Sunday, March 25, 2007
Thursday, March 1, 2007
My journey begins
In a land with the Largest democracy in the world, one of the most ancient and living civilizations (at least 10, 000 years old) a Population of 1.5 billon people and growing, I sought out to find spirituality and experience the power of God in its rawest form.
My journey begins in India. A very culturally and spiritually flourishing country, where the Hindu’s lead at 81.3%, Muslim’s 12%, Buddhist 2.5% and Christian’s building forces at 1.9%. After an eighteen hour flight I arrive in Deli. I am greeted in the full force of this great nation. As I wait for my connecting flight to Mumbai then to Coimbatore I sit and admire the outwardly expressions of peoples beliefs. Almost every person has a range of red dots on their foreheads. I am given flowers from a group of monks, (orange robes and shaved heads). Looking through the flood of people there is a Muslim preparing one of his many times to pray. He faces toward Jerusalem, bows, takes out his mat, and bows again. The Gentleman kneels and takes out a prayer book and begins to do the ritualistic bowing and praying with his arms stretched forth. I look around and no one is watching. I come to the conclusion that this is very common.
Admiring his dedication and boldness I document this small experience in my journal. I write, “I am witnessing a non Christian worship God, (not Jesus) in an airport with such dedication and boldness. He has influenced my life this day, from this day forward I promise my self and The Living God to bow daily out of reverence, worship and humility. He is so deserving of all I am.”
I finally arrive at the Coimbatore Airport. “Thank the Lord!” the never-ending journey is done, (three days later)! But as I always say, “the journey makes the arrival that much sweeter”.
I am greeted by a smiling man named Harry Gomes. I was to stay with him and his lovely family and document the work he is doing for the Lord in India. I had herd of massive healing crusades, an orphanage like no other and a bible college all being run by a single, simple pastors vision.
Being a photographer, my excitement grew with anticipation! For a while I have heard and read of supernatural healings. They seem to always happen in foreign countries when no ones looking. It was my goal to capture through the eye of my lense these mystical unknowns.
I got to spend some personal time with Pastor Gomes and something happened to me. I came looking for God and I first found an Angel. I have never met someone with such humility and great spiritual power all wrapped into one ball of a very joyful and ordinary man. All the great TV pastors seem untouchable. This man was everything I would think Jesus was like when He walked the earth.
Pastor Gomes told me his testimony with the largest smile on his face and the glow of a Godly man. I started writing.
He was born in a South India. He lost his mother at the age of 8 of suicide. Interesting to find out that Hindu’s believe if they write their gods name 10 million times they have obtained salvation. This dramatic experience caused him to be brought up by his father and grandmother. He did not have a pleasant childhood and did not have any education till the age of 13.
Since he was eager to study, he directly appeared for the matriculation exam, and cleared it with flying colors (as us Americans would say). From here on he raced with much enthusiasm and zeal towards studies he acquired his Masters in Business Management specializing in Marketing & Commerce. He then started a business after getting married and excelled in his field of business. He received 2 awards. The Lok Shree award & Udyog Shree award from the Institute of economic studies.
At this juncture he suffered from a skin disease “Lukerderma(white patches)”. His disease spread all over his body. Not able to bear the pain & humiliation he lost interest in studies & business & decided to commit suicide.
The turning point in his life happened on the 29th day of August 1992. It was the birthday of his wife and they went to the church along with his 2 children. During prayer Bro. Gomes was filled with the power of Holy spirit. He was healed from the “Lukuduma” and at this time and he began to speak in tongues.
As he reflected back on his life when he had walked all alone the noticed that even while he was an orphan, the Lord always sent people to help him out from his difficulties.
(He told me more. Like Jesus appearing to him and giving him details about his purpose and the Lord blessing him with the gift to memorize the entire Bible, but you wouldn’t believe it. Things like that don’t happen anymore, we just read a bible that says it does.)
The God of the Universe had great plans for his life. He started interceding and praying for others. He also supported lot of pastors as he was in business.
As a thanks for all great things happening in his life he arranged a crusade in the year 1996. He had invited good gifted speakers to minister. On the day of the crusade the speakers did not turn up. As he was prayer in distress, the Holy spirit led him to do the preaching. He did not know the scripture at this time, when he started sharing of the love and Compassion of God He shockingly was able to preach by quoting verses. In fact this was a surprise for Bro. Gomes himself “Halleluiah!”. During this crusade nearly 5,000 people who attended were saved & blessed.
From that time he knew that this was his purpose and the life that God wanted him to continue. He then closed up his business. He made sure that all his employees were well settled in good companies. From here on he started full time ministry. “To work only for the Lord” this became his motto in life. Till this date & forever to serve the Lord will be in his every breath.
All his money and land he owned was dedicated to the ministry and put every dime (rupee) in a ministry trust and began building.
This is where the story gets interesting!
The very valuable land, two properties where the beginnings of the vision from the Lord. The first property I visited was an orphanage called “The Home Of Hope” at this place is gathered some of the most beautiful shining faces of 70 boys. (At the crusades he gives a call to any orphans who want a home and a education with the goal being trained to be Pastors.)
The boys are given 5 uniforms, bed, 3 square meals and 2 snacks a day and an education comparable the public system. They are taught in 5 languages. They range from the age of 4 to 17. These are the first generation of many.
We enter the chapel. The boys are on their knees in rows singing praise songs. We go to the front and he greets them saying to them all, “I love you” further explains to the new comers that, “I am your new father, and I will never forsake you.” Then he gathers them close and prays with the group repeating, teaching them daily how to pray. On our exit he is sure to hug and kiss everyone individually.
Our next stop is the church ground, (Carmel Prayer Tower and Bible College). The ground has a chapel for strictly Prayer and one for Services. The Bible College lines the edge of the property, (students also gathered at crusades). The vision is that after the orphans graduate High School they then go on to the Bible College, where they are trained, taught, married and sent out to start a church in India. (All on Gomes pocket)
Pastor Gomes informs me that we are going on a 18 hour train ride to a crusade in Andrapradesh. The long ride was a good time to reflect and write. The country side was beautiful as the palm tree forest faded and the desert consumed. The Indian sunset and sunrise was so glorious. I hung out the train and soaked in my surrounding to my bones. I never felt so connected to my life more than in that moment.
We arrive late at night and take a 5 hour bumpy and squished ride to our hotel. The next morning I spend 2 hours in prayer with Pastor Gomes. He taught me how to really worship and pray to our creator. This was such a eye opening experience.
Later that night we attend the first on a 5 night crusade. The bible college students have preceded us passing out flyers and gathering the churches. (Which is a tough job. You can imagine, Hindu’s and Christian pastors!)
I couldn’t believe my eyes as the nights went on the crowd grew to 90,000+! I have never saw live a crowd that big. Gomes puts me on the spot and has me greet the people. (crazy experience)
The miraculous healings where amazing to witness first hand through the eye of my lens. Cripples running, def hearing, blind seeing and very visibly demonic people being restored. In one case my wife and my 2 year old daughter were standing by the side of the stage, Pastor Gomes is brought a woman who invited a spirit to give her the strength to kill her husband. As he speaks to her she violently covers her ears, screams and rolls on the ground. She rolls fast toward the edge of the 8ft tall stage with no will to stop, right at my wife and daughter. Luckily some men jump in front and stop the woman from falling off the stage. Gomes tells the men who are pinning her down to let her be. He speaks to the spirit, puts some water in his hand and whips it down at her saying, “In the Name of Jesus leave her right now!” Was I experiencing a exorcism? “How cool” I thought as I filmed. The spirit left and the woman collapsed exhausted from the whole ordeal.
The last night a roaring fire from a hut quickly caught the attention of the crowd and Gomes. All the people stood. Gomes looked quietly for a second and then said with great authority, “Father God you are the all Consuming Fire, come down and stop this in Jesus Name”. Pretty daring I thought as I watched with wonder and hope for his sake. 1,2,3,4,5 seconds…the roaring fire, burning a large straw hut, with no end in site, STOPS. Dwindles down to a smolder. I couldn’t believe my eyes, (got it all on tape for the small minded), right then I knew whom the company I was in the presents of.
Pastor Gomes spoke to me after our morning prayer saying, “come to India and I will make you a true missionary”. I didn’t know I was a missionary? I traveled the world and have experienced a lot only being 26 and raised as a PK, but for the first time in my life I had direction, direction I had so longed for.
So here I am. Sold everything, left my friends and family, left my land and came to India with my family. I am dedicating one full year to God, in hopes that he will meet with me. (I desperately want to hear his audible voice and see anything he would let me. He shouldn’t of wrote in his book “He would give me the desires of my heart” because my imagination is endless. I am so thankful for Gomes choosing me to personally disciple. I have my very own spiritual tour guide and I am going to juice it for all it’s worth.
Pastor Gomes comes to America to speak during the months of June, July and August. As of now he has only 1 supporter. His heart is large and vision endless. My prayer is that someone catches the vision and invites him to speak. You will be in the company of one of the greats of our time!
Randall Landis Jr.
My journey begins in India. A very culturally and spiritually flourishing country, where the Hindu’s lead at 81.3%, Muslim’s 12%, Buddhist 2.5% and Christian’s building forces at 1.9%. After an eighteen hour flight I arrive in Deli. I am greeted in the full force of this great nation. As I wait for my connecting flight to Mumbai then to Coimbatore I sit and admire the outwardly expressions of peoples beliefs. Almost every person has a range of red dots on their foreheads. I am given flowers from a group of monks, (orange robes and shaved heads). Looking through the flood of people there is a Muslim preparing one of his many times to pray. He faces toward Jerusalem, bows, takes out his mat, and bows again. The Gentleman kneels and takes out a prayer book and begins to do the ritualistic bowing and praying with his arms stretched forth. I look around and no one is watching. I come to the conclusion that this is very common.
Admiring his dedication and boldness I document this small experience in my journal. I write, “I am witnessing a non Christian worship God, (not Jesus) in an airport with such dedication and boldness. He has influenced my life this day, from this day forward I promise my self and The Living God to bow daily out of reverence, worship and humility. He is so deserving of all I am.”
I finally arrive at the Coimbatore Airport. “Thank the Lord!” the never-ending journey is done, (three days later)! But as I always say, “the journey makes the arrival that much sweeter”.
I am greeted by a smiling man named Harry Gomes. I was to stay with him and his lovely family and document the work he is doing for the Lord in India. I had herd of massive healing crusades, an orphanage like no other and a bible college all being run by a single, simple pastors vision.
Being a photographer, my excitement grew with anticipation! For a while I have heard and read of supernatural healings. They seem to always happen in foreign countries when no ones looking. It was my goal to capture through the eye of my lense these mystical unknowns.
I got to spend some personal time with Pastor Gomes and something happened to me. I came looking for God and I first found an Angel. I have never met someone with such humility and great spiritual power all wrapped into one ball of a very joyful and ordinary man. All the great TV pastors seem untouchable. This man was everything I would think Jesus was like when He walked the earth.
Pastor Gomes told me his testimony with the largest smile on his face and the glow of a Godly man. I started writing.
He was born in a South India. He lost his mother at the age of 8 of suicide. Interesting to find out that Hindu’s believe if they write their gods name 10 million times they have obtained salvation. This dramatic experience caused him to be brought up by his father and grandmother. He did not have a pleasant childhood and did not have any education till the age of 13.
Since he was eager to study, he directly appeared for the matriculation exam, and cleared it with flying colors (as us Americans would say). From here on he raced with much enthusiasm and zeal towards studies he acquired his Masters in Business Management specializing in Marketing & Commerce. He then started a business after getting married and excelled in his field of business. He received 2 awards. The Lok Shree award & Udyog Shree award from the Institute of economic studies.
At this juncture he suffered from a skin disease “Lukerderma(white patches)”. His disease spread all over his body. Not able to bear the pain & humiliation he lost interest in studies & business & decided to commit suicide.
The turning point in his life happened on the 29th day of August 1992. It was the birthday of his wife and they went to the church along with his 2 children. During prayer Bro. Gomes was filled with the power of Holy spirit. He was healed from the “Lukuduma” and at this time and he began to speak in tongues.
As he reflected back on his life when he had walked all alone the noticed that even while he was an orphan, the Lord always sent people to help him out from his difficulties.
(He told me more. Like Jesus appearing to him and giving him details about his purpose and the Lord blessing him with the gift to memorize the entire Bible, but you wouldn’t believe it. Things like that don’t happen anymore, we just read a bible that says it does.)
The God of the Universe had great plans for his life. He started interceding and praying for others. He also supported lot of pastors as he was in business.
As a thanks for all great things happening in his life he arranged a crusade in the year 1996. He had invited good gifted speakers to minister. On the day of the crusade the speakers did not turn up. As he was prayer in distress, the Holy spirit led him to do the preaching. He did not know the scripture at this time, when he started sharing of the love and Compassion of God He shockingly was able to preach by quoting verses. In fact this was a surprise for Bro. Gomes himself “Halleluiah!”. During this crusade nearly 5,000 people who attended were saved & blessed.
From that time he knew that this was his purpose and the life that God wanted him to continue. He then closed up his business. He made sure that all his employees were well settled in good companies. From here on he started full time ministry. “To work only for the Lord” this became his motto in life. Till this date & forever to serve the Lord will be in his every breath.
All his money and land he owned was dedicated to the ministry and put every dime (rupee) in a ministry trust and began building.
This is where the story gets interesting!
The very valuable land, two properties where the beginnings of the vision from the Lord. The first property I visited was an orphanage called “The Home Of Hope” at this place is gathered some of the most beautiful shining faces of 70 boys. (At the crusades he gives a call to any orphans who want a home and a education with the goal being trained to be Pastors.)
The boys are given 5 uniforms, bed, 3 square meals and 2 snacks a day and an education comparable the public system. They are taught in 5 languages. They range from the age of 4 to 17. These are the first generation of many.
We enter the chapel. The boys are on their knees in rows singing praise songs. We go to the front and he greets them saying to them all, “I love you” further explains to the new comers that, “I am your new father, and I will never forsake you.” Then he gathers them close and prays with the group repeating, teaching them daily how to pray. On our exit he is sure to hug and kiss everyone individually.
Our next stop is the church ground, (Carmel Prayer Tower and Bible College). The ground has a chapel for strictly Prayer and one for Services. The Bible College lines the edge of the property, (students also gathered at crusades). The vision is that after the orphans graduate High School they then go on to the Bible College, where they are trained, taught, married and sent out to start a church in India. (All on Gomes pocket)
Pastor Gomes informs me that we are going on a 18 hour train ride to a crusade in Andrapradesh. The long ride was a good time to reflect and write. The country side was beautiful as the palm tree forest faded and the desert consumed. The Indian sunset and sunrise was so glorious. I hung out the train and soaked in my surrounding to my bones. I never felt so connected to my life more than in that moment.
We arrive late at night and take a 5 hour bumpy and squished ride to our hotel. The next morning I spend 2 hours in prayer with Pastor Gomes. He taught me how to really worship and pray to our creator. This was such a eye opening experience.
Later that night we attend the first on a 5 night crusade. The bible college students have preceded us passing out flyers and gathering the churches. (Which is a tough job. You can imagine, Hindu’s and Christian pastors!)
I couldn’t believe my eyes as the nights went on the crowd grew to 90,000+! I have never saw live a crowd that big. Gomes puts me on the spot and has me greet the people. (crazy experience)
The miraculous healings where amazing to witness first hand through the eye of my lens. Cripples running, def hearing, blind seeing and very visibly demonic people being restored. In one case my wife and my 2 year old daughter were standing by the side of the stage, Pastor Gomes is brought a woman who invited a spirit to give her the strength to kill her husband. As he speaks to her she violently covers her ears, screams and rolls on the ground. She rolls fast toward the edge of the 8ft tall stage with no will to stop, right at my wife and daughter. Luckily some men jump in front and stop the woman from falling off the stage. Gomes tells the men who are pinning her down to let her be. He speaks to the spirit, puts some water in his hand and whips it down at her saying, “In the Name of Jesus leave her right now!” Was I experiencing a exorcism? “How cool” I thought as I filmed. The spirit left and the woman collapsed exhausted from the whole ordeal.
The last night a roaring fire from a hut quickly caught the attention of the crowd and Gomes. All the people stood. Gomes looked quietly for a second and then said with great authority, “Father God you are the all Consuming Fire, come down and stop this in Jesus Name”. Pretty daring I thought as I watched with wonder and hope for his sake. 1,2,3,4,5 seconds…the roaring fire, burning a large straw hut, with no end in site, STOPS. Dwindles down to a smolder. I couldn’t believe my eyes, (got it all on tape for the small minded), right then I knew whom the company I was in the presents of.
Pastor Gomes spoke to me after our morning prayer saying, “come to India and I will make you a true missionary”. I didn’t know I was a missionary? I traveled the world and have experienced a lot only being 26 and raised as a PK, but for the first time in my life I had direction, direction I had so longed for.
So here I am. Sold everything, left my friends and family, left my land and came to India with my family. I am dedicating one full year to God, in hopes that he will meet with me. (I desperately want to hear his audible voice and see anything he would let me. He shouldn’t of wrote in his book “He would give me the desires of my heart” because my imagination is endless. I am so thankful for Gomes choosing me to personally disciple. I have my very own spiritual tour guide and I am going to juice it for all it’s worth.
Pastor Gomes comes to America to speak during the months of June, July and August. As of now he has only 1 supporter. His heart is large and vision endless. My prayer is that someone catches the vision and invites him to speak. You will be in the company of one of the greats of our time!
Randall Landis Jr.
the ministry we are supporting
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
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