India #12: Day 5

One of my life verses is 2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬: And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

I was able to personify that verse today as I had the privilege of teaching at the Immanuel's School of the Bible on the Ecclesia Ministries campus. The hungry and eager students literally drank in every word I spoke as I shared the importance of Character, Conviction, and Commitment for those in ministry. Their reception was warm, but their spirits burned with a desire to minister in the unreached regions of India. Oh that we would have that same spirit!

One of the most important things I did on this trip was to spend this afternoon with Pastor Daniel planning and strategizing my next trip to India in April of 2015. We will once again assenble a team of doctors and nurses (this time joined by my brother-in-law Dr. Patrick Kennedy), and travel via the Indian railway by night, and by day conducting medical camps and crusades in the poor and remote villages across India.

Our ultimate destination will be Srinagar in the Kashmiri Himalayas, where will conduct medical camps, and also hold a covert Bible Conference for the many recent Muslim converts to Christianity. 

I have not yet left Indian soil (I am in the airport awaiting my flight home), but I am already looking forward to my next time in India! Thank you for following and supporting me!

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India #12: Day 3 & 4

Remembering that India's time zone is 9½ ahead of the USA's Eastern Time, I figured I'd go ahead and update the events from the last two days in this post.

Sunday morning dawned bright and hot, but that what most of India wakes up to every day. I was still excited from the night before (see yesterday's post), and I was anticipating a great time of worship and the Word with the people of Ecclesia Church, where my host Daniel Kalyanapu is the pastor.

Loud and heartfelt praise greeted me as I entered the meeting room filled with passionate people declaring their love for Jesus. My heart literally leaped as I saw so many familiar faces of the people whom I have grown to love over the past six years. I have lost count of the number of times I have had the privilege of sharing with their wonderful people.

Once again I was "shawled & garlanded", an experience that I do not take lightly. The Indian way of expressing honor consisting of leaders gathering around the honoree, a shawl is draped over my shoulders, and a garland of fresh flowers is placed around my neck. Handshakes and words of blessing from the leaders follow. It is truly a memorable and fun experience.

I brought a word of encouragement to the people about Jesus' love for His people from John 21, translated by Pastor Daniel. And then I prayed for several hundred of the people, hungry for a touch from God. If is always an encouragement to me to see so many seeking more of the Lord.

On Sunday afternoon we traveled the three hours to Hyderabad for the wedding rehearsal of Victor Kalyanapu, the son of Pastor Daniel's brother Joy David. Over the past few years I have become good friends with Victor who lives in the USA, but came to India for his wedding. Joy David asked me to give the wedding message at Victor's wedding if my schedule would allow, so we coordinated dates and it worked out that I was here in India for the wedding.

I shared not only a word at the rehearsal, but also was honored to stand before the couple, their family, friends and guests at the wedding ceremony, and share God's Word with them. What a blessing it was for to me to participate in a wedding like this!

Tonight we travel back to Kazipet where Tuesday morning I will address the students of Immanuel's School of the Bible here. Then in the afternoon it's the beginning of my long journey back to United States. Thank you for following this Blog!

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India #12: Day 2

As I write this post, I am about to preach at the Sunday morning worship service here at Ecclesia Church, my home base while in India. Part of my anticipation and excitement is because of last night, and the powerful meeting we had.

We traveled for 1½ hours to a remote village, most of it on a pothole-strewn road (actually it was more like an asphalt-strewn pothole). The farther we traveled, the deeper we went into the "country". We finally arriving at a humble "church" (a tent awning set up on the ground in front of a small concrete platform).

As our team exited the vehicle, we could hear the people passionately worshipping with no instruments other than a drum and a tambourine. I was surprised to find over 150 people had gathered in what seemed like the middle of nowhere.

Makeshift lights had been set up, and even as some of our team lead a worship song, two young men were stringing another light from one of the tent poles, plugging the bare wires into an open receptacle. Ah, India!

About a week ago the Lord had put a word in my heart from John 5 where Jesus healed a man by a pool who had been crippled for 38 years. I sensed that this was the time and place to share that word.

I preached the message of Jesus' love for us, and how he simply wants us to believe in Him, trusting Him to meet every one of our needs. I knew God's Spirit was strong as the word was spoken.

There was an excitement in the air when we gave the "altar call" response time, and well over half of the people came forward for prayer. There were so many needs expressed (translated to me through the altar workers), and led by the Spirit of God I laid hands and prayed for every person who came forward. AIDS, broken marriages,  cancer, pains, deafness, fever, evil spirits, and many more needs were expressed and prayed for.

I was so focused on praying for the people that I did not realize that person after person was publicly testifying to God immediately meeting their needs, bring healing, release, peace, and salvation.

One woman who was literally doubled over and in great pain, having been diagnosed with stomach cancer, stood with a smiling face and an upright stance and told of how the pain immediately left her as she was prayed for.

On an on the people spoke of God for meeting their needs because they simply trusted in Him, and in Him alone.

I am not a skeptic. I am a believer. When desperate people bring their needs to Jesus, trusting in Him and Him alone, God shows up and brings salvation, healing, and life!

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India #12: Day 1

After traveling for just under 28 hours I arrived at the Ecclesia Ministries campus at 6 am local time on Saturday. As I watched the dawn slowly transform the Indian countryside as I rode by car from the Hyderabad airport to Kazipet (a three hour trip), reality hit as I once again I found myself in India!

A most welcomed bucket shower, followed by a couple hours of sleep refreshed me enough to take on the day. Also most welcomed was an excellent indian meal prepared by Pastor Daniel Kalyanapu's wife Azuba. It is good to always good to connect with Pastor Daniel and his family, sharing stories and encouragements.

As we ate, Pastor Daniel asked me to bring a word with the 60 faithful who gather every Saturday afternoon for prayer. I brought a brief word on the power of praise from Psalm 138. Hungry hearts seeking the Lord!

This evening we travel about 50 km for a village outreach. I love sharing God's love with the Indian people, and seeing lives changed and encouraged!

Check in tomorrow for more!

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India #12: It's Here!

Here I go again... I am leaving after work this Thursday for a short mission trip among the people I love: The Indian people! An opportunity opened for me and I am stepping in.

On the day I was to fly home from my last India trip back in March, one of my good friends whom I partner with while there, Joy David Kalyanapu (Daniel’s brother), posed a question to me: Would I come back to India at the end of September and perform the wedding ceremony for his oldest son Victor? (Victor lives here in the US and I connect with him any chance I get.)

 

Of course I was honored to be asked, and told him I would pray with my wife about it. I returned to the US, and over the next three months, we talked and prayed. We knew it would be a time and financial pinch, but we also sensed that I needed to go.

 

I am grateful to my insurance agent boss who understands my heart for India, and worked with me around the days I’d be gone from the office.

 

Some friends and family were gracious with giving to help a little with my trip, I had a few vacation days left, so here I go!

 

I asked Joy David and Daniel to load me up with preaching and ministry opportunities, and my schedule will be full, speaking multiple times every day I am there.

 

I return on Wednesday night and I am back at the insurance office on Thursday. (Whew!)

 

A short trip, but one I know will be very fruitful! Pray, follow this Blog as I will be posting daily once I get in-country, and believe with me that India #12 will be an incredible time!

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