MEMBERS PRAYED.

As THEY PRAYED THEY FELT THE MISSION

WHICH HAD BEEN THE CENTER OF MY FATHER'S LIFE. GROUP PROMISED GOD THEY WOULD CARRY ON THE WORK. PRAYED THEY WAITED FOR MY FATHER TO PRAY.
HAD BEEN ANSWERED. My FATHER WAS DEAD.

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE AfTER EVERYONE HAD

ThEY KNEW THAT HIS PRAYER

He HAD DIED DURING THE COMMIT

MENT OF THE OTHERS TO CARRY ON THE WORK OF SPREADING THE WORD OF GOD.
God HAD WAITED UNTIL HIS PRAYER HAD BEEN ANSWERE.

That church is still there^ as are the others. IN TELLING OTHERS OF THE GoOD NeWS.

They are still busy He TOLD

I AM PROUD OF MY FATHER.

THE Good News as often as he was able.

FORWARD.

Now others can carry the torch

GOD IS ETERNAL - LIVE EXPECTANTLY

My name is Samuel.
CHANGED MY WAY OF LIFE.

I want to tell you how f serve God and how he

When I was younger^ 1 studied in a seminary.

I read many books.

HAD always wanted TO BE A PREACHER AND ! WANTED TO KNOW AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

After I got married^ it seemed that I would not become a preacher.

There were hard times here in India and the Christian people could not AFFORD TO PAY ME TO PREACH. I DECIDED THAT IF He WANTED ME TO PREACH^
So MY WIFE AND CHILDREN CAME WITH

THEN HE WOULD HELP ME MAKE A LIVING.

ME TO THE TEA FIELDS.

God was good to me and I managed to make a living for my family sell

ing TEA.

As soon as there WAS ENOUGH MONEY FOR FOOD I TOOK THE REST AND

began PREACHING.

WhEN I RAN OUT OF MONEY^ THEN I WENT BACK TO WORK.

My

family BELIEVED !i: WHAT ! WAS DOING AND THEY HELPED OUT.

Now WE HAVE NINE CHILDREN^ ALL OF VsHOM HAVE BEEN TO COLLEGE. EVANGELIST.

YeT

EVERY YEAR FOR THE PAST ^2 YEARS I SPEND SIX MONTHS TOURUiG INDIA AS AN

I DO THIS AT MY OWN EXPENSE; THIS IS MY OFFERIlMG TO GoD. They

Strangers sometimes think that I have abondoned my family.

ING. But we are happy. We know God has blessed us.

OFTEN CRITICISE ME^ BECAUSE OF MY DESIRE TO BE OUT AMONG THE PEOPLE PREACH

'we trusted God and

He BLESSED us.

K'e have grandchildren now.

They are healthy and well-fed.

More important, tkey are happy, because they know that Gc,: takes care of
those who trust in Him. They have a security that money can never buy.

This year, my son-in-law and I kill go out on the evangelist trail TOGETHER. He WAS A NAVY CAPTAIN WHO ALMOST DROWNED IN A STOS,THROUGH

PRAYER, HE WAS SAVED.

IN CHURCH WORK AS WELL.

TkIE OPENED HIS EYES.

AlL MY CHiLDREf-; AR ACTIVE

We SPREAD THE WORD OF GoD TOGETHER

Thank you for using our Vacation Bible School stories. If you XTOuld like ad
ditional copies please write to:

SOUTH INDIA CHURCH OF CHRIST KISSIOW

D. Eugene Houpt^ Forwarding Agent

P. 0. Box 215

Danvilla, Illinois 61S32

BY

ARTHUR MORRIS, MISSIONARY

MADRAPAKKAM, SOUTH INDIA

This set of stories from actual happenings in the daily work of your missionaries to South India have been prepared with youth in mind. You will find these helpful in presenting lessons in Vacation Bible School, Christian Service Camps, or

your regular youth meetings in your local congregation. Please

send your requests for additional copies to the address below.

There is no charge. Thank you for using these stories to good

advantage.

Styctt^ ^KeUa (^une^

D. Eugene Houpt, Forwarding Agent
P. 0. Box 215

^tl6K(U4,, 6t^32

GRACE TRUSTS IN GOD AND GOES TO HIGH SCHOOL

On the dry, bumpy, way tha; leads from Madras to Tlrupathi is a

little village in the bend of the road. It is called Nagalapuram.

In this village is the famous temple of the Hindu,

It has the largest

offering of any temple or shrine in the whole world.

This temple was

started over 1,000 years ago, and finished 600 years later.

It is a

strong Hindu town, and every year thousands of pilgrims come to wor
ship the god of this temple.

A little Christian

girl, whose name is Grace, lived in this little

village.

She had just finished the fifth class and was promoted to the

sixth, which was high school.

How was a poor girl go to high school?

She wanted

She loved God and His word, and had great hopes and dreams.

to learn to sing and play musical instruments, write songs, and tell her
friends of Christ. This would take education. How was all this to be?

All the others just gave up and went to work in the fields, or cared for
a rich man's cattle to earn their food.

Grace did not want to do this, and that is the reason we are talking

of her today.
trusted in Him.

She had a great faith.

She loved God and His word, and

In

She knew He would not fail her or disapoint her.

all the poor families it is the custom for only the boys to be educated.

They feel education is wasted on girls.

But Grace had a purpose in her

Someone must tell
Someone

life, a message in her mind, and a calling of God.

the Gospel to the women and girls.

Someone must be educated.

must know how to sing, write songs, and pray.

someone was Grace.

She was sure that this

She had read in God*s word that if we have faith,

She did

even as small as a mustard seed, then we can move mountains.

not want to move mountains, she just wanted to go to High school.

1.

Grace trusts in God.....contd...p.2

School was almost ready to s-art.

she got all dressed up in he her friends laughed at her,,

When the day came for it to start,

Some of She

bsst s^^irt and blouse and waited. others scolded her, others mocked.

prayed, trusted, and hoped she would be able to go to school.

day ended, and no school.

But the

The next day she got dressed again and waited. A Christian friend came to her village

What do you think happened?

that day and told about a boarding school in Madras that was just for
Christian girls from the smaller villages. She was told that there was

a vacant mat for her to sleep on.

And because Grace was not willing to

give up her hope, she is now in high sch'ool.

HOPE IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING IN THE WORLD

It was a big day for the excited young men at the local truck factory. For today, out of a thousand applications from high school graduates,

they were going to chose eight young men for training in all phases of
bus and truck production. life of security. The lucky young men could look forward to a

In India, once you join a company, it is almost im

possible to be dismissed.

They could look forward to a good salary

and a yearly bonus of at least ten months pay.

indeed be fortunate.

The ones chosen would

No one would think they would ever resign from

such a well paid position.

By ability and tests, one of those eight

out of the thousand was a young boy named Leonard Thompson, a member of
the Chruch of Christ in Madras.

Leonard was active in the youth group, Sunday school, and sang specials
with his sisters and others. At this time, if one of us would have

dared to predict that soon he would be quitting his job, he would have

thought that we would be out of our mind.

V^hy would he quit?

His
Then

future was secure in the biggest truck company in the South,

comes Gods word, and hope.

Hope is costly, terribly costly, and it

may take us from the things that we hold dear and important and show us what is really important and eternal.
hockey, and ran in the track meets.
else.

Leonard went to camp, played

He went to work like every one

But he did not know what was in store for him, because of his

hope.

He did not know the sacrifice that would be required, the giving

that must come until he could receive and be filled by God*s holy word.

Leonard was a real breadwinner for his family and his help was really needed. But when Gods call came to leave this job and good future

to study His word, Leonard was ready to obey.

As is the custom in

every camp around the world, the invitation is two-fold.

One to accept

Christ, and the other is an invitation to dedicate one's life to full

time Christian service. At this time there was no Bible college in

Hope Is Th Most Expensive Thing In The World.cont. p.2,

in India where one could learn of God*s will for their lives.

So Leonard

and Heather had to go 4,000 miles away to the Phillipines.

nearest Bible college.

Here was our

As Leonard was preparing to go to the Phillipines

everyone told him how foolish this was, to give up a good job for some
unseen dream. They were told that religion was all right, but dont

take it too seriously.

They were also told that the church is for

Sunday, not for every day.

Also other dear folk told him that it was

his duty to help his family and this was not doing good, but being sel
fish. Leonard went to the Phillipines, and was soon helping in the

great Cruzada church in Manilla.

He was broadcasting over the radio,

preaching in English, working with the youth, as well as studying in the

university and at the seminary. Leonard came back to Madras as minister

of the church that sent him out.

He is also acting

dean for the

Bible college, and soon will be coming to America for further studies.

He gave, God gave more.

And hope that was so costly was rewarded.

2.

THE BOY WHO CLIMBED POUR MOUNTAINS TO LEARN ABOUT GOD

At the edge of Nowhere, and a little farther on, there is a village

called Kanavaram. There are no highways to this village, in fact there
So if you wish to go there, you have to walk most

are no roads at all.

of a day.

In this sleepy little deserted, forgotten village of Andhra

He had only been out of his

Pradesh, lived a small lad named Rajai,

village to see the world once, and that was when his preacher brought
him to the Christian Service Camp at the Mission Compound, He was too But

young for camp, as he was only in the second grade at that time.

the preacher had to come to teach, and since Rajai loved his preacher
and wanted to be with him, he came along, too. He heard in simple

language about the wonderful God, and His son, Jesus the Christ. Rajai could not yet read, but he enjoyed having God's word read to him.
He did not want the camp to close.

When he walked the long, hot, dry road back to his village, he was
not happy. He did not want to stay here any more. He wanted to come

to the Boy*s Home and hear the Bible taught to children every day. He
wanted to go to the morning devotions for the boys, he wanted to be in

the quiet hour for the evening prayers.

he was only a small boy seven years old.

His father laughed at him, for

It was many miles to the
What

Mission Compound, and there were four big mountains in the way.

would you do?

Would you have such a strong faith in God*s word that

you would walk out of that village, or would you think that it is just
too hard to leave home, and just let the matter drop? The next day, long before sun-up, he started with all the clothes he

had.

They were the torn pants he was wearing.

He be;-an this march to

learn more about God.

His father was afraid when he saw that Rajai was

gone, so he begged leave from his master and started down the road to

find Rajai.
on.

Several hours had passed before the father got started, and
Now it was hot.

by this time the sun was blistering hot. But little Rajai still trudged
He had run the first few miles while it was cool.

The Boy Who Climbed,

Cont'd, p.2.

He had neither food nor water.

How could he go on?

Yet he must, so he

did.

By four o'clock in the afternoon he stumbled into the Mission

The

Compound so tired and exhausted that he could not even talk.

missionary picked up his tired little body and put him on a mat in
the boarding school. Soon after, all exhausted and worried, his
When he was told, he was so

father came and asked where his son was.

happy.

Then he, too, fell asleep on the mat.

Rajai grew in the grace and knowledge of JesUs.

Later, during the

time he was in the fourth class, he confessed Christ as his saviour,

and was baptised into Him.

2.

BA-BOO DOESNT DRUM ANY MORE

Ba-Boo was born 13 years ago to a poor aboriginal family far away
up in Andhra State, His father was the village drummer. As soon as

Ba-Boo was old enough to hold a drum stick, he took u|: the task of
drumming.

The aboriginals are the most backward, most uneducated, most super

stitious of people you could ever imagine.

the forest.

Their home was far into

Until a few years ago when the government helped them,

they did not even have a house.

They lived in a cave, or under a ledge Most of

or rock to protect them from the driving rain and hot sun.
their food is still eaten uncooked.

They eat roots, berries, leaves,

bark, fish, and even lizards and rats.

Clothing on children is a

luxury.

To this most backward of people in the most out of the way

place, was the place where God's word would be taken.

The missionary had a strong desire to take the news of salvation

to these people. The children of this village should not live in fear,
but should know of God's love. Each week a preacher would come to

this village and tell them Bible stories.

Ba-Boo heard the stories

and slowly hope grew up in his heart.

Wouldn't it be good to follow

this new strange religion, and no longer have to beat a drum to keep the evil spirits away? These people had known of a good God for many

many years.

But since He was a good God, they had slov;ly forgotten Him

and began to worship the evil one because they were afraid he would do
so much harm. Soon their whole religion was made up of stopping the

evil deeds of the bad god.

He would come and spread disease.

He

would stop the rain from coming and thus make all the roots dry up. He would stop the fish from taking their hooks, he would make their

children get dysentary and die.

Yes, he was the one to worship.

He

would come into the camp at night and steal away the children, end
cause death to fall upon the old ones. So day and night the drummer

Ba-Boo Doesn't Crum Any more....cont'd. p.2.

must be up and active, beating out a steady strong beat to ward him off.
Ba-Boo learned that the way to control the evil one was to worship
the true God and His son Jesus Christ, and that the blood of Jesus

protected one from all evil.

Through hope in God's word, Ba-Boo and

his father and seven others of the aboriginals, called Villiars, walked
down to the mountain stream and there were baptised into Christ by the

missionary.

Now they have won their friends to Him.

Today, in place

of drums is a school, and Ba-Boo is reading God's word.

KOO-KUM GETS A

DP.ESS AND A

HAIRCUT

Koo-Kum is 12 years old, and has never had a dress, a comb, or a

hair cut. She has never gone to school a day in her life,
or seen a telephone.

Sh bas

never heard a radio,

But she is very clever.

She knows where

She knows which bark will cure a

certain disease.

the best berries grow.

and how to catch them.

She knows even where the fat white rats live,

Yes, it sounds strange in this day and age that a little girl like
many of ycu could be so backward, but it is true,
know about New York, London, or even Madras.

Koo-Kum doesn't

She does not know about

Abraham, Moses, or Jesus, but she knows all the stories about the demons
and witches, and which evil spirit lives under which tree. She is the

best fish catcher I have ever seen, and I imagine she can catch more

fish than any of you boys listening to this story.

She has no rod and

reel, just a line and simple hook.

a basket full of fish.

But every night she comes home with

KOO-Kum lives in the aboriginal colony in Madrapakkam, that little

villare 35 miles from Madras, Their home life is so simple. They

live for each day, and catch enough fish, rats, or berries for the day.
And as long as the evil spirits leave them alore, they live in peace.

Just two years ago Koo-Kum had a baby sister born.

baby, and everyone admired it.

It was such a sweet

But sure enough, the evil eye got

the baby and it was never well.

It did not grow as other cbildri:;r uid.

Even after a year it was su'll

It could not move its arms or legsj

unable to move.

The baby was named Usha Rani, after one of the famous

queens of Indian history.

Koo-Kum knew this was wrong.

S he aad told

her father so at the time of the naming ceremony, but her father had

not dared to cross his wife and suggest the name of Koopai, which means

trash-pit.

This was the common name for a beautif^^l babv

Koo-Kum

knew that you had to fool the spirits,If you called a ) ^^tjful baby

Koo-Kum gets a dress.con'td p,2.

a garbage can, then the evil eye would not rest on one so poorly thought of.
dared

The spirit would light on something else.

to be different. She had chosen a

Koo-Kum*s mother had

Because of this

better name.

the little sister was crippled and deformed.

Drums had been beaten for

hours, bitter herbs eaten, black chickens killed, and the blood sprinkled
all around the house to appet.se the spirit. Usha was going to die. But still it seemed that

Then one day, hope came in the form of the missionary lady.

She and

her family were visiting the church in Madrapakkam. that Sunday, and with

a quick glance saw the desperate situation. bring the baby to me.

Just a few words, "Gome,

Our God and our medicine can make the baby well."

Usha is still in the hospital, but is moving her hands and feet, is
rolling over, and talking and eating. Soon she will be like other

babies.

But the biggest change is in Koo-Kum, who now has hope and
Never again will she live in fear and super
her.

faith in the living God.

stition. For God loves

Each day she would come to wash the

baby's

clothes she would learn Soon she realized that

more about the living God who loves all people.

she needed some clothing.

found that wovld fit her.

Out of the used clothing shelf a dress was

She began to wash regularly, and one day

asked the nurse to cut her hair and help her comb it.

ImagineJ

She

had never combed her hair before, but now she wanted to.
devotions,
hope.

She stays for

and attends church at Madrapakkam.

God*s word is truly her

2,

A PRIESTS SON BECOMES A SON OP GOD

,North of Madras City lies a village called Ponneri.

people live there. office and the jail.

About 20,000

It is the Taluk seat, having both the magistrate There is a temple there. One of the priests of

the temple had three sons, and the chances of them ever coming to Christ

seemed very remote.

As a rule. Brahmins do not serve Christ.

They

will not read and learn of His will.

their hearts to His message.

They will not open the door of

Let us see what God*s word did to the

heart of little Ravi, to turn him from worshipping idols to serving

the one true God. God is living and powerful, and knows the sscrets

of every heart.

And God wanted th boy Ravi for His child.

First, an epidemic of smallpox came to Ponneri.

the disease and died.

Ravi's mother took

Just a week later their father, the priest,

died also.

So the three boys were passed to the other priests.Later

they were put into hotels to work.

Ravi was the oldest, and only nine

years old.

They had to peel vegetables and mix coffee for long hours

just to get enough food to live.

Ravi remembers that he saw so much

food but got so little of it to eat. noble thoughts.

He had no time to think high and

For if he stopped even a minute he would be beaten.

One day a kind man, the president of the Punjayit Board, which is the governing council of Ponneri, took the boys out of the hotel. He

brought them to Madrapakkam to the boy*s home here.

Most of our boys

They

were from the more backward classes, and here were Brahmin boys.

asked if they could have separate food and room.

refused.

Of course this was

They were told that if they came, they would have to eat the
They were

same kind of food and follow the same rules as the others.

so hungry, and anything was better than nothing.

officer left them with us as our boys.

So they agreed.

The

Three years have passed since

this happened, and all the boys have grown so much in body, mind and spirit. Prom the very start Ravi was the smartest boy in his class.

He makes excellent grades in every subject.

Th Priest's Son Becomes . . . . c o n t - p.2.

We were having our Bible Training for Service class, and ftavi knew
all the answers better than any other boy.
Jesus as his saviour.

But he had not accepted

We knew he had faith in Christ, but we also Several boys

knew how hard it was for a Brahmin to accept Christ.

stepped out to accept Christ one day. came also.

To our surprise and joy Ravi

Through God's word he is now Joseph, a child of God.

2.

THE GIRL WHO DARED TRUST IN GODS WORD

Do you really love God?

Do you trust Him completely?

Do you have

such faith in eternal life that nothing else matters?

If you have some

doubt, let me tell you a true story of a young girl from Madras Church of Christ. She was an ordinary girl like many of you, just 13 years old.
But she was

She lived at home with her parents, sisters, and brothers.

different in that she had such hope for a life of service to our Lord,

Heather went to school, church, Sunday school, and youth meetings.

sang duets, and also sang in the choir.

She

She was just a regular member

of the church.

Now here is the important part, what she did, you can do

also--if you put your hope in Gods word.

Heather finished her high school, and got a job as a teacher in an English school.
office.

Then she went to typing school, and had a job in an

She took advantage of every opportuntiy until she had a very

good job and was able to help her family educate the younger children. Heather taught a Sunday school class, was an officer in the youth group,

and a leader in many activities of the church.

She helped plan the

first Christian Service camp at Madrapakkam, and the second one at a

big water resevoir near Madras.

At the conclusion of the second Christian

Service camp, after I had preached. Heather was one of the first to step
out and dedicate her life for Christian service. It was difficult to

give up the rosy future she might have.

It was difficult to leave a

family that needed her and depended on her.

But they shared her faith.

She was one of the first two Indian students who went to the Phillipines

to study the word of God.

It was difficult to adjust to a strange place,

But after five years, she

strange food, and people she did not know.

returned to India with a degree in Bible, and a wonderful husband who is

a preacher- Mr. Jerry Lacson.

In 1966 Jerry came to the United States to study further at Lincoln

Bible College.

Heather came shortly after Jerry's coming.

Many of you

The Girl W^o Dared...cont*d. p,2.

will remember this fine couple.

In just a few months they will be

back in India at work teaching young men and women the precious word
of God in the Southern Asia Christian College,

Who would believe that the little girl in Sunday school would be a

teacher in a Bible college?

Who would believe that there would be a

Who would believe

college in Madras for India and this part of Asia?

that many will come and learn, then will go out and win thousands to
Christ? This is what can and does happen when we take God's word as

our hope for today.

is eternal.

Men may fail, habits may change, but God*s word

2.

A NEW HgART AND MV HANDS FOR MONICKAM

Today we read of hearts being transplanted in some big hospitals.

But this story is not about that kind of a heart transplant, it is about

a her.rt being changed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

was a student in the ninth grade in Gummudipondi high school.

Monickam

He was a

Hindu, and never knew about the Lord until he met our hospital worker

who started treating him for leprosy.

Yes, it was true.

Monickam, the

smart young boy only 13 years old, was already deformed with the dreaded
disease of leprosy. Both of his hands were so bent that it was very
Since the Tamil boys all eat

hard to write and to even hold a pencil .

with their hands, not spoons, he had double trouble.

He could not pick

up the rice with his bent fingers.

His friends shunned him, even though

he was smart.

They did not want to get this dreaded disease.

Some of the

parents even tried to force the Headmaster to drop him from school.
were afraid for their own children's sake. Ty^e Headmaster would not

They

force him to leave school, and even encouraged hir^ to stay as long as he

could even hold a pen or a pencil.

Finally Monickam came to the hospital

at Madrapakkam for operations on both of his hands.

He was very sad

and withdrawn, for he wanted to be in school--not in a leprosy hospital.

So many dressings and so many ulcers, so many stub fingers, and missing
toes really made him miserable. It took many wax bath treatments, many

finger exercises, many splints, until gt last he was ready for the operation. During this time, when it seemed all vjas over for him, he

began to read the only book available in the wards--the Bible. gone to church daily, as all the patients did.

He had

But it did not mean any

thing to him.

It was just a rule.

Suddenly his bitterness left, and in

its.place hop came.

Harsh words changed to kindness, and he was falling

As he saw others, and not

in love with the son of God, Jesus the Lord.

his own need alone, he improved very rapidly.

With one operation ^our

fingers were straightened.

Then another and the other hand, and another

the thiirab was made usable. The days passed quickly, and soon he was able

A New Heart And New Hands For Monickam

cont'd,

p.2.

to go back to school.

We were sad to

e him go back to his home.

We

were afraid that this new found faith might die.

He then came forward

to confess his faith in Christ and was baptised in the hospital lake.

All anger and bitterness were gone.

came a change in his heart.
he will go on to college.

Why?

Witn the change in his hands

We hope

He is now finishing high school.

Modern medical science, along with God*s holy word, is truly the only hope for tomorrow, but most of all today.

AT LAST SHEILA GSTS HER OWN BIBLE

Did you ever dream about something that you really wanted?
ever want something very badly?
your own TV?

Did you

Was it a cycle, roller skates, or even

I want you to think about something you really wanted and

could not get because it was too costly or too hard for your parents to do something that seemed to be above and beyond our reach, yet still
heart.

be in our mind and

Sheila is an 11 year old girl in Alipikulam, near the Mission compounds She was very fortunate for she got to go to school for three full years. By that time she was big enough to work in the fields and care for the
master's cattle. Both her father and mother worked for the same land

owner, and so it was thought that Sheila would care for the rich man's
cattle. She shocked all her friends by not jumping for joy when this
He promised a noon m^al each and every day.

job was offered to her.

As an added bonus, he promised her enough material for a skirt and

blouse at Christmas time. All she had to do was work from seven in

the morning to six at night for seven days a week.

Sheila did not like

this job and wanted to go on to school.

poor.

But her family was just too

If she wanted one meal a day, then she would have to work and pay

for it.

So her school days were over when she was eight years old.

It happened that we had a mission night school in this village, and it

was here that we got to meet Sheila. Sh is most regular at night schol

and because she had gone to school for three years, she can read and

write better than anyone else in the school.

reads the Bible lesson and leads in prayer.

S^e is the one who always

It was one night while

reading the Bible lesson that the dream entered her mind. to have a Bible for her very own.

Her dream was

If she had a Bible she could read it

during the day when the cattle were grazing.

She could practice on the

hard words, and then she could slowly read all the stories and know all

about the men and women in the whole Bible.

No one in her village knew

At Last Sheila Gets Her Own Bible., cont'd, p.2.

all of these stories, not even the local elder who preached on Sunday,

He, too, worked all day.

His reading was even slower that that of Sheila,

This

When she dared to tell this dream to her father, he just laughed.
was impossible.

How dare a daughter of his dream such an impossible

dreaml
cash.

They were only coolies getting their daily wages in grain, not
He never had seven rupees, which was the price of a Bible, And

he was a grown man.

So how could little Sheila think of such a thing? By the generous gifts of you boys and girls
When we heard of the impossible dream,
Now Sheila still cares for the cattle,

God heard her prayers.

in America, Bibles came to India.

we were able to fulfill her wish.

still goes to night school, but she can read her Bible all day long.

GOD*S WORD TODAY'S HOPE

On the Great Northern Trunk Road that goes from Madras to Calcutta

there lies a sleepy village called Gummudipondi.

It is not famous for

anything, and you could easily pass it by while driving on the hot,
dusty wayo Our story today is about a boy, Krishnan, who lived in the He was one of over 200,000 persons who were of

refugee camp there,.

Indian origin that had to leave Burma and go to the land of their

fathers.

First the Burma government sent out all Americans, then other He was an orphan, and came to

nationalities, and lastly the Indians. India not knowing anyone.

He did not even know the name of the village

that his great grandfather had come from when he left India to go to
Burma to work over 100 years ago.

Krishnan did not know God or His word.

While he was in the refugee

camp at Gummudipondi, our preacher met him at the Sunday services and
saw his sad plight. So our preacher was very kind to Krishnan. It

was here that Krishnan saw a Bible for the first time.

Soon he learn

ed to sing songs about Jesus, and even to pray.

It was in this condit

He was always

ion that Krishnan came to our Boy's Home at Madrapakkam.

a good boy, and God's word grew in his heart--just like a plant.
had hope and faith, and real courage, too. When asked how a poor

He

orphan boy in a strange land could manage, he always replied that his
hope was in God. Because he could read the Bible, be did not fear.

This was good, but not enough, for one day he would have to make a

personal stand and confess Christ.

Just last week, the very first day

of April, he was buried with his Lord in the lake near the Boy's Home.
He is no more Krishnan, the orphan boy from Burma; he now is John, a

child of God.

Without parents, friends, or village help; alone in a

strange land, he did have hope.

us through His word. You and I may not be orphans.
of Krishnan.

Axid that hope was God as revealed to

But our hope is the same as was that

I'^IX
fj

S J

l< i 1

W WORDS FROM

nRT
WHO ???
E, MISSIONARY
Dear Friends In Christ:

Greetings.for 1972. The year that just closed was the best that we
have ever had in the history of the work here in South India.

We are sorry that we were unable to send each of you a Christmas letter t-his year. As many of you know, I was in the States for

The press of the work here just didn't allow me time to write, and I hope you will understand. Ruth and I thank all of you good folk
from the bottom o'f our hearts for your thoughts, your prayers, andof course, your tithes and offerings.
God Bless All"Of You In 1972
Art &. Ruth Morris

three months working on the campaign for our new leprosy hospital here, and I didn't arrive back in India until December I7th.

^fcom IRA'S point olj uLeu/

WHO HE ???
Ira Brandon is the Minister of the Northeast Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio. Ira and his wife,

it

Janice, are spending a short time in India viewing

the work firsthand, and teaching in the College.
Dear Brethren:

My indoctrination to Indian life was immediate. Art met us at the airport where v/e began the trip back to the Mission. The national

highway leading out of Madras was filled with hundreds of people walking, riding bicycles, water buffalos pulling carts, and all sorts of^moior
vehicles.
way!"!

Everyone drives like mad, with one hand on the steering

wheel, and the other on the horn button.

And nobody moves out of the

I am amazed that nobody gets killed! !

FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THIS breath-taking saga turn the

PAGE OVER

( iFkn'S roin^ of Vitjw Con'tinued)

The'boys at the Hostel had a New Year's Eve party planned, but Janice and I.
were so tired from our trip, that by 1Qj30 p.m. we had to "hat the sack". About 6:00 a.m. this morning we were awakened by a Band from a local village, playing

on weird/in.struTnentSj.

Was it ever loudt

I thought there must be. at least 25

two oboe

musicians. When I looked'out, I discovered there were only THREE, players and, a drummer, Their enthusiasm was unmatched. .
it will be a profitable one, and an interesting one.
. ' ,

J am looking forward to my< stay here, even though it will be brief,

In Christ's Service,
. Janice & Ira Brandon

I know
}.

A NOTE E
D. D. DASEN
' '

GREETINGS. FROM
DAVID BALASUNDARUM
DAVID BALA-WHAT ?? GIVE ME THAT ONE AGAIN
David-Balasundarum.is the Overseer of Students,, and a Teacher in the Southern Asia College,

Brother Dasen is the Dean of the Southern Asia Christian.College Dear Brothers Sisters in Jesus:

I- a.m writing . td. serial you my

warm greetings for a happy Christmas, and a bright and prosperous Mew Year
of fruitful service in the Lord's Vineyard. V 'fours in His Fellowship
D. D. Dasen

To My Brothers ^ Sisters in Christ: By the grace of God I am kept here, and by His power I am sble to carry on my day-today responsi-^ bilities. Your- prayers have bee'n of , immense encouragement to us ail in the college. We thank you for your
efforts in the cause of the work
""here in India.'

YOUR COtvJTRrBUTIONS FOR THE WORK IN "INDIA

MAY SENT 'TO:

SlDutfr lndra~Xnristian' Mission c/o; Eugene Houpt

Box 215

Your servant in Jesus

David' Balasandarum

Danville, Illinois

61832

SOUTH INDIA CHURCH OF' CHRIST MISSIOW '

F. 0. BOX 215~

Kion-Prof i t

Organization

DANVILLE, ILLINOIS

61832'
\

U.S.

POSTAGE

PAID

Address correction requested:

Akron-, Ohio

^EB '1 6iQy2

KcGILVREYr DIRECTOR

Permit:

109

MISSION SERVICES BOX 177 KEUPTOMp IND* 46049

-V

THE

INDIA

Challenger
PUBLISHED BY

South India Church of Christ Mission

MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR MORRIS, FOUNDERS
MISSIONARIES
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Morris

FORWARDING AGENT D. Eugene Houpt

P.O. Box 215

JULY 1972

Madrapakkam Via Gummudipondi Post, South India

Danville, Illinois 61832

HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

It was a great milestone in the History of Mission work
in South India of the Churches of Christ from the U.S.A.

Dr. Janaki Bai, our Lady Doctor, talked about Maternity, Family Planning and Pediatrics. This department will be
greatly strengthened when the new building is finished. We made seven cakes and thirty nine dozen cookies for the in vited guests and officials. To protect the Health Minister, Prof. Anbazhagen and other high officials, they brought forty nine policemen.

when the cornerstone laying was held for the New Christian Hospital. Just 90 years ago the first missionaries of the Christian Churches came to India. Now on this Anniversary year, the Foundation for the new Hospital was layed.

We first came to India in 1950 to carry on the work started in South India in 1936 by Fred Smith and Dr. Zoena
Rothermel. The first medical work here was started in

The Minister of Public Health was happy to lay the corner

stone and to see a good hospital coming up in this needy area. He is one of the most dedicated and respected officials in our State, so the future of the work is very secure.

August, 1950, by Ruth. It was in a small thatch hut, with just a nurse and a midwife. Since this time the work has made tremendous strides. We had just four beds in this room and dreamed that one day there would actually be a real hospital here. It took time, twenty two years, but this dream is becoming a reality.

REMEMBER: This Wonderful Prospect Can Only Be

Successful With YOUR HELP!

THANKS TO ALL WHO WERE SO KIND TO ME IN U.S.

For the first eight years, our medical work was only general, maternity, colds, fevers, and pediatrics. Then 13 years ago we started into the Leprosy work. Ever since this

has become the major work of the Hospital. We work with the American Leprosy Mission and other Leprosy programs, including the All India Leprosy Control program. It is be
cause we are doing such a valuable service for the Govern ment that visas are given to us. The Government of India

I had to go home for four months last year to help set up FAME and raise money for the new Christian Hospital. I had a wonderful time. Thanks each and every one for your kindness and hospitality. I just wish I could have visited each
and every one of you good friends, but it just was not possible. This was an emergency trip and very limited. Its purpose was accomplished and about half of the funds necessary for the hospital construction were promised.

has co-operated magnificiently in the help given to us. We had planned on Dr. Palmer, the American Consul General making the main speech, but he was called to

Washington at the same time. Bro. Brandon had to speak on

behalf of the people of the United States. Now we have the
promise of the American Ambassador to come and dedicate the new hospital next summer.

To all those who gave, prayed or helped in any way and to all those who provided bed, food and fellowship on the way we say "thanks".
FAME

Professor T.N. Jagadesan of the Hind Kusht and Secretary of the All India Leprosy Control Board made a major address on Leprosy and thanked all in the U.S. for their worthy
contribution to the eradication of this disease.

He has been in this field for many years, and was for
many years the personal secretary of Mahatma Gandhi. The

We are happy to announce that the plans for FAME are racing along and that hospitals are being planned in many parts of the world. Dr. Dennis Pruitt, founder and President, was just in the States for four months to work on this great new Missionary Program.
He is expected here in June, and in our next Challenger we will have a full article by him. Dennis and Lucy are coming to bring the plans and check on the Indian building materials. Lucy is a qualified architect and drew the plans for both Mashuko and Chidamayo, and now for Madrapak kam, too. If ever a place is ready, and a hospital needed,

Hind Kusht in each district is a co-ordinating body to see that the best use is made of each and every leprosy unit. I
was recently elected the Vice-President of the Hind Kusht

of our District. This is the first time ever a foreigner is to be an officer. To get around the problem, they said that they
no longer count us as foreigners. I think that is a real
compliment.

then South India is the place. It is a real thrill to be one of the Directors and to work along with such giants of the
Faith as the Pruitts. Please help us build this great new hospital. INDIAN STORIES AVAILABLE

Our new Collector, Mr. Krishna Murthi, I.A.S. came and spoke also. This was his first public meeting and we were so
happy to have him come. He is the head of our District in every way. He is the Magistrate, in charge of law and order,
taxes and all administration.

Again we have written stories (true ones, too) on the

theme of the D.V.B.S. lessons. There are ten of these and

He praised the work of the Mission and thanked the American people for their wonderful help.

they are free. Just write Bro. Gene.

REPORT FROM THE CHURCHES

There is no doubt about it. The year of 1971 was the

7// />t//- ->-''t;>v

greatest ever in Evangelism in India among the free Churches

of Christ.

We started off in January with Bro. Joe Garmen of Revival Fires in preparafion. In this meeting over 1,000
were added to Christ.

Then we started the most massive survey we had ever

undertaken. Then Reggie Thomas and team arrived in June. This campaign resulted in over 2,500 being added to Christ, and the churches were really on fire for the Lord.
I had to leave in August and come to the United States but the work kept right on going. Since then the churches have built 45 church buildings, and now average ten a month. This is the greatest wave of evangelistic furvorthat we or any one has ever seen here in South India.
We are now starting on the 1972 campaign, which will be from April 1st. to December 31st. Since it is nine months long it will be a tremendous campaign. We ask all your prayers and helps for this tremendous meeting. People always cry, wolf. Wolf. They say that you can not win souls in India, and that India is a doomed land.

Type of church building under construction.

BRO. IRA BRANDON DEDICATES FIVE CHURCHES

We were so happy to have Bro. Brandon free on the weekends to travel to the village areas and dedicate on be half of the American people five new church buildings built by the Indian Christians. It was a fitting way to begin the New Year, for there in the quiet village of Vanimalee the first new church building was commissioned to continue the Lord's work. Though the South India Church of Christ Mission has built hundreds of church buildings, under this new program the Indian Christians are beginning to pay for and build their own buildings. Next came Eguvarpalayam, on a blazing hot Sunday morning the last of January. Then came Nandam and Bietamkodianbedu, and Velakavaram.
Poor Ira was so sick at the last Dedication that he was

We do not believe it. This is what they were saying when we came twenty two years ago. They told us not to come, India was finished for Christianity. Was it? NO! Today there are over 300 congregations in three states. To support them there are the schools. Boys homes. Leprosy and General Hospital and the College and a new Printing Ministry beginning. Never have the opportunities been brighter, never has there been more need for Evangelism. We are going to re-survey each and every village. We are going to teach each and every person who is willing to study to make the churches stronger.

barely able to hold up his head, but the Word was preached and the lovely church with 150 people there was Commis
sioned. The Lord is on the March in India. Thanks Ira and
Janice.

THANKS TO NORTHEAST CHURCH OF CHRIST

We wish to thank the Church board and members in

Our goal is to Double The Membership in the first half of the decade of the 70's and then double it again the last. For the first five years it requires as a minimum 2,000 additions a year and for the last five years 4,000 a year.
Remember, India is where the action is in the 70's!

general for sending their fine minister and his good wife over to India for five weeks to teach in the Bible College. They not only provided his salary, but plane fare, too. God bless you wonderful folk. Thanks, Ira and Janice.
Parcels that have

A TESTIMONY OF GOOD FAITH

A. KRISHNAN, B.A., Chairman,

just arrived at
Madrappakkam.

Kamakshiamman Co-operative Spinning Mills Ltd.,

Kancheepuram President, Co-operative Land Development Bank Ltd., Gummudipundi Chairman, District D.M.K., Chingleput District

I have the greatest appreciation of the work of the Arthur Morris family and the South India Church of Christ Mission at Madrapakkam. I have known them and their work for many years and they are doing the kind of work
we need in India.

MYSTERIOUS FIRES DESTROY BUILDINGS

In all our 22 years here we have never had the problem of fires. It is a worse problem here as the palmleaf and straw roofs are quick to burn. Still it had never happened before. Now in the last few months we have had fire after fire, and all with a mysterious origin.

They care for the lepers and feed and clothe the orphans
as well as educate those who would have no chance for

knowledge. They also help poor villagers with the construc tion of schools and have sunk many wells and dug many roads. Our whole area is much better today because they
have come to live among us.

The first fires were at the Kamalanaidupet Boarding, 5

miles away. The roof burned, then the new straw purchased
for the roof burned. Then the most serious fire started at

1:00 p.m. The boys had just eaten lunch under their dining
hall and gone to school. Suddenly it was all in fiames. Not

I wish them and their associates the greatest success in the laying of the cornerstone and building this new 100 bed hospital. It will help the general public as well as the leprosy patients; for there is no adequate medical facilities within many miles. Please see that this new hospital is completed very urgently. It is needed now!
Sincerely,
A. Krishnan

only the dining hall, but storeroom and all the bags, plates
and boxes burned up, too. The clothes of the boys are not kept in cupboards or drawers in India for fear of ants, but in steel trunks. Trunks and clothes all perished. About a

month later, at the same time 1 ;00 p.m., one of the men's wards at the leprosy hospital caught fire and burned. Again
beds, clothes and instruments were lost. We have not a clue as to who is back of it. PLEASE PRAY FOR US!

RALPH HARTER SPEAKS IN CHAPEL

COLLEGE PROFESSORS NEEDED

We welcomed Ralph Harter to the College for a special reason. He was the human instrument the Lord used in get ting us to India. Ralph came in 1947 and we in 1950. Ralph
gave a very interesting test or rules as to how to tell when

We started in 1971 a program of having American

preachers come over to India for a short time and teach

we are actually doing the Will of the Lord.

concentrated courses to the Bible College students. The first such Guest Professor was Bro. Ron Barnes, minister of the Antioch Christian Church, Washington, Indiana. Ron was able to stay from the middle of June to the first week of August. He is even now taking speaking engagements for the college, going into other churches and groups to tell of the work of the college, in his free time.
The second such Guest Professor was Bro. Ira Brandon.

He did one better, in that he also brought his good wife Janice along. There was really a lot of things done then. Ira taught the classes and gave the regular professors a rest, and Janice worked in the library and office. They were able to stay for five weeks, by the courtesy of the Northeast
Church of Christ, Columbus, Ohio.

MR. SAM OOMEN SPEAKS IN CHAPEL

One of the most interesting Chapel speakers for the year at Southern Asia Christian College was Mr. Sam Oomen from Conoor, S. India. Sam is a real man of Faith. He left the Syrian Church 46 years ago. They even tried to kill him at the time. He found New Testament Christianity by him self and preaches it all over India by his own means. He was a tea planter who started a company mixing lea leaves and dust. He sells enough to support his family and pay for his preaching trips. He goes on long trips every year and has for the last 42 years. He travels from October to March, all over India, preaching the Word of the Living Lord. The sacrifices
asked of the Indian Christians are so much more than are

We believe it is far better to have qualified American preachers and professors come to India to teach the Indian preachers there, than to send the Indian students to America. It is cheaper, better, and builds bridges of International understanding. This helps to show to our boys that there is but one Church, the Church of the Living Lord, Universal. There is not just the Indian Church or the American Church,
it is world wide.

We have other preachers, Professors and College Presidents who have promised to come. We will tell you about them when they arrive.

required of the American Christian. Counting all kinds of

Christians, over half of this are Roman Catholics, there are only about 10,000,000 who profess Christianity in any way, out of a total population of 575 million. Brother Oomen challenged the students to sacrifice for Christ and to look at

GRADUATION AT BIBLE COLLEGE The Fifth Annual Graduation service took place on Sun day evening, March 26. The main speaker was our Indian friend, Dr. P. David, who studied at Harvard University. He is the President of the Gurukal Theological Seminary in
Madras.

every sermon before they preach it. "If it does not show Christ as the answer to the problems of the people of India, then don't preach it." That might not be a bad criteria for American sermons, too. Here we are face to face with the devil every hour of every day. Bro. Oomen will return to the College in the Fall and hold a Spiritual retreat for us. Thank you for coming, Sam.

It was an impressive sight as all the young men leaving the college were in the traditional black robe. There were

eight young men who had finished the two year course and are now going out to serve in many states. Many guests came in from the villages and surrounding cities. God has blessed the College so wonderfully. So many teachers have come and gone and we have had to change the location several times. The students have been very diligent this year, for never have they had the privilege of getting to know so many teachers. First there was Bro. Ron Barnes who taught in June and July, and then Bro. Getter in October and then the Brandons in January and part of February. These and Bro. Reggie Thomas and the Rostovit twins make up the largest group of American teachers ever witnessed by our student body. These guests are in addition to Ruth and myself. Dr. Dasen, our Dean and David
Balasundaram, the warden and Teacher. Also we have a full

'ini

time English teacher, Mr. Kannudurai and music teacher, Mr. Daniel. Also visual aid department and student trade department. Front entrance to new college property. 55 Harrington Rd.
MRS. LOIS MORSE SPEAKS IN CHAPEL

The only lady to speak in chapel for the whole year was
Lois Morse. She is the wife of Professor Laverne Morse. She

We look for the finest year ever in June when we start for the sixth year. As an addition to the College schedule, we will open a Branch at Madrapakkam, in the vernacular of Tamil and Telugu. This will give those who can not study in English or who can not be in the city also a chance to be able to preach. That means more work for an already over
burdened staff.

spoke of her interesting experiences in Burma. Many of our

habits and customs are the same so there was instant rapport
between her and the students. When she told of the faith

Dr. Dasen has suffered ill health for some time and has

and love of the Asian Christians, and how they had to die to defend their faith, there was not a sound in the Chapel or

now retired. He was in his 70's, and the strain was too much. We need a qualified Dean very badly. PLEASE pray for
vernacular school!

a dry eye. With Lois was Mrs. Zola Stradling of Springfield, Ohio, who also brought greetings. Welcome back ladies.

the regular classes and the new

f;-'

Planting rice. This is always done by women.

Sharon and Art at Madras.

MORRIS CODE

It has been so long since we have had a change to personally chat with you, our friends. Though it is not possible for us to drop into your home, we can come this
way.

Do you realize that we have just finished twenty two years in India? We resigned from the church in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in May 1949 and one year was spent in getting acquainted with you good folk. And now twenty two years in actual work. There were only three small churches and one preacher all in Madras City. Today the church has spread, it is not only the Madras City, but out into the three states where we live. This is an area 400 miles long
and 250 miles wide.

Hostel boys washing clothes.

We want to thank you folk who have stood with us through these years. We are so proud of our Living Link Churches. In these twenty two years, not one has ever stopped support. Because of the increase in the family and rising living costs in the years, most of the churches have steadily increased their giving. A big thanks to the finest group of Christians in the world. Not only have our Living Link Churches stayed with us so faithfully, but also many of the regular givers, too. Many of the givers started in 1949 and 1950 and are still with us. This is a wonderful example of how Real Faith Missions
work. I want to apologize to you for not writing more often.

I just wish we could but the many things that demand to be done, there is very little time left to write. You good folk have been understanding of this and we appreciate it.
We were so happy in April when our eldest son, David,
returned to India for a while. He has finished his college

Art in outdoor chapel at new college.

and written a book and will now help us set up the new Printing Press. David flew in on the new Excursion fare. I do not know if all of you, our friends, know how cheap it is to come to India now? You can go round trip from New York to Bombay and return for only $450. Just think of the bargain. Come visit us! Patty finished her first year of University and Sharon her first grade. Patty was enrolled in Queen Mary's College and Sharon in Ewart's school. Now it is vacation for everyone. Thanks to every one for the letters you write, parcels you send and prayers you pray for us. Please keep them all up, for the Devil is so strong and active. But Our God is Great!
ART and RUTH

Typical road of India and the ever present bullock cart.

\\5Cp
SOUTH INDIA CHURCH OF CHRIST
ARTHUR AND RUTH MORRIS

q-72.

Ninety years ago the first missionaries were sent to India from the Christian

Churche^nd Churches of Christ.

6.^IWIC ETABi.ISHED In 1950 Arthur and Ruth Morris went to India to carry on the work of Dr. Zoena Rothermeland Fred Emith. Two months after their arrival, Ruth TJIorris began

th^ew Christian Hospital at Madrappakkam,

the History of mission vjork in South India when the corner stone was laid for

A great milestone was reached this year in

become a reality. The work grew from maternity, colds, fevers and pediatrics tc^an important center for the treatment of leprosy. Land was purchased for a new,all-purpose hospital in 1955, and government secognition of the medical program was given In October 1958. Today they have a fullfunctioning lepronition and aid of UNICEFf the American Leprosy lilission, All-India Leprosy
(United Nations].
CORNEK STONE CEREivIODIY

a general clinic in Madrapr^akkam Village. It was in a small thatch hut with just a nurse and a midwife and ."just 4 beds, but they dreamed that one day there would actually be a hospital there. It took 22 years for the dream to

sariuT^erving thousands of in and out-patients.

This program has the recog

Control Program, Leprosy Mission of London and the World Health Organization
At the corner stone laying for the new hospital Professor T. N. Jagadesan, vSecretary of the All India Leprosy Central board made a major address on lep

Hind Kusht -

rosy. He was, for many years,the secretary of Mahatma Ghandi and is a member of the Hind Kusht, a coordinating body to see that the best use is made of every leprosy Wnit. Art Morris was recently elected Vice President of the
was exolainedftha^''^^ther Morris is no longer considered a foreigner.
EVANGELISM PROGRESSES

first time a foreigner was ever elected as an officer - it

In 1971 Arthur Morris reported that their ministry with and through trained Indian national leaders has seen more than 1000 baptisms a year for the past seven years with 5,559 baptisms for the first 10 months of that year. During the^^ear 45 church buildings were built. Today there are over 500 congrega tions in three states. To support them there are schools, boy's homes, the

leprosy and general hospital, a Bible College ai^_a_^new printing ministry.

teach each and every person who is willing to study to make the churches

FUTURE PLANS

Plans for the future are exciting. In his July 1972 n^sletter Art Morris stated: "We are going to re-survey each and Vvery ^Ijdlage. ^"e are going to
stronger. Our goal is to Doulile the Membership in the first hal^ of the
For the first five

years it requires as a minimum 2,000 additions a year and for the last five years 4,000 a year. Remember, India Is where the action is in the 70*s,"
FAME

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Mrs. Ruth Morris

The year 1972 has been good for the Boys' Home. New boys have been added, the spiritual ministry has been deepened and many have been
added to the Lord.

to send an inquiring letter. Thus we can both be sure, and I willhave the added pleasure of hearingfrom you personally.

for special Christmas treats.We wish you a Merry Christmas Thanks for this. We will try and let you know as they arrive. But if you don't hear,be sure

The Christmas season is upon us. Many ofyou have sent checks and gifts

choruses so they can go out each morning in December to Christian homes and

if at all possible, a pair of shoes for each child. They have started practicing

This year we are trying to give each child a special gift; special food

almost all children. We go on making them as time and money permits. The colors are white shirt and blue half pants, and the boys are proud to receive
their uniform.

serenade them. Special shirts have been made for them from the material given to us from Carlistle, Ky. School Uniforms have also been made for

Now that we are back to printing the Drumbeat we are offering you a apologies for the lack of a monthly magazine. It is our dedicated hope and aim to resume these monthly issuei. We believe this Magazine is important to you for information at Ladies Missionary Meetings ; to challenge the young
people of the Church and to make knov/n this branch of the work of the South
special this month. This is the Drum Beat Annual of 1972, offered with our

will find them in the group photos...also, we will continue in next month's
issue with pictures until all are included.
Sponsoring.

ing work. We thank you for your patience and for your help during this year. Some of the individual picutres of the boys will not appear here. You

India Church of Christ Mission to you. Certainly it is a rich and reward

\ ou may want to cut out and keep the photo of the boy you are

G. PILLI

B.

MUTHTJ

I. MTJNUSWAMY

DAMODARAN

S.

JAMES

sathakadan

I
MUNIRATHNAM

MARIYAPPAN

E.

SELVAM

M.

hAMPATH

'f

AElaine to Dexter Joel

HAPPY EVENTS
the love of Jesus in a new home. The

I We are happy to announce the

wedding of our daughter, Patricia
Whittemore

happy couple are now studying at Tambaram Christian College, We are grateful that Grandma Rice, David Morris, Debbie and Carrie

on July 15, 1972.

This happy wedding was celebrated at Madarapakkam, where approxi mately 1,000 guests were in attend ance. Patty looked beautiful in her brocade gown. From the enclosed picture you will be able to share a
little in the event that was so close to

Bakers were among those lending a

helping hand.

Among the Happy Events is the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs,
T. G. Aruldoss. We know this sweet

our heart. Eyes were mistry as her brother David gave her away as her father performed the ceremony. For
me, it was one of the sweetest and

baby will be dedicated to God. She is

irrestiable to one and all around her.

We know Aruldoss and Joyce are

dedicated to the service of their Lord.

most beautiful weddings I have ever

attended. It was a culmation of

Patty's life in India with her family. As she leaves here to begin a new
life with Dexter, we wish them both

" Baby " will grow up to be a blessing to our Christian community.

Also married: A. Durai, one of our

older

"boys"

married

Leenal

happiness long life and joy's through

Devasitham.

WALKING TO A

PROSPEROUS NEW LIFE

ei .TJ/I i)
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warorx, mAdarapa^^
ddoff jti lii iljifiriih

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otin hA

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mf /laaz-'td rljrw -'lil hue--lil iin>} Rai>nkK{i:ii

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BO"ts WITH HOSTEL WARDEN, NAGALAPTJRAM

>

Jill Sood 'WuU

" for

' ?a?''ou 'iiJo .i- 1 1

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oW .b'fO.i
, ,

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k:.la oil) lo
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Chtistmas
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Boys Home; of InJia

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BOYS WITH HOSTEL WARDEN, KAMALANAIDUPET

NEWS IN REVIEW
We thank visiting friends and well brought 14 of our boys to the throne wishers for their interest in the Boys' of the Lord. We are hoping for a Home while visiting here in India. return visit from him.

Especially our deepest thanks go to ^Mr. Mth Rnh Small. Dr. Snead (Mrs. Bob Small) worked closely with this Home, examining all .the hoys and prescribing for their ills.-. She

Today one of the special spiritual treats are being enjoyed. Daily in Madarapakkam are Reggie Thomas, Janice and Paye Rostovit. I know the Boys will long treasure this special

taught all of ns the dangers of hook joys. Christmas will have a deepened worm and intestinal parasites. Her meaning and the spirit of joy will
well

can just see dealing with 400 thongs or shoes daily, but we are ready for
this stage. ' ^

received recommendation was shine from these boys during the that all should wear shoes or thongs. I coming year.

Your prayers are requested for your

new adopted boy, for the children of

Mr. and Mrs. Small brought with Churches of Christ. Bro. Jaysingh them their childen and a friend. They left us in July to meet his Savior. were good for Madarapakkam.
mother, Mrs. Lula Rice, made her first visit to Madarapakkam" this year. How the children loved Grandma/ still they are asking about
her healthand remember her so

Bro. Jaysingh, beloved preacher of

Three of his children must now forever be without his care !

sweetly. All the family enjoyed her visitshe looked into each and every .
pain or trouble of each person she met. Such sympathy and interest they have seldom known.

Dave Thomas has been a blessing to the Boys. Dave was advance man for the Reggie Thomas Evangelistic
Team. He has a deep understand of Pesron to Person Evangelism. Dave

has such zeal and understanding of

each person he meets that one and all are happy to be with him. Dave

jiriw

UM.

vr*"

SNAmi

SNmsi

SNAKES I

Everyone admires my rich ooIor my to the music because, alas, we can't hear. graceful glidingwalk, my black beady eyes. We follow the movement of the flute because Yes. these are things to be admired* But I we can see, somewhat. Also, the snake
am not well known. I hide around a lot. And
charmer is' such a man that he removes our

do you know why? Because everyone wants

to kill me. Boys throw rooks on my pretty

coat. Men chase me with sticks. Women scream and faint at the sight of ine. I am a snake, often in the grass.

fangs, and sometimes sews our mouth shut. Too, some of them are not actually hurt

because of our poison.

A moderate size snake of the cobra family has enough poison to kill 10 people. A lot
of you will believe the babies are not so

Do you retlly know of the good 1 do ? I

kill ofiF and eat all kinds of creatures that

dangerous, you will watch them running

might harm cccrops. I help the ecology of around and sa^r=^^^

the country. I serve as a medieine when 1
have been killed, or die of old age, which is
instance, has

baby ". But, doti^ A baby coliS;-N^r

older ones of us do. ^Why 1 BecaSe the
poison is diluted and becomes less dangerous

-wESr=Ssu to little

seldom. I provide the skin for purses and

shoes. I am even to be bought from the

supermarket in tinned supplies. (1 serve as an object of worship in some states and

countries).

as age increases.

We try to pt ^Ipjig witfc^

step on us (yes, even that.

and all and

Do you know my habits ? 1 rarely enter into someone's house with

live in peace, iif wei are attacked or if we are in a corner, onff someone should
We have to bo

so watohful)...then th6re ar8ome things you the idea of destrnoiion. Rather, a juicy

morsel will present itself in the way of a frog and I am trapped in the house. Where once the door will be open, when I am seen a "No Exit " sign goes up, and I am again chased
with the intent of being killed.
When I am allowed a little peace and

should know to lielp both yourself and us.

First, if you shouid meet us under adverse conditionis, dbnt run in a straight line. Always zig zag. And if possible jump over a ditch. Should you get a bite, go to your doctor at' once. If no doctor is close by tie
a rope or a belt above the bite.

quiet, 1 find a good next of dried leaves and lay my eggs. The nest needs to be larget
least 18 inches high for the cobras, and it
must have two chambers. The lower chamber

This will siwo the poison from spreading.

Then make a small cut on the bite and suck slowly but steadily. Cobra poison is i)ot,daMgerous if swallowed. Asa matter of fact, it is used for the treat
ment of colds.

upper chamber^ I st% in the nest uutil

the eggs hatch;, because 1 am a good mother. Hopefully between 12 to 16 eggs will hatch. The eggs are hatched by the heat of the sun, and you have n6 idea how time consuming this
homemaking is 1 ! ! Between 40 to 60 days

is for the eggs, and I coil myself up in the

Now you know some of oiir secrets, and I

will try to tell you other^iu coming issues

of the Drum Beat. Try to think on all I
have said this month......
Gobraeem

is required for each batch of eggs to hatch.

You will have h^rd of snake charmers

who pipe music to the

snakes 11??

dancing of the

Hissingly yours,
COBBAINA.

Well, we have a few secrets

regarding this, too.

We don't actually sway

J. K. STJBRAMA^I

JESUDASS

ELVMALA^E

'S /'

>.

. -

BOYS IN OUR HOME (JUNIOR SECTION)

Open Ckristmas Letter for tliose wlio kave careJ for us Juring 1972
Christmas is here. Gifts for us are

and message they have made know

pouring in from you. We are thrilled His love to all. and happy for these things. But at of Christmas
this season we are especially happy for

That is the message

^

the gift sent from our Heavenly

Father, our Lord Jesus. Because of the love that Jesus has shown to us, we are now hearing about him from the How heavenly

We wish to send you our thanks for helping this wonderful group and
Dave Thomas visit with us. We also

want to take this opportunity to Reggie Thomas Team, which includes thank you for our food and clothes,
the Rostovit Twins. for your wonderful interest in us and

they sing of His love, and how hard they all work to go through monsoon rains, through cyclone weather and over roads which are impassable. They are telling of His love to each and every man, woman and child that they
can reach. Here is the wonderful love

the help you have given us through

the years. We feel you spirit of love though you are many miles away.
We feel the kindness and warmth of

heart that you have, and we pray God's blessing on you at this Chritmas
time. May the gift of God, the Lord Jesus, be yours as He is oursthen

of Jesus being acted out daily in front of us. What a blessing they are this year to challenge us and encourage us
in our Christian lives. Fourteen of us

we can truly be united in His Holy

Love.

have been baptized into His blesssed

Name since the arrival of this team.
In Andhra where there is internal

Yours in His Blessed Service,

Abul Doss,
For Boys Home of India,
Christmas 1972.

trike, this team has told of the Peace that Jesus can give. Through song

Last Minute News from Nadarapakkam

Reggie Thomas and the Rostovit Twins have arrived ! ! ! ! ! Coming into the house from a shopping trip, what did we see but the Rostovit Twins sitting on the verenda, surrounded by rose petals from the garlands
received their host of friends here, strumm

theme song nf the Twini.

We are looking

forward to rewarding and rich experience

with them and Reggie out in the villages of

Madarapakkam. My health is still somewhat in the middle
I can do a lot of work here in Madras, but

ing on their guitars. Around them were their friends and Sharon, wide eyed and listening as they brought new songs and
choruses to South India. It seemed that

time had passed swiftly, and the Twins were dressed in the very same saris 18 months ago, with the same hairstyle, with the same musical instruments as when we all tearfully bid them good-bye. But no ! ! ! ! ! Something has been added. I pointed in the direction of this new some thing and got my finger bit, so now I am

very cautious. They are puppets. And very endouring as they open wide their mouthB and sing "Oh, How I Love Jesus"the Mighty Man, Mightly used of God,

evidently not in Madarapakkam. Oh, yes, I go to Madarapakkam a lot; but the streneoua work required there is left in the hands of our capable staff and dedicated Christians. But we can never be very sad when we sit around the table with our present guest Joe Garman. The pictures he showed of his two darling girls make us realize the sacrifice he has undergone to tell Madras of the saving power of the living Jesus. Nightly he is proclaiming His Word in a mightly way with good results. Daily he is bringing his knowledge of the Bible to the students at Southern Asia Christian College, Joe is a

^niml> eo lol
V/oui yf^im '.'Yfid v;uiJ a;;.-n
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iol a>lri='ii,

vr>il oilvf o. !; :
.![';<;]

n^qO
!,
.

r/te Child of cJiing

Hy father is rich in houses and lands,

hnfi q:j(
oalfi trlf

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hand!

oi '{tiiiurt
bnii air nj

of rubies and diamonds, of Silver and Gold,

His coffers are fullHe had riches untold.

My Father's own Son, the Saviour of men,

ovol 'lo -jI .Vf/Z/fi b'A f
Aiimfvu

y^jGiq o ff I
) '^is

Once wondered o'er earth as the poorest of them; But now he ip reigning forever on high, and will give me a home in heaven, by and by.

biOwl tJxU

;:L
:

>(IoH aiH fii j)

I once was an outcast stranger on earth,. A Sinner by choice and an alien by birth ! . But I've been adopted, My name's written downan heir to a malnsion,
A robe and a crown.

Vi-itvAft .'Vi

,K>0(\ .1 Kl/.
(4iaKl 'io aiioil r- ixH
/."QV tfiiuar\MV.>

A tent or a cottage, why should I care ? They're building a place for me over there / Though exiled from home, yet still I may Sing ; All glory to God, Sin a child of a King /

FOEM FOM "ADOPTION

'Jilidon! n ,

'I. %ouid like to adopt

support of the boy.

boy(s) in the Boys' Hom^

oif India. I am enclosing $5.00 per month or $60.00 for the year for complete
I am not able to adopt a boy, but want to send a gift to help a poor boy or girl. ^ .
Name.

Address. Amount. $

Send THE ABOVE card and/ob Gift 'to; the Boy's Home of India. ;OlipN,j
Indiana, and you will get tHe Name a-^d .History of the child. ,
> " .

. ; .'J VlfiV
I

: ilia Lii