The response letter to the "Response Forms" went out today after 3 days of signing, addressing, stuffing and stamping.
There were 250 of them. Please pray for there to be some response to the letters that basically say, we are here to pray for you, talk with you, visit you. Church timing and pastor office hours and phone number are all there.
I'm praying for some kind of response from at least 100 of the 250 letters we sent out.
I'm believing God for a net full of fish!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
More Interesting Christmas Program Facts
O. spoke with the professional security we hired for during the Christmas program on the 21st.
These guys work for all kinds of big events, its' their job. So one of them asked O. how many people O. thought had attended the program.
O. said, "Oh, maybe 3000."
The security guy looked at O. like he was insane and said, "Over 9000 people attended."
I guess there were about 3500 who were inside the whole time from beginning to end, but the amount of people who showed up for some or part of the program passed 9000! Wow.
We've gotten a lot of great feedback from Christians and non-Christians alike. Several people have told us that they could never put on a program like this in their town. There'd be riots.
In fact, in O.'s village they could not even celebrate Christmas this year in the church there because of the persecution going on. There have been other reports of programs similar to ours in other parts of India that were disturbed by rioting.
In our own city, a catholic school's Christmas program was disturbed in some way.
God is so good and we knew we had the power of prayer with us. It was/is really a miraculous thing.
These guys work for all kinds of big events, its' their job. So one of them asked O. how many people O. thought had attended the program.
O. said, "Oh, maybe 3000."
The security guy looked at O. like he was insane and said, "Over 9000 people attended."
I guess there were about 3500 who were inside the whole time from beginning to end, but the amount of people who showed up for some or part of the program passed 9000! Wow.
We've gotten a lot of great feedback from Christians and non-Christians alike. Several people have told us that they could never put on a program like this in their town. There'd be riots.
In fact, in O.'s village they could not even celebrate Christmas this year in the church there because of the persecution going on. There have been other reports of programs similar to ours in other parts of India that were disturbed by rioting.
In our own city, a catholic school's Christmas program was disturbed in some way.
God is so good and we knew we had the power of prayer with us. It was/is really a miraculous thing.
It's How We All Felt
My 3 1/2 year old daughter C. woke up around 9:30 on the morning of the day after the Christmas Program last week.
My sister-in-law was in the room when C. started waking and so she said, "Good Morning! C."
C., without opening her eyes, responded: "I have a headache and my feet hurt."
My sister-in-law was in the room when C. started waking and so she said, "Good Morning! C."
C., without opening her eyes, responded: "I have a headache and my feet hurt."
Monday, December 25, 2006
A picture Worth A Thousand Words
You may not know about this project but churches, friends, kids, loved ones, and all kinds of people in the US have been collecting gifts for our Children's Home kids, co-workers' children and our pastors' children for the last few months.
We packaged up the toys, school supplies, undies, socks, toothbrushes, candy, and lots of other stuff and gave the kids their bags tonight.
We had a room full of very happy children and moms and dads.
Our pastors who live far away will get their kids bags when they come for a conference in January.
On behalf of the kids I want to say:
Thank You from the Bottom of Our Hearts!
We love you.
Merry Christmas Kids
Moments after receiving their bags.
Show what you got.
This is how we packaged their gifts.
Show what you got.
This is how we packaged their gifts.
A Little Cake Cutting
After handing out the gifts we had snacks and fellowship with our co-worker families.
Very happy boys.
Very happy boys.
Friday, December 22, 2006
It Was Last Night
We made it to December 22nd. Whew.
Actually, it was a fun and relaxing night and by God's grace and your prayers everything went smoothly. Except the crazy crowd at the Bible table on the way out.
Here's some of what happened. The following is a picture of our guest speaker. He spoke in the local language, Gujarati, and when I heard it I was really disappointed because had he spoken in Hindi, everyone would have understood the Gospel message. Gujarati was not spoken by a large portion of the crowd there last night.
However, as the night went on I came to realize that it can only be God's will even if it's not what we would have chosen. Many Gujarati people come every year to our program and this was the first time they heard the Gospel message in their own language. I'm just trusting the Lord for results.
Pastor Johnny giving the message.
The crowd. I estimate that there were around 3500 people there, at least.
Here are some more statisitcs. We gave out (these are estimates): 1200 New Testaments in Hindi and Gujarat (we actualy ran out of Hindi), 150 comic book style tracks for kids and 500 cassettes called "The Story of Jesus" in Hindi.
We received 262 reponse forms! We were hoping for 100.
Pray for us as we need to be very deliberate to follow up with all of these people. Each person will get a letter withing the next week with all kinds of info. Also, we're attempting to personally call each person who gave a phone number. That will be over 200 phone calls. Lot's of work, three languages are invoved.
Pray for us. This last 10% of work is often the kind that can slip thru the cracks and it's the most important.
Many people asked for prayer for peace and for healing on their response sheets. Keep praying for them along with us.
Lastly, Thank You For Praying!
Go on to the next 2 posts for some program pictures (we had 17 dances, skits, songs...)
Actually, it was a fun and relaxing night and by God's grace and your prayers everything went smoothly. Except the crazy crowd at the Bible table on the way out.
Here's some of what happened. The following is a picture of our guest speaker. He spoke in the local language, Gujarati, and when I heard it I was really disappointed because had he spoken in Hindi, everyone would have understood the Gospel message. Gujarati was not spoken by a large portion of the crowd there last night.
However, as the night went on I came to realize that it can only be God's will even if it's not what we would have chosen. Many Gujarati people come every year to our program and this was the first time they heard the Gospel message in their own language. I'm just trusting the Lord for results.
Pastor Johnny giving the message.
The crowd. I estimate that there were around 3500 people there, at least.
Here are some more statisitcs. We gave out (these are estimates): 1200 New Testaments in Hindi and Gujarat (we actualy ran out of Hindi), 150 comic book style tracks for kids and 500 cassettes called "The Story of Jesus" in Hindi.We received 262 reponse forms! We were hoping for 100.
Pray for us as we need to be very deliberate to follow up with all of these people. Each person will get a letter withing the next week with all kinds of info. Also, we're attempting to personally call each person who gave a phone number. That will be over 200 phone calls. Lot's of work, three languages are invoved.
Pray for us. This last 10% of work is often the kind that can slip thru the cracks and it's the most important.
Many people asked for prayer for peace and for healing on their response sheets. Keep praying for them along with us.
Lastly, Thank You For Praying!
Go on to the next 2 posts for some program pictures (we had 17 dances, skits, songs...)
Program Pictures
These are not professional photos as you can see, but they're what you get on short notice. I was pretty far back and it was dark so I did the best I could.
This photo is the one I wanted in the following post. It's E.'s program. She is center right in side view.
Five girls from our Children's Home. They were sad because their dance got cut short for some reason. They'll perform it again for us on Christmas day at that service.
This photo is the one I wanted in the following post. It's E.'s program. She is center right in side view.
Five girls from our Children's Home. They were sad because their dance got cut short for some reason. They'll perform it again for us on Christmas day at that service.
Dec. 21st Program Pictures
Here are some of the programs that were performed last night.
This first picture is not the one I wanted to load, but it's up here now. As a mother, my biggest tension last night were my own daughters programs and they both did GREAT!. This is E.'s.
Our older Sunday School Children performing "Walk in the Light". I put this one up for those who made and donated the T shirts that they're wearing.
Our ladies program. They worked hard and it payed off.
This first picture is not the one I wanted to load, but it's up here now. As a mother, my biggest tension last night were my own daughters programs and they both did GREAT!. This is E.'s.
Our older Sunday School Children performing "Walk in the Light". I put this one up for those who made and donated the T shirts that they're wearing.
Our ladies program. They worked hard and it payed off.
Our younger Sunday School Children. C. is center in the white dress. She did so great. I thought she would cry. I thought she'd do nothing. I thought she'd run off the stage. She didn't do any of those things. She was the star of the show.
More ladies. (nothing ever loads in order.)
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Christmas Countdown: TOMORROW
It's here, at last.
I think we're feeling pretty relaxed. We weren't yesterday, but everyone must be praying because now we are.
Just keep those prayers coming.
We are praying for a good response to the Gospel and good follow-up. We have created a follow-up sheet that we will distrubite and people will return to us as they leave.
At that time they will also be offered a New Testament.
Pray for the Glory of the Living God to be in that place and for everyone to know it.
Thank you.
I think we're feeling pretty relaxed. We weren't yesterday, but everyone must be praying because now we are.
Just keep those prayers coming.
We are praying for a good response to the Gospel and good follow-up. We have created a follow-up sheet that we will distrubite and people will return to us as they leave.
At that time they will also be offered a New Testament.
Pray for the Glory of the Living God to be in that place and for everyone to know it.
Thank you.
The Engagement Ceremony
Here are the pictures from the actual ceremony today.
Martha and Amar exchanging rings. Both get one. This is not a marriage ceremony ( that will occur in October 2007) but it is a binding contract. Sort of like Mary and Joseph - see I got a little Christmasy there. It gave me chills.
Here they are. Yes, he does look like a comic book character. I think it's the hair.
Martha and Amar exchanging rings. Both get one. This is not a marriage ceremony ( that will occur in October 2007) but it is a binding contract. Sort of like Mary and Joseph - see I got a little Christmasy there. It gave me chills.
Here they are. Yes, he does look like a comic book character. I think it's the hair.
Her - The Engagement
Martha, this morning before the engagement ceremony.
E. and C., of course.
Us. I'm the big tall pregnant one.
2 Girls and their aunt.
The heroine.
E. and C., of course.
Us. I'm the big tall pregnant one.
2 Girls and their aunt.
The heroine.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Caroling Til We Drop
Oh, did we carol. For 4 straight nights we went from house to house, sang our lungs out in an attempt to be louder than the 2 drums being furiously beaten along side. We did over 20 houses every night.
As you can see by th pictures there was a lot of "mosh" like dancing going on and at a few homes where the gathering of neighborhood children was great (as in huge) our Bible students would have to stand in front of me and my 7 month protruding belly to protect me from the crazed lilliputians.
Here are pictures from my house. They're not great, but I'm a person who'd rather experience the moment than capture it on film, so they're all you get.
Both teams came to my house on Sunday so that's why there were 2 Santa's with us. After that we split into our prospective groups. Only 1 Santa each, please.
Singing, or more acurately, shouting Christmas songs.
O O O so much dancing and drum beating.
From our group alone we collected about 14000 rupees to be used for our Christmas program on the 21st. That's about $320. It may not seem like much, but when you consider the average donation is 10, 50 or 100 rupees, it's pretty astounding.
As you can see by th pictures there was a lot of "mosh" like dancing going on and at a few homes where the gathering of neighborhood children was great (as in huge) our Bible students would have to stand in front of me and my 7 month protruding belly to protect me from the crazed lilliputians.
Here are pictures from my house. They're not great, but I'm a person who'd rather experience the moment than capture it on film, so they're all you get.
Both teams came to my house on Sunday so that's why there were 2 Santa's with us. After that we split into our prospective groups. Only 1 Santa each, please.
Singing, or more acurately, shouting Christmas songs.
O O O so much dancing and drum beating.
From our group alone we collected about 14000 rupees to be used for our Christmas program on the 21st. That's about $320. It may not seem like much, but when you consider the average donation is 10, 50 or 100 rupees, it's pretty astounding.
I don't know the whole total from the other group yet, but we'll probably pass 25,000 rupees!
The Relatives Have Arrived
At 5:30AM this morning.
Tomorrow is Martha's Engagement Ceremony and her family is in, or at least 5 members.
The groom's side informed us they'd be coming with 25 people. O. had our pastor call him back and say to just bring only 10. We'll see tomorrow.
Anyway, the program is at 11AM and the groom et al. are arriving at 8:00AM that same day. Hope their train's not late.
I'm feeling amazingly relazed. I think it was the 3 nights of carol singing til midnight. I feel better than I have in weeks. Or maybe I'm just delusional from lack of sleep.
Tomorrow is Martha's Engagement Ceremony and her family is in, or at least 5 members.
The groom's side informed us they'd be coming with 25 people. O. had our pastor call him back and say to just bring only 10. We'll see tomorrow.
Anyway, the program is at 11AM and the groom et al. are arriving at 8:00AM that same day. Hope their train's not late.
I'm feeling amazingly relazed. I think it was the 3 nights of carol singing til midnight. I feel better than I have in weeks. Or maybe I'm just delusional from lack of sleep.
Countdown: ONLY 2 Days Left
No, not til Christmas, but to our Christmas program.
Pray for people to respond to the Gospel and God to be glorified. Is there anything more than that?
Pray for people to respond to the Gospel and God to be glorified. Is there anything more than that?
Monday, December 18, 2006
Countdown: 3 Days
Well, yes, I missed yesterday. But it was Sunday and we had the carol singers coming to our house in the evening and then I caroled til 11:30PM.
And anyway, Day 5's prayer request probably needed 2 days.
Pray for all the little details to be completed and and for all things to go smoothly in the next few days. There is A LOT to do.
And anyway, Day 5's prayer request probably needed 2 days.
Pray for all the little details to be completed and and for all things to go smoothly in the next few days. There is A LOT to do.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Countdown: 5 Days
Only 5 days left til the program.
Pray for rest and health and unity for those of us involved. It's easy to get tired and cranky by this time, believe me.
Thanks.
Pray for rest and health and unity for those of us involved. It's easy to get tired and cranky by this time, believe me.
Thanks.
Friday, December 15, 2006
The NT Gifts
This is how we are presenting the New Testaments for the Christmas Program on Thursday, December 21st. (see next post)
Countdown: 6 Days
With just six days left til our 7th Annual Christmas Program we're focuses on the Carol Singing at night but our days are spent with our mind on the December 21st program.
Pray today for the New Testaments and tracts we'll be handing out. We are giving them freely in Hindi and Gujarati to anyone who wants one. Not forcing them to take it, but being clear about what it is and just wrapping them with thin ribbons so it is visible what it is.
Pray that people will accept the New Testaments and READ the Word and the Gospel offered therein.
Pray today for the New Testaments and tracts we'll be handing out. We are giving them freely in Hindi and Gujarati to anyone who wants one. Not forcing them to take it, but being clear about what it is and just wrapping them with thin ribbons so it is visible what it is.
Pray that people will accept the New Testaments and READ the Word and the Gospel offered therein.
Carols Start
We started tonight.
We combined the teachers at both of our schools and did them together then 2 big van loads of people were going to another city where our school is and our pastors work.
I skipped that one. I'm saving my energy for when we carol in our own city.
It was already pretty much like every year. They start the songs too high and the ladies can barely sing along.
We combined the teachers at both of our schools and did them together then 2 big van loads of people were going to another city where our school is and our pastors work.
I skipped that one. I'm saving my energy for when we carol in our own city.
It was already pretty much like every year. They start the songs too high and the ladies can barely sing along.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Countdown Begins: 7 Days
Today begins the countdown til our Christmas Celebration on December 21st.
We're praying for 4000-5000 people to attend. People who do not know Jesus personally.
We'll have about 14 different Christmas programs of all types and from all age groups. Most of our programs are performed by our school children who are not from Christian families. All songs/dances/skits are Christmas oriented and Christ focused.
The main part of the night is the Gospel messge that will come inbetween the special programs.
Pray for that.
Pray for the seed of the Gospel to fall on Good Soil.
Pray that Satan will not steal the seed. Pray against all kinds of satanic attacks.
Some good news, we have sufficient Gujarati New Testaments to give but we still need Hindi. (please pray)
More good news, we obtained permission from the land owner to use the empty ground in front of our school for the program! God is good.
We're praying for 4000-5000 people to attend. People who do not know Jesus personally.
We'll have about 14 different Christmas programs of all types and from all age groups. Most of our programs are performed by our school children who are not from Christian families. All songs/dances/skits are Christmas oriented and Christ focused.
The main part of the night is the Gospel messge that will come inbetween the special programs.
Pray for that.
Pray for the seed of the Gospel to fall on Good Soil.
Pray that Satan will not steal the seed. Pray against all kinds of satanic attacks.
Some good news, we have sufficient Gujarati New Testaments to give but we still need Hindi. (please pray)
More good news, we obtained permission from the land owner to use the empty ground in front of our school for the program! God is good.
When "Feliz Navidad" Makes You Cry...
...You must be pregnant like me.
Our school children are getting ready for the program on December 21st and I was watching them practice some dances yesterday. I don't know why, but I kept getting teary watching them do their synchronized dance to Feliz Navidad.
It's the horomones.
I mean, I ALWAYS cry when I see the little Indian Mary and Josephs in Nativities, but kids dancing to a Spanish song in India is just ridiculous. Cute, but crazy somehow.
Our school children are getting ready for the program on December 21st and I was watching them practice some dances yesterday. I don't know why, but I kept getting teary watching them do their synchronized dance to Feliz Navidad.
It's the horomones.
I mean, I ALWAYS cry when I see the little Indian Mary and Josephs in Nativities, but kids dancing to a Spanish song in India is just ridiculous. Cute, but crazy somehow.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Pastor Samuel's Wedding
O. is still not here. Well, he was at a conference on Rural and Urban Transformation last week and now he is at the wedding of our Pastor Samuel S.
He'll be home tomorrow night.
We'll all be glad to see him. Sadly, his brother Ramesh and his wife are coming with him. The wedding in her place didn't work out since her family was determined to marry her to the man she was initially engaged to. So, Ramesh and Aruna left there and met up with O.
They are offcially married, I think we need to just move on...
As I was writing this post I got a call from O. who has been with Pastor Samuel for the last few days and they've been traveling and preaching the Word in the city and surrounding villages where our pastor works. There are no churches there and the people are very poor. O. said: You won't believe how poor these people are.
One of our Bible Students, Narsing, is currently with O. for the wedding. He is from the same place as Pastor Samuel and O. says Narsing's family is literally dirt poor. Nothing.
It's been good for O. to have the opportunity visit this pastor where he works. It's quite far from where we live and not any place we would get to on a regular basis, although our Mission Director does.
The best news is that through the last few days of meetings and visiting that 3 people have accepted Christ!
He'll be home tomorrow night.
We'll all be glad to see him. Sadly, his brother Ramesh and his wife are coming with him. The wedding in her place didn't work out since her family was determined to marry her to the man she was initially engaged to. So, Ramesh and Aruna left there and met up with O.
They are offcially married, I think we need to just move on...
As I was writing this post I got a call from O. who has been with Pastor Samuel for the last few days and they've been traveling and preaching the Word in the city and surrounding villages where our pastor works. There are no churches there and the people are very poor. O. said: You won't believe how poor these people are.
One of our Bible Students, Narsing, is currently with O. for the wedding. He is from the same place as Pastor Samuel and O. says Narsing's family is literally dirt poor. Nothing.
It's been good for O. to have the opportunity visit this pastor where he works. It's quite far from where we live and not any place we would get to on a regular basis, although our Mission Director does.
The best news is that through the last few days of meetings and visiting that 3 people have accepted Christ!
Out Of The Mood
We drove an hour and half yesterday to go shopping.
Wouldn't you know it... the market was closed. Hundreds of shops of sarees and chuniya cholis and shoes and hair clips, underwear and toys, Closed.
Stinking rottin is all I have to say.
A good friend and I are selling some Indian "wears" when I'm in the US, so I'm required to BUY. Not a hardship for a gifted shopper like myself, but when the stinkin' stores are closed. Well, it just put me out of the mood.
I was able to get half of what I needed as well as Christmas dresses and sandals for my girls. They also got to eat at McDonalds, which - to them (and mom) - made the whole trip worthwhile.
Martha and I are going out this AM to get her saree for her engagement. May as well just shop in our hometown... by they way, our first REAL super market opened last week. Snif, my little city is getting all grown up. Snif, again.
* PS, if you are interested in any Indian wears, comment and I'll get back to you.
Wouldn't you know it... the market was closed. Hundreds of shops of sarees and chuniya cholis and shoes and hair clips, underwear and toys, Closed.
Stinking rottin is all I have to say.
A good friend and I are selling some Indian "wears" when I'm in the US, so I'm required to BUY. Not a hardship for a gifted shopper like myself, but when the stinkin' stores are closed. Well, it just put me out of the mood.
I was able to get half of what I needed as well as Christmas dresses and sandals for my girls. They also got to eat at McDonalds, which - to them (and mom) - made the whole trip worthwhile.
Martha and I are going out this AM to get her saree for her engagement. May as well just shop in our hometown... by they way, our first REAL super market opened last week. Snif, my little city is getting all grown up. Snif, again.
* PS, if you are interested in any Indian wears, comment and I'll get back to you.
Trying To Rest
We are in the last few days of freedom before all the Christmas Season Programs start - and don't end.
Fun? Yes.
Exhausting? Usually. But still fun.
Our carol slinging* program starts on Friday night and goes through the 20th. Martha's engagement ceremony is on the 20th also. The 21st is the Big One Program.
Then there is a small break when we all frantically try to recover, shop and do all those things we didn't do during the previous week.
We start relaxing around Dec. 24th when we have a gift exchange in church. It's a pollyanna where we all put our names in a bag and then choose someone else's. We have a lot of fun getting our names called and opening our gifts in front of everyone. There are gifts for all the children too.
Christmas Day starts with a church service and lunch together with all believers. Then we spend the evening giving our children's home kids their gifts as well as to our co-workers and nearby pastors and Bible students.
We get a small break before New Year's Eve and New Year's Day services, and lunches.
Hopefully, we'll spend this time in follow-up of the people who respond to our Christmas Program Gospel Invitation.
* I realize I mistyped "singing" but "slinging" just seemed funnier and somehow - more appropriate.
Fun? Yes.
Exhausting? Usually. But still fun.
Our carol slinging* program starts on Friday night and goes through the 20th. Martha's engagement ceremony is on the 20th also. The 21st is the Big One Program.
Then there is a small break when we all frantically try to recover, shop and do all those things we didn't do during the previous week.
We start relaxing around Dec. 24th when we have a gift exchange in church. It's a pollyanna where we all put our names in a bag and then choose someone else's. We have a lot of fun getting our names called and opening our gifts in front of everyone. There are gifts for all the children too.
Christmas Day starts with a church service and lunch together with all believers. Then we spend the evening giving our children's home kids their gifts as well as to our co-workers and nearby pastors and Bible students.
We get a small break before New Year's Eve and New Year's Day services, and lunches.
Hopefully, we'll spend this time in follow-up of the people who respond to our Christmas Program Gospel Invitation.
* I realize I mistyped "singing" but "slinging" just seemed funnier and somehow - more appropriate.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Interesting Archaeological Things
There were 3 interesting Biblical Archaeology articles on MSN.com today.
The first says that archaeologists believe they have found the remains of Paul in Rome. This one didn't really excite me. Bones not really being my thing.
The second article was of interest to me only because it seemed so ridiculous. You can read it here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6743472/
"Archaeologist says she's found site of Jesus' first miracle" is the title of the article.
Here's a line from it:
"...archaeologists have found pieces of large stone jars of the type the Gospel says Jesus used when he turned water into wine at a Jewish wedding in the Galilee village of Cana."
Uhhh, so like there wern't a 1000 other weddings in Cana circa that time? And nobody is even sure were the Biblical Cana is... Dream on lady.
But what really interested me/(ticked me off) in the article was this paragraph:
"Christian theologians attach great significance to the water-to-wine miracle at Cana. The act was not only Jesus' first miracle, but it also came at a crucial point in the early days of his public ministry -- when his reputation was growing, he had just selected his disciples and was under pressure to demonstrate his divinity."
Mr. Associated Press: Who are you and where did you get that wacky idea?
The 3rd article is from 2004 apparently but is actually truly fascinating to anyone who may be interested in Biblical Archaeology. It's about the discovery of the Siloam Pool. You can check it out here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6750670/
The first says that archaeologists believe they have found the remains of Paul in Rome. This one didn't really excite me. Bones not really being my thing.
The second article was of interest to me only because it seemed so ridiculous. You can read it here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6743472/
"Archaeologist says she's found site of Jesus' first miracle" is the title of the article.
Here's a line from it:
"...archaeologists have found pieces of large stone jars of the type the Gospel says Jesus used when he turned water into wine at a Jewish wedding in the Galilee village of Cana."
Uhhh, so like there wern't a 1000 other weddings in Cana circa that time? And nobody is even sure were the Biblical Cana is... Dream on lady.
But what really interested me/(ticked me off) in the article was this paragraph:
"Christian theologians attach great significance to the water-to-wine miracle at Cana. The act was not only Jesus' first miracle, but it also came at a crucial point in the early days of his public ministry -- when his reputation was growing, he had just selected his disciples and was under pressure to demonstrate his divinity."
Mr. Associated Press: Who are you and where did you get that wacky idea?
The 3rd article is from 2004 apparently but is actually truly fascinating to anyone who may be interested in Biblical Archaeology. It's about the discovery of the Siloam Pool. You can check it out here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6750670/
The Boys Are (Almost) Back In Town
It was the week of women and... we had a relaxing great time.
The first of the men comes back today and then 4 more on Sunday with O. and another man arriving back on the 13th or 14th.
The first free night we went shopping for sarees for our dance on the 21st. Fun!
The 2nd night we had practice with NO rushing home to make dinner for our husbands.
Wednesday we went to a fair in town wih the kids and then out to eat.
More practice yesterday and then today is our regular weekly ladies meeting.
We need to enjoy this while we can, because as of next week it's gonna get CRAZY!
The first of the men comes back today and then 4 more on Sunday with O. and another man arriving back on the 13th or 14th.
The first free night we went shopping for sarees for our dance on the 21st. Fun!
The 2nd night we had practice with NO rushing home to make dinner for our husbands.
Wednesday we went to a fair in town wih the kids and then out to eat.
More practice yesterday and then today is our regular weekly ladies meeting.
We need to enjoy this while we can, because as of next week it's gonna get CRAZY!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Sad Way To Start The Day
I sent E. & C. off to school this morning and then sat down to check my email.
I got 2 emails telling me that my Uncle Don is in the hospital and then when I went over to MSN.com I was saddened to discover that James Kim had been found dead in the Oregon Wilderness.
I think I'm just going to turn off the computer and go upstairs for a while.
I got 2 emails telling me that my Uncle Don is in the hospital and then when I went over to MSN.com I was saddened to discover that James Kim had been found dead in the Oregon Wilderness.
I think I'm just going to turn off the computer and go upstairs for a while.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Decorating
Today I did the Christmas decorating and I planned to do it while E and C were in school so I wouldn't be bugged. But C got sent home early from school because she was crying. Man, things have changed since I was in school.
Anyway, she saw me decorating and said:
C: Who's birthday?
Me: Jesus'
C: No, it's mine.
Me: It's for Jesus' birthday but don't worry, you'll get some gifts too.
C: Jesus isn't even here. I am!
C eventually discovered some crosses on the tree and let the matter drop. When I tell her that Jesus lives in our hearts she gets into a discussion on what color our hearts are. According to C, her's is pink.
Anyway, she saw me decorating and said:
C: Who's birthday?
Me: Jesus'
C: No, it's mine.
Me: It's for Jesus' birthday but don't worry, you'll get some gifts too.
C: Jesus isn't even here. I am!
C eventually discovered some crosses on the tree and let the matter drop. When I tell her that Jesus lives in our hearts she gets into a discussion on what color our hearts are. According to C, her's is pink.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Update on E.
She's been sick since Wednesday and I did take her to the clinic on Thursday. the Doctor gave the right diagnosis but all the medication was in pill form which E. refuses to take.
So, I took her to a real pediatrician today who says E. has an upper resp. infection. We're not sure if the weird body rash is due to a virus or a reaction to the medicine. Anyway, as of this afternoon she is much much better. Praise the Lord.
So, I took her to a real pediatrician today who says E. has an upper resp. infection. We're not sure if the weird body rash is due to a virus or a reaction to the medicine. Anyway, as of this afternoon she is much much better. Praise the Lord.
Women In Charge?
Well, not really. But as of Monday all the men in leadership in our ministry will be gone for some time.
O. and all the other men leaders will head out Monday AM for a conference in South India and right from there will slide over to another state to attend the marriage of one of our pastors. (Pastor Samuel S.)
The only male leader not going is our pastor, but he leaves on Sunday afternoon to host and translate for a team of Americans who are friends of his. He'll return on Sat. AM.
Til then, it's just us ladies. Since it's December all our weekly meetings have been postponed til January, except our Ladies Prayer - which ends next week.
However, every night is full of practices for dances, dramas, action songs and the like for our Christmas program on December 21st (hint- remember to keep praying).
O. also agreed to set an engagement date for Martha - he chose December 20th. Yeah, the day before the Big Day. I've got a feeling that might be pushed back a pit.
Regardless, I have loads of shopping to do, so I think I'll take this opportunity to shop.
I'm also on "maternity leave" from teaching at the Bible College as of December, so I have 3 more mornings a week free. Of course, I also have plenty of computer work that has backed up and other stuff I need to get done, - like decorating. ( I usually do this on December 1st, but since E. has been sick, I've had kids around all day and decorating for me - is Definitely - an alone job.)
Next week - woohoo - it's all getting done!
O. and all the other men leaders will head out Monday AM for a conference in South India and right from there will slide over to another state to attend the marriage of one of our pastors. (Pastor Samuel S.)
The only male leader not going is our pastor, but he leaves on Sunday afternoon to host and translate for a team of Americans who are friends of his. He'll return on Sat. AM.
Til then, it's just us ladies. Since it's December all our weekly meetings have been postponed til January, except our Ladies Prayer - which ends next week.
However, every night is full of practices for dances, dramas, action songs and the like for our Christmas program on December 21st (hint- remember to keep praying).
O. also agreed to set an engagement date for Martha - he chose December 20th. Yeah, the day before the Big Day. I've got a feeling that might be pushed back a pit.
Regardless, I have loads of shopping to do, so I think I'll take this opportunity to shop.
I'm also on "maternity leave" from teaching at the Bible College as of December, so I have 3 more mornings a week free. Of course, I also have plenty of computer work that has backed up and other stuff I need to get done, - like decorating. ( I usually do this on December 1st, but since E. has been sick, I've had kids around all day and decorating for me - is Definitely - an alone job.)
Next week - woohoo - it's all getting done!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Arranging A Marriage
Another reason the eloping is coming at a bad time (see next post) is because we are in the process of looking at a boy to marry O.'s sister, Martha. One marriage at a time please.
Actually, O. is at the boy's family's house today meeting them.
The boy in question studied in our Bible College last year and never forgot Martha. His brother is one of our village pastors.
So, the boy, Amar, called our pastor last month and asked to talk to the pastor's wife and Amar told her he wanted to marry Martha and then she told her husband the pastor who told me (I already knew Martha liked the boy) and then our pastor talked to O.
This is how it's done people!
There is a whole set of rules to be followed when arranging marriages.
So, if all goes as planned we want to hold the engagement (which you know from faithfully reading my posts :) are big ordeals close to the wedding ceremony itself) before we come to the USA in the end of January. Then we'd plan a wedding for Sept/Oct.
That is IF we agree. We'll see what O. says when he gets back from meeting the family. I have a feeling everything is going to go through.
I wanted to go to meet the family too but it was a 5 hour drive (which turned out to be 8 hours b/c of bad roads) and after the 24 combined hours in the car between Sat to Mon, I was not ready to do it again. Looks like I made a good decision. Plus my E. is very sick with a cough that turned in to vomiting that turned in to a pretty high fever with small itchy pimples all over her body. We just went to the the clinic tonight and I'll see how she is tomorrow. She's a nightmare to give medicine to.
If she doesn't show some improvement tomorrow I'll take her to a pediatrician. I like the clinics because they're close by and you can get in and out fast. I know, I'm a horrible mother. (This is the first time E. has been to a Dr. since we came back from the US in Aug. '05. Healthy as a horse that one.)
Actually, O. is at the boy's family's house today meeting them.
The boy in question studied in our Bible College last year and never forgot Martha. His brother is one of our village pastors.
So, the boy, Amar, called our pastor last month and asked to talk to the pastor's wife and Amar told her he wanted to marry Martha and then she told her husband the pastor who told me (I already knew Martha liked the boy) and then our pastor talked to O.
This is how it's done people!
There is a whole set of rules to be followed when arranging marriages.
So, if all goes as planned we want to hold the engagement (which you know from faithfully reading my posts :) are big ordeals close to the wedding ceremony itself) before we come to the USA in the end of January. Then we'd plan a wedding for Sept/Oct.
That is IF we agree. We'll see what O. says when he gets back from meeting the family. I have a feeling everything is going to go through.
I wanted to go to meet the family too but it was a 5 hour drive (which turned out to be 8 hours b/c of bad roads) and after the 24 combined hours in the car between Sat to Mon, I was not ready to do it again. Looks like I made a good decision. Plus my E. is very sick with a cough that turned in to vomiting that turned in to a pretty high fever with small itchy pimples all over her body. We just went to the the clinic tonight and I'll see how she is tomorrow. She's a nightmare to give medicine to.
If she doesn't show some improvement tomorrow I'll take her to a pediatrician. I like the clinics because they're close by and you can get in and out fast. I know, I'm a horrible mother. (This is the first time E. has been to a Dr. since we came back from the US in Aug. '05. Healthy as a horse that one.)
Will Everyone Pa-leeze...
...Stop Eloping!
Thank you.
Actually, maybe that's only for people over here like my brother-in-law who eloped with a girl last week.
Such a long story. The girl was staying with us for a while at the request of her fiance, O.'s friend. Yeah.
So, the girl and O.'s brother fell in love. None of us had a clue. I know, hard to believe when you live together but remember this is an Arranged Marriage society so falling in love before marriage is a Big No No. It's amazing how cunning people can learn to be.
Finally, a couple weeks ago, O.'s brother told O. how he felt about the girl. We immediately removed her from our house and told them to wait, we'd do our best to work something out. Hey, the girl was engaged to another man, a friend of O.'s.
Then she called her family and told them and then her brother responded by threatening to throw acid on her face. Lovely. Well, it wasn't 24 hours after that phone call that the 2 of them disappeared. Had a court marriage and came back 9 days later. Thank you very much.
Well, she is a nice Christian girl, so it could be worse.
But it does come at the Worst time. We've got to make a lot of well thought out plans. They'll probably have another wedding in the girl's state (with most people not knowing that they're already married). Then a small ceremony in O.'s place.
We're not sure what we'll do in our city, I think the best thing to do is combine a reception with some other program that is already scheduled. (There's only a million of them in December and January to choose from.)
Walking a very very thin line.
Not what we need right now.
Thank you.
Actually, maybe that's only for people over here like my brother-in-law who eloped with a girl last week.
Such a long story. The girl was staying with us for a while at the request of her fiance, O.'s friend. Yeah.
So, the girl and O.'s brother fell in love. None of us had a clue. I know, hard to believe when you live together but remember this is an Arranged Marriage society so falling in love before marriage is a Big No No. It's amazing how cunning people can learn to be.
Finally, a couple weeks ago, O.'s brother told O. how he felt about the girl. We immediately removed her from our house and told them to wait, we'd do our best to work something out. Hey, the girl was engaged to another man, a friend of O.'s.
Then she called her family and told them and then her brother responded by threatening to throw acid on her face. Lovely. Well, it wasn't 24 hours after that phone call that the 2 of them disappeared. Had a court marriage and came back 9 days later. Thank you very much.
Well, she is a nice Christian girl, so it could be worse.
But it does come at the Worst time. We've got to make a lot of well thought out plans. They'll probably have another wedding in the girl's state (with most people not knowing that they're already married). Then a small ceremony in O.'s place.
We're not sure what we'll do in our city, I think the best thing to do is combine a reception with some other program that is already scheduled. (There's only a million of them in December and January to choose from.)
Walking a very very thin line.
Not what we need right now.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
12 Hours
12 hours in the car on a pot holed road to the wedding on Saturday.
12 hours on another pot holed road home from the wedding on Monday.
I couldn't actually see anything going on at the wedding on Sunday since the stage was full of pastors and the bride and groom were facing them. Plus, it was all in Marathi, which I don't understand.
The best I can say is that it's all over and I surely don't feel like traveling anymore.
12 hours on another pot holed road home from the wedding on Monday.
I couldn't actually see anything going on at the wedding on Sunday since the stage was full of pastors and the bride and groom were facing them. Plus, it was all in Marathi, which I don't understand.
The best I can say is that it's all over and I surely don't feel like traveling anymore.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Prayer For Our State
Tomorrow there is a special fasting prayer day being held in our city which we are hosting.
Pastors and leaders from all over our state will be coming here for the special prayer day. O. is VERY excited. He lobbied A Lot to get us to host it.
One of the main focuses of the prayer will be for our political leaders and some upcoming state elections.
This threw a bit of a wrench into the wedding plans for Sunday (see post below) but it got worked out. O. will be here all day Saturday, take a night train to Bombay and get a flight from there to Aurangabad where the wedding will be held.
Please pray with us during the prayer on Saturday.
Pray with/for us Everyday! : ) We need it.
Pastors and leaders from all over our state will be coming here for the special prayer day. O. is VERY excited. He lobbied A Lot to get us to host it.
One of the main focuses of the prayer will be for our political leaders and some upcoming state elections.
This threw a bit of a wrench into the wedding plans for Sunday (see post below) but it got worked out. O. will be here all day Saturday, take a night train to Bombay and get a flight from there to Aurangabad where the wedding will be held.
Please pray with us during the prayer on Saturday.
Pray with/for us Everyday! : ) We need it.
Wedding Number 2, Uh 3
Do you remember in the beginning of February when one of our co-workers got married and then a few days later the girl's father came and took her back home? To another state.
Well, after 10 long months the wedding in the girl's place is this Sunday, November 26th.
Five of us from here are going there for the ceremony this weekend.
We'll head out tomorrow morning and come back on Monday. It's about 10 hours away. (Not looking forward to the drive). I'm leaving the girls home with their 2 aunts.
Well, after 10 long months the wedding in the girl's place is this Sunday, November 26th.
Five of us from here are going there for the ceremony this weekend.
We'll head out tomorrow morning and come back on Monday. It's about 10 hours away. (Not looking forward to the drive). I'm leaving the girls home with their 2 aunts.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving Nonsense Fun With Family
On another blog I saw a link to this website: http://www.myheritage.com/
There is a place where you can do celebrity face recognition. It's to see which "celebrity" you most favor.
So I cropped a picture of my face from a family photo (like I have individual frontal face shots of myself - I don't think so. Unless I'm applying for a visa or something).
After getting past the "register" (it's free) spot and then narrowly escaping a subscription to People magazine, I got my results.
According to myheritage I have a 72% resemblance to... (dun dun dun DUN....)
Maura Tierney (played Nurse Abby Lockhart on ER) (photo in post below)
Yeah, she's kind of a plain jane, but to the best of my knowledge, she did date everyone on ER.
Now to the better (or most amusing stuff)
Coming in at #2 with 64% match is... Sarah Michelle Geller
I Am Not Kidding.
If you don't know her : Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer - also Daphne from the Scooby Doo movies. (married to Freddie Prince Jr)
There were several other "matches" going down to Jessica Alba and Sinead O'Conner at 55% and 53%.
I'm only revealing the beautiful people (whom I recognize)- it did also match me with Leelee Sobieski at 63% and and Asian actress and some old lady, as well as other people I've never heard of.
Later when I tried another picture of myself - half the matches were Men. Lovely.
Actually, most of my "matches" went according to the shape of my face. I have a long, perfectly rectangular face. Most of the "celebrities" matched to me had the same shaped face.
Try it and let me know who you "match." (hard to believe, but my "comment section" actually works.
Oh, I did O. too, he most closely matched Cuba Gooding Jr at 64%. Uh, not really. (They went for dark skinned men with facial hair for O.)
There is a place where you can do celebrity face recognition. It's to see which "celebrity" you most favor.
So I cropped a picture of my face from a family photo (like I have individual frontal face shots of myself - I don't think so. Unless I'm applying for a visa or something).
After getting past the "register" (it's free) spot and then narrowly escaping a subscription to People magazine, I got my results.
According to myheritage I have a 72% resemblance to... (dun dun dun DUN....)
Maura Tierney (played Nurse Abby Lockhart on ER) (photo in post below)
Yeah, she's kind of a plain jane, but to the best of my knowledge, she did date everyone on ER.
Now to the better (or most amusing stuff)
Coming in at #2 with 64% match is... Sarah Michelle Geller
I Am Not Kidding.
If you don't know her : Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer - also Daphne from the Scooby Doo movies. (married to Freddie Prince Jr)
There were several other "matches" going down to Jessica Alba and Sinead O'Conner at 55% and 53%.
I'm only revealing the beautiful people (whom I recognize)- it did also match me with Leelee Sobieski at 63% and and Asian actress and some old lady, as well as other people I've never heard of.
Later when I tried another picture of myself - half the matches were Men. Lovely.
Actually, most of my "matches" went according to the shape of my face. I have a long, perfectly rectangular face. Most of the "celebrities" matched to me had the same shaped face.
Try it and let me know who you "match." (hard to believe, but my "comment section" actually works.
Oh, I did O. too, he most closely matched Cuba Gooding Jr at 64%. Uh, not really. (They went for dark skinned men with facial hair for O.)
Celebrity Match?
Well, I don't know. But we do have a very similarly shaped face - altho you can't tell as much in the "deer caught in the headlights" photo of me.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Holiness In Hindi
A quick update on the Ladies meeting message from Friday.
It went smoothly, thanks for your prayers. I said everything I had prepared to say and I didn't even have one of those "Oh Shoot!" moments afterwards when I remember something I had meant to say in my message but forgot to.
It really was a blessed message for me on holiness/brokeness and I know the Lord is using the Word in my life and I hope and pray in the lives of others.
This reminds me of something else. Many of us on our team are suffering from deep discouragement. I know it's an attack of Satan. But it's still just so- discouraging.
Pray for us.
It went smoothly, thanks for your prayers. I said everything I had prepared to say and I didn't even have one of those "Oh Shoot!" moments afterwards when I remember something I had meant to say in my message but forgot to.
It really was a blessed message for me on holiness/brokeness and I know the Lord is using the Word in my life and I hope and pray in the lives of others.
This reminds me of something else. Many of us on our team are suffering from deep discouragement. I know it's an attack of Satan. But it's still just so- discouraging.
Pray for us.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
E At 6
Today is my E.'s birthday. My precious girl is 6 years old.
Some things about about E. She is a sweetheart. In fact, she has already chosen the name of the new baby (if it's a girl - which she desperately wants) then her name will be: "Sweetheart." I have no idea where she got that from.
Lately she's decided that she wants to be called "Waterfall*." Don't ask.
She loves to eat, she hates studying, she loves to color and ride her bike. She LOVES to play with kids. She's the boss, the ringleader, the little mommy.
She speaks neither Hindi nor English very well, but she's darn cute when she does. She's an excellent mimic and should probably get in trouble for mimicing her mommy - way too often - but she's just so good at it.
Her favorite thing to do in the wide whole world is dance. She's actually won contests - ask any member of my family about the "I dance, I win!" incident.
She's my girl.
I could have chosen a cute picture of her - she is the most photogenic person I've ever met. But she pretty much looks like a ragamuffin ALL the time and has recently grown into REALLY bad hair. I figured I'd put up a picture of what the kid really looks like.
So, here she is now, holding a distant cousin - baby holding, also one of her favoritest things.
E. Then.
She still has the dimple.
*C. insists on being called "Barbie." (rolls eyes)
Some things about about E. She is a sweetheart. In fact, she has already chosen the name of the new baby (if it's a girl - which she desperately wants) then her name will be: "Sweetheart." I have no idea where she got that from.
Lately she's decided that she wants to be called "Waterfall*." Don't ask.
She loves to eat, she hates studying, she loves to color and ride her bike. She LOVES to play with kids. She's the boss, the ringleader, the little mommy.
She speaks neither Hindi nor English very well, but she's darn cute when she does. She's an excellent mimic and should probably get in trouble for mimicing her mommy - way too often - but she's just so good at it.
Her favorite thing to do in the wide whole world is dance. She's actually won contests - ask any member of my family about the "I dance, I win!" incident.
She's my girl.
I could have chosen a cute picture of her - she is the most photogenic person I've ever met. But she pretty much looks like a ragamuffin ALL the time and has recently grown into REALLY bad hair. I figured I'd put up a picture of what the kid really looks like.
So, here she is now, holding a distant cousin - baby holding, also one of her favoritest things.
E. Then.
She still has the dimple.*C. insists on being called "Barbie." (rolls eyes)
Friday, November 17, 2006
Nesting
I made Chocolate Chunk Cookies today. I actually pulled my little oven off the top shelf where it's been unused for the last 2 years. I also had to unplug the fridge to plug in the oven. It SO must be the nesting kicking in. Is this what people do at 10:45 on the night before their daughter's big hairy birthday party for 70+ people when they have a serious backache and should be sleeping?Yet, I've been dying to make Chocolate Chip cookies, but we don't have brown sugar here or chocolate chips for that matter*. So, I searched the internet and found a recipe without brown sugar.
Here is the first batch cooking.
They came out OK, but very sweet. I don't have any measuring tools so I "wung it" on the ingredients amounts. Next time I won't wung so much sugar.
* I used a broken up Cadbury chocolate bar. It could have tasted better in the cookies, maybe I'll try another brand next time.
Christmas/Anniversary Saree
We did go to a big city and go shopping on our anniversary. O. asked me what I wanted for our anniversary and I said I wanted a saree to wear to our Christmas Celebration on Dec. 21st. (keep praying)
I had the colors red, black and white in mind (any combination would do.)
When I saw this saree I loved it. I still do, I keep taking it out of the bag to look at it - a good sign that you made the right choice.
The border is gorgeous and the blouse will be made from the same material with the same border on the sleeves.
It wasn't cheap - but it is a "standard" saree, as someone called it. Meaning - it's not going to go out of style. (And yes, Indians are VERY style conscious.) I have sarees from not even a year ago that I don't even wear anymore b/c they are out of style. (Good thing I only pay $5 for them.)
If you're going to lay out the big bucks (this saree cost $84) you may as well go for somehting you can wear for the next 10 years or so.
I had the colors red, black and white in mind (any combination would do.)
When I saw this saree I loved it. I still do, I keep taking it out of the bag to look at it - a good sign that you made the right choice.
The border is gorgeous and the blouse will be made from the same material with the same border on the sleeves.
It wasn't cheap - but it is a "standard" saree, as someone called it. Meaning - it's not going to go out of style. (And yes, Indians are VERY style conscious.) I have sarees from not even a year ago that I don't even wear anymore b/c they are out of style. (Good thing I only pay $5 for them.)
If you're going to lay out the big bucks (this saree cost $84) you may as well go for somehting you can wear for the next 10 years or so.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
On The Computer
Well, I've been on the computer a lot the last several days - but no time to blog.
It's that old Christmas season sneaking right up on us. No time. No time.
Tomorrow I am speaking at our weekly ladies meeting. The Lord has given me a powerful word to speak to the women - at least it's powerful in my life.
Holiness.
Only problem is - my Hindi message giving isn't quite so powerful. I guess that's the whole point. Let God do it.
It's that old Christmas season sneaking right up on us. No time. No time.
Tomorrow I am speaking at our weekly ladies meeting. The Lord has given me a powerful word to speak to the women - at least it's powerful in my life.
Holiness.
Only problem is - my Hindi message giving isn't quite so powerful. I guess that's the whole point. Let God do it.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Jubilee
I call it our "Year of Jubilee" although technically it's not.
It will be our 7th wedding anniversary tomorrow. But Jubilee would really be the 50th year. And even if we were counting by sevens, well, the Jubilee year would have started after the ending of our 6th year - meaning today would be the LAST day of our year of Jubilee.
Regardless, I still intend to call this our Year of Jubilee.
It will be our 7th wedding anniversary tomorrow. But Jubilee would really be the 50th year. And even if we were counting by sevens, well, the Jubilee year would have started after the ending of our 6th year - meaning today would be the LAST day of our year of Jubilee.
Regardless, I still intend to call this our Year of Jubilee.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Christmas Praises And Prayer
The good news is that we got the 5000 New Testaments that we needed. Yay - and free too.
Thanks for praying.
The other thing is that been have been praying FOREVER for an LCD Projector. I cannot tell you how many times we've needed, it wanted it, tried to borrow one, rent one...
They're really expensive as you know, but when O. and our team went for the Bibles and some other things, they inquired about the LCD and we were able to get one with 30% down and the rest on an installment plan. These people had never seen O. before, but by talking with him they offered it to him this way.
I just came from the meeing where the man came and explained how to use it and we will inaugurate it this Sunday in church. Very Exciting.
Continue to pray for the Christmas program. (December 21st)
We still need to get permission to use the land in front of our school. Please pray for that land owner's heart.
We also know that Satan is and will continue to attack. Pray for unity amongst us all.
There are many enemies of the Gospel- I am praying that through all these Christmas programs while the Word of Truth is going forth that it will be like in the time of Elisha and the army of the king of Aram. (2 Kings 6)
Please pray and praise with us.
Praying right now would be a good start.
Thanks.
Thanks for praying.
The other thing is that been have been praying FOREVER for an LCD Projector. I cannot tell you how many times we've needed, it wanted it, tried to borrow one, rent one...
They're really expensive as you know, but when O. and our team went for the Bibles and some other things, they inquired about the LCD and we were able to get one with 30% down and the rest on an installment plan. These people had never seen O. before, but by talking with him they offered it to him this way.
I just came from the meeing where the man came and explained how to use it and we will inaugurate it this Sunday in church. Very Exciting.
Continue to pray for the Christmas program. (December 21st)
We still need to get permission to use the land in front of our school. Please pray for that land owner's heart.
We also know that Satan is and will continue to attack. Pray for unity amongst us all.
There are many enemies of the Gospel- I am praying that through all these Christmas programs while the Word of Truth is going forth that it will be like in the time of Elisha and the army of the king of Aram. (2 Kings 6)
Please pray and praise with us.
Praying right now would be a good start.
Thanks.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
No Dancing For Me
The ladies in church have decided to do a traditional dance to Christmas music for our December 21st Christmas Program.
We had our first practice tonight.
I can't dance. I mean, I can, but I can't dance in the program because I'll be 7 months pregnant.
I love dancing, it's torture to sit and watch everyone dance - half of them don't even like it - and all I get to do is sit there and say - "Right leg! Right leg!"
Sad.
About the only thing I can do this year for our program is be a pregnant Mary. I'm too old, I know - thanks for rubbing salt in that wound...
We had our first practice tonight.
I can't dance. I mean, I can, but I can't dance in the program because I'll be 7 months pregnant.
I love dancing, it's torture to sit and watch everyone dance - half of them don't even like it - and all I get to do is sit there and say - "Right leg! Right leg!"
Sad.
About the only thing I can do this year for our program is be a pregnant Mary. I'm too old, I know - thanks for rubbing salt in that wound...
Monday, November 06, 2006
Sankart's Death
Do you remember in the spring I wrote quite a bit about Sankart and his kidney failure.
My sister-in-law and 4 other ladies from the church went to his area to visit on Saturday evening and found that he was once again very sick. Martha told me on Saturday night that she thought he was going to die.
She was right. On Sunday afternoon he passed away.
The Lord truly healed him and brought him back from the brink of death earlier this year and since then Vinita and I visited once every six weeks or so. We encouraged he and his mother to come to church. We always got the same excuse, he wasn't allowed to walk much because of the continuing dialysis.
I always had a hard time believing that a teenage boy stayed at home all day every day, even with Doctor's orders. But they were resistant to walking the short distance to our church.
Vinita and I cautioned them 3 times about drawing near the Lord in our time of need and then, when things are going well pulling away Him. We were clear, we were bold. Sadly, Sankart didn't get a 2nd chance.
We won't know til we get to heaven ourselves whether he made a true commitment for Christ. I know I personally shared the Gospel with him as did others. He heard the truth.
In the midst of the sadness, my heart is light from a clear conscience.
My sister-in-law and 4 other ladies from the church went to his area to visit on Saturday evening and found that he was once again very sick. Martha told me on Saturday night that she thought he was going to die.
She was right. On Sunday afternoon he passed away.
The Lord truly healed him and brought him back from the brink of death earlier this year and since then Vinita and I visited once every six weeks or so. We encouraged he and his mother to come to church. We always got the same excuse, he wasn't allowed to walk much because of the continuing dialysis.
I always had a hard time believing that a teenage boy stayed at home all day every day, even with Doctor's orders. But they were resistant to walking the short distance to our church.
Vinita and I cautioned them 3 times about drawing near the Lord in our time of need and then, when things are going well pulling away Him. We were clear, we were bold. Sadly, Sankart didn't get a 2nd chance.
We won't know til we get to heaven ourselves whether he made a true commitment for Christ. I know I personally shared the Gospel with him as did others. He heard the truth.
In the midst of the sadness, my heart is light from a clear conscience.
Fear Of The Lord
I refrained from commenting on Steve Irwin's death, I held back my thoughts about Anna Nicole Smith's son's death - although both of these things affected me and I had the urge to write about them.
But I feel the need to comment about this whole Ted Haggard ordeal. (I keep up with my news from MSN.com).
It's not about him, fact is, I don't think I ever even heard of him before all this.
But it's just the scariness of it all.
Couldn't it be me? Couldn't it be you?
But I feel the need to comment about this whole Ted Haggard ordeal. (I keep up with my news from MSN.com).
It's not about him, fact is, I don't think I ever even heard of him before all this.
But it's just the scariness of it all.
Couldn't it be me? Couldn't it be you?
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Mission Prayer Points
On the last day of every month we have fasting prayer from 10Am to 4Pm. Our co-workers and believers come and you can sit for as long as you have time or all day. There are usually between 20-30 of us.
We have a prayer list that we go over as well as a time of testimony and personal prayer requests.
While we were praying for our Mission Department and our village pastors the following prayer requests came up. I thought I'd share them with you as well. These are especially beneficial to any of you who support our pastors.
Our Mission Director, Suresh, shared the following requests.
Pray for:
Pastor Yesudas and his wife. They've been married 4 years and no child.
Pastor Baria who has a large personal debt.
Pastor Samuel S. who is getting married in December.
All our pastors working near the city of Udaipur. There is some disunity between them.
100 new pastors to join with us in 2007.
500 new churches/house churches to be started in new villages in 2007.
500 new sponsors.
2 more informal pastor training centers to open.
Pray that Satan will not hold us back or allow us to stagnate but that we would move forward in our mission.
Pray for qualifed coordinators and trainers to work at training and encouraging our village pastors on a regular basis.
We have a prayer list that we go over as well as a time of testimony and personal prayer requests.
While we were praying for our Mission Department and our village pastors the following prayer requests came up. I thought I'd share them with you as well. These are especially beneficial to any of you who support our pastors.
Our Mission Director, Suresh, shared the following requests.
Pray for:
Pastor Yesudas and his wife. They've been married 4 years and no child.
Pastor Baria who has a large personal debt.
Pastor Samuel S. who is getting married in December.
All our pastors working near the city of Udaipur. There is some disunity between them.
100 new pastors to join with us in 2007.
500 new churches/house churches to be started in new villages in 2007.
500 new sponsors.
2 more informal pastor training centers to open.
Pray that Satan will not hold us back or allow us to stagnate but that we would move forward in our mission.
Pray for qualifed coordinators and trainers to work at training and encouraging our village pastors on a regular basis.
Bathed And In Clean Clothes
O. arrived home yesterday morning with 2 other pastors in tow. The man can't go anywhere without making friends and bringing them home.
He's back to his old self. Clean again.
He had a wonderful time at the conference. One thing they taught was the prayer life of Jesus, which he, in turn, taught us all last night at our Friday prayer service.
He said the conference was the best one he'd attended so far and he is looking forward to another one in the beginning of December.
Thanks for praying. Always keep him in your prayers.
He's back to his old self. Clean again.
He had a wonderful time at the conference. One thing they taught was the prayer life of Jesus, which he, in turn, taught us all last night at our Friday prayer service.
He said the conference was the best one he'd attended so far and he is looking forward to another one in the beginning of December.
Thanks for praying. Always keep him in your prayers.
Church/School
This is a continuation of the post yesterday about the stolen equipment. I wanted to get this picture up then, but it wasn't loading, so here it is today.
Not a great picture of our school/church, but the only one I have on hand (All my other photo disks were taken for making a 2007 wall calendar).
Anyway.: 2nd floor, left side is our church hall/6th & 8th grade classrooms. You can see that all walkways and everything are open.
Not a great picture of our school/church, but the only one I have on hand (All my other photo disks were taken for making a 2007 wall calendar).
Anyway.: 2nd floor, left side is our church hall/6th & 8th grade classrooms. You can see that all walkways and everything are open.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Thieves
When we went for our Church retreat we took our own instruments and sound equipment with us. Once we arrived there we realized that a box with mics and wires and some other equipment was not there. We searched and called and looked but finally fingured it got lost somewhere along the line.
This was a big, expensive blow and our pastor, worship leaders and sound guys were pretty discouraged. We were left with only 2 cordless, fickle-ly mics.
Then on Sunday morning before church when they were setting up the sound system, they realized that the little bit of sound equipment we had left was also missing (including the fickle-ly mics). After the service several people started searching all over our school building (our church meets in our school and 2 classrooms of children meet in our church from Mon to Sat.)
Amazingly, a small adaptor was found hidden on the roof under some construction equipment. That's when we realized we were dealing with thieves. The original missing box must have been taken before we left on the retreat and then the thieves came back afterwards for some more.
We suspect it is someone who works in our school. During the day the church hall is always open because classes meet there. The lock on the cabinet where we keep the material was pryed open and won't work. (We thought school children had done it just to be naughty, we now know better.) It seems as if, during daylight, "working" hours someone came and hid the smaller equipment on the roof and then probably came back at night to squirrel it away.
We have a watchman who stays on the 1st floor of the school but the church is on the second floor. Two nights ago the theives tried another attempt to get into the church. They broke a window, but by God's grace could not get it open.
We had someone sleep in the hall last night. We need to get a big steel box or something to keep everything in, but we're talking about drum sets and keyboard and all the sound equipment boards and stuff. Big things. (The small stuff is already long gone.)
Needless to say our pastor and worship/sound people are feeling pretty bad. And right before Christmas too.
This just emphesizes to us all the more how much we need a separate church building. And soon.
This was a big, expensive blow and our pastor, worship leaders and sound guys were pretty discouraged. We were left with only 2 cordless, fickle-ly mics.
Then on Sunday morning before church when they were setting up the sound system, they realized that the little bit of sound equipment we had left was also missing (including the fickle-ly mics). After the service several people started searching all over our school building (our church meets in our school and 2 classrooms of children meet in our church from Mon to Sat.)
Amazingly, a small adaptor was found hidden on the roof under some construction equipment. That's when we realized we were dealing with thieves. The original missing box must have been taken before we left on the retreat and then the thieves came back afterwards for some more.
We suspect it is someone who works in our school. During the day the church hall is always open because classes meet there. The lock on the cabinet where we keep the material was pryed open and won't work. (We thought school children had done it just to be naughty, we now know better.) It seems as if, during daylight, "working" hours someone came and hid the smaller equipment on the roof and then probably came back at night to squirrel it away.
We have a watchman who stays on the 1st floor of the school but the church is on the second floor. Two nights ago the theives tried another attempt to get into the church. They broke a window, but by God's grace could not get it open.
We had someone sleep in the hall last night. We need to get a big steel box or something to keep everything in, but we're talking about drum sets and keyboard and all the sound equipment boards and stuff. Big things. (The small stuff is already long gone.)
Needless to say our pastor and worship/sound people are feeling pretty bad. And right before Christmas too.
This just emphesizes to us all the more how much we need a separate church building. And soon.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Who Are You And Where Is My Husband
O. is at a week long conference since Sunday night.
Strangely, for the first time ever, he didn't want to go. This man LOVES conferences and training retreats and anything of that genre. But he dragged his feet about going from Friday til Sunday when he finally left.
He didn't even bathe before going. He was wearing the same clothes he'd had on for 3 days.
This is not my husband. My husband bathes 2-3 times a day and changes his clothes and underwear each time. He can't even take the kids out for an ice cream without getting a shower and getting fresh first.
Yet, there he was, unbathed, unbrushed and off to a conference of Indian National Christian leaders.
Hence my question to him on Sunday morning, "Who ARE you, and where is my husband?"
Actually, sometime on Saturday it was becoming clear to me that Satan did not want O. to attend this conference. O.'s reluctance, the dragging the feet - the not bathing- it was all so un-O. So, I figure, if Satan Doesn't want him there, then God most certainly Does.
I was glad when I heard on Sunday morning after O. finally got on a train, that when he started saying he'd go by bus in the evening that Praveen, our President, and Ramesh, O.'s brother, said "No Bus - goodbye." And put O. on the train.
He calls a lot. He is loving the meeting and the atmosphere, he does sound broken on the phone.
Please pray for him especially this week, I believe he needs it. He is our leader over here and a lot of people depend on him and look to him to lead so he needs your constant prayer.
Strangely, for the first time ever, he didn't want to go. This man LOVES conferences and training retreats and anything of that genre. But he dragged his feet about going from Friday til Sunday when he finally left.
He didn't even bathe before going. He was wearing the same clothes he'd had on for 3 days.
This is not my husband. My husband bathes 2-3 times a day and changes his clothes and underwear each time. He can't even take the kids out for an ice cream without getting a shower and getting fresh first.
Yet, there he was, unbathed, unbrushed and off to a conference of Indian National Christian leaders.
Hence my question to him on Sunday morning, "Who ARE you, and where is my husband?"
Actually, sometime on Saturday it was becoming clear to me that Satan did not want O. to attend this conference. O.'s reluctance, the dragging the feet - the not bathing- it was all so un-O. So, I figure, if Satan Doesn't want him there, then God most certainly Does.
I was glad when I heard on Sunday morning after O. finally got on a train, that when he started saying he'd go by bus in the evening that Praveen, our President, and Ramesh, O.'s brother, said "No Bus - goodbye." And put O. on the train.
He calls a lot. He is loving the meeting and the atmosphere, he does sound broken on the phone.
Please pray for him especially this week, I believe he needs it. He is our leader over here and a lot of people depend on him and look to him to lead so he needs your constant prayer.
Baby Talk
E., C. & I were talking about the baby in my tummy:
C.: How does he eat?
Me: He eats the same food mommy eats.
C.: Does he have a plate?
(Later)
E.: Does the baby wear clothes?
Me: No, he's naked in there.
E.: Does he wear underpants*?!
*Yes, I know, she obviously inherited her mother's underwear phobia.
C.: How does he eat?
Me: He eats the same food mommy eats.
C.: Does he have a plate?
(Later)
E.: Does the baby wear clothes?
Me: No, he's naked in there.
E.: Does he wear underpants*?!
*Yes, I know, she obviously inherited her mother's underwear phobia.
Monday, October 30, 2006
In Words
Alright, now that I got all those pictures loaded I'm ready to write - I suppose. (If you only want to see pictures of the retreat, skip this post and go on to the next ones...)
Actually, I have this head cold and my nose itches all the time and I'm a sneeze machine and I feel like there is a large piece of clay in my head where my brain should be. I was up to the task of loading pictures - but writing - well, gotta do it sometime.
We arrived in O.'s Udaipur* village Friday evening and got settled in. We spent most of Saturday sightseeing - by walk. Almost killed us. We had fun nonetheless.
We spent that night at a school in the city - with one (1) bathroom for the 60 of us. Yeah. We went to a big church on Sunday morning in the city and that was wonderful. (I was unbathed.)
Sunday night we were happy to be back in the village and our own meetings started. It rained. It's not rainy season, but we had downpours 3 times. Of course the meetings were outside - open air. We prayed and soldiered on.
Monday was lovely and was filled with lots of meeting - mostly on the topics of family.
Monday was also the day I had my breakdown. I'm over 5 months pregnant and I hadn't eaten hardly anything for 4 days - plus not sleeping at night and missing my afternoon naps.
Since we were making our own food for 70 people 3 times a day and were on a really tight budget - we had potatoes a lot. Potatoes and Eggplant. I hate eggplant, that and liver are about the 2 things I just CANNOT eat.
So, I heard on Monday morning (while I was slicing onions for a curry to feed 70 people) that we were having potatoes and eggs for lunch. I thought, ok, I can ignore the dirty (yes - they were DIRTY) potaoes and just eat a little piece of egg.
I got there for lunch - no egg. Only potatoes. I cried over my rice. All my friends from church started running here and there and bringing me fruit and cookies that they had hidden away. My sister in law walked across the highway to a restaurant and got me some food. The eggs finally came and someone boiled them for me - 5 eggs.
So, I ate and survived. It was a hard and tiring trip for me and in the end - I got REAL sick. I vomited all the way home on the 8 hour drive. I guess I'm better now - 'cept for this stinkin' cold.
Anyway, all our believers and everyone had a wonderful time and it was a great time of fellowship to say the least. The meetings were informative and effective, I believe. Thanks to those who prayed.
Now - on to the pictures...
Actually, I have this head cold and my nose itches all the time and I'm a sneeze machine and I feel like there is a large piece of clay in my head where my brain should be. I was up to the task of loading pictures - but writing - well, gotta do it sometime.
We arrived in O.'s Udaipur* village Friday evening and got settled in. We spent most of Saturday sightseeing - by walk. Almost killed us. We had fun nonetheless.
We spent that night at a school in the city - with one (1) bathroom for the 60 of us. Yeah. We went to a big church on Sunday morning in the city and that was wonderful. (I was unbathed.)
Sunday night we were happy to be back in the village and our own meetings started. It rained. It's not rainy season, but we had downpours 3 times. Of course the meetings were outside - open air. We prayed and soldiered on.
Monday was lovely and was filled with lots of meeting - mostly on the topics of family.
Monday was also the day I had my breakdown. I'm over 5 months pregnant and I hadn't eaten hardly anything for 4 days - plus not sleeping at night and missing my afternoon naps.
Since we were making our own food for 70 people 3 times a day and were on a really tight budget - we had potatoes a lot. Potatoes and Eggplant. I hate eggplant, that and liver are about the 2 things I just CANNOT eat.
So, I heard on Monday morning (while I was slicing onions for a curry to feed 70 people) that we were having potatoes and eggs for lunch. I thought, ok, I can ignore the dirty (yes - they were DIRTY) potaoes and just eat a little piece of egg.
I got there for lunch - no egg. Only potatoes. I cried over my rice. All my friends from church started running here and there and bringing me fruit and cookies that they had hidden away. My sister in law walked across the highway to a restaurant and got me some food. The eggs finally came and someone boiled them for me - 5 eggs.
So, I ate and survived. It was a hard and tiring trip for me and in the end - I got REAL sick. I vomited all the way home on the 8 hour drive. I guess I'm better now - 'cept for this stinkin' cold.
Anyway, all our believers and everyone had a wonderful time and it was a great time of fellowship to say the least. The meetings were informative and effective, I believe. Thanks to those who prayed.
Now - on to the pictures...
Last Meeting
We had a wonderful time of worship together the last night. Someone grabbed my camera and took these pictures - they were pretty dark but I lightened them and they're really cool.
The Gospel Meetings
We held meetings on Sunday night and Monday. Anyone was invited.
E. and some of our Children's Home girls dancing.
Ladies meetings on Monday.
There were also men's, children's, youth and pastors' meeetings going on simultaniously, but I was in the Ladies meeting so that's what we have pictures of.
E. and some of our Children's Home girls dancing.
Ladies meetings on Monday.
There were also men's, children's, youth and pastors' meeetings going on simultaniously, but I was in the Ladies meeting so that's what we have pictures of.
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