From Mary Ann's Desk...

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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” Psalm 92.1 KJV

Greetings of joy and thanksgiving to you today. It is, indeed, a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and as we approach this Thanksgiving season, I have many things for which to to thanks the Lord. I am sure you do too. As you celebrate with family and friends may your Thanksgiving Day be abundantly blessed.
BLESSING FROM INDIA
Having lunch at Amrit
Last month I was blessed, once again, to have a few days visit from Bhalchandra Kamble. Any time he comes to the US, he always makes sure he comes to visit me. And, we always have a wonderful time of fellowship, of discussing the growing work in India, and his increased vision for the work of the Lord there. He is, indeed, a man of integrity and vision, and God is giving increase to the local ministry, and to his national ministry, through his humble leadership. I thank God for Bhalchandra and all who are working with him for the advancement of the Kingdom of God in India.

Every time he comes, we go to Amrit Restaurant for some Indian cuisine. He has found a few select items on the menu that I can eat with much satisfaction (i.e., not too hot), so I have purposed to eat there more often throughout the year. Not just when he is here. He, of course, especially enjoys getting to eat some “food from home”, as it were.

NEW PROJECTS
Bhalchandra & Lena Kamble
Bhalchandra has several new projects underway, which proceed from his large vision to make Jesus known to as many of his countrymen (and women and children) as he possibly can. I will mention only one in this newsletter, but I will continue to mention the others in the coming months.

Establish a new church in Pune. His wife, Leena, will be working side-by-side with him as she has in all the other church planting projects. This will be their eighth congregation in Pune, which has a population of 7+ million.  They will be starting with a small group of 20-25 believers in the new area, and will continue with that church until it reaches a membership of 75. (This may seem like a low number, but in India, it is a sizable undertaking. These kinds of endeavors were rarely heard of in Maharashtra State until the late 1990’s/early 2000’s.)  By that time, he will have another young pastor prepared to take over the pastorate of this church, and he will then provide oversight and on-going instruction to this pastor (as he does with all the other pastors). In biblical terms, we would call him a Bishop. Just recently, Bhalchandra celebrated his 51st birthday.

Every time he is thinking of staring a new project, Bhalchandra always asks for my input and counsel. I am honored to work together with him in this way. 

Please keep Bhalchandra, Leena, and the entire work – all of the ministries and all members there –  in your prayers. Pray for good health; for protection from any unbelievers who might wish to harm them; for all financial needs to be met for the various ministries, as well as the personal needs for all who are a part of their ministries and churches; for the spiritual growth of all to whom they minister.  

THANK YOU
We are forever thankful for you, our faithful partners, who pray for us, believe in what God has called us to do, and partner with us financially and in prayer. It is only because of you that we can do what it is that God has called us to do.

Because there are over 4.4 billion people in the world who still need Jesus, I remain
Yours in missions,

Mary Ann Cassidy

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