One of our pastors, named Raju Ankanpalli Gujjalla, has passed away. He contracted covid, and because he had diabetes, the doctors said it caused him to develop a “black fungus.” The family borrowed money to get him to a hospital, and he was given steroids to no avail. They sent him then to Bangalore at an additional expense, but he did not survive.
 
While supported by Final Frontiers, pastor Raju led more than 242 souls to Christ and started 13 churches. He leaves behind his wife Premlata and two young children, a boy, and a girl. They ask that you pray for his family and the churches under his care.
 
This family does not have any well-to-do relatives and no income for the survivors. (Though the wife will receive our in-house “death benefit” to help bury him and purchase some food. She will also receive his support for the next 2 years as part of our ministry policy.) The non-Christians are traumatizing the children and keeping his family at a distance out of fear.
 
It would be a blessing and a grand testimony if we could send a gift to this family during this time of their grieving. They borrowed over $2,300 and if you are interested and can help with this you can donate below or send a check for "Raju Ankanpalli Gujjalla's Family". Note that we will also be caring for the children through our Touch a Life program. If you would be willing to do so, you can offer support or offerings for their needs online as well. Please contact us if you would like to support them.

​About the photos:

In developing countries, the funeral must usually occur within a day because there is no option for embalming. During that time, the body is laid out on a table for visitors to pay their respects. In this case, the family is so poor they have no table and had to place him on the floor. So the church members borrowed money to purchase a casket for their beloved pastor.

​Each day Pastor Shaukat sent photos and videos of the camp, starting with teaching sessions for the 30 workers from his churches. Many of the photos were of them eating (I guess he knew what was important to me) and many of the services. One night at 11:30 PM, I hooked up with them via Zoom and preached (talked) to them from scripture. It was a blessing to see how they received the Word, though the 5-second delay was a little hard to get used to.
 
Shaukat wrote this morning to tell us that 50 of the campers (from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds) accepted Christ during the four-day camp, and 70 campers committed to join his team as co-laborers. He has selected from among them to attend his youth seminar this Sunday to begin their training.
 
Michael and Daniel thought it would be good to have Joshua Martyn (our videographer) make this short presentation for you using the photos and clips Shaukat sent us. I know it will be a blessing to you. (BTW, the next season of Ernest Livingstone is in the final stages of post-production, so get ready to re-join him in his missionary adventures.)
 
In about 5-6 months, he will have his winter camp. So if you want, you can give now in preparation for that or wait for our notice. Enjoy the short video, filmed entirely in Pakistan

A big thank you to those who gave to help the poor widow who was robbed of all her funds last week. We took what you gave and sent it to our National Director, Lucas Ulo, and he promptly gave it to Sister Amadi Charity. To be sure you knew that what you gave arrived as intended, he snapped this photo of himself giving the funds to her. In addition, he attached a note saying that she has received your funds with great appreciation.

Today I received an email from Lucas Ulo, one of our directors in Nigeria, regarding the widow of our deceased pastor, Amadi Polycarp. We gave her a lumpsum bonus upon his death, based on his time with us and his amount of support. This funding is given to our widows to cover burial expenses and care for the family's pressing needs. She has also been receiving the continuation of her husband's support by which she has been able to survive and open a small business in her home to meet their needs.
 
However, last Sunday, while at church, burglars broke into her little house, ransacking it and stealing all her funds and food, leaving her with no help for her two children in the university and the three young ones still at home. (From here, I quote his email with minimal editing for clarification.)
 
Lucas wrote, "She was broken-hearted and confessed that without your support given through me, she doesn't know what else she could have done. The church's financial strength is too small to take care of her". Several of her brothers-in-law had been secretly helping her, as the radical neighbors and family members would not permit it. They testify that she has kept herself from other men since his death and has lived a Godly life, in a manner different from worldly widows.
 
He continued by explaining, "She makes her living by selling foodstuffs like rice, beans, vegetable oil, condiments, sachets of salt, tomatoes, etc. Since she is a trusted customer, after her payment for the previous week's goods, the wholesaler then gives her additional foodstuffs on a credit basis. These thieves took the insecurity opportunity to commit the crime. They stole all her market money, ransacking all her rooms, bags, and remaining cartons of goods. Last week, she visited her debtors and collected payment from them, which she had stored in her house, together with her profit and small personal capital. On Monday, she planned to go to the Owerri City market, pay her bill, and acquire more items to sell. This is how she provides for her family apart from the funds Final Frontiers sends each month. As a result of the theft, she doesn't know what to do. She has reported the theft to the Police just for formality because, as we know, they will demand some money to investigate, and in the end, nothing might be achieved".
 
After hearing this news, I asked Lucas to break down the value of cash and stolen goods. He replied that the total of goods she had on credit was $1,700 and another $165, which was her household savings, making a total loss of $1,865.
 
Lucas did inform me that the church has helped her some, but as poor subsistence farmers with virtually no cash and having to take care of the pastor, they gave according to their ability, but it was not enough. I want to state that Lucas did not ask us or you for help. I know the attitude of our partners and believe you would want to know and pray about her situation and that some of you would desire to help her as well.
 
You can give online, or mail in a check and designate it to "Amadi Polycarp Widow"