From the Superintendent's DESK

This past month, volunteers at our India headquarters church in Kaikavolu, Andhra Pradesh, hosted a luncheon for widows and widowers, and one hundred attended! The gathering was part of a monthly outreach that began in 2013 and continues to be a success. Though the primary goal is to assist widows and widowers from our congregation, each is encouraged to bring a non-Christian guest. The group is then treated to a delicious meal along with a refreshing time of singing, exhortation, and prayer. 

Raju Rayudu, the Andhra Pradesh District Superintendent, oversees the monthly event with his wife, Suvarna, and he sent a brief report of the latest gathering. He said Sister Suvarna and four women from the congregation met early in the morning at Bertha’s Kitchen where all the meals are prepared and served. The completion of this kitchen in 2013 was the inspiration for the first luncheon. As the name suggests, its construction was made possible by a donation from Ken Cripps in memory of his wife, Bertha. Brother Ken has now also gone on to Heaven, but the blessing of Bertha’s Kitchen lives on.

The guests began arriving at 11:00 a.m., and an opening prayer was offered. Then attendees enjoyed a time of singing praises to the Lord. Brother Raju delivered an encouragement from God’s Word, speaking on the love of Christ. At the conclusion, many of the attendees requested prayer, and he prayed over them. Following this, his mother, Santhamma, gave the blessing over the food. Then everyone was served a hearty meal of chicken curry, chicken biryani, white rice, sambar (vegetable stew), bananas, curd (yogurt), and sweet (a dessert).  

Brother Raju closed his report by saying, “We thank God for opening a door through which to feed the widows and widowers. These people are so thankful to God for His provision.”