Thank you – Our First Wedding Anniversary

Dear friend,
This Sunday, February 17th, 2008, we will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary. We don’t think anything is more important than remembering and thanking you for blessing our lives when we began our lives together. Without you and your prayers, our life in Pittsburgh would have been very difficult, especially facing our parents and reconciling with them which was also our first priority.
You gave us comfort, helped us financially, and cared for us just like our own relatives in this foreign land. You poured your lives on our wedding and our reception working night and day while we enjoyed our lives without having to worry about various needs. This reminds of us of Paul who said “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us (I Thessalonians 2:8)”.
We went to India this December and by God’s grace, we were able to continue to stand for Christ and give a reason for our commitment and decision to get married in Baton Rouge, LA. Still, many of Manoj’s relatives are against our decision to honor God who given His own life so that we will be separated from the world and live for him. Wherever we went, we did not fail to mention about you who has set us such an example for our lives and by your sacrifice encouraged us to face the world. In Pittsburgh, God did not let us pass this year without seeing his faithfulness. Manoj switched jobs that helped us financially, lot of his relatives showed much concern and love towards both of us, and above all, we are able to continue in Pittsburgh so that we will have time to lay a strong foundation which is Christ himself.
We are also excited to let you know that we are also expecting our first child this June. Jasmine’s parents might come here to help us out during this time. Please continue to lift us up in your prayers. For those who would like to take a second look at our wedding pictures, please click the following link to get to our wedding web album.

http://picasaweb.google.com/manoj.christian/Wedding
Thank you for being there.

Yours lovingly in Christ,
Manoj & Jasmine

The year of 2008 – Part I

It has been to a good start. Our trip to India in December 2007 was very eventful. We had got married in February 2007 without my parent’s permission. Now that we had gone to India, it will be be so disrespectful for them if we didn’t went to see them. I hadn’t talked to my Dad for nearly ten months. On the day, we left to India we were fortunate to talk to my mom. She was in Vallioor attending my cousin Sudhir’s wedding. Unfortunately, she had to stay in Vallioor because my another cousin, Raju, who was on his bed for thirty some years passed away. (His parents took care of him till he died. He could not speak as well as cannot move out of his. His brain did not develop after some time.)

My mom was kind enough to speak to me as well as to Jasmine. We were really encouraged. Jasmine, myself and Pearl went to Atlantic City, NJ to visit my friend Rajesh and leave my car there. He and his wife Melissa were so kind to take us to the airport. We dropped off Pearl at her uncle’s place.

Rajesh, myself and Jasmine went to see Melissa (Rajesh’s wife) . We then headed to the airport. After complicated booking issues and standby, we proceeded to boarding. After knowing that she is pregnant,Jasmine and I were shuffled into different seats and then finally arrived in Chennai.

Tears flowed from Jasmine’s mom when she saw us. Uncle and Aunty were just wonderful and they are so kind and loving.  We had a wonderful time there with a lot of attention. It is so sweet to have Christian families around. I just called my father’s side aunt and uncle but they turned out to be very cold since they did not like me coming with Jasmine to their house. I did not mind. We have to fight for the truth and take a stand no matter what. We will not be ashamed and we are not ashamed for taking the stand for the gospel.

The main focus stayed in going to Madurai and making reconciliation with my parents. After staying in Madras for five days, we went to Madurai. My uncle (father’s brother) came and picked us up. My father would not want to see both of us together. So, he wanted to talk to me first before even thinking of accepting Jasmine. Anyway, after taking some rest and food at my uncle’s house, we came to know that I was going first and then Jasmine is coming on second.

Chittappa, Chitti, and myself went to see my mom. My mom nodded to say to come in. She cried almost instantly when she saw me. I was thinking about all the pain that I had caused them. But, I don’t have any choice.  I love Christ and I love my parents dearly. My father wasn’t there when I came home. My mom cried silently but she could not say anything. She became comforted after I gave her a hug and rubbed her tensed and tired fingers.

My father came in and I was not sure how to face him. I was looking into the cross to give me grace. And, He did. My father came in, shook his head, went inside his room and wept uncontrollably. I went and gave him a hug and I also let out my heart understanding their full pain and anxiety that all my steps have caused. Anyways, I never was and never will be sorry for the calling of Christ in my life. It is better to cry now than in hell.

My father poured out his heart and after two hours, he calmed down. He said he will accept Jasmine only if I accept and willing to help him in business. I told him that I also have the same desire but my current loans have prohibited from coming back. He said he will help to get rid of my debts very soon. I just committed both of our lives into Christ’s hands. My wife got nervous and I comforted by reminding her of precious God’s promises.

After I made the commitment, I was asked to stay back since my father believed he could pay all my debts off within a month. I told I cannot make any false promises. Meanwhile, I went and called Jasmine home. She came nervously. She became very emotional and cried when she saw my mother. My mom took her upstairs when my father came in. She was talking with Jasmine about faith since she said was confused over Christianity that I haven’t changed my name and seemed to be normal than before!

I was thinking about what Christianity is all about. Is it all about not watching TV, movies, and so on. Or is it about the beautiful love story between God and humankind and about the love that is stronger than death.

Trip Back to India (2007 December)

Jasmine and I are planning to go to India this December. I think we are going to stay with her parents. I still haven’t spoken to my parents. I tried talking to them but couldn’t do it. My father finds it very difficult to open up. My mom is so longing to talk to me. I am just uncomfortable to talk to them but I still love them very much.

Let us see. I am planning to go to Bangalore for getting the trust started. And, then I need to go to Trichy and meet friends in Chennai to strengthen the prayer cell group. I feel that is my ministry and I just can’t simply get out of REC prayer cell. I have been praying for starting a trust to help poor Christian Children studying in REC. And, this week, I received a bonus for referring my friend to work in the same company I am working. I am so thankful to God.

Jasmine is three months pregnant. We are getting anxious and excited about it. Our dear family in Tennessee won’t speak to us anymore. That is all right. All for Christ. People in India are yet to know about it. We just got our Canon Powershot S5 camer. I am happy and thankful to God for it.

Lately, there has been so much sexual temptations. My spirit wants to be pure and faithful to God and my wife but my flesh is so carnal. Thankfully, God grace is sufficient.

Today, just as I was walking back from Devonshire to Benedum Hall while my wife is at Tea party in the chuch, I was praying and praising God and my eyes were filled with tears because I got too tired of myself and because of continuous temptations. Also, if we need a good perspective, we can think that it is the time where we can build our character. But, the temptation and trial comes every single time I am given opportunity to preach.

Billy Graham has always been a great example and here is one favorite video of his. I want to preach like him and live like him.

As Jasmine and I had our Chinese buffet this afternoon, my spirit was restless since I wanted to fly like an eagle while my own flesh is pulling me down and sin makes it very heavy to lift off. We had a good time at lunch and talked about our calling (we prayed and sang before we left home) and talked about what God wants us to do in Pittsburgh. Even at our church and our small prayer group that we have in Hyland Hills every Frday, we discussed about the burden that God has placed in our lives to reach out. I sincerely believe God is going to do great things through us in Pittsburgh and this is such a difficult time that we have got to be prepared for the high calling.

When we are doing great, there are so many things happening in India. My hearts is over the orphans living in India and prostitution happening with such audacity in India. Can they who cry for conversion cannot see the depraved and exploited lives of women and children back in Bombay red light area?

Anyways, this year, I wanted to dedicate to God and be prepared. I was distracted by movies, things to do, business but we are getting there. I want to take more leadership role in our home to have a godly home than anything. We are not sure when God will take us back to India (Jasmine wants to settle down here) but my heart is go back. Not ours but let his will be done.

My work has kept me pretty busy and with no time for ministry. The first five months in www.aires.com has been very smooth and very encouraging. They are processing our Green card and giving us more compensation to live by. The increased compensation also helps us pay the bills including our car, rent, pay back the money I received for Anitha’s wedding. Hopefully, By November, we will be more free in terms of financial freedom. Finance is a also an area of struggle and make me very uneasy when I see my back balances on red. But, we have started giving something to the church and hoping to get it solid rock on it.

I am really looking forward to meeting my friends back home. Nobody other than my chittappa has called and talked to me. Nobody else did. I am not sure I will be able to go to Madurai. People in Madurai wants me to help in family business. Not sure I can be for all things for everybody. But, I am really confused or overwhelmed by my responsibilities. To be a good husband, a father, a child to my parents and to reconcile with them and to love them all.

But, I think more than anything, to be a child of God while loving fellow human beings is the first priority. But, my God, the biggest question I have in my heart are

a. Did I please you in every way?

b. What will you want me to do in this life?

Help me do and finish them both before I breath my last.

My Back hurts again..again..again

I should have listened to my wife to not lift heavy weights …not the Gym stuff. I have been in back pain for more than two weeks now. I am not sure what happened but I think this time something else happened than just the pain. I had to come back from work in the afternoon because of the pain. I thought I am going to become unconscious. Neverthless, God is with me and He has promised in the Bible never to leave me alone.

My wonderful wife took care of me. I had to rely upon her help to even get up and go to the restroom. I was not able to get on the left side and even after two weeks I am not able to get up fast. I just need to be careful. Pastor Dave advised me that it is my responsibility that I take care of my body.

Becoming an uncle

It has been a crazy week. After our Friday bible study at Anish’s place, I had to go drop off Ratnakar. After I got home, I had to run to my work to fax documents to make appointments at U.S. Embassy in Chennai. When I was returning home my wife called me and said Anand’s wife Christy is in Labor!

In the bible study, we were teasing Anand and Christy about their due date for the delivery which was next week. We had to take them at 1:30 a.m. and stayed till 5:00 a.m. Had to run few errands that afternoon. Heard from Anand that they have to do C-Section on Christy because of three complications. Joshua Stephen Anand was born that afternoon at 2:00 p.m. and he is such a blessing already to many. We went to ICF at 6:00 p.m. Heard from Divya that She going to join my company on the 24th.

Sunday Morning at the church, I couldn’t stay awake. I had got up at 6:00 a.m. to go to work to redeploy a web service and came home at 9:00 .am. Pastor Dave spoke from Jude. Came home..had a good lunch ..slept till six and then went to see Gerold and Anand.

This week I need to finish up papers for Green Card processing. Struggling to pray and read the Bible while taking care of all other things.

Engagement in Chicago

Shelley and his family, Gifta (my wife) and I came to chicago to attend my wife’s brother’s engagement.  It was a tiring ride for 9 hours after having slept only for few hours. We checked ourself into Days Inn

I haven’t called anybody yet. I am just too tired to do anything right now. Work is catching upon me. I just want to spend hours and hours reading the bible and prayer but I am not able to do it. Today, I just spent some time seeing a movie. I could have spent it just reading the Bible. We have our morning breakfast in IHop and then we went to engagement party at 5:00 p.m.

The party went great. Jasmine and I shared a lot of things about Ranjith. Ranjith and Jane seem to be very content and just so thankful to God.  We had a lot of worship and a very nice message followed by a very good dinner. Then, David and Amy asked us to do some dance on the computer game. And, then by 12:15 a.m, we prayed and left their house.

We are planning to go to The Moody Church and then go to have some Pizza. It has been very interesting so far. I am planning to use the rest of the long weekend to enjoy reading the Bible. I am just in thirst for him.

Manoj

Back again…

It is official. I am married. I am married to a wonderful woman “Gifta”. We are married on Feb, 17th, 2007. So many things have happened this past year. My parents couldn’t believe that I would go ahead and get married to this Christian woman without their permission. We are hoping that our India trip this December would make everything fall back in place. You can take a look at our wedding pictures right in our Picasa collection.

I have left University of Pittsburgh and joined AIReS, Inc as a Systems Programmer. It was a blessing and gives us additonal compensation to carry on married life. Our God is faithful.

I am glad that my testimony is on YeshuSamaj, the organization filled with burdened for souls in Chicago. Btw, we are going to Chicago this Labor Day weekend to attend Jasmine’s brother’s engagement. I am back to writing to pour my heart.

 Till then…May God’s peace be with you.

 Love,

Manoj 

ToastMasters

I went to the ToastMasters (toastmasters.org) at Katz School of Business on Monday, May 14, 2007. Three speakers spoke and gave different speeches. I longed to go to the meeting so many times but give the situations related to work and transfer I was unable to do so. Finally today, I got a chance to go to the club whose details are given below.

Katz Club – Club #: 670037, Dist #: 13, Est: 06/28/2004	(0.4 miles)	Meeting Time: 5:30 pm, Monday, Thursday
Katz Graduate School of Business – University of Pittsburgh 104 Mervis Hall, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, United States Club Status: Open to all

Also, you can visit toastmasters.org and find a club closer to you.

After the three speeches, we are invited to do table talks where we need to pick one of the green or pink cards. The pink card is a kind of fill in the blanks. And, the other is a topic that we can talk about. The talk should be about 1-2 minutes. I spoke for 2:55 minutes! and had the evaluator later telling me that I had made 15 "mmms" !!!! Just speaking at the church won't be enough. To be an effective communicator of the gospel, you need the grace first and then make an effective delivery later. What can people do if they cannot understand you even though you have all the grace.

Effective communication is an important thing. I find so difficult to go to church and find somebody is upset with me because of a miscommunication. Should the people at church communicate ineffectively? Can they afford to be callous in this issue? No! They should be the master communicators that God can use.

Anyway,  I think I need to improve my communication skills and I am up to the task and I think toastmasters is the way to go.

I was asked to speak on the topic "What would I do when my spouse asks me what to do"?

I said "I will stop and listen", "write down the list of things" and then "do the things she wants me to do"!

Manoj

A busy week

This week has been pretty busy. Jasmine and I have been helping a family whose child has been diagnosed with an intestine to disease. Not serious. But, the doctors couldn’t find anything to do for at least a couple of days. I missed out couple of days at work which caused further strain at work.
I have been told not to work from home Anyways, Anand will be here with his wife this weekend. We still have much to do to get the home settled down. Otherwise, things are ok. Looking forward to seeing the next step God has for us.
I really miss talking to my parents. I don’t know how long I should wait.

Manoj

Hello world!

Thank you for taking a look at my technical part of my life. Life is so interesting when you are a programmer. More interesting it gets when you get to work for the University of Pittsburgh. I am in my five years programming experience with the University of Pittsburgh and know one thing for sure. I have to learn a lot.

I am believer in Christ and do a lot of things for my church in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh. I read a lot and I love to sing songs and love to talk with people. Here is the picture of my wife. I am so glad to work from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. finally after marriage.

Please contact me at mmr@cbmi.pitt.edu if you have any questions.

Manoj