Hope International Ministry

HOPE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

We wish all our friends and partners a blessed new year. Regardless of all successes and setbacks in 2010, let us trust in the Lord and face the new year with anticipation and thankfulness.

1. As you know, we were forced to close Madathil Asha Bhavanam in 2010. Because of government restrictions and unreasonable demands and threats from the Orphanage Control Board, we reluctantly decided it was better to discontinue its operation. The girls were sent back home with their mothers or grandmothers at the end of last school year. We try to keep in touch with them as much as possible and pray for them regularly.

2. We continue helping people in financial need. Currently we assist 10 families with children in purchasing groceries every month. In addition, we provide funds to people in medical emergencies, others in paying rent, etc. We were able to provide substantial funds to one pastor for building a small residential home.

Television Ministry It is almost six years since we started broadcasting gospel messages through television. It was the fulfillment of a prophecy when I was resigning my job at ORU and leaving Tulsa in 2005. At that time we did not know whether we would be able to do it since we did not have any experience in the field or technical know-how. Soon after we settled in India, the Lord brought people to us who would help in these areas. We had very humble beginnings with weekly telecasts on a few local cable outlets. Then four years ago, we went on a Christian satellite television network and now the half-hour weekly television message in Malayalam is telecast all over Asia and parts of Europe and America on Powervision channel. Every week we get a number of calls from viewers whose spiritual needs are met and who request prayer for many needs. The Lord has helped us pay for the production charges and airtime so far, and we believe that He will supply the needs as long as He wants us to continue this ministry.

Fellowship and Prayer Meetings. Every Thursday a few people gather under the leadership of Celia for intercessory prayer. The group intercedes for this local area and for various needs mentioned by our television viewers. We get many calls from people who report that their needs have been met as a result of these prayers. In addition, we conduct a worship and fellowship meeting every Sunday afternoon. People who attend different churches and some who have no regular churches come and listen to the word of God and are edified.

Travels. C.T. Luiskutty (Tom) and Celia traveled to different parts of Kerala State to preach and teach the Word of God. Also they had opportunity to minister in different cities of the United Arab Emirates and the U.S.A. in the summer of 2010. Both Tom and Celia have been burdened by the Lord to speak to believers about repentance and return to biblical holiness and integrity. Tom spent a week in Bihar in April and spoke in the graduation service of Nav Bharat Bible Institute.

Bible Class. In addition to teaching and preaching in conferences, seminars, and conventions as the Lord provides opportunities, Tom has been teaching weekly classes on Christian Ethics and Practical Theology at Mount Zion Bible College in Mulakuzha, Kerala.

New Book. Tom’s new Malayalam book Pentecost: A New Look was published in April. Excerpts from the book and series of articles based on this topic have been published by different newspapers and magazines.

Adult Retreat. A retreat was conducted at Hope Ministry Prayer Center in December. About 65-70 adults participated in the 3-day event. In addition to Tom and Celia, able ministers with varied ministry experience taught on the theme “The Spiritual Man” in various sessions and the participants were greatly blessed.

The Lord has provided for all our needs so far. Most of the finances are provided by close personal friends, immediate family, and our personal resources. Because of IRS requirements, we would like to see the support basis broadened so that funds (even small amounts) will come from more individuals. U.S. contributions to Hope International Ministry are tax-deductible.

Thank you all for your prayers. As you know Celia has some serious back problems, but she has been able to travel extensively and minister in various places with occasional visits to some doctors and regular use of pain medications. Tom underwent an angioplasty in October. Now both of us are doing well. Please continue to pray for our health, for the ministry, and for God’s guidance in everything we do.

Last summer we visited some family members and friends in different parts of the U.S.A. We got the opportunity to minister in Chattanooga, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and New York City. We plan to spend a few weeks in June-July in the United States, mainly visiting immediate family. If you would like us to visit you or minister in your place, please inform us early so that we can arrange our itinerary accordingly. Also we enjoyed and appreciated visits from family and friends living in India and abroad.

Let us continue to uphold one another in prayer.

In Christ’s service,

C.T. and Celiamma Luiskutty