Broken House and Broken Bones

Last month, Brother Devadass, one of our Evening School Principals and Bible Workers, received a very unexpected call from his neighbor. He and his family were away from home attending a Bible Worker training program. The neighbor guiltily explained that he had been trying to rebuild his quite old house, and somehow, in the process, the side wall of Brother Devadass’s house collapsed. 

Brother Devadass and his family were so thankful to God that they were not at home when the incident happened so that none of them were injured or killed by the falling bricks. However, since they returned from the training, they have had to continue living in their broken house, which has not been an easy experience.

Brother Devadass with his wife Esther, who is also a Bible Worker, and their children

Because Brother Devadass’s house is about 60 years old and was not well built, the other walls would still be at risk for collapse, even if the damage is repaired. The safest option is to tear down the current house and rebuild.

Broken Bones

A couple of weeks ago, another Evening School Principal in a different area, Brother Thomas, faced a serious medical crisis.

Brother Thomas in the hospital

While riding his motorbike home from visiting a village one night, a wild boar ran into the road and hit him. Brother Thomas was thrown from the bike and was found unconscious by another man who passed by. The kind man was able to wake up Brother Thomas and give him some water. He asked him for his phone to call someone Brother Thomas knew for help. 

By God’s grace, Brother Thomas was able to unlock his phone, and the man dialed the first number that came up, Brother Shenthil, who happened to be a local church elder. 

Brother Shenthil came with his car and rushed Brother Thomas to the hospital. The first hospital they went to wouldn’t admit him, so they had to travel to another hospital in a bigger city.

His right leg and left wrist were fractured, and he had some scratches near his right eye. Thankfully, because he was wearing a helmet, he did not have any serious head injuries. 

The doctors told Brother Thomas he needed surgery to repair his broken bones, so his wife, Sister Jennifer, and their daughter Hema, fasted for a whole week for him. They are very thankful to God that the surgery was successful. 

The doctors placed a permanent steel rod in his leg and said it should heal completely. They will have to do a follow-up on his wrist next week to see if it is healing correctly or if he will need another operation.

Brother Thomas with his family and JFA India Director Israel Prasad. Brother Thomas’s wife, Sister Jennifer is also a Bible Worker.

We are so thankful for God’s protection over Brother Devadass, his family, and Brother Thomas. As Bible Workers and Principals, they are instrumental to the functioning of our Evening Schools. They are responsible for ensuring that each Evening School has the food and supplies it needs, and they care for the spiritual condition of the students and their families. 

We invite you to join us in praying for Brother Thomas’s recovery, Brother Devadass’s house, and continued protection for all our workers in India. The enemy of souls will continue to try and disrupt God’s work; we must uplift our brothers and sisters on the front lines, and have faith that they are in God’s hands. 

Please also pray that God will provide financially for both situations. Brother Devadass’s house will cost $11,500 to rebuild, and Brother Thomas’s medical bills will cost nearly $4,000. As workers for God on limited incomes, these bills are significant. But we can trust that God will supply these needs (Philippians 4:19).

If God is inspiring you to be part of the answer to prayer for these financial needs, please visit the link below to give through our humanitarian fund.

https://www.jesus4asia.org/humanitarian-project