November 2, 2010

Blog post “Speedy Gonzales” style

This update is mostly to get out prayer requests, so you guys benefit with an easy read :)

The last week was basically spent in the city, so it was a bit more relaxing than past weeks. Highlights:

  • English teaching MWF. But Rakesh, the guy I usually help, wasn’t able to make it W or F. Slightly discouraging, but the goal’s always to make yourself available for things to happen without expecting returns. Note to anyone looking to teach English: using “I am going to verb” is a poor choice for future tenses. “I will verb” is SO much easier to teach as it doesn’t have other meanings. You’ll save you and your pupil much time.
  • Finished reading Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis and read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Housseini in three sittings. Both are good. And because I know some will ask, I enjoyed Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns equally. They’re both great in their own way. Yes, I’m a flake and can’t choose. Sue me (except don’t).
  • One of Dave and Daphne’s chickens got taken by an eagle. It’s not the first time a chicken’s been taken away by another critter. Funny thing is, the eagle never ended up feasting on it’s prize because of some of the workers that are building a house next door. There’s more to elaborate on, but I’ll save it for another time.
  • Monday morning (7am) men’s Bible study has been awesome. We’ve gone through the first 2 chapters of James. Great discussion (especially considering how early it is). I say it all the time, but it’s true so I’ll say it again, Christ centered community made up of all different cultures and age groups is an incredible blessing I’m so glad to have.
  • Skyped with multitudes of people back home. Our God is SO BIG! Moving everywhere it seems. If we haven’t chatted yet, I would love to soon, so email me and we’ll figure out a time!
  • Some of the interns, guys from church, and myself have committed to “No Shave November”. For myself, this is probably a horrible idea, but it’s probably more accepted here than anywhere else, haha. Pictures will come.

Village Update/PR’s

Some of you may remember me mentioning some tension in the village. We’ll when the team went to go check it out, the situation smoothed out some. Basically there are some high caste people (specifically one older man) who are treating the low caste in poor fashion (understatement) and both sides are trying to pull the Pi team to their side. Whichever side has the missionaries wins I suppose. Dave and Daphne have relationships with everyone, but the majority of believers are low caste and young, so some jealousy came up with the older high castes. We do not want to be in the middle and are trying to let things calm down some, so we won’t be going back to the village this week. But we still wanted to encourage the believers, so many of them are coming from the village to Mussoorie Wed-Sat for a mini-retreat! We’re expecting 8-10 people. We’ll be fellowshipping, having some Bible studies, going on a picnic, doing crafts, watching movies, etc. Anything to encourage them to stay strong in their faith and to get their mind focused on Christ and away from brooding on the tension. I’m actually quite excited that there is some persecution because this always breeds endurance and stronger trust in Jesus. And things like this provide opportunities for the grace and love of Christ to shine through the believers. Daphne showed them passages on Christ suffering, and His response, and encouraged them not to talk badly about anyone that puts them down, but to continue to show respect and love in a way they don’t expect. All of these believers are less than 2 years in their faith, so having something like this is a big step towards growing closer to God. There will also be a couple nonbelievers coming too, so there’s more opportunity to hang out with them and share God’s love and gospel!

Please pray for:

-Believer’s hearts to be encouraged, strengthened, and more deeply rooted in their faith after this retreat. That back in the village they will radiate with Christ’s love, grace, and peace amongst any more persecution they may face.

-Holy spirit to move in the non-believers’ hearts and break down barriers and open up avenues for the gospel to take root.

-The high caste in the village, that throughout this whole thing they will see something different in the believers that leads them to Christ. That the Spirit will be working in their hearts as well, softening them from stone to flesh, and destroying the pillars of hatred/caste system that Satan has set up for hundreds of years.

-The Pi team to be Godly representatives of Christ, discipling, mentoring, and shepherding these guys into stronger faiths.

Thanks for all the prayers everyone!

For all my AACM buddies, I hope fall retreat was a refreshing experience that brought the reality of Christ’s death and resurrection closer to your heart, compelling you to go further and further for His glory. I was praying for ya’ll!

Here’s a view from the EMI offices of the Himalayas. So cool…literally. (I’m sorry I just ended the post on a pun…)

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