Bangalore Recap: Part 2

[Continued from http://glmcindia.blogspot.com/2011/07/bangalore-recap-part-1.html]

…It was already dark when our humble bus put-putted into the even more humble town of B. Khota Khota.  I confess that my heart sank when I saw tee-pee like huts and thought to myself, “No… way, please don’t tell me we will be sleeping in a place like this”.  OH but the Lord is good and we pulled up to a beautiful and spacious white church—a definite improvement from our previous two nights.  “Five star hotel,” in the words of Missionary James. 

 We slept on mats on the floor (upgrade from sleeping just on the floor) but soon found out that the space was already occupied by a family (big family) of sparrows.  The chirping was shrill, the poop falling from the ceiling was “so nasty!” and “sick!” (a few terms coined by our very own team members).  We learned how to cohabitate, however, and even though the little menaces woke us up at the crack of dawn, we had thankful hearts.

[shudder -_-]

We partnered with Pastor Nazareth and continued our medical ministry at B. Khota Khota.  Things went super smoothly.  KCM team did their skits, songs and presentations for the villagers and we ministered to many people and prayed for every single one.  Our teamwork was impeccable and our hearts were aligned like the sun and the moon during an eclipse. (HEHE)

We even had our very own village boy helpers… another post will be dedicated to them.  Long story so I won’t get into it now. *SIGH*

We did the majority of our medical stuff at the church but also had an invitation to visit a school and had a blessed time ministering to the children there.

The following day, we had another “invitation” to a school in the area.  This small public school was situated right next to a large Hindu temple.  We went and proceeded to “do our thing” that we had become so accustomed to.  A couple minutes into our ministry, we began to sense some opposition.  The teachers, who were strong Hindus, caught on to the fact that we were only using medicine as a means to proclaim the gospel and got very upset.  They first asked us to stop praying for each child.  Then they began to question us.  Then they made us stop the presentations and asked us to leave.  Many of us left frightened and discouraged.  Pastor Arun, a humble pastor with a vision to plant 5,000 churches in India and our awesomely skilled bus driver, who has endured actual persecution (beatings, death threats and close calls) also later told us that he had felt afraid for us.  

Satan is at work.  We need to put on the armor of Christ and keep it on because the Christian life is a battle… we need to protect ourselves with the shield of faith.  I was thankful that even in our discouragements was a glimmer of hope.  God humbled us that morning at the school.  HE reminded us that His work is ALREADY done.  He has already won the battle.  We are merely servants and vessels to be used for His glory.  He reminded us of our weakness and reminded us to rely completely on Him. 

With that lesson learned, we continued on.  We did a home visit to encourage a Christian family/home.  We, Arun, Pastor Babu, Pastor Nazareth’s wife, among many other Christians had an in-home worship service.  It was so amazing hearing people worshipping in their native tongue.  A glimpse of what praise in heaven may sound like.  What an amazing blessing.

It was bittersweet leaving B. Khota Khota.  That place, including the bugs in the toilets, poop clogs, rude sparrows, no running water, etc, had become a place of great fellowship and transformation— we had found a temporary “home” in one another’s company; each day’s events and challenges, fought together, had become our shelter.  God’s presence overflowed in that humble church of B. Khota Khota.

Please take a moment to pray for Pastor Nazareth, his family, his church, and his church members.  Contrary to popular (and false) belief, Christian persecution is not rare in the state of Karnataka and so we must pray for our Indian brothers and sisters.  Pastor Nazareth and Missionary James were actually imprisoned there a few years ago.  But praise and glory be to God who used our team to actually BRING so many people to the church to hear the gospel message!  In an area that has such strong Hindu presence and resistance to the gospel, we can count it a miracle.  Thank you Lord for using us!

Let’s remember our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their faith.  People around the world are dying for believing in Jesus Christ.  It’s a reality that is difficult to believe but doesn’t it challenge you? Would you be willing to die for the gospel?  The faith it requires…

The Finale

PR and KCM team left to Chenai and then Visak (I don't know how to spell any Indian word correctly -_-) yesterday afternoon.  Please pray for their safety and that they would continue to have worshipful Christ-centered hearts.  They have been such a huge encouragement and blessing to me and Joann.  We felt like we were sending off family... and that is what we are!

Joann and I will be flying out of Kerala tonight.  Then long long hours until we arrive to LAX Weds morning.  Excited to be coming back home but definitely bittersweet.  We are processing all the amazing things that have happened over that past three weeks so that by the time we come back into contact with Americans, we will have an amazing testimony to share.  Please continue to pray for us as we complete our last day of ministry here with Sathyam.  Please pray for both IEC and Sathyam ministries as well.  Please pray that we will continue to trust in God, put our full faith in Him, and to continue to be partners and great supporters of these ministries and of God's work in India.

Missions is FUN

True or false?

- The bandana bandits ambushed the guys with nerf guns

- A brother who shall remain nameless got his glasses shot off his face (“IT WAS AN ACCIDENT” and led to the “no face shots” rule, but with one exception [see below])

- In retaliation, the brothers engaged in psychological warfare by shoving dead flying ants under our room door and splashing unfiltered water at us

- After saying, I quote, “Shoot me in the face. I won’t flinch,” one unnamed individual was shot in the face by another unnamed individual who was having a bad day

- PR was ambushed by six unnamed individuals from the medical missions team from GLMC

- One girl went crazy and used a caterpillar as a sword

- One girl rammed into Hubert’s polka-dot umbrella shield and broke it during battle

- A surgery was performed on a jelly-bean-like growth on someone’s cankle with a sterilized safety pin

- All three of us girls held a puppy EACH for a 2.5 hour bumpy, sweaty drive

- To keep ourselves busy, we had a really really good time with a giant rock

Missions IS FUN!!!! ALL TRUE!!! Hahaha! But in all seriousness, all of these fun events were a great blessing and grew our team closer together. Oh the joys of missions… the simple things in life bring such great joy.  I want to continue that practice when I get back and challenge you all to do the same.

More pictures to come!!!

Reunited!!!

July 20, 2011, 9:32pm

PR and KCM team arrived safely and met us here at CV’s.  What a joyous occasion!! My smile was from ear to ear!

Mary’s hospitality never fails to amaze me.  She’s been faithfully preparing Joann and me breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner every day.  Fattening us up!  Tonight, she cooked for all 17 of us.  Parotas (spelling?- soft, thin, nan-like-but-better tortilla-ish deliciousness) and chicken curry. VERY VERY NICE (in Indian accent, please).  Then we had joint worship after dinner.  Brought us back to the good ol’ Bangalore days; worshipping, sharing, and learning together with KCM team.

Sam of KCM shared on 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.  And whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

God’s word challenged and rebuked many of us to continue to give our all for the remainder of our trip.  It’s easy to start something and be excited about doing God’s work but it’s more important to finish strong.  God has given us much and expects much in return.  Amen? AMEN!

Bangalore Recap: Part 1

It’s now been three days since we left Bangalore.  I want so much to hold on to all that God revealed to us—all the grace received, all the blessings experienced, love shown, hope grown.  Out of all that God taught me the past two weeks, I think what will stay with me most is the examples of Christ found in the missionaries and pastors of IEC.  Larger-than-life visions blooming into fruition, unshakeable faith and answered prayers, faithful, obedient, useful, usable, reliable servants reflecting Christ in every action and word.

The last time I blogged, I informed you all that we would be traveling to villages surrounding Bangalore for about four days.  Those four days turned into six days.  In other words, our supply of clothes, baby wipes, and snacks were tested.  Those days flew by though because each day was so full of… amazing goodness.

The first village we visited was Nanagondlu.  We arrived just as Pastor Joseph’s Sunday service was ending and had an opportunity to preach the gospel, do an encouragement song, and lay our hands on each individual and pray for them. 

Then we went straight into our medical ministry.  We set up shop inside Pastor Joe’s home.  Not long after, came the “attack”.  The people were so eager to receive medical services that they began crowding in and soon, we had to barricade the door.  Faithful servants from the KCM team, including PR, sacrificed their bodies (lol) and used their strength to keep the people out and attempted to keep them orderly.  At first, we were overwhelmed and discouraged but we were challenged to think about the ministry of Jesus.  People from all over came and went to great lengths to be touched and healed by our savior.  It was similar in that many of these people were so “in need” of healing and reminded us again of our great purpose in preaching Jesus as the ultimate healer.

We were so busy this first day that we skipped lunch (many of us were so busy we were unaware).  We had to turn some people away as we put our stuff away and promised that our ministry would continue the following morning.  Then, we finally got a much-needed breather.  The men went to take a bath in the “MAGICAL LAKE”.  Ask them about it because all I heard from them was that it was absolutely “magical”.  There are no pictures to prove this, however.  All the girls had was the great outdoors as our bathroom [pic].  No running water.  Yes, we roughed it.

As nightfall came, all 22 of us packed into the church like sardines, had dinner, prayed, devo-ed, and slept.  In my opinion, those close quarters that first night led to the overflow of unity and foreshadowed the unity and seamless teamwork to come.

The next day went according to plan.  We saw more patients until the afternoon and then left Pastor Joseph’s church to go dedicate a church.  We took a rock, a cornerstone, with us.  We all packed into the bus and drove for a little while until we arrived at a field— an empty field of plowed dirt.  This was the church.  We were here to dedicate a plot of land, that in faith, would be a church full of worshippers in the coming years.  What an experience.  We put down the cornerstone to commemorate the beginning of this church.  We literally were a part of planting this church—the fertile soil would spring up believers in this community that has not heard the name of Jesus Christ ever before.  We prayed, in faith, knowing that God will gather his flock here in this village, and as we prayed and sang praises, drops of rain fell from the sky, then tears fell from my eyes—God’s mercies revealed.

After this, we packed back into the bus and drove some more.  The “older” GLMC team members went with missionary James and IEC staff to register more churches in the city.  And the “younger” GLMC team members stayed with the KCM team and had lunch.  Then we went to another village.  We ended up at another plot of land, this time full of weeds and poop.  It wasn’t a plowed field, but it was still a space where a church would soon be erected and believers would come and worship.  Huduguru— yet another village soon to find salvation.

Two church plants in a day.  Can you believe it?  We were all so blessed and overwhelmed at the mighty work God is doing in India and for the first time, I think many of us found hope.  We found faith.  We began to believe in prayer.  We began to believe in God’s plan for India.  Hallelujah.

Finally, we headed for our final destination.  We drove for hours on bumpy unpaved roads, watched the sun set through the bus windows and continued into darkness.  It was Christian Indiana Jones style drive with tree branches striking us through the windows as we sang praises and shared in long Christ-centered talks.  Finally, we arrived at B. Kotakota (spelling??)the village we would stay at for the following three days...

TO BE CONTINUED...  here: http://glmcindia.blogspot.com/2011/07/bangalore-recap-part-2.html

Please lift up a prayer for Pastor Joseph's church and the village.  Please lift up a prayer for the church plants-- that the gospel would be preached, that the gospel would be heard, that the gospel would be received into the hearts of His people.  Please pray that God would bring His sheep back to His fold.

Kerala Update

Monday, July 18, 2011, 9:34pm

Thiruvalla, Kerala

Joann and I arrived safely in Kerala this afternoon.  Our train was delayed about an hour but CV’s right-hand man, Abraham, along with CV’s son, Justin, was faithfully waiting for our arrival. 

Green.  That’s the one word I would use to describe this place.  With every curve of the road, I felt like I was entering a secret garden—so lush and fantastic.  Yes, fantastic.  So green it’s surreal.  It only got better as we entered into the driveway.  Our own private resort—except instead of relaxing, we are purposefully doing God’s work.  And by work, I mean work.

School for the disabled children starts early and doesn’t end until around 5pm.  Exhaustion sets in early because of the high level of energy and interaction (plus the heat and humidity).  I have no idea how these teachers do it.  But it inspires me—I’m sure there will be times I feel like giving up, but I remember that God created each and every one of these children and HE has called me to minister to these children.  They were created with special needs and a poster here reminds me that we can “create possibilities for those with disabilities”.  Amen.

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 10:55pm

The rain here comes suddenly and disappears as suddenly as it falls.  Each time the drops fall, I am reminded of God’s promises to HIS creation.  I am reminded of God’s grace and mercy.  Thank you Lord for the rain.

This morning, Joann and I meditated on Numbers 2:31: They shall set out last, standard by standard.  The Danites position in the army was at the rear.  Spurgeon writes that “even though last and least”, the rear guard is needed.  Many of the “slowly moving children” need help so we must “work on and take [our] assigned place at the rear… my soul, watch tenderly to help the stragglers today”.

Tonight, we meditated on Matthew 12:20: A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.  “Some of God’s children are made strong to do mighty works for Him; God has His Samsons here and there… but the majority of His people are a little fearful flock… Yet, weak as they are, and because they are so weak, they have this promise made especially to them.  Herein is grace and graciousness! Herein is love and loving-kindness!”  God gently reminds us that Jesus has shown us compassion and grace and challenges us to do the same.

We needed these exhortations because we’ve been a little discouraged.  It’s difficult here.  The school is difficult.  The kids are difficult.  Our purpose was so clear back in Bangalore and each day felt SO purpose-driven… but it’s been difficult to remember our purpose here.  Still, we are learning discipline in abiding.  Please pray that Joann and I will reflect Christ to these children and be an encouragement to the staff and teachers here.

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Present: 
PR and KCM team are in Kerala!!! We are waiting for them to get here soon and will be having dinner with them~ so excited! Hubert, Jeff, Amy and Nate are now safely in America and hopefully sharing their testimonies with you all.  I will hopefully go back and insert photos later.  No time!  "Very, very nice!"

"Dynamic Encounters"

It's been difficult to get online.  Not much time to update but here's a preview:

- 4 days turned 6 days out in rural villages (sparrows, no showers, and great blessings)
- Medical missions: attack of the villagers and creation of "line control" and "bouncers"
- 850 total people seen and prayed for
- Church plants (plowed field, cornerstone, rain)
- Church dedications and registrations
- Persecution in village school
... and much much more!!! STAY TUNED!

Again, thank you for your continued prayers. God has answered every single one.
We are all, by the grace of God, healthy and safe and being overwhelmingly blessed. (Seriously crazy how no one has gotten sick!)

Nate, Hubert, Jeff and Amy are flying back tomorrow night and Joann and I are taking the train to Kerala to start our second half of our ministry. Please continue to pray for us.  We have also been praying for you guys and hope you are being renewed each day.