|
MY
VISIT AND WORK WITH BONTHA ESUDAS IN INDIA
J.
Walker Whittle, PhD,
Retired
Professor
Freed
Hardeman University
(Download PDF of this report) |
|
Bontha
Esudas and I have been friends on Facebook for many
years. This is how I learned of his effective work with
orphans, teaching the illiterates, and preaching the
gospel in the Narasaraopet, India area. In 2011 I
learned of his forth coming visit to the USA to speak in
a series of gospel meetings. I invited him to visit
with me in my home in Henderson, Tennessee, because I
wanted to know more about him and his work in India. He
spent two days and nights with me. The talk was
non-stop, because it was difficult for me to understand
how one man could be involved in such a wonderful array
of good works for the Lord. 1. He is keeping 50 orphans
in his home, feeding and clothing them; 2. He operates
the Indian Christian School in his home with 170
students with qualified teachers; 3. He provides food
for the elderly in two different congregational
locations; 4. He preaches the gospel of Christ in every
tribal village or regular village or city that will
allow him to come and do so; 5. He has a training
program for those who would like to preach. |
|
|
|
From our discussions I learned of his steadfast love for
the souls of the lost, particularly his own people, and
of his fervent love for the truth of God, the Bible, and
his personal life’s commitment to preaching the gospel
to his people. His grandfather and his father were
preachers of the gospel and he has a son who preaches –
four generations of gospel preachers in his family.
|
|
|
|
In 2012
I learned of another proposed visit to the USA, so I
invited him to stay in my home a longer part of this
visit. He lived in my home nearly a week, and I was
able to arrange visits with congregations that could
help financially. During this visit he shared with me
his dream of helping the illiterates, about 67 percent
in his area, by building a large school building, to be
called the Indian Christian School to teach them to read
and write so he or someone could teach them the
gospel. His
vision was so clear and meaningful. One must have a
proper understanding of the Untouchable Culture in India
to fully understand. My eyes have been opened to many
opportunities through this great work for the Lord
through this man. |
|
|
|
The
Bontha family consists of Esudas and Vijaya, father and
mother, both Christians, two daughters, Nani and Nyna,
who is married to Munna, and a son, Bharath Bhushan, all
Christians. This entire family is involved in the work
of keeping 50 orphans healthy and studying 24/7, and
having 170 students in the Indian Christian School, with
qualified instructors, during the day. I have never
found a family more dedicated to the work of caring for
so many children. Each one truly believes that
education is important. Even though he and his family
come from the Untouchable Class, each is well educated.
Esudas holds the BABED degree; Nani holds the Masters
degree in Technology; Chanti is about to earn the
Masters degree in Technology; and Nyna holds the
Doctorate in Education. Esudas’ grandfather encouraged
education as the sure way out of the Untouchable Class. |
|
|
|
During my visit to Narasaraopt in March, on different
occasions I would awake early and go outside just to
observe. I usually found Vijaya around the two big
pots, probably as much as 20 gallons per pot, giving
orders to some of the older kids on building a wood fire
under each pot which were set on stone block outside the
house. While the kids built the fire, Vijaya and a
helper were preparing the rice and curry for cooking. I
was amazed at how quickly the fires began and the food
got into each pot. The kids continued to feed wood to
the fires under the pots until the food was ready to
eat. On Vijaya’s word the fires ceased, and the cooling
process began. She was teaching them to work and to
follow instructions. |
|
|
|
Soon Nani and Nyna were involved in getting food into
plates of the children and helping them find a place to
eat. There were no eating tables for the kids to
assemble around, nor was there one in the house for the
family, but wherever a place to sit was found and even
sometimes the children stood to eat. No forks, spoons
or chopsticks were available to assist in their eating.
They used the fingers to mix the rice and curry and to
lift the food to their mouths. It was all very
sanitary. They use the forks and spoons God has given
to them. The children were well nourished, but the
eating habits there were much different from what I was
accustomed. They observed breakfast, lunch and dinner,
but it seemed to me their big meal was dinner about
9:00-10:00pm. Several times I went to tell the family
goodnight and found all of them eating a big plate of
rice and curry. |
|
|
|
Being
very impressed with his work for the Lord, particular
the evangelization of the area, I had a strong desire to
visit him to see for myself what was going on. This
desire became reality on March 22, 2015 when I arrived
in Hyderabad, India with a visit with the Bontha family
on the agenda. After preaching four times in Hyderabad,
once in Mangala Giri, and once at Pedambadi Pudi, early
on March 25, I was delivered to Bontha and his wife in
Guntur, with whom I would spend the rest of my visit in
India. It was my happy privilege to stay in the Bontha
home until April 3, 2015. No greater hospitality could
have been found or enjoyed more. Not only did they give
me their room, they gave me their hearts. My sincere
thanks to Vijaya, Nani, Nyna
(Munna, Nyna’s husband), Bharath Bhushan (called Chanti,
also) and Esudas, who nearly worked me to death. It was
my great pleasure to visit the apartment of Munna and
Nyna and to study a brief time with them in the presence
of Esudas. Munna is involved in the informational
technology and has promised Esudas to do a professional
video of his work. I felt very welcomed while in their
presence. I appreciate Munna. |
|
|
|
After an
hour’s drive from Guntur we were at the Bontha home, a
very modest setting, in Narasaraopet, an enclosed area,
filled with kids. I was overwhelmed with their
curiosity and friendliness. I intermingled with them
and soon we were friends. I also met Nani, Chanti, Nyna,
who made me feel at home. I was placed in Bontha’s and
Vijaya’s air conditioned bedroom and found places to
put my belongings. The big question in the ladies mind
was, What does he eat? So what do my wondering eyes
behold but bread, peanut butter and jelly, some of my
favorite foods. I fixed me a peanut butter and jelly
sandwich and the girls stood by watching every move I
made and realize that they had made a hit. There was
rice and curry, soup, and many other delicious morsels.
They really made sure that I was well fed. The fried
chicken was good. They even had milk and cereal for me
at breakfast. Usually it was Nani or Nyna who brought my
meals, but occasionally Vijaya. This became a fun thing
for them and it gave me an opportunity to visit with
them. A cousin came to visit while I was there and she
got in on it as well. She was about Canti’s age. They
eventually gave me a drink called Sadam milk that I
really enjoyed. Bottled water was kept every where.
The ladies made doubly sure that I did not go hungry. A
part of my packing was two boxes of granola bars which
came in handy a couple of times as my blood sugar went
low. |
|
|
|
And soon Esudas and I were off to the new school grounds
of the Indian Christian School for me to speak to a
group of preachers and want-to-be preachers. Before the
day ended, we, Esudas, Chanti, and I, were at
Makkenavaripsalem Church of Christ where I spoke on the
subject , “A life Worth Living,” and two precious souls
responded and requested baptism. It was here I learned
that the bottom of my feet were very tender, too tender,
in fact, to walk barefoot, even in the water, to do the
baptizing. I was provided a large black pair of plastic
or rubberized flip-flops that protected my feet. |
|
|
|
On the
26th, we were on the road again visiting
Ramanjaneyapuram Church of Christ where we strengthened
the church and two more wanted to complete their
obedience by being baptized for the forgiveness of
sins. It was my happy privilege to baptize them into
Christ. From there we visited Jashuva, a young man who
had been
badly injured in an bicycle accident. After a brief
visit, we prayed with him to have a speedy and complete
recovery. He and His family seemed very grateful for
our coming to visit Jashuva. |
|
|
|
On the
27th we rested some and worked with the
orphans and school children, meeting with the faculty of
the school. Bonding with the children at school was one
of the great pleasures while there. These kids stole my
heart, so open, so teachable, so valuable to the future. |
|
|
|
Oh, they were so friendly and most of them desired
attention. So I would sit among them and teach them
songs in English. If I could get a few of them doing
something, then others would join in, particularly in
singing or games. I taught them a friendship game. I
would hold out my hand and ask someone to pat the end of
my fingers. Keep patting until something happens.
After a few pats, I would flip my hand over and hit the
back of theirs. The object was to keep me from flipping
over to their hand. As we left the house or came back
to the house, there were several that wanted to play.
In singing, “Jesus Love me” and “Jesus Loves the Little
Children” were favorites. I also taught them “Row, Row,
Row Your Boat. During this time how I wished many times
that I could speak Telugu, their native language. |
| |
|
On the
28th we were back on the road again near
Jamison Nagar, where I preached, resulting in five
wanting to be baptized into Christ.
Bharath interpreted for me and assisted me in the
baptisms. It was a good gathering, as was most places. |
| |
|
Since
most of the responses came during the evening services,
it was needful to find places suitable to baptize.
There was a very good place near where Bontha lived and
many came there to be baptized. It seemed strange that
they wanted me to baptize them, so it became my pleasure
to teach and to baptize them. Limestone rock and
mountains
are everywhere. On one mountain there was no
vegetation, as it loomed beautifully off-white (with a
yellowish glean) into the sky. Small pebbles and rocks,
some with sharp edges, seem to be every where . Since I
did not bring shoes suitable for baptizing, Bontha’s
family provide me with a pair of flip-flops, and I was
doing great with them until about the 20th baptism. The
little strip of plastic between the big toe and the next
one had rubbed a blister between my toes and it really
began to bother me. However, before the blister
occurred, I was baptizing one day and I stepped back
with my right foot to go down under water with the
obedient subject and my right foot land on a fairly
large lime rock and threw me off balance and I went down
as well into the water getting wet from my shoulders
down. Bharath Bhushan was close by and pulled both of
us out of the water. He assisted me in most of the
baptisms. That was the big joke of my trip, my second
baptism. We all had a big laugh and continued with the
baptisms. Above us ladies were washing clothes, while
below we were washing souls. |
| |
|
On
Sunday the 29th we traveled more than two
hours, to worship with the Kacharagunta Church of Christ
who had a modest building and where I preached. Met the
friendly preacher there and from there we visited a
tribal village where I preached. The illiteracy, I
understand, is almost 100% in that village. At this
stop I met a teenage boy who spoke very good English.
It was very difficult to have a continuous conversation
so many were coming to meet me. However, we did talk
long enough for me to challenge him to be a leader in
finding ways to improve conditions in his tribe. From
here we went to Durgivillage where I spoke again. |
| |
|
During those eight day, I traveled many miles with
Esudas Bontha, going to speaking engagements far and
wide. About all the roads were paved but were in great
need of repair. The main thorough fares were usually in
good shape with Hindu shrines spotted ornately along the
way. The farm land is impressive, rich soil with an
intricate irrigation system. Rice was one of the major
crops, as was corn and grains of various kinds. I saw
many cotton fields as well. On the roads we would meet
vehicles with straw stacked so high and wide that we had
to pull off the road to pass as we met. And it was not
unusual to meet herds of goats, cows and other animals.
Animals had free use of the highways. Ox carts were
very prevalent there, and about every household had one
or two cow in their yards. |
| |
|
It was
on the 31th, that we visited a nearby village,
Challgunula, with an attendance of about 50 where I
spoke and two precious souls requested baptism. They
came the next day to Narasaraopet to be baptized. A
great part of this day was taken up baptizing people.
It is now nearing the time when I must return home.
However, there was another tribal village where it had
be set up for me to speak, so off we go to Adeiahpala
where I spoke about the Life of Christ and three
individuals requested baptism. |
| |
|
About
this time, Esudas visited a television station in
Narasareopet to ask about the possibility of recording
some programs and getting the prices. It was
inexpensive, but the audiences were not that big
either. Nevertheless, it was arranged to tape five
programs with Chanti as the interpreter. So the last
two or three days were a little hectic trying to find
the time to record the programs while doing everything
else on the agenda. I provided the funds to tape and
run these programs after my departure. Chanti had never
done this kind of interpreting, so it took several tries
to get the job done. He did a good job. Three of the
lessons were about the creation and the last two about
God’s plan for man. It was a very primitive setup, but
the man in charge of taping was most helpful and
understanding. Photographs were made during the taping
these programs. We usually taped two programs on one
visit to the studio |
| |
|
On April
1 we visited Subbaiahplem congregation, one of the
places where Bontha feeds a group of elderly people.
It was my privilege to assist in serving the food on
this occasion. It was a humbling
experience to be involved in this process and to
understand the depth of the work of this good man. He
provides food for the elderly at two different
congregational places. |
| |
|
On this
date three souls were added to Makkenavaripalem
congregations. The good results continues and the
possibilities unlimited. On this date we met also at
the new grounds for the Indian Christian School and
played and had fun and made photographs with
the school children. What a fitting climax to the visit
to Narasaraopet and the Indian Christian School. It
deserves our financial support. |
| |
|
By this time I am an exhausted 93 year old preacher of
the gospel but a happy one. We had places to go, but I
asked Esudas to cancel these appearances. So the next
day was spent in preparing to leave for the USA and
visiting with the Kids and family. What a joy, seeing
kids lifted up to be an assets to their nation and the
church of our Lord rather than a financial burden. |
| |
|
He and
his family are taking care of 50 orphans in their home.
During the day he operates the Indian Christian School
in his home and the land has been purchased nearby and
the foundation completed to build a large school
building to help eradicate illiteracy. He awaits the
raising of $200,000 ($125,000 has already been raised)
to free a long-range loan of his sponsoring congregation
– Sunset Church of Christ, Nashville, Arkansas - to have
the funds to complete the building of the Indian
Christian School. He feeds the elderly in two
congregational locations. He preaches to one or many as
the situation may dictate, and he is involved in
training of young men to preach the gospel. What
a great load of work for this family, headed by Bontha
Esudas. He needs our prayers and support in every way. |
| |
|
On April
3, I sadly left his home for the five-hour drive to
Hyderabad, along with his family, where I would catch my
flight to Dubai, to Atlanta, to Memphis. We arrived at
his brother’s house in Hyderabad and had lunch with
them. Their hospitality was gracious. The men absented
themselves and bought me a native Indian costume which I
treasure. Esudas and family took me to the airport, and
the family went with me as far as they could go waving
and saying “good bye.”
This is
a great work of our lord carried on by a deserving
Christian family . THIS WORK TRULY DESERVES OUR
FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
J.
Walker Whittle, PhD,
Retired
Professor
Freed
Hardeman University |
|
|
|
Indian Mission
Powerpoint Presentation |
Bontha
Esudas Indian Mission