AUGUST Newsletter Khen & Rith Tombing August 30, 2018 Dear Friends in the Gospel Ministry,

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1 AUGUST Newsletter Khen & Rith Tombing August 30, 2018 Dear Friends in the Gospel Ministry, Kindly accept my sincere apology for my long silence since February 20, 2018: February 20, 2018 Dear Friends of Khen and Partners in Ministry, Even as I write this letter - Khen, my husband, is very enthusiastic and prepared to travel to USA to attend a mission Conference at Briarwood and visit churches and ANM office from February 20 March 22 as he had done many times in the past. But this time, unfortunately, he is over stressed and burnt-out and needed rest. Our family doctor felt that it will be too risky for Khen s health to take a long trip alone with speaking engagements at this time. Fever, hot flushes, chest and nose congestion has not completely left him. So, after much thoughts and prayers we felt that it would be wise to cancel Khen s trip this time. We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused to you and our apologies to Mission Committee of Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Uptown Presbyterian Church and Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church. Though he is going to miss visiting you this time, he is already looking forward to visiting you in the near future may be later part of this year or next year the same time. Please continue to pray for Khen s health and multifaceted ministry in India. Please do pray also that Khen will slow down, relax, delegate more responsibilities and able to continue this great ministry. He is now nearing 58 but still works like when he was in his thirties and forties! I am going to watch him from now on! In His Grace: Rith Tombing wife of Khen Tombing MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS INSPITE OF OUR MANY FAILURES, ESPECIALLY MY FAILURES. I HAVE PROVEN OVER AGAIN THE SUFFICIENCY OF HIS GRACE IN MY LIFE AND MINISTRY. A. Church Planting Ministry: 1. Kakching Khunou Presbyterian Church: This is the only church in this village of about 2000 Hindu households. They need a lot of our prayers for courage SO that they are firmed in their faith and zealous in their witness. Picture - A group of new believers in Kakching Khunou Village. 2. Chikha Presbyterian Church: This church is located about 70 miles from my Town in India, 8 miles away from India - Myanmar border. Most of the villagers of about 1000 household are Buddhist and we are witnessing for Christ and planting a church in the Village. God has given 10 families so far and we are establishing a church in this village, too. Picture -They are listening to Khen s gospel presentation. 3. Please pray also for our other ongoing church planting projects in Sinzawl Village, Belpuan Village and Bualjang Village that God may raise many new believers and we will be able to soon plant churches in these villages, too.

2 B. Ministry Among Orphans, Poor Children and Women: 1.Covenant Children Home Ministry: CCH is directly ministering to 419 orphan children - 32 children are in pre-school, 177 children are in primary school (1 7 graders), 137 children are in High School ( 8 12 graders), 42 boys and girls are studying arts and commerce in Rayburn college, 20 boys and girls are studying science in CCpur College, 2 boys are studying engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (most reputed professional school in India) 5 girls are in nursing college and 4 boys are in seminary preparing for ministry. A new hygienic bathroom is made possible by generous friends of orphans of Covenant Children Home OBITUARY: After a long 16 years (since her birth) battle with AIDS virus, Miss Liani Ngaihte left us on May 20, 2018 for her eternal home. Liani, along with her older brother came to CCH in early 2007 right after both her parents died. Her 11 years time with us had been the most precious moments in our lives as she taught us how important it is to be kind to one another in this very short life time She was only 16 years old and reading in 10 th grade when the Lord called her to be with him. We will ever miss her on earth but rejoice that she is with Jesus in our eternal home. OBITUARY: After a long battle with tuberculosis and cancer Miss Niang Lianzaw left us on August 10, 2018 to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in our eternal home. She was brought to CCH along with her two younger siblings in 2006 as both her parents were alcoholic and unable to take care of them. Both her parents also died in Niang was 21 years old and was in her 2 nd year in college when she went home to be with the Lord. No tongues can tell how much we miss her but we rejoice because she is with Jesus in our eternal home. 2. Agape Babies Home: CCH was established in 2007 and is currently taking care of 8 abandoned babies and 8 children in need of protection. When the children reached 6 years, they are transferred to Covenant Children Home. Picture orphan children and caregivers.

3 3. Women Empowerment Transformation Enterprise: These flyers best explain what we have been doing at WETE since Rith is directing this ministry for the last 11 years and has been a great blessing to many displaced women in our churches. C. Ministry of Human Resource Development: 1.Rayburn College: Currently there are 1700 students at Rayburn College studying in various disciplines. This year 220 graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce. This is the maximum number of students we can accommodate. So we are moving to a new campus in January Our theme is Learn, Labour and Serve All for Jesus Picture Class (graduates) of New Rayburn College: It is under construction and, we are planning to complete the proposed 2 storied buildings in January The building covers square feet area. When this project is completed we will double the strength of our students. Our theme is Learn, Labour and Serve All for Jesus New Campus under construction 3. Rayburn High School in New Lamka: 3000 students are currently studying in Rayburn High School. This is the maximum students intake we can take. We are currently planning to start another High School in the Northern side of our Town. Our theme is Learn, Labour and Serve All for Jesus Picture High School graduates from Rayburn High.

4 4. Rayburn High School in Singngat: It is a branch of Rayburn High School in Singngat Villge located 30 miles from our Town. There are currently 800 students studying here. We are expecting about 50 high School graduates next year from this institute. Our theme is Learn, Labour and Serve All for Jesus We will start producing High School graduates from Picture Rayburn High School in Singngat. 5. Covenant High School: This institute is basically established for orphans at Covenant Children Home. But now students from all over the neighbourhood are attending Covenant High School. The Lord blesses us with 800 students this year. Picture morning prayer outside school 6. Reformed Bible Institute (RBI): RBI has been training our Reformed Presbyterian Church leaders for the last more than 20 years as a mobile institute. But now, by God s grace and provision, we have acquired 13 acre property where we can have a regular training centre. We are working towards developing to a full-fledged seminary. It will also be a retreat centre for Christians in our area, especially for our denomination. Pastors of Lamka Presbytery of the PCI (Reformed) Teaching and Ruling Elders being trained by Rev. Pau Gualman Groundbraeking and dedication of RBI campus Lecture rooms and library building construction in progress

5 D. Praise and Prayer items: 1. Praise God for new believers (20 people) in Kakching Khunou Village and Chikha Village (30 people) in Myanmar. Pray that God will raise more belivers in these villages. 2. Praise God that we were enabled to begin church planting works in Sinzawl Village, Belpuan Village and Bualjang Village. Pray that God will give us partners to assist us financially to plant churches in these villages mentioned above. The cost of planting one church is $ We accept memorial gifts and would be so willing to recognise the giver (s) by printing their name (s) on a plaque of the church. 3. Praise God for Reformed Bible Institute which has been training men and women for works of ministry for the last 20 years. Pray that God will provide a CHAPEL BUILDING at Reformed Bible Institute campus. It will cost $ to complete (ceiling, pews, electrification, etc.). The chapel will be named after anyone who might give the entire need for the project. 4. Praise God that Covenant Children Home and Agape Babies Home have been sponsoring hundreds of orphans for the last 14 years. Pray that God will give new sponsors for 178 (in wait list) orphans still in need of sponsorship. 5. Praise God for Khen s leadership in the Presbyterian Church in India for the last more than 25 years. Pray that God will prepare the right future leaders for the Presbyterian Church in India (R) denomination as he will be officially retiring in Praise God for my excellent health till February My health got crushed on February 20, It was both physical and emotional breakdown. It took me a long time to recover from this trial. Even during this season of trial God s work, never plateau. We are indeed grateful to all who prayed for us and the ministry during those rough times. Please continue to pray for my health as I still have a lingering pain in my lower abdomen area the pain is not unbearable but not cuncomfortable. I am going for medical check up tomorrow, 30 August. 7. Pray for Khen s itinerary: This is in addition to my normal administrative duties. September 1 7 Hosting visitors from Central Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, MO. 9 Preach at Bethel Presbyterian Church, New Lamka, Manipur 16 Preach at Rayburn Presbyterian Church, New Lamka, Manipur. 23 Preach at Mualkoi Presbyterian Church, Mualkoi, Manipur. October 1-10 Preach and Visit Delhi Presbyterian Church, New Delhi First Presbyterian Church Mission Conference, Schenectady, NY International Seminar at Rayburn College, New Lamka, Manipur. T O M B I N G S: It is the same photo I posted in December For me it is quite a challenge to organise a family photos, especially with young children! Kimkim(10) Nemy(23) Ruth(6) Khen Solomon(5) Rith Mungboi(6) Your Fellow Labourers in His Vineyard, Khen and Rith Tombing Presbyterian Church in India (Reformed), New Lamka, Churachandpur, Manipur , I N D I A. Mobile: khentombing@yahoo.com Please issue your tax deductible gift to PMI, and mail to Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63141