Mr. M. J. Eapen
Dr. and Mrs. Vijay Gaikwad (Leena Khisty)

Mr. M. J. Eapen

The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions
P.O. Box 1346
Blue Bell, PA 19422-0435

Phone: (610) 279-0952

The ministry in Kannauj was begun by the late Miss Louisa Lee, who was appointed as one of the first missionaries under The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions in April 1934. She began her service for the Lord in 1936, and was faithful in serving Him until she went to be with the Lord in 1972. Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Eapen came to Kannauj in 1965 and worked with Miss Lee. Since 1972 Mr. Eapen has continued this work, and is in charge of the ministry. Two workers (Jangu and Middi) help Mr. Eapen in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Eapen reach some of the more remote villages with the Gospel. They go to villages and towns with bags full of Gospels and give them away to needy people. In many places men and women buy the Gospels and Testaments at a nominal cost. The people are starving for the truth and they read these books, and many are being called by the living God to salvation. In several villages the Eapens sit with the people and explain the way of Salvation, and pray with them. These Christians are very poor, but their souls are precious. “…And there are many adversaries” (I Cor. 16:9b). The Word of God has no bounds.

Mr. Eapens administer Hope Academy Christian School which is a blessing to the area. The students are taught the Word of God through this institution, and their parents are also blessed by these children. The parents do say, “Our children get good moral lessons from Hope Academy.” This has been a joy to their hearts as they continue in this ministry.

Bible classes are held every weekend, and Mr. Eapen leads worship on the Lord’s Day. Only a few people attend, but the Lord is in the midst. He gives His guidance every day to walk in His steps.

The Eapens ask for your continued prayers as they go forth with His Word. They write, “People abused us, beat us, a few times stoned us, accused us, snatched our Gospel bags, and tore the Gospels, but the Lord provides His strength to do His will.”

PRAISES/ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• About 150 children received regular instruction at Hope Academy Christian School daily in God’s Word during the school year.
• Mr. Eapen continues to praise the Lord that they were recently able to hand out 1,500 New Testaments, eight Bibles and countless printed papers of salvation to many needy people.
• The Gospel is preached as they gather for worship service on Sundays.

PRAYER REQUESTS/GOALS FOR THE FUTURE

• A larger student body so more children can be instructed in God’s Holy Word and put their faith in Jesus Christ.
• A greater harvest of souls to be saved this year, especially Muslims and Hindus.
• More dedicated Indians to become pastors, evangelists and church leaders.
• Pray especially for North India, as Christians are persecuted and treated as lambs to be slain.
• The well has been dug on the mission property but pray for a continuous supply of fresh water for the school and mission needs during the dry season.

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Dr. and Mrs. Vijay Gaikwad (Leena Khisty)
(Appointed 1982)

The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions
P.O. Box 1346
Blue Bell, PA 19422-0435

Phone: (610) 279-0952
Email: dr_gaikwad42@rediffmail.com

Dr. Gaikwad was in the United States in the early 80s furthering his studies, when he heard that The Independent Board needed a doctor in Kenya, East Africa. At the time the Roland K. Armes Memorial Hospital in Mwingi had been closed. He felt the Lord directing him to go out to Kenya to run the hospital. On August 25, 1982 Dr. and Mrs. Gaikwad and their daughter Minal left the States to serve the Lord in Kenya as medical missionaries under The Independent Board. Unfortunately in December of 1982 the hospital was taken over by the government of Kenya and all our medical personnel were no longer needed.

At that time the land of India was a closed mission field for American missionaries. The Independent Board had active missionaries in that country from 1935 to 1976. Dr. Gaikwad felt the Lord directing him back to his homeland as a medical missionary. At that point Dr. and Mrs. Gaikwad became associate missionaries under The Independent Board. Ever since returning to India the Gaikwads have been sharing the Gospel through a medical outreach. At present Dr. Gaikwad has an admission care facility with an operating theater and a staff of about ten workers to look after the patients. Once a week they travel approximately 20 miles to Serpevada village where they dispense free medicines and treatment for those with physical needs. A down payment of $2,000 for land in the city center of Tumsar town was just paid. It is the Gaikwads’ hope that a hospital can be built here for the glory of the Lord. The Gaikwads also want to have a permanent building in Serpevada. The mission will continue to forward funds for the building program as they are received. The Gaikwads also plan to build a small church for the Christian hospital staff.

The Gaikwads have employed an evangelist to help in the spiritual outreach of their ministry. Mrs. Gaikwad is the administrator of the hospital and their daughter Minal is looking after the accounts of the hospital. Dr. and Mrs. Gaikwad’s son Vishwas (Jeffrey) is in high school and will go on to professional courses after two years.

PRAYER REQUESTS/GOALS FOR THE FUTURE

• The Christian staff in their duties and for opportunities to witness to the patients.
• That all who come to the clinic will hear the Gospel and some may place their faith in Jesus as their Saviour.
• The hospital building program and the funds to complete it.
• Funds to maintain the hospital.

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