REPORTS

Love Buckets Reach Reang Tribe

Sathyam Ministries distributed numerous Love Buckets to the members of the Reang Tribe in Mizoram. An accidental fire had broke out in one of the areas of the Reang Tribal Community on March 17, 2010, during which 276 huts were burnt to the ground. 

Reang Tribal Community is acclaimed as one of the twenty-one scheduled tribes in the state of Tripura, India. They became refugee by the ethnic clash between the Mizo and the Reangs due to the killing of a Mizo youth by the militant outfits in December 2009. They are 849 families in total. But 541 are not given any help by the both state governments of Mizoram and Tripura or by the central government. They are left without help but to suffer the fate. They live under the sheets or under grass sheds.

Gospel film show continues at several refugee camps spread over a 60-kilometer radius.  Without any resources to help the needy victims of this fire, some missionaries are faced with a dilemma.  They are heartbroken and helpless to meet the basic needs of even the children and nursing mothers.

They conveyed their heartfelt thanks to Brother C.V.Vadavana and his entire crew for their help and prayers.

Food Distribution

Sathyam Ministries in association with the Whittier Area Community Church (WACC), USA, distributed about 33,000 food packets to the people of the Reang tribe, villages in Andhra Pradesh, slums in Mumbai and Calcutta, Sathyanikethan orphanage in Gujarat, and the Sathyanikethan Disability center in Kerala.

Kinard, Harold and Randy represented the WACC team. Each food packet contained rice, carrot, soya flour, onion and other nutritious food.

Bible Dictionary and Basic Theology Released

Sathyam Publications' Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Basic Theology were released on 3 April 2010. Holman's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, which contains 1700+ pages, has more than 700 pictures, maps and charts. Meanings of Hebrew, Greek, Latin words have also been included. Basic Theology by Dr. Charles C Ryrie has been translated into the Malayalam language.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School 2010 was held at Padintattinserry, Kaviyoor, Kerala from 5 April 2010 to 10 April 2010. About 350 children enthusiastically participated in the VBS. Programmes like story telling, songs, magic shows, puppet shows, and Bible study were the main highlights of this year's VBS.

Third Graduation Ceremony

The Sathyam Theological Centre, Kattappana conducted its 3rd Graduation ceremony on 16 March 2010. 16 students graduated this year. Evg. Mathew Paul from Coimbatore was the guest speakers, while Pastor David H Mills and Jonathan Marshall were the chief guests. The parents of the students also attended the ceremony.

Dr.C.V.Vadavana, chairman of Sathyam Service Trust, gave away the degree certificates to the students. Jon Marshall gave away the awards to the students. The students took their pledge to serve the Lord as well as assist his people by spreading His everlasting and true word and ultimately shunning darkness from their life.

Evg. Mathew Paul encouraged the students to take up the armor of God and strive to spread light and truth into the lives of the people. He also cheered them to take the word of God to the unreached souls and continue their mission to help the people of God. He advised them to imply all their lessons into their practical lives. Located among the timbered foothills of north Kerala, thus creating a peaceful and natural environment for learning, this theological Centre, offers the students Bachelors as well as Diploma in Theology.

Leaders' Conference on Church Planting

Sathyam Ministries, Thiruvalla, Kerala organized a leader's conference on church planting in Vishakhapatnam and Calcutta on 10 March 2010 and 15 March 2010, respectively. About 352 leaders attended the conference in Vishakhapatnam, while 180 church leaders attended the conference at Calcutta. Pastor David H Mills, the chief speaker, spoke during the conference.

Pastor David Mills encouraged and discussed with the leaders about the church planting and its importance through multiplication. Constructing a permanent church building would cost around $2,500. This would also accommodate the evangelist and his family to reside in the building and reach out to the villagers on a daily basis. Cultural programme was another highlight of this conference.

The key leaders of churches in Bhubaneswar, Orissa also met at the conference. Orissa is one of the states in India which has witnessed the highest rate of persecution of thousands of Christians. Arson of churches, forcible conversion of Christians to Hinduism, distribution of threatening literature, burning of bibles, murdering Christian priests, destruction of Christian schools, colleges and cemeteries have affected and feared the Christians in Orissa and thereby decreasing the number of churches and Christians in Orissa. Hence, Sathyam Ministries has joined with the Christian organizations in Orissa to promote church planting, and ultimately spreading the word of the Lord.

Sathyam Ministries is scheming plans to widen its focus on church planting by 2010. The social workers are of great support in this move. The major concentration is in the North Indian regions. 

Convention in Assam

Dr.C.V.Vadavana preached during a convention organized in Assam. More than 14,000 Boro tribe Christians attended the convention. North eastern parts of India have very limited access to any Christian organizations as well as other Christian activities, seminars or conventions. Hence, Sathyam Ministries with a motto to make the message of the Lord available to the unreached, conducted its convention in Assam.

Grand Christmas Gala at Thiruvalla

Sathyam Ministries in association with the Physically Handicapped Association, Pathanamthitta celebrated Christmas on 23 December, 2009 at the Public Stadium, Tiruvalla. The main highlight of this auspicious celebration was the gigantic cake weighing 300 kg, which was together cut by about 100 mentally retarded children. The cake, in the form of a shooting star, was kept for a public view throughout the day.

A general meeting was also held at 4p.m. as a part of the celebration. The chief guests for the meeting were Bishop Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Metropolitan and Rev Dr. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos . Shri. Mathew T Thomas, MLA was also a part of this celebration. Pastor Varghese Mathai, who delivered the Christmas message, said that the true meaning of Christmas is centered on the idea of sharing what you have with others less fortunate than you. He also said that God sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ to shun away our fears and expel the darkness. Hence, as Christians we should celebrate this season without any fears.

More than 3000 wheelchairs were distributed by Shri. Anto Antony, M.P. Also, 'Truth Alive', an English Christian Magazine from Sathyam Publications was officially released by Shri. Achenkunju Elanthoor, the editor of Marapacha magazine and the Chairman of the Deepti Publications. 

About 1000 people from Tiruvalla participated in the grand gala and hence celebrated this Christmas with the differently able children. Cultural items were also put up by the children of Sathyaniketan Special School. Binoy Chacko and his Celestial Communications the sparkled the event with his Christmas melodies.

Truth Alive Released

'Truth Alive', an English Christian Magazine from Sathyma Publications was officially released by Shri. Achenkunju Elanthoor, the editor of Marapacha magazine and the Chairman of the Deepti Publications. 

Truth Alive is yet another great challenging effort of Sathyam Publications. Penned by eminent Christian writers from across the world, this 40 paged magazine is designed to uplift and encourage the Christian faith as well as to equip us to revolutionize the community and lead a life in Christ.

Truth Alive has reflected on various categories such as Bible Exposition, Counseling, special features, Biblical Intellectual Crosswords, Health, Men, Women, Children, Youth and loads on the list.

Second International Seminar on Mental Retardation

Sathyam Ministries organized the 2nd International Seminar on Mental Retardation on 27 November, 2009 and 28 November, 2009 at the Kaviyoor Disability Center, Tiruvalla. Around 250 people keenly participated in the seminar.

Jackie Mills- Fernald, Washington DC, who is considered to be the most valuable resource person interested in improving the access for people with disabilities, was the key-note speaker for the two-day seminar. She instituted the Capital Area Disabilities Ministries, a coalition of 20 Washington DC churches, in 2007. She has been an active participant of the Access Ministries since 1999. 

The parents of mentally retarded children were taught the techniques to educate their child. They were also introduced to the ways to prepare a special curriculum tailored to their child's needs. "Involve your child in extracurricular activities to foster a sense of social interaction", said Jackie Mills.

The aim of this seminar to provide awareness to the parents as well as teachers in making their child self dependent, was successfully sent across to the hearts of all the parents.

Christian Literature Convention - Mumbai

Sathyam Publications conducted a book fair in Sapra brothers building, near railway station, Takurli east, Mumbai from 10 September, 2009 to 10 October, 2009. 50,000+ volumes from world renowned Christian publishers were made available at special discounts. Also, a new consignment of books had arrived for this fair. For more information, please contact: 09446026182

Leaders' Conference and Crusade

Our leaders' conference and crusade was held in Calcutta, West Bengal from 14 August to 17 August, 2008. While about 2,000 pastors and leaders attended the conference, more than 80,000 people actively participated in the crusade. Pastor David Mills and a team from Los Angeles preached during the conference and the crusade. Our staff and volunteers worked hard to make this a big success. We thank you for your earnest prayers and blessings in this endeavor.

Gift Box Distribution

Our friends at Blythswood Care, Scotland sent us a 20 foot container of gift boxes to donate to the needy.  It was wonderful to see the recipients' faces light up upon receiving the boxes full of sweets, stationery items, cosmetics, toys, toiletries and more. More than 12,000 gift boxes were distributed in disabled schools, orphanages, old age homes, schools and Mumbai slums.

Free Wheelchair Distribution

Sathyam Literature Service Trust in partnership with 'Free Wheelchair Mission', U.S.A, has undertaken this precious ministry of providing wheelchairs for the physically handicapped. More than 46,000 wheelchairs have been distributed so far in different parts of India.