It was overtime during itineration last July 2004 when I was at First Assembly of God, Ft. Myers, Florida sharing a missionary window.  After hearing the powerful preaching of Pastor Dan Betzer on faith, I was walking back into the church offices, when I heard my name being called.  I turned around and there was an older gentleman who said, “Young lady, I want to talk to you.   You touched my heart and I want you to tell me about the television program, ‘Women in Focus’.”  It was Joe Livesay.   I sat down in the foyer of the church office and just began to unfold the beautiful open door before us.  He said pointedly, “I don’t give to programs anymore, but I invest in people.  I believe in you.   For the next year I am giving $600 to help you do that program.”  It was an answer to prayer, because his generous gift has opened up the door for us to do the television program in Chennai this year.  You can now see a video clip advertisement of the program on the Women in Focus Evangelism television program.  God is faithful!

Special Thanks for the Special Offering

There are times when you feel the pinch and know that your back is against the wall.  I want to thank the following friends for the extra special offering they sent to assist with the National Women’s Leadership Conference:

Pastor Gary Denbow, Christian Chapel, Columbia, MO, $1000
Pastor Abel Perez, Gallatin, MO, $100
Gary and Linda Millette, Albuquerque, NM, $340
Ann Floyd, Springfield, MO, $100
Pastor Chad Gilligan, Calvary Assembly of God, Toledo, OH, $8125.66
Kay Goss, Ohio Women’s Ministries, $500

New Pledges

East Mountain Assembly of God, Morarity, New Mexico
Pastor Jonathan Ganon, Bethel Church, Liberty, MO
Pastor Dale Bean, First Assembly of God, Marshall, MO
Pastor Barry Ivie, St. Charles River Church, St. Charles, MO
Rodrick and Cheryl Chetney, Adams, WI
Pastor Troy and Shawna Hart, Adams, WI
Pastor Mike Clarensau, Maranatha Worship Center, Wichita, KS
Pastor Tim Coats, First Assembly of God, Spring Hill, FL
Pastor Dan Betzer, First Assembly of God, Ft. Myers, FL
Pastor Stanley Tharp, Christian Life Center, Dayton, OH
Pastor Lowell Harrup, Northland Cathedral, Kansas City, MO (Pledge increase)
Pastor Chad Gilligan, Calvary Assembly of God, Toledo, OH (Pledge increase)
Pastor Gary Brothers, First Assembly of God, Cape Girardeau, MO (Pledge increase)

Lindsey Cach

Lindsey Cach, First Assembly of God, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was my hostess during the church's missions convention. She took me to each Sunday school room where I was scheduled to speak, introduced me to the teacher and gave prayer cards to each person in the class. What a terrific hostess this young believer was as she made sure I had something to drink and helped to carry so many things around from room to room.

After I hugged her good-bye she told me she would remember to pray for me. I was so encouraged by her young faith in God. During Christmas time, I received a $250 check in the mail from Lindsey. She had entered an essay contest and wrote her paper about the ministry God has given me to do in India. Lindsey won the first place prize of $250 and presented me with the check for Christmas.

As a former children's pastor, I was delighted to receive this very special gift especially from her. It told me that missions is alive and well with the next generation of believers who are being taught well by the leadership in their church.

THANKS SO VERY MUCH, LINDSEY. God bless you richly!

PSALM 78:4
"We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done."

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In honor of the memory of Leon Foley, Columbia, Missouri, his family requested that in lieu of flowers for donations be made to my India missions account. Leon Foley along with his two sons, Tim and Ted Foley had a carpentry business in Columbia. We invested a total of $3000 to help with a construction of a new church building at First Assembly of God in Karaikudi, Tamilnadu.

Leon and Norma Foley

Manahar Dhanapaul is the pastor of this congregation. He is a graduate of Southern Asia Bible College in Bangalore, India. The church has seen wonderful growth and now has over 300 baptized believers. His congregation has also mothered another church, which has now 70 new believers attending the outstation church. There are over 100,000 people in Karaikudi and the church is located in a strong thriving farming community. Pastor Manahar Dhanapaul is married to a beautiful wife, Mrs. Sylvia Jebarani Dhanapaul and God has blessed them with two children named Carol Janie Priscilla and Jim Reason Paul. standing in front of the church.

Church at Karaikudi,Tamilnadu

The Foley family has been investing their gifts in local Columbia churches and now in a church in India. When I think of Leon Foley, I think of the carpenter's son, Jesus. Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

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Retha Lorton is a senior saint who attends First Assembly of God, Moberly, Missouri. Retha had felt the call of God on her life for India since she was a young girl, however circumstances prevented her from going. Retha is a wonderful prayer warrior who stands alongside of me in prayer though she is in poor health.

Retha had been praying about how she could participate in giving to India. Though I tried to encourage her that her prayer was opening doors, she wanted to do more. Retha had an antique quilt which was valuable. She felt prompted by the Lord to auction the quilt and donate the funds for India. Pastor David Reese assisted her with advertising for the event and providing an opportunity for her to auction the quilt at First Assembly of God.

David and Martha Churchill were special guests of First Assembly of God the day of the auction. They gave $500 for the beautiful quilt and the funds were donated to my missions account. David and Martha Churchill made a beautiful gesture to match the kindness of Retha's by giving her back the quilt she had donated and was a family heirloom.

The beauty of God's gifts cannot be counted by dollars, but by the spirit and heart of the gift. Thank the Lord for His workmanship which is found in the hearts of God's people.

©2006 Greg & Terri Novini / Women in Focus - Last Updated: May 31, 2006