By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



A going away party is being planned this week for a Mt. Olive couple who will soon be planting their feet — and a new ministry — on foreign soil.

Danny and Denise Tesseneer of Ain’t God Good India Ministries aren’t necessarily strangers to the small village near Paloncha in southeast India. The couple visited the country first in 2006 and again last fall.

For the last several months, they’ve been speaking at just about any church that would have them in an effort to raise money and prayer support for the Lee’s Chapel Baptist Bible College.

On Oct. 27, they’ll have the chance to finally see the fruits of their labors. They’ll come home on Dec. 11 before returning to India for a longer stretch next August.

“This will be our first time to go as missionaries, whereas all our other trips have just been mission trips,” Danny Tesseneer said. “We’re really going to have a lot to learn.”

The couple recently received photos of the progress from Indian Pastor Christopher Gowdiperu, who has been overseeing the work on the Bible College. The foundation for the school, which sits on a little less than one acre of donated land, has now been laid and rebar posts show where support columns will be.

Denise Tesseneer said it was an emotional moment to see what progress had been made on the facility.

“That was a beautiful picture for us,” she said. “Danny’s got it saved on his [computer] desktop.”

Despite the work that’s been done on the school, the Tesseneers will continue to share their story and ask for financial and prayer support right up until they leave on their journey.

“We’ve probably been to about 40 to 50 churches and we’ve had so much support, even in these economic times,” Danny said. “There are still several churches and individuals interested in helping us.”

It will cost at least $68,000 to complete the college and the couple has raised a little more than $26,000. Danny Tesseneer’s former church, Lee’s Chapel Baptist, previously donated $22,000 to the cause.

However, there will be other expenses including the cost of food, transportation, supplies and utilities. The couple will live at the college once their quarters have been completed. Until that time, they’ll have to rent a house or stay in a motel.

The couple is also encouraged by the support the project is receiving from residents of the small Indian village. Some villagers have agreed to donate needed items like a well and celing fans while others have agreed to help build the school.

“They’re excited about us coming there and about what’s going on,” Denise said. “They’re amazed at how things are progressing and by how God has blessed them.”

Friday night’s reception will be more than just a send-off for a couple who are traveling abroad to do God’s work. They’re going to miss some upcoming holidays, including Thanksgiving and their granddaughter Anna’s first birthday. However, they plan on keeping in touch with friends and family members through the Internet.

“I think the family’s going to miss us, but they’re doing better than they were when they first heard we were going to be doing this,” Denise said. “This trip is really going to prepare us for what our lives are going to be like.”

The “Tesseneers to India” reception will be held Friday at Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Lee’s Chapel Baptist is located at 7827 Ed Jones Road in Gardendale.

For more information on Ain’t God Good India Ministires, visit www.aintgodgoodministries.com or e-mail Danny@aintgodgoodministries.com or Denise@aintgodgoodministries.com. The couple can also be reached by phone at 631-2621.