Dear Friends,

One of the great teachings of the New Testament is, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Our capacity to love, and the manner in which we show love to others, is rooted in the love that we have received from Christ. We have so many opportunities in this world to show God’s love in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).

In many states of India, IEM is distributing monthly food kits with the words “Gift of Love” printed on the bag, along with a reference to Psalm 46:1, which speaks of God being our help in times of trouble. At the end of June, IEM’s Director of Mercy Ministries traveled to the state of Tamil Nadu to visit a pastor who had heard of IEM’s food kit ministry and was requesting assistance for his community. Although we currently do not have any ministry in that state, we were happy to coordinate with this pastor to provide the needed food kits and to encourage the believers there. It was exciting to see these food kits bring relief and a message of God’s love to people in this very poor community, and to open the door for evangelism. IEM is praying about expanding ministry into new states like Tamil Nadu in the coming years, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with pastors in these states in the meantime. The insert includes some photos of the ministry trip to Tamil Nadu.

IEM is also working to teach God’s love to India’s children by developing vibrant Sunday School and Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs in the churches we support throughout India. Some of the churches already have large Sunday School and VBS programs, including those in the states of Maharashtra and Punjab. These churches recently conducted VBS programs for hundreds of children, teaching them Bible stories and songs. Included in the insert are photos from the successful program recently conducted in Punjab. God willing, in January IEM will be providing intensive training to Sunday School and VBS teachers from various states of India on our campus in Kerala State. Please pray that the training will be successful, as these teachers will be impacting the next generation for the Gospel.

By God’s grace, IEM is celebrating 60 years of ministry this year. We are planning a time of reflection and celebration, along with a challenge for the future, at our annual Banquet in Southern California on October 10th. We are honored to have Dr. Barry Corey, President of Biola University, as our keynote speaker. We hope you will consider coming, even if you do not live in Southern California. A “Save the Date” flyer is included, please share it with anyone who may be interested in joining us. Thank you for your faithful support of this ministry and for the love you are showing to the people of India.

In Him,

Dayan V. Mathai

Executive Director