Good looking family
I was blessed to skype with these guys for the first time since I’ve been in India on Saturday. There are no words to express how thankful I am that God placed them in my life and how much joy, love, and patience they’ve given me.
Praying for you guys!!
Quick rundown
Last week we were at the village Mon-Wed. We were able to have fellowship/bible study both nights again! Pratim taught on the equality of women and men (big in the village culture) and the fall of man, all through Genesis. I have to remind myself that what I consider common knowledge is groundbreaking and possibly heartbreaking for these guys to hear. It is an utmost blessing to be present as the Word of God is being first preached to a peoples. If the process ever feels slow (which it does at times), I need to remember that church planting is a process that is only exactly known by God, and only God. Trust in Him for His work and continue to pursue what He’s called us to pursue. The most simple and most difficult task I think I will ever have as a follower of Christ.
The last few times we’ve gone, a high caste family in the village that Dave and Daphne rent a room from to keep their camping gear in, has been getting angry at us for camping on a terrace owned by Rakesh, who’s low caste. Jealousy and the caste system are still rampant in the village and there were some unkind things said to all of us as well as threats that we weren’t going to be allowed to camp in the village if we kept it up. Without writing too much about this subject (as I’m still trying to process many of my thoughts), it’s important to remember that the sin in their lives is a testament to the power of Satan. High or low, everyone needs Christ, and anger/disagreement is an opportunity for Christ to shine.
This week a few people on the team are going for a day trip to try to figure out the situation a bit, but I’ll be staying in Mussoorie for the week catching up with English teaching (we didn’t teach the last week since the interns were all out trekking for their holiday) and relaxing/refueling in God. As fun as camping is, it’s actually incredibly out of my element and definitely far away from my comfort zone. God provides and comforts, but after 3 weeks of going to the village, I’ve come to see that it’s more taxing on me physically and spiritually than I anticipated. Combine the nature of church planting missions and my own human frailty and one understands the commitment to this type of ministry is longterm or not at all.
Plus, since I’m in town all week, contact me if you’re free to skype or talk! I miss everyone back home dearly and would love to hear about life and/or what God’s been doing! Make me feel not lonely again!! Haha, just kidding. Community is sweet here, but family is everywhere and sometimes it’s how God brings about encouragement/renewed vigor to each other.
We also started a men’s Bible study with some interns and some guys from the church we attend. 7am Monday mornings going through the book of James. Today was great (though I was tired and cold, haha). The body of Christ experienced in His word and with a kaleidescope of different cultures/races/people is always uplifting for my soul.
Prayer Requests
-Keep praying for the village ministry. For believers’ faiths/hearts to be strengthened through Christ, and for unbelievers’ to come to know Him. For the disagreement to be resolved and for God’s mercy and grace to be seen entirely in how it is resolved.
-For English classes, just that God will keep building our relationships with the men there and for the barrier of knowledge to slowly come away for opportunities for the gospel to be shared.
-For myself, that I will find life in God, again and again. Impressing the gospel upon my heart every morning.
Praying for ya’ll back home! Fight for His glory! Titus 2:11-14
1 year ago • Notes