My wife, Hepsi, and I visited South India and Sri Lanka on a six-week preaching mission in November of 1999. People there are hungry to hear the Gospel message. Churches are breaking through their seams. In a little church in Uthangari, India, 300 people were crammed into a small building for the morning service. In another village, the pastor said, "We need a bigger church. Our congregation has grown from 5 believers to 100. We have no place to worship."

By auctioning their poultry, eggs, and vegetables, the congregation is saving money to purchase land for a church building. After preaching, I was able to baptize 50 men, women, and children who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I have been informed that 10 more have been baptized recently. We rejoice in what God is doing in India.

We visited the tea plantations and city churches in Sri Lanka, preaching the Gospel. Over fifty people were baptized there and five new congregations were started within the month of November. Five new pastors have been appointed to disciple these new converts and continue ministry in the midst of persecution. People are spiritually starving in Sri Lanka and want the Good News of Jesus Christ fed to them. Will you commit yourself to pray for those who are serving God and those who are in need of knowing what Jesus Christ can do in their lives as they ask Him to be their Savior.

Persecution of our brothers and sisters in Sudan, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and many other countries is becoming bolder, more and more aggressive, more severe, and more violent The persecution is most severe in small villages where Christians are a small minority. Christian missionaries, pastors, and their families have become a prime target of Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim fanatics.

Our Christian brothers and sisters are standing boldly and witnessing to their Christian faith in the midst of terrible persecution. If they must shed their blood for their faith and the cause of Christ, they are willing to do so. They believe that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church. When Pope Paul II visited India in November, he was bold to speak to the leaders and the people of India. He said that freedom of religion is the right of every citizen of India. He did not bow to the wishes of Hindu fanatics. He encouraged the Church to be faithful to the task of evangelizing India. He predicted Asia would be evangelized during the third millennium.

Christians in the West need be aware and awake in this critical time. With fasting and prayer we must seek the face of God, humble ourselves, and pray for Christians under persecution in many lands. Hitler and his Jewish holocaust has not yet been erased from our memories. We do not want to see a holocaust of Christians around the world. The Church in the West cannot remain silent when our brothers and sisters are suffering and being martyred for their faith. I urge you to seek God during these times, and pray for His leading and guiding in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Sri Lanka, the Church’s seams are bursting on tea plantations and in the cities. Orphanages are needed to help many children. The cost for land, building materials and labor is estimated to be approximately $7000 - $8000. In Sri Lanka, financial help is needed to support five pastors. One hundred dollars a month will support one pastor and his family. Will five generous Christians come forward and say, "I will underwrite this financial support. Count on me." The need is urgent. Will you help?

In India, a church is needed to meet the spiritual needs of a congregation which grew from 5 to 100 members within a few months. A piece of land and building will cost $5000. Your financial support for this ministry is greatly needed at this time. Will you faithfully consider giving for the harvest of souls and for what God is doing? Jesus said "Open your eyes and look at the fields, they are ripe for a harvest" (John :35).

Yes, the field is ripe for harvest. Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers. And let us support this harvest as pastors reaping a crop for eternity in the midst of persecution.

If you are willing to financially support this ministry, please write your checks to:

                                      UMORE: India/Sri Lanka Mission
                                      Harry Knutsen, Treasurer
                                      308 N. Main Street
                                      Walcott, IA 52773