Our final programs consisted of a pastor's seminar (identical to that held in Salem) and a return visit to a Christian run school. The pastors meeting was another challenge as there was a 'power holiday'. as they call it when no electricity was provided in that community for the day. Consequently we had to hire a generator to run all the equipment, lighting, fans etc. which pushed us over budget. This however resulted in another problem? My lap top and projector became 'hot' i.e. electric shocks. It turns out no earth had been provided! This meant we could not use this equipment but this did not prevent us from doing most of the program. Electricity in rural India is quite a challenge! The pastors really were enthusiastic and expressed gratitude for us sharing our messages.
Tuesday saw us spending the whole day at the school, presented with gifts, garlands and a cultural show put on by the children. Both of us spoke to the 250 children and had them laughing as well as explaining biblical truths. Kym then spoke to the staff in the school chapel and was followed by me speaking to the school pastor and some local independent pastors, something that suddenly appeared as an extra item on the agenda!!
The afternoon was a challenge in more ways than one, in that I had been asked to give a gospel message to the parents as I had done in previous years. Up until a few days prior I had nothing prepared and then the Lord gave me quite definitely Psalm 23 and how to introduce him as a shepherd and then to run through this a second time with a specific gospel outreach. Everyone gave me their full attention and I sensed the Spirit really working and became aware of His leading and prompting, everything was just prime for the last part. It is hard to explain what happened next but all of a sudden the principal intervened and prevented me from doing an 'alter call'. I felt my message was convicting hearts and was totally floored by this sudden event that resulted in things being taken out of my hand.
My heart sank, as I knew that many were ready to make a commitment and make a decision to accept Jesus. It's hard to explain but often the Lord shows me specific people during a meeting that later are stood at my feet ready to change their lives, and this was another such occasion. I was asked to say a general prayer and then the principle proceeded to summarise my message and expressed gratitude for speaking.
This was an awkward and difficult ending and I felt the enemy had 'stolen the show' as it were. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was and it took a lot of effort to recover, Kym of course encouraged me by saying they did hear the gospel and that was all important. I later found out that one lady in particular had expressed some fears in her life, which I happened to touch upon in my preaching, and therefore I know God had spoken to her. She I know, was one that had been already highlighted to me during the meeting! I have to trust the Lord would still turn these people towards Him.
Sunday evening we hired a hall in the middle of a very rural community and Kym did a sterling job in speaking to these precious ladies with a powerful message. They responded with great emotion and many came and knelt down in front of her to be prayed for (see pic). I also spoke and together we seemed to really bless them.
The hall was packed and they were in full worship using every ounce of energy.It is so wonderful to know that such poor and humble people love the same God that we worship and are saved for eternity. They have come out of darkness into the light, and now have a new birth into a LVING HOPE that we read of In 1 Peter 1:
It excites us to know that the Gospel is alive in India despite the problems, I can relate to how Paul says "I am eager to preach the gospel" Romans 1:15, evangelism is awesome!!!
Keep praying as YOU are a valuable part of this team!
Sunday was another long day and with many different programs. The morning we went to a rural church that we had been to before and we both spoke. Kym a children's message and myself the main preach. It is here that IVCM's 27 orphans are taken care of , but still we need to build the orphanage.
The children and the people responded to the messages and also 9 people of mixed ages responded to the gospel. They were so pleased to receive a New Test' Bible. I had no deliberate plan to preach specifically the gospel message, but felt led to towards the end. It was a very special moment as people came forward for prayer with burdens and also for healing. Then those in the picture responded to the gospel. They are thirsty for the truth.
I then baptised two new believers and had much joy in pronouncing their new names, as that is part of their culture when being baptised.
Afterwards we spent time with the orphans and distributed pillows (the first time they have ever had one), also some received school bags. we then had a mass distribution of toothbrushes/combs/notebooks and pencils, as well as a cuddly toy. They were so happy it was truly amazing, and it was like Christmas as each one was surrounded with practical gifts. Please pray for them as they here the Word of God in church and are looked after by a lady warden. Thanks to those who gave for these provisions, it was so worth bringing them all the way from the UK.
Sat Youth meeting was packed, so much so that they had to put a canopy extension outside the hall we rented, which was a pity in one sense as this restricted what they could see to some extent.
These kids were so enthusiastic in all we did and in worship, I sense this next generation will be people that God uses to speak into India in a powerful way. At the end of the service 12 youth made a decision to follow Christ and can be see here with new testaments.
Sat night was a gospel open air meeting in a very rural village, walking thru cows and goats to find a small area lit up but with worship booming out into the local community. It's a wonder you did not hear it in England (maybe another speaker would have reached the USA!)
An awesome time was had and we gave out the last of our teddies, tooth brushes and pencils to the young people. At the end of the meeting around 19 young and old people came forward and made a decision to accept Christ, here holding up New Testaments. What was so amazing was some older lads in there early 20's who ran boldly up to start with and then others followed. One lad in particular is the son of a man who accepted Christ 2 years before in this village and so for em that was very special.
I think we are getting tired now and the 'annoyances' of India are starting to rise to the surface and we have to remain focussed on the plans God still wants us to fulfill. We have had some long days which have been demanding upon our very souls. It reminds me that Jesus experienced the same things as he faced the multitudes each day.
We started today and was on the road at 7.30am and got into our room at 11.45pm, only to find that it was so noisy we had to 'shift rooms' as the Indians say. So at 12.30 we finally settled into bed. Another prompt start that morning meant it was a short night.
We are often surrounded or near temples and idols, some grotesque, but at the same time we see some beautiful things.
Our heart strings are being yanked in all directions, from the exposure to such sadness and poverty with the people in the deepest rural villages; to having to pray some of the hardest prayers we are being asked to do. For example one frail old lady ( a believer) came up to me and asked me to pray that the Lord would call her home. She said simply " Iv'e had enough'... I want to be with the lord1 She grabbed my hands and just wept, sobbing in my arms! By contrast it's a joy to pray for the young children who come up and ask for prayer for exams.
Kym hada family come and ask for prayer , they were so grateful but slipped something into her handbag. When later on ... after the multitudes had left and we were in the car. She found money tightly folded. It was the equivalent of a weeks wages.! Such sacrifice and I am not always sure why or what the motive is. Kym is also seen here with a teenage girl, who asked for prayer. She sat on her lap and as Kym prayed she had tears running down her face.
What a privilege it is to minister to these people and share Jesus compassion with them. I want to do so much more, but thank God we are doing something, I guess I am not satisfied with the few drops, and want a bigger bucket!
Please pray for fresh energy to be sustained for these last few days
