A week in review...

It is hard to believe we left a week ago!

Here are some highlights that have had an impact on us this past week:

First, it is a really long way to get to India (and after being here 5 days we are still wrestling with jet lag).

They sure know how to pray here.

We are all toggling back and forth between being inspired and being convicted.

Every time we think we have a grasp on the span of the ministry taking place here, some new facet is introduced and we are newly amazed.

We witnessed a new form of Indian transportation in the form of an Elephant during rush hour in downtown Salem (a city of 1.2 million).

Cattle always have the right away here, and whether they get it or not, the drivers deserve hazerdous duty pay (getting shotgun is not a problem!)

We are learning more and more that what is taking place here in India through IGL is a model for us to learn from, we have a lot to learn!

They know no limits, and everyday they believe a great big God will show up in a great big way - He always provides.

The people are forced to depend on Him, as they themselves do not have the resources.

We have been so impressed with the overall integration of the ministry, as it is so vast but equally effective.

The believers are persecuted but persevere, and with great joy!

The ministry here is self propigating, self governing and self supporting once it becomes established.

In March IGL will conduct their annual Childrens Leaders Training Conference through out India and Sri Lanka. The leaders attending these will return to their home states to train young adults who will conduct the Childrens Gospel Clubs (this year alone the leaders will train 25,000 club leaders to conduct 7000 Childrens Bible Clubs reaching 500,000 kids. Gary has committed to be part of training the leaders and praying for others to join him (any takers?).

When we met the Pastor of the village (Pastor George) we adopted as a church, the very first thing he asked for was to be prayed for - DAILY!!!

We discovered that Pastor George and the church in the village will be serving as many as 8-10 thousand people scattered through out 15 surrounding villages. We thought the church would be serving the main village only which has around 400 people!

Everything regarding time is referred to "ish". Which seems to be acceptable within a 30 minute time band.

The grounds here at Sharon Gardens (the name of IGL's first Mission Base where we are staying) act as an oasis for the believers in the area as well as a huge testimony to the many non-believing workers here, and the recipients of the ministry (a majority of the children served by IGL here are Hindu).

The local Hindus worship 330 million different gods. We have seen many of these gods on the variety of temples we've seen dotting the countryside.

A few personal challenges/epiphanys:

Gary - God is faithful to provide when you are doing what He has asked you to do! The kids are sure cute around here. A smile is a universal language. God wants our worship more than just our knowledge of Him.

Monte - The simplicity of the Gospel and its power to tranform lives in even the darkest areas of the world. We have so much to learn and such an opportunity to partner with our Brothers and Sisters here - we need them every bit as they need us! The beauty from ashes that God has created in the hearts of the believers, their passion and thier perserverence.

Bob - I learned a lot about the working and power of the Holy Spirit, it is so much more evident to me now. I want to know more about how He wants to work in my life.

God willing we will continue to bring our ramblings before you as our journey continues. However, Bob's time has come to return home. Reluctantly, he leaves tomorrow for home. Gary and Monte will leave for Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Thanks so very much for your continued prayers for us - please keep them coming!

His peace and grace to you all,

The boys