11/15 Feeling Ill from Breakfast

During the pastor's conference my bowels began to react to something from breakfast. Three of us in the group were suffering from the same symptoms: Pastor Moses, one of the road team and myself. None of us knew about the others until later. God sustained us and we all pushed through. It's funny in the video of the event. I actually am green as the time goes on.

I had prayed for humility before this conference. It seemed almost ridiculous that these people who possess a faith that dwarfs mine would come to hear me speak. So I prayed for humility and submission. Let me tell you, stomach/intestine issues in a rural area in India will humble anyone. There are no secrets (or soundproof restrooms) in India so everyone quickly knew. The experience definitely put me in a place of humbleness.

As with God using all things for Him, this incident was no different. While it took a toll on our bodies, it did cause our team to have to slow down and rest. We had attended a birthday celebration Wednesday night and did not get back to the hotel until after midnight. Then, Jay and I had to pack and prepare for a 5a departure Thursday morning. No sleep and lots of ministry was taking its toll. We needed rest and God used this to recharge His workers.

That night one of the members gave me some kind of pill that stopped everything (no pun intended). Coupled with a good night of sleep we were ready for ministry on Friday.

11/15 Khammam Pastor Meeting

We arrived in Khammam district for our second pastor's conference. The room was packed standing room only with about 150 pastors from the local villages.

These pastors sacrifice all for their ministry. They are often cast out of their families, beaten, and presecuted. Still, they have heard the call of God and counted the cost. It is inspiring to see how they come with such purity in service.

The conference in Hyderabad focused on the 4 Deadly Questions and evangelism as well as encouragement. This conference focused on evangelism through storytelling. I was able to teach the pastors how to craft a story and give them a 12 story set that started with the creation of angels and completes with the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our savior Jesus Christ. We concluded with the same salt covenant presentation from Hyderabad and received a similarly enthusiastic and prayerful response.

Overall, the conference was amazing. God was clearly moving. People were listening to how to share God's truth with those who do not know. After the conference, many of the pastors were excited because no one had ever trained them in how to present the Gospel. How humbling is that!? Two men from Kentucky being given the privilege of training 150 servants of God to go and reap a harvest!

This whole experience is amazingly humbling. I am not sure what I would have thought if I had any idea what God was going to do on this trip. I am sure the fear and attacks along the way were from a scared enemy.

11/15 Indian Breakfast on the Road

We left out at 5a for our trip out to the villages. 7 of us and our luggage piled into a small van. One thing I have learned in India is that no one has personal space. There are way too many people to worry about this. Thankfully this lesson had already been learned because we all were very close.

On the way we stopped at a rest stop restaurant. We had a good tasting Indian breakfast. India still amazes me. People here are very practical in everything they do. What I think of as order and rules is often absent. Lines are more a mass of people than a single file. Even gas at the gas stations works the same way. Still, there is something quite appealing about it.

Back in the USA

Landed and waiting for my last flight home. I'll be posting soon. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and financial support. God definitely is smiling. I am personally grateful that you joined me on this journey!

Heading Home!

It's been a tough day closing out our mission time here in India.  Sad to go.  Excited to come home to my family!  It's 11p here and I'll be leaving for the airport at 1:45a.

Off to bed for a nap!

Back from the Villages!

We've made it back to our hotel from our village outing.  Unpacking and getting ready for church services tomorrow morning.  There are a lot of stories to tell.  I'll try and write soon.

For now, unpacking and preparing!

Off to the Villages

Tomorrow morning at 5a India time we are off to the villages.  We'll be hosting another pastor's conference, inaugurating a church, holding a Gospel meeting and working with widows.

The days will be quite long with lots of travel.  Also, there will be no internet while we are gone.  That said, it will be 3 or 4 days before I can post again.

Please pray for God to move!