in service of the most high ronnie, haritha & fiona …...in service of the most high ronnie,...

In Service of the Most High

Ronnie, Haritha & Fiona Gootam Newsletter – April 2019

Contact Info:

Ronnie Gootam

P.O. Box 80

Kakinada, AP India 533004

Phone:

USA(H): 001-901-866-9271.

USA(M): 001-732-407-6977.

India(H): 011-91-884-236-3697.

India(M):011-91-970-407-6677.

Email:

[email protected]

Find us on the web:

www.satyavanicoc.com

www.facebook.com/satyancoc

Overseeing Congregation:

Hickory Grove Church of Christ

1131 Hickory Grove Rd,

Almo, KY 42020.

Contact Info:

Larry Wyatt: (270) 227-2156

Marlin Pierce: (270) 759-9649

‘March’ing for Christ

The month of March has come and gone. In USA there is a phrase

‘March Madness.’ I am not sure the history of the phrase but I can

tell you if anyone saw us here in India how we worked for the name

of Christ you would probably say we were having “March Madness”

for Christ.

If I could report a page for each day it will be about 31 pages. The

Lord has truly opened the doors for His servants. It is my prayer that

He will bless the labors of His faithful servants so much so that He

will have all the glory from the harvest. I truly hope and pray that the

Lord will bless us with many more months like this in our lifetime. It

has encouraged and edified me to renew our labors for His name.

In all this my family was my strength. They motivated me to keep

spreading the word, His word. My wife could only be with me in

some of my travels and preaching. Not because she doesn’t approve

what we do but she is the baby sitter for Fiona the only one approved

by Fiona. Our precious daughter.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.satyavanicoc.com/

http://www.facebook.com/satyancoc

“Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

Village Gospel Meeting

The first of the month started off with an invite from a village congregation to speak in a 3-day day and night

gospel meeting. This village is about 2 hours from Kakinada. The theme they had for the meeting was taken

from the portion of scripture in 1Corinthians that says “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three”

(1Cor. 13:13). My assignment was to focus on “faith.” I was asked to begin the gospel meetings for them. I

chose to speak on “The tested faith of Abraham.”

During my days in USA attending the lectures, I always remember that the speaker was given a certain amount

of time to deliver his message. The moderator would go up to the stage to remind him to start the conclusion.

The speaker then obliged to begin his conclusion of the subject.

This is India. They do no such things to the speakers. On the contrary, the speakers are given full powers to

speak in length as much as the speaker wishes to speak. It could be an hour or even two. Nobody moves an inch

during the time a speaker is delivering the message from the scriptures. The people attending the meetings come

prepared with their bibles. Whenever speaker quotes a reference one can witness a quick reader competition

amongst the members. Often times it’s the teenagers with full of energy and zeal that take the portion of

scriptures and read it aloud for everyone to hear. Sometimes its two people that start reading and in one of them

yield for the other and the next time it is the other person that yields. It is an unspoken agreement among the

members to do so.

The name of the village is “Kotipalli Kota.” A quick google search for this village will show that this is a

temple village. But there is a congregation of about 75-80 people in this village. 100% of them are former

Hindus.

The gospel preached by my father through Radio, TV, monthly magazines has penetrated into the hearts of the

people over there. Handful of them have obeyed the gospel and put on Christ over many years ago. Poverty in

these villages is very real. Hence the church is not fully self-supporting. But they are hungry for the gospel and

serious about saving souls in the village. A former preacher saved as much as he can to purchase a piece of land

in that village and my father raised some funds to construct a church building without walls. If one can see the

pictures one may feel it is an open-air gospel meeting. It is the closest to it. It was my privilege to preach to

them to start off their gospel meeting I was also asked to give away blankets to the men in the congregation.

They honored me with customary garlanding and shawl.


Mission Trip to Pithapuram (1)

A former helper of the Bible Correspondence Course ministry has called on my Dad a few weeks ago and asked

if someone can come to his hometown of Pithapuram and teach the Basic Bible Course class to a group of

denominational “pastors.” Dad said yes and asked me to go there and teach them twice in a month the lessons in

the course. Pithapuram is only 30 minutes from Kakinada. I was told there would be at least 15 of them that

would come but about 10 came on day 1.

Mission trip to Vizianagaram (1).

It is a mis-nomer to think a mission trip requires travelling overseas. Many a times if we remain true to preach

the gospel to every creature, our neighborhood becomes our mission field. Vizianagaram is about 4 hours’ drive

from Kakinada. My lovely wife comes from that city. Her parents still live there. We are trying to visit them at

least once a month. As grandparents they long to spend time with her grandchild. Fiona also loves her maternal

grandparents.


A local preacher from an outside village contacted us to come and preach the gospel in Vizianagaram. My heart

leaped with joy with the prospect to preaching the gospel where the church is not strong because sound brethren

haven’t been in that area for a long time. It also prompted a lot of false teaching that made its way into the weak

brethren’s hearts and the devil has managed to snatch away the sheep.

He wanted to take a special class to a group of denominational and new convert preachers in his village and He

managed to find us a classroom in a local school on a Saturday. The attendees preach in areas where it is

dangerous to be a Christian. Radical Hindu groups hunt Christians in those villages to kill them.

I agreed to teach them the book of Romans. As I began to teach them, I realized they have never been taught the

book by anyone ever. It was evident to me within the first hour of the class. After 2 hours we were still in the

introduction to the book of Romans. We were supposed to start at 10am and finish by 4pm all the chapters of

the book. We covered upto the 3rd

chapter. They requested me to come again and teach them the book till the

end. I agreed to do so. I wasn’t aware that one of the attendees was a press reporter. He reported our class in the

next day papers.

The next day was the Lord’s Day. 3 of the preachers that attended the classes wanted me to visit with them and

preach unto them. I did not want to say no. I agreed. We started off in a village called Neelimarla. It was about

40 minutes from Vizianagaram. The church there is only one family. They gather children from the

neighborhood during worship time. We worshipped in their dining room.

After wrapping our services in the morning hours we left on a drive into another town which was about an hour

away. It was also a house church. But there are a handful members that were present at this location. I was told

that all the members there are from the same neighbourhood. The preacher and his famiily were threatened to be

killed by the local hindus after finding out that they are Christians and have plans to preach the truth in the


community. Some of those that threatened them are family members of the converts. Unlike the house church in

Neelimarla this church has a P.A. system. But the speakers were not inside the church hall but they were outside

for the people far off to hear.

After being our lunch at this location, we got back onto the road and drove towards another remote village

which is also known to have been dangerous for Christians to profess their faith. But unlike the first two places

this church has a church building. Missionaries in the past have managed to build a church building for the local

faithful Christians without being harassed.

We gathered there in the afternoon only to find a handful of the members gathered there. I was told that a

faithful member passed away in the wee hours of the same day and all those that are able to give her a proper

funeral went to pay their respects for the departed. A faithful member invited me to come to his home and pray

for his family and that his newly opened tailor shop be fruitful to make a living and help the church work.

After spending a few more days with Haritha’s family in Vizianagaram, we returned to Kakinada to be united

with my family. Traveling in Indian trains is always a beautiful experience. One that is visiting India should

never miss out an opportunity to travel in the Indian trains. My daughter Fiona just loves the trains and traveling

in them. She is always fascinated by what she sees through the windows.

Sunday Morning Preaching in Kakinada

Preaching in the local congregation in Kakinada is always an honor. I was assigned by the elders to preach on

the 17th

of March 2019 the Lord’s Day. I chose to speak on introducing the book of Leviticus and present it to

the congregation. I found out earlier that many in our congregation do not study the book. I also found out it is

the case in many places in the world. My aim was to create interest in the hearts of the people to pick up their


bible and read the book of Leviticus at least once in their lifetime. My research skills that I was able to obtain

while in MSOP and formulate a sermon helped me to give them an outline to note while they read the book.

Recording TV Sermons

If you have been following me on Facebook, I had posted a thanking note to all my supporters during school

and my teachers at school and also current supporters of the TV program. It was such a week in my life that I

preached 6 out of 7 days of the week.

I had been meaning to preach and record sermons from the Epistle of Hebrews. But I changed my mind on the

last minute and decided to record from the book of James. I used my notes from MSOP days given to us by Bro.

Mosher translated them instantly before each sermon and was ready to preach. My nephew Justin decided to

skip school for a day and was being forced by his parents to get dressed to go to school. I gave him a task to

come and join me for the recording and be my announcer. He was overjoyed to do so. He recites scriptures from

Psalms and introduces me. I was able to record 9 sermons out of the book of James in 3 consecutive days. Lord

Willing they will be beneficial to the growth of the church.

Mission trip to Vizianagaram (2)

The time came when we needed to pack our bags once again and be on a train to go to Vizianagaram and preach

and teach to the lost souls. My wife Haritha is always torn in her heart regarding her family especially about her

mom and Dad. They haven’t obeyed the gospel. My mother-in-law loves the Lord but has zeal without


knowledge. She goes to the Lutheran Denomination in the area. In fact the members there have given her a

higher role in the “church.” It is our prayer that she will come to the knowledge of the truth (Rom. 10:1).

We are trying our best to teach her the truth. Using her importance in the Lutheran Denomination, I managed to

get myself an opportunity to speak in the Lutheran church and as well as in her home when she gathers her

prayer group of women that consist of women from Lutheran, Baptist, Pentecost and other non-denominational

beliefs.

Please be mindful that I haven’t taken up “Lutheran faith” but I am trying to gain as many souls I can from the

Lutheran church for the Lord by sticking to the truth and preaching the truth at every available opportunity.

More importantly it is our heart’s desire to start a faithful Lord’s church in Vizianagaram where my in-laws will

be members.

The second trip of the month started off very well. We reach Vizianagaram on a Thursday evening. I was

informed when I went there by my mother-in-law that she arranged a “lent” service in her home to her prayer

group of women. She told me that I should speak to them and the prayer group was highly excited that a

member of Joshua Gootam’s family will be speaking to them directly. Many know of Dad’s radio program.

I jumped to the opportunity to speak the truth to them on Friday morning. Within a few minutes of their

gathering I realized no one in their lifetime has spoken the gospel truth to them. None of them could tell how to

be a Christian or equally important how to be saved. The Baptist members pointed out that faith was enough to

be saved, whereas Lutheran members said faith & works are required. As in the same week, I recorded sermons

on James, my memory was good on the lesson about dead faith and saving faith from James 2:14-26. I was

given 20 minutes time to preach to them. I preached for 1hr and 45 minutes preaching, addressing their

questions through the scriptures. I pointed them that Christ did not die for denominations. A comment I made

that “Martin Luther never went to Lutheran Church” got stuck in their minds. I also pointed out that Luther

never wanted the Epistle of James in the bible. They were surprised about the claims I made and I challenged

them to Google search these facts. My sermon also included them to question their man-made traditions and

seek the in depth knowledge in the scriptures.

Lord Willing the seed of truth planted in their minds and hearts will be fruitful. Please keep those souls in your

prayers. They are sincere but they are sincerely wrong and lost. Lord Willing we will get many more

opportunities like this to preach the truth to them to save them from the erroneous ways they currently live and

obey the gospel truth and let the Lord have all the glory.


Next day was the Saturday for me to teach the Romans class in Neelimarla. I continued from where I left off the

earlier time. I was told there will be elders, deacons and preachers this time around. They surely were there this

time including a few people of Pentecostal faith. Questions were raised and answered as well and we managed

to finish the epistle on time on this occasion. After the class we discussed the Lads 2 Leaders program. Yes we

made the next day papers.

The following day which was the Lord’s Day we visited 2 remote area villages in the morning. Kumaram and

Seripeta. The congregation in Kumaram has been faithful to the Lord for many years. Again the church is

standing in places where the locals threaten to eliminate them every day. But the faithful preachers in these

villages gather precious souls for the Lord risking their lives. These congregations are the result of their faith.

They sang with their hearts out to the Lord. The youth in the church in Kumaram had quick fingers to open the

scriptures to read them aloud whenever I cited one. Never had such an experience elsewhere. We gathered

outside the church building with the members after services.

At Seripeta, the congregation is no more than 10-12 people gathering in a small 4x4 room with a cement tile

roof. One might see the church building and think it is an old-fashioned looking outhouse. Again the members

were threatened by the local Hindu radicals but they remained faithful in the Lord.


We rushed back to my in-laws place as soon as we can that evening. My wife and my mother-in-law gathered

their relatives for the evening service. It was a wonderful feeling to worship in truth and in spirit in my mother-

in-laws home. Lord Willing our efforts will be fruitful in days to come.

Mission Trip to Pithapuram (2)

It was coming to the end of the month of March. But we are guided by scriptures to preach “in season and out of

season” (2Tim. 4:2). The bible class continued and I get to teach the same group that gathered earlier in the

month once again. We gathered in the same house in a small room and discussed the lesson 2 and 3 of the Basic

Bible Course. I was later informed that the group consited of former Hindu priests that are now Christian

preachers and a few of denominational faith and a few new converts to Christianity from Muslim faith. All

glory to God for the edification of the brotherhood and also teaching the truth to the hungry souls.


New Mission: Leper Colony Clinic/Hospital Construction

For over 20 years we have been involved in the welfare of a family of lepers that live in the Leper Colony in

Peddapuram, AP, India. In the leper colony there are about 60 families that live there. Many of them have been

contracted with leprosy.

We have been supporting a faithful preacher Bro. John for many years in the area. He has established a faithful

congregation in that area. From a few years his only son Bro. Sudhakar is preaching to them and serving them

in their needs. A few months ago, Bro. John has been affected by paralysis and had been made immovable.

Nevertheless he preaches whenever he can from his bed to the members. Bro. Sudhakar also preaches in the

congregation.

Poverty in India is very much real. So is leprosy. Those that are affected by it cannot get employed. They are

left to beg on the streets for food and any financial support. Our faith in the Lord guides us to the bible where

we find passages that declare that the Lord cares for the poor. Especially in the words of Christ, “Verily I say

unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Mat

25:40 KJV).” It is our faith that when we minister to these lepers, that we are ministering unto our Lord.

So far in these many years of our service to them, we have been able to build a shelter cum dining hall for them

during seasonal flooding. We have been instrumental in building a fresh water plant for clean drinking water to

the families in the colony. We have also been helpful in constructing a church building for them to gather and

worship each Lord’s Day.

Now, we are constructing a hospital in the leper colony for their benefit and welfare. This has been started a few

months ago and currently the work is in progress. The total costs for the construction is estimated to be $15,000.

We have gotten started with the construction through generous donation of $5,000 from a retired dentist in

USA, Bro. John Bailey from Dallas, TX.

Our goal is to raise the rest of the $10,000 by the beginning of seasonal rains in July. These funds will be used

for the sole-purpose of completing the hospital and be dedicated for the brethren at the leper colony to use.

Your gift will be of great help in order to complete the hospital in order to start assisting the medical needs of

those that live below the poverty line especially in the Leper Colony. My brother Ricky Gootam takes special

interest in attending to their needs. Please remember this efforts in your prayers.


Dad’s Medical Issues

Dad has had some poor health lately. He has had some issues with the lungs during the winter season. Now that

the weather is warming up, he is doing fine and his lungs are much better. He exercises his lungs daily in the

morning and in the evening.

Many years ago in 1997 Dad had a mild to severe stroke. It destroyed his hearing in his left ear permanently.

Last year when he visited the USA many generous donors helped us to pay off for the hearing aid to help him

with his hearing. I am happy to report he is much more confident of his daily operations as he is very much

aware of what is happening around him. He suffered two more such mild-strokes in 2006.

A few days ago, he felt that his vision is being unusual. He thought that his eye-sight might have deteriorated

and might need a new pair of glasses. Upon getting his eyes checked he found out that there is a hemorrhage in

his left eye. The doctors here said that if he delayed for a few more days without getting treatment he would

have lost vision in the eye permanently. They suspect it is high blood pressure and effects of the strokes he had

in the past.

His treatment to the affected eye is getting a shot in that eye once a month. The treatment will go for another 4

to 6 months depending on how the medication works. Please contribute to his health care to ease our burden

with the medical bills. Each time he visits the hospital for that purpose it is going to cost $500. They can go up

to $3,000 to get his vision corrected.

He continues to be the editor for the monthly magazine Satyawakku. He additionally writes articles in the

magazine. He also directs Basic Bible Correspondence Course ministry. He also studies, prepares sermons. He

also looks to learn new things about the Lord each day. He needs his eyes to get better to be able to do what he

is doing for the Lord for many more years to come. There is no count of how many people he reached through

radio, TV programs for many years in the past. Please remember him in your prayers.


What are our current needs?

A. Since prayer support is so important to the success of this mission, please pray for us fervently. We are

constantly reminded as written by James, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth

much.” (Jas. 5:16b).

1. Please pray for our continuous smooth running of our ministry. The government of India is

making up laws to try to stop mission works in India run smoothly.

2. The election season is coming up here in India, please pray that the new government will make

laws that will enhance the growth of the church.

B. Sufficient funds are required for us and for the Lord’s work.

1. We are about 40% short of monthly budget for the intended mission work.

2. We are seeking monthly commitment from individuals and congregations that are serious on

spreading the gospel to the whole world.

C. Need for Bibles.

1. There has been a 10% increase in the cost of the bibles from January 2019.

a. Souls that are edified and are saved due to our efforts require bibles to continue their

growth in the Lord.

b. Each month an average of 1,000 bibles are mailed/given away each month for free.

2. Currently there is a burden to pay $3500 (approx.) for the purchase of the bibles.

a. Brethren from Highway 77 Church of Christ in Marion, AR helped us with $450.

b. We are in need for another $3,000 to pay off the purchase of the bibles.

3. Please help us meet the demand for a soul that would ask for a bible.

D. Dad’s eye treatment.

1. Please pray for him fervently as he goes through the treatment in his eye.

2. We need about $500 a month for next 6 months to pay off for his eye treatment.

3. He may need a cataract surgery after his eye gets well.

E. Leper Colony Clinic/Hospital.

1. It is highly needed in the Leper Colony.

2. It takes about $15000 to complete the construction.

3. We need $10,000 more to finish construction.

F. Need an all-in-one scanner, printer and copier.

1. A new scanner costs about $6,500.

a. It can scan to .pdf 100s of pages in matter of minutes.

b. The scanned pages will go into www.Christian-Growth.com website.

2. It also serves as printer and copier.

a. We currently do not have an office printer or copier.

b. At this time whenever we need a printing job to be done, it is sent outside and it gets

expensive.

c. This will serve also as office printer and copier for many years to come.

How can you help?

A. If you know of any good congregations or faithful Christians that have a heart to give for His work please

recommend our works to them.

B. Please send your regular contributions to our overseeing congregation and make a note saying, “India

Mission Work – Ronnie Gootam.”

C. Plan a visit to Kakinada, India to do mission work with us.

http://www.christian-growth.com/

in service of the most high ronnie, haritha & fiona …...in service of the most high ronnie,...

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