An honor and a privilege....

Some of you may remember that Louise and I worked in India, among others, with a handful of Anglican churches in the State of Andhra Pradesh.  During one visit, I was asked to evaluate the work in the Kadapa district as there had been complaints that the priest in charge was not fulfilling his duties.  To my utter delight, I found the exact opposite to be true and reported that the word of the Lord was being preached faithfully and that the work was thriving.  This report led to the creation of a separate Diocese and the priest in charge was duly elected and consecrated Bishop.  He was later made the Presiding Bishop over both Dioceses...quite a turnaround for him and his flock.  His name?  Jaya Rao...Bishop Jaya Rao.

During the celebrations following his consecration, his son, Rajesh approached me with a request.  Would I name their baby daughter?  What an honor to name the firstborn granddaughter of Bishop Jaya Rao!  I said I would pray about it, and I believed the Lord wished her to be named Hannah Joy...the Lord had indeed brought them joy, but I also believe that this child will be a prayer warrior and that her petitions which she asks of the Lord will be granted her.  Hannah Joy is still doing well and continues to be a joy to her parents and grandparents.

However, this past week, I received an email from the Bishop and Rajesh, his son, informing us that the Lord had given them a son and that they wanted me to name him as I had named his older sister!  What a blessing!  What an honor!  And indeed, how humbling.   So we prayed about it and this morning I believe the Lord replied.  This is the email I sent them

Dear Bishop Jaya Rao, and Rajesh

మీరు దేవుని మా తండ్రి నుండి మరియు మా లార్డ్ జీసస్ క్రైస్ట్ నుండి గ్రేస్ మరియు శాంతి!

Congratulations!  Thank you once again for the honor you show us in asking us to name your Grandson, Bishop, and your son, Rajesh!  We prayerfully considered your request and believe the child should be named "Joshua David".  

The name Joshua means "YAHWEH is salvation".  He was one of two believing men sent out to spy out the land of Canaan.  Together with Caleb, Joshua believed that God was greater than the giants in the land and that the Israelites ought to fight because God was on their side.  He later led Israel across the Jordan to conquer the land of Canaan.

David means "beloved".  He was chosen by God to be King over his brothers (see 1 Samuel 16:7), and through David, God completed the conquering of the land of Canaan.  Like Joshua, he believed God to be greater than the giants (in David's case, the giant Goliath), and like Joshua, David led God's people to victory over the enemies of the Kingdom.

I believe that the Lord is raising up your Grandson/son to be a mighty man of God in His Kingdom.  I believe God is raising him up to lead His people to victory against the "giants" - against the principalities and powers of darkness.  Joshua David will be a man of vision, a man of faith, and a man who will love God and be loved by God.

As Hanna Joy is to be a woman of power-filled and faith-filled prayer, so Joshua David will be a man of power-filled and faith-filled action for the Kingdom.

May the Lord bless both your children richly, Rajesh, and may they bring happiness to you and Rebecca, Bishop.

Blessings.

Johann