Good evening!
We've been in India for almost a week...is it weird that this place already feels like home? Today was another emotion (and COLOR) filled day with our moms. Today is actually the last day in India for Kathy, Darlene, Lisa, and CaroLYN (in an earlier post I spelled her name -LINE, so rectification was warranted). Tomorrow, our moms together with Prati Stephens will travel to Sri Lanka to do another three day Women's Conference. We've truly enjoyed our time spent with these women, and we wish them the best of luck with the next conference and the remainder of their travels. Please be in prayer for them: that the next conference will be placed in God's hands to be used for His will, and that they are stay healthy and safe during the rest of their trip.
We've already been offered invitations to visit them in Hudson, OH., and a similar invitation was extended by us to them to come to the Xenos Summer Institute next year. On that note, we received some very warm encouragement from Sam & Prati regarding their time spent in Columbus for XSI two years ago. Our theme was on Multiplication, and Sam gave a very powerful talk on what IGL was doing. I (Jeff) had just returned home from Ghana where we worked on some development projects, so seeing the holistic ministry that God is doing through IGL made my heart grow two sizes that day (yes, that was a Grinch reference).
Both Sam & Prati spoke highly of the institute and the ministry that Xenos is doing in Columbus; and coming from them, that means something. I found myself thinking about how privileged it truly is to be involved in a fellowship like Xenos. I guess getting some encouragement from the president of IGL definitely opens your eyes a little bit. ;-)
Today we traveled to a village called Polur in the Tiruvannamalai (good luck with that one) region for a church dedication. When barefoot pastors successfully start and grow a house-church too big for a normal facility, the funds are allocated through donation for construction of a building. This new center is called the Shechinah Prayer Assembly, pastored by Rev. Rajasekaran and his wife Sarah. They currently have a group of 45 members, though the dedication ceremony had at least 200 people crammed into the building and even spilling into tents outside. We were greeted very warmly by the crowd; they applauded for us when we walked up to the building. It was a very humbling experience, as we are but mere tools in the hand of the same Lord that brought about this church. Kathy had the honors of cutting the ribbon, officially opening the church for its first service. We were given gorgeous pieces of fabric as gifts, and both Kathy and Kyle had the chance to share their testimonies before the crowd. After praying for the new building and laying hands on the pastor and his wife, we were treated to biryani for lunch. Biryani is a rice dish cooked with meats and spices, served with spicy gravy and yogurt on a large banana leaf. Did I mention that many Indian dishes are eaten by hand? We could definitely get used to this!
We then went to the wedding of David and Eunice in Salem. Eunice grew up through IGL's Children's Home and now has both a Bachelor's and Master's degree (success story if there ever was one!!). Many were dressed to the nines, in some of the most incredible colors and patterns I've ever seen. Kathy was asked to cut the cake, and we had the change to greet the couple personally and give them a small wedding gift in an envelope which we labeled "The American's." Very nice end to the evening.
A few teams from Germany arrived in Salem today, many of which we have yet to meet. Two of them are spending 10 months interning at IGL for their gap year. American school systems should incorporate gap years, just sayin'. Some will be here for a week doing work with the YMCA, and I guess we'll have to find out what the other's are up to!
Tomorrow, Kyle and I are heading out to a medical camp for the Bethel Care Home in Tirupathur. I love how part of trip has basically turned into "take as many photos and videos as possible." Good thing I bought a new camera before we left! Special thanks to my roommate Jon for letting us borrow is fancy DSLR, it's been such a provision and don't worry we are taking good care of it!
Stay tuned!
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