(Chillakallu, Andhra Pradesh) Feb. 6/08 - Last week, Bob Horvath trained 17 men (from India, Canada and the US) to build, install and monitor household water filters. Isaac Papabathini, who is overseeing the Chillakallu project, has already got orders for over 250 new filters. Whenever a filter is installed in a house or classroom, overall health levels immediately improve. Today, some of our Impact Journey team are helping to build and install filters in a local school.

The sewing program for widows and women-at-risk is growing at an almost explosive rate. Our initial class which began with 30 women last June, has expanded to schools in four different towns and villages, with another 6 planned for the next 3 months. The second class has 50 students, who will graduate on February 14th while the Impact Journey team is here. A school to train instructors has started and has 10 trainees; each of them will open another school with a minimum of 10 students. Approximately 200 women have applied to be interviewed for a new class. Today, when Steve walked through an incredibly poor Muslim colony, he saw a tiny two room home—on the left side was the woman’s living quarters and on the right side was her sewing business.

On Sunday the team arrived from Canada, Australia, Britain and the US.
After two days of training, we held our first medical clinic today in the Muslim district. Besides treating many people medically, we saw a lot of miracles and healings. One girl who could only hear very loud noises, after prayer, could hear when team members stood behind her and whispered.  At least half a dozen people with extremely poor eyesight were completely healed. Besides that, we saw more backs, necks and joints healed than we could count. It was a very exciting first clinic. We will be doing all the clinics and outdoor meetings in a different village each day.

Impact Nations is committed to working with local ministries to create sustainable models for village transformation. Last week, I found out something very exciting. Last year we came for the first time and did medical clinics in Chillakallu. We saw many miracles in the Muslim district, including a seven year old girl who was completely deaf and mute who was instantly healed. Although she had never spoken before (because she had never heard words), she began to speak clearly and fluently. The Muslim chief was standing there when this happened. In fact he received healing for a damaged back as well. I have shared this testimony in many countries this past year. What I did not know was that the Muslim leader was so moved by the practical demonstration of the Lord’s love to his community, that he donated a piece of land (worth about $100,000 US dollars!) so that a permanent medical clinic could be built.  That clinic is now open and is staffed by a doctor and nurses. What wonderful fruit!

This has already been a wonderful Journey of Compassion. Tomorrow 6 of us will drive to a group of about 45 villages where we will equip the believers to heal the sick, train pastors, do village needs assessments and hold outdoor evangelism meetings. Thank you for your prayers.
We thank Jesus for all that He is doing.  Steve.