Day Five

Today we were again on the road and are now in another part of India (after an eight hour van drive). We don’t have the greatest internet connection here but we wanted to try to get something out for you to read…

Before we got on the road, we held another medical/eyeglass clinic in a Dalit village. Many of the people in this village had never seen a while person before. In fact, some of the people said (after we had helped them) that “The gods have come and restored my sight”. I can’t tell you how uncomfortable that quote makes me feel. I am no god. The other members of our team are no gods. In fact, what we brought here for these people (that restored their sight) is of such insignificance to us that it can be purchased at the dollar store next to nothing.

This episode got me thinking about how spoiled we are in America. So to do a little exploring on the topic I seized some time during the van ride to ask a couple of questions. Specifically, I spoke with two of the team members from here in India and asked them what a middle-class person in India would make per year on average. His reply was that they would make about 6000 rupees. 6000! Oh, and before you start thinking that a rupee is similar to a dollar – it isn’t. Some of our team exchanged some money at the hotel tonight and the exchange rate was 49 rupees for 1 dollar. That means that our India team members live on (about) $150 per month. And these are professional/middle-class folks!

Like I said, we are spoiled. So I am wondering – what would we be willing to give up for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What, from the amazing abundance that God has given us, would we be willing to surrender to God (who owns everything anyway) for the sake of His kingdom? What would life be like if what we have was looked at as assets that God has allowed us to use for the benefit of His kingdom…not our own whims and desire for comfort?

Just something for each of us to ponder…

John
LGLOMD – six simple letters, one profound life.

Day Four

Greetings from India!

Yesterday I had a great experience at the village I visited when I was here four years ago. In 2004 it was hit by the tsunami, which originated in Indonesia, wiping out over 50 homes in seconds, killing hundreds of people.

Many of those who died were the men, who were fishing at the time. They left behind many widows and orphans. Soon after numerous groups came to help, among them the mission with whom we are serving, UEM. When all the other social help groups left, UEM kept a church planter in place.

When visiting four years ago, I saw Raj beginning to share the love of Jesus with this Hindu village, which before the tsunami had been totally closed to outsiders, especially Christians. But the Lord used that tragedy to open their hearts and lives to the Gospel.

Four years later this village is undergoing a great transformation. We were welcomed with open arms and even heard the testimony of the former Hindu temple priestess. At first she was greatly angered at hearing the Word of God, but one day the Holy Spirit came upon her, delivered her from her demons and gave her the peace of Christ. Now she boldly shares her testimony with all who listen, which includes increasing numbers of people.

We thank you for your prayers and support and look forward to sharing pictures and stories with you when we return!

P Mike

Day Three - Tired

Wow...I am tired. Emotionally, physically, spiritually. I am tired.

After jumping off the overnight train, climbing about a bus/van for a two hour drive (through some pretty crazy driving), and then spending the rest of the day in a tsunami village where approximately 50% of the people died meeting with orphaned kids and widows, I am ready for bed (as is the rest of the team). So...for a more complete blog entry you will have to wait until tomorrow.

Good night.
John
LGLOMD - six simple letters, one profound life.

Day Two...

Good evening from India!

As I write this we are on an overnight train to another part of India. It has been a great experience so far to see what God is doing (ad to have a small part in the work) here in India.

This morning I was reading in chapter 6 of Luke’s Gospel. In the section titled “Love Your Enemies” my translation says, “Give to everyone who begs from you…” I have been praying about this verse all day as we have come in contact with many, many beggars. What does Jesus mean by these words? Could He really mean that we are to give to everyone who begs – or that we are to have a spirit of generosity and care for others – or something else entirely? Are we so conditioned by our societal experiences and expectations that we aren’t really willing to give Jesus’ words their full consideration?

These words (and many others from this section of Luke) are challenging enough as we live somewhat secluded and partitioned lives in America. They are even more poignant in a place where poverty, need, persecution, and conflict seem so much more of the norm.

So, for now, I will continue to pray that God would give me an increased vision and passion for people - that He will help me to see things as He does and that He will grant me, in increasing measure, a tender heart that hurts when it sees people in physical, emotional, or spiritual need. I pray the same for you this night.

God’s Peace,
John
LGLOMD – six simple letters, one profound life

Day One

Greetings from Our Team,

We have spent our first full day in Bangalore! How exciting it has been for me to be here. It was a LONG time in getting here and God has been with each one of us the whole time. Praise His Name! He has given us a safe trip and I’m very thankful for that.

The first word that comes to my mind after being here for one day is BUSY!! I can’t begin to tell you how noisy it is and how much traffic there is here. I learned real quick to just close my eyes as the driver of our van took us to the hotel. The only noise that the driver’s can relate to is the blaring of each other’s vehicles sounding their horns letting everyone know to get out of the way.
We witnessed many people today as we walked the streets sightseeing. Some of them looked as though they might be homeless. Many would come up to us trying to sell us their goods and practically not taking no for an answer. You can’t help but ask yourself…”I, wonder what their life is like?” Only God knows what is happening in their lives.

It is clearly evident after being here for one day that God has brought us here for a reason. My prayer is that we will be able to witness to the Indian people whom God loves and desires to have them know HIM.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Vicki

PS –I want to take this opportunity to say hello to my family. I miss everyone very much. Steve….thanks for all of your encouraging words and special notes that you surprised me with. It was great to hear from you! I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

A word of explanation...

Rather than sharing the “what are you doing” agenda items, we have asked our team to “share their guts” – to write about what they are experiencing and how those experiences are challenging them to think about their lives, their relationship with God, their relationship with others, and their vision for the disciple-making process. For the next few days we hope to share our gut emotions and responses with you…

We made it!

It is now 3:00am on Tuesday morning and we have officially made it to India. We have managed sitting on a plane for 17 hours with people banging their seats into our knee caps, cleared customs (with minimal issue), managed the traffic on the way to the hotel, and are now getting settled into our hotel for the "night" (or what remains of it). We'll post more tomorrow...but for now it is time to try to get some sleep.

Two Hours...

Well...we head out for our trip in just under two hours. After a morning of hearing people's horror plane/flight stories, joys of past mission trips to India, anxieties, etc. it is time to load the bags (and weigh them to make sure that they make the weight limit), say some prayers and good-byes with our families, and head out.

Please check back here on the blog over the next couple of weeks to hear "real-time" stories from our team. It is our hope that we will be able to post regularly - though that is assuming that we can get onto the internet as we have been told that we will be able to. Let the fun begin...

Last Planning Meeting

We had our last planning meeting this morning as a team. Now...we finalize details and get ready to board a plane on Sunday afternoon. We would like to request a special prayer for our team as we make the final preparations - one of our team members has had a couple of issues with his passport/Visa/plane tickets and we are all hoping that they get resolved before we need to leave for the airport on Sunday. Please keep him (and out entire team) in your prayers. Thanks...

One Week...

Well, we have just under one week until we board a plane for 20+ hours of sitting - and then two weeks of living as intentional disciples of Jesus in another country. There is a lot to do, anxiety is up a little, and we're all getting ready for this amazing experience. Please keep our team - and the people of India that we will come in contact with - in your prayers as we make our final preparations. I'm sure that no matter what, God will be glorified by our going...