Wednesday, March 30, 2016

India 2016... The Countdown Continues!

In barely over one week I will be boarding a very-early-morning flight which will begin my 14th ministry trip to India! Here is an example of our ministry:
This morning I received a message from Dhiraj (pictured above helping with medicine distribution), an Indian pastor who serves as my main translator when we travel into the cities and villages in central and northwest India. Over the last three years, Dhiraj has become an invaluable asset to our team with his command of the language and dialects, and his unique insight into the cultures where we minister.

Last year, while conducting an impromptu medical camp among a band of gypsies camped along a river, one of the gypsy men brought his wife and his new bride to me, asking for prayer: that the first wife would accept the new wife. The first wife wasn't able to conceive, and the man married a second wife so he could have children. (Imagine the look that must have been on my face!) I immediately turned to Dhiraj and asked him to provide insight on how I should speak and pray. He wisely suggested that I simply ask for harmony in the home, and to bless the family. No more, no less. Dhiraj is a wise man.

The message I received this morning from Dhiraj said that I will be leading a one-day Pastor's and Leader's Conference in his home city located in the Indian state of Maharashtra on Spiritual and Numerical Growth. This is such a privilege for me, as I have been given the awesome responsibility of investing into the lives of leaders who will be shaping their cultures with the Gospel.

I do not take this responsibility lightly. May I speak with passion, conviction, clarity, and compassion. May my heartbeat and spirit, and God's Presence speak louder than my words.

And that will be only one of 16 days in the fast-moving, extremely challenging, yet oh so rewarding ministry in India! Pray for me and my brother-in-law, Dr. Pat Kennedy who will be accompanying the medical team as we go out into unreached villages with medical help, the Gospel, and the love of Jesus.

If you would like to help me with financial support, as I am still needing to cover some expenses, please click the "Donate" button on the top-right of this page, or make checks payable to myself, or to First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe. Thank you!

2 comments:

Philip A. Guzman, Esq. said...

Blessings to you and your group, Brad. Have a successful trip. I'll be watching and cheering you on!

Brad Lewis said...

Thank you Phil! You are always my biggest encourager and cheerleader!

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