Seeing Clearly

So, it has been awhile since I have blogged. Not a good reason other than reacclimating to this side of the world took it's sweet time and either the trips are getting harder or I am getting older. Probably the latter. Last week was filled with being in town all week! What a treat. I really like my job but I also like being at home. The girls were home all week so it was good to be able to spend some time with them. It is weird that they come home just long enough to have us get used to them being around and then they are up and gone again. I know they are looking forward to this semester and were ready to get back among their friends.

The week went pretty well. We attended a wedding Saturday night at The City Club in Nashville and it was really nice. Those of you who know me, know that weddings are not my favorite events, but this one was an exception. Our friend, Julie Burden, married Jason Crook who is fine young man to say the least. Sort of weird that she exchanged her last name of Burden for Crook, but at least he is a great guy even though his last name could be a little challenging.

Earlier in the day I participated in an event for DCA that was focused on moving the Academy into the future. Many changes are coming related to feasibility studies, possible capital campaigns and buildings, retirement of our headmaster in June 2012 and many other things. I am privileged to serve alongside so many gifted leaders at the Academy. I not only get to announce ball games there but get to be involved in setting direction for the Academy. What an honor!

Saturday morning prior to all the meetings and wedding, I was out for my normal 5-miler and experienced some pain in my left knee. Went to the dr. today and it could be a torn meniscus. We will see. Actually both of my lower legs feel pretty tired so it may be something else going on, other than age.

This week I head to Chattanooga to speak and talk to youth ministers. One of my favorite roles for sure. Looking forward to all that God has in store there. Hopefully we will miss this major winter storm that is supposed to rock most of the US this week. I have had enough of snow for awhile.

Jet Lag? Naah.

What an incredible trip to India. The ministry was much work but so very rewarding. Pastor Surendra, his wife Kamala, and daughter, Sperthi are just such a real blessing to be around. They allowed us to stay in their home and it just helps seal the bond of friendship.

We flew through Dubai, UAE and it was my first time there. Quite the contrast from India in many respects. It is very much a melting pot for the eastern part of the world and of course, so much wealth and crazy big buildings. Rumor has it that the area is running out of oil, so they are living it up. Slowing down the supply of oil and jacking up prices to sustain an extravagant style of life. Can you say $4 per gallon for fuel soon?

The flight from Dubai to Atlanta was 16.5 hours. Wow, was I ready to get off that plane. I may have slept 2-3 hours so needless to say, I experienced most of the flight. Only so many movies you can watch, reading you can do but glad to land in Atlanta. Our flight was delayed an hour so we were late landing and I had about an hour to clear passport control, claim luggage, clear customs, recheck luggage and run 3 terminals down, but did make my flight to Nashville. Had to be God to help me on this one. Did all of that in 45 min and it is normally a 1.5 hour minimum. It was good to get home on time and my luggage even made it.

Tuesday was rough. Slept for a few hours, called the DCA basketball games and went to bed. Weds and Thurs were not too bad except for about a 2-3 hour span mid-day each day. Hopped a plane to FL on Friday morning and was hoping that the snow/ice that came in Thursday might knock out this weekend trip but although the roads were fairly bad, I was able to make it to the airport and the planes were on time.

It is 345a on Saturday as I write this and I am wide awake. Still a ways to go on this jet lag thing. I will get back to the central time zone eventually.

Saturday/Sunday

Saturday was a very good day and the last day of ministry in the neighborhoods. It has been so good to be able to come alongside of believers and help them to realize that in such a pagan culture, God does know where they are and to encourage them to press on.

We did some shopping last night (Sat) and I was able to get the girls a punjabi each and Sondra a tunic that she had been asking for. I had hoped to find some scarves for them along with some of their friends, but the area that we were in did not have what they were wanting. Bummer.

Pastor Surrendra translating for me

Sunday has been filled with preaching twice this morning and then encouraging the leadership of the church. We met with many of the deacons and elders and the women evangelists as they call them. They are really care leaders for all of the families. Much like the deacon family ministry concept. Seems to work well with women leading since they are nurturing and tend to keep up with the members better.

We had lunch with a widow and her two young sons today. The husband/father had been a strong leader in the church and passed away. The husband's parents came in and took everything away that they had purchased for the husband since their wedding leaving the family basically destitute. That happens very often here in India and is pretty hard for me to understand.

Tonight is a big farewell ceremony/worship for us. I really want the focus to be on worship of God but they will put us in traditional Indian attire. I brought my suit from my last visit so they would not spend the money on me again to buy one.

Looking forward to heading toward home tomorrow. We leave the house early on Monday (about 730p Sunday for most of you) and head to the airport. Flying back through Dubai and have a long layover and then a 13 hour flight to ATL and then short flight home arriving Tuesday morning if all goes well.

Probably my last post for a few days. Thank you so much for praying for us.

Happy Pongal

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Pangol is a festival here in India where many things happen. People bring out their old stuff to burn in the streets (small things) and signify the old going out and making room for the new. They call it a Bogi - one of the guys with us continues to kid with some of them to bring out their old wives or husbands and look for a new one. Of course it is a joke and they like it. Who knew. They also use chalk to make these very beautiful designs on the road. I have include a pic of one to give you an idea.

I have shared with many that they can bring out their old gods, those that are not true and that I would gladly introduce them to the one true God. It provides a very good conversation starter and many have listened very intently. Pray that God will help these people see that the true God brings them true freedom and hope.

Destruction at one church

Yesterday we ministered in an area that was very oppressive. You could feel the oppression and many made us aware that we were not welcome in that area as Christians. I never felt threatened physically, but the spiritual oppression was very real. A couple of weeks ago, some locals did much damage to the church hut and some of the areas around it. Pray that God would protect these believers and that He would bring this area to Himself.

We do our last day of house visits, devotionals and direct ministry today. Tomorrow we will be involved in many different worship services among four churches and all of us speaking many times. Pray that God's Word will go out clearly.

On another matter, my friend and co-worker at LifeWay, Kevin Spratt and his family need your prayer. Kevin'sister, Erika, was killed in a car accident on Weds. She leaves a husband and two small children. She was just 25-years-old. Please pray for Kevin and his family. The memorial service is Saturday in Ky and Ohio. Thanks so much for praying for them.

Good "Trip" in India

What a day yesterday (Thursday) was. I started out with some personal Bible study time and then went out for my morning run. About a mile in, I was trying to avoid some traffic, jumped up on a "sidewalk" and next thing I knew I was falling down in slow motion. I almost caught myself but eventually hit the ground. A car and motorcycle stopped and a woman came running to make sure I was ok. I was ok and got up laughing at myself. I skinned my knee a little and took a small hunk of flesh out of my left palm, but all in all, it was very minor. I usually fall once every 5 yrs or so and am hoping that covers it for a long time.

Yesterday's ministry started w/ giving a devotion out of Hebrews 12 and the great cloud of witnesses watching us in the race. I shared my running story and they all seemed to relate. We made many home visits and some of the stories of the people are just overwhelming. I visited a family I had visited the last time I was here who are the picture I envision when I think of India. The mother's name is Anathema (something close to that spelling), she is about 27 w/ three children (14, 13, 12). The oldest daughter has epilepsy and struggles so much. Monica the middle child is very bright and the young son is very bright as well and in school. This is a very poor family and the husband/dad left them almost 12 years ago. They are picture of incredible faithfulness in very difficult circumstances. This family has captured my heart. I am asking you to pray for them. I have included a picture of them so you can see who you will be praying for. They live in a very small hut and it is a very poor situation. The mother, Anathema is the small woman on the far right.

Last night I spoke again in a cottage church meeting on the role of parents in their childrens' lives and the people are so receptive. What an incredible blessing it is to be with these people. I am so encouraged by their faithfulness and convicted by their walk and how I get so caught up in stuff and miss Christ so many times. God is breaking me once again.

It is Friday am here now and I went for a run but was only able to do a mile because of many small fires in the streets. Pangol is a holiday here where they bring out last year's things and burn them in the streets welcoming new things in the coming year. It is a Hindu festival and they paint colorful pictures/designs on the ground in front of their homes. I will try to get a picture and post tomorrow.

Thanks so much for praying for this trip.

Breakfast is for Champions

Seems like that used to close to the motto for Wheaties (The Breakfast of Champions) but I am beginning to think that breakfast in India is the best. I am not an egg eater for the most part and have never been much of a hard-boiled egg eater unless I am traveling internationally. In fact, I do not believe I have ever eaten a hard boiled egg in the States. I eat them here and am thankful for them. It is not fried. There is also a potato dish they serve along with either a pancake or french toast that is pretty good. The coffee is good but the cups are very small. I could drink about 10 of their cups to 2-3 of our mugs.

Widow and Orphans

Ministry went well today. I visited in many homes and spoke at a youth meeting tonight with over 400 in attendance. I am so encouraged by the level of maturity of these youth. Youth goes from about age 14-24 here in India. They face many of the same types of lures of the world and are longing to become westernized is probably the worst thing that could happen to them in many ways. I have been in the homes of many widows and fatherless the last couple of days. Because of the poverty and the absence of a husband/father, many of these families struggle even more. Not only are they hurting and grieving but financially they are destitute. They always serve biscuits or fruit and a drink to me when I visit and are so thankful that I have come. I have been turning the tables some and serving them after they have served/offered me something to eat. It catches them completely off guard, but is a small way that I can show them I am honored to be in their home.

10th Grade Class

The children who are in need of sponsorship at the New Hope School are many. It only costs $120/year to support a child's education and provide uniforms through the grade 10.  I will be posting more very soon on how you can participate. Please be praying about what God might have you do to help support children so they can get a Christian education in a Hindu world.

Many of the children here do not get breakfast so to get a hard boiled egg is a blessing. I am counting my blessings everyday.

Fried Chicken, Fried Fish, Rice and Soup

With the exception of breakfast, our meals consist of the things mentioned in the title. Those of you who know me well know that I am not a fried food eater and I am also one who tends to be somewhat polite. I am thankful for the food, I really am, but I am a little weary of the fried variety in our meals. Not a real complaint though.

Last night was busy with leading a community bible study on the relationship of parents to their children and job 1 for parents to their children found in Deut. 6. We had a little over a 100 crammed into a small house and it was all families. Babies, toddlers, school aged, young adults and grandparents gathered as I did my best to help them understand God's desire for parents in rearing their children. It was a good night. I left there on a scooter no less, always daunting in India, and we went to eat with a family (you know the menu) and then back to Pastor Surrendra's home. Days are long but good.

I woke this morning and watched most of the BCS Championship Game on ESPN internet. Very cool thing and congrats to all the Auburn Tiger fans - War Eagle. Got a 5-miler in, ate breakfast that is not fried thankfully, and headed to the New Hope School. Wow! over 600 students and they put on a great program. We visited every class, over 20 classes, received hundreds of cards and letters from the children that I will read and pray through the rest of the year, and gave out M&Ms. I am sure the teachers loved us for doing that and telling them they could eat them immediately.

Made many home visits encouraging families, ministering to widows and fatherless, and laughing and praying alot. In every home I am greeted with such love and care. It is very overwhelming for me to be treated as someone special. I remind them I am just like them. We laugh some, pray alot, and cry through the hard ones. Young women with children who have lost their husbands, persecuted ones, some who have been beaten, all sorts of issues. What a privilege to be able to serve alongside of them.

Tonight we did a house dedication, spoke at a Thanksgiving service and had dinner of the menu that you already know. It is late here. I am tired, but thankful for the opportunity to serve and grateful for your prayers. It is also very good that I get to Skype with Sondra, Shelbi and Morgan every day for a few minutes.

Hanna - 13th birthday

Samuel - our guy in India

I am including a pic of Samuel Raju who is a young man in India that we have supported for many years helping him get through standard school, high school and now junior college. He is 17 now. A fine young man. His sister is at the New Hope School and I got to see her today as well. Another young lady named Hanna had her 13th birthday today and it made me think of our own Morgan who turns 19 today! I took a picture with Hanna today since I could not take one with Morgan. Happy Birthday Morgan. I love you and am very thankful for you.

India Here I Am Again

Wow - it has been a whirlwind since last Thursday when I boarded a plane in Nashville, headed to Atlanta for a long layover and then boarded a plane for Dubai and flew all night. 13.5 hours on a plane was pretty long if you ask me and then another 3 hour flight after a 2.5 hour layover in Dubai en route to Hyderabad India. Lots of air miles and movies in that string of flights. Watched The Social Network, Easy A, Toy Story 3, the back of my eyelids (although not very long at any given time).

I am traveling with two other men, Dick Spencer and Phil Dillingham and we are doing ministry through New Hope Evangelical Church Ministries. What a blessing it has been so far. It is good to reconnect with many that I met when I was here in January 2007. Every home we visit wants to feed us and expects us to eat something. I am sure I will gain weight on this trip. I am getting to run each day though so that will help offset some of the poundage.

I have preached, led devotions, shared the gospel many times, and prayed for many church members and neighbors. I have asked God for healings, financial help, spiritual strength, babies for couples, and a few hundred other things. The needs are great here and it is overwhelming at times but God is always faithful.

I am sharing a pic of one of the babies that I held today. No worries Sondra, I will not be bringing this one home. This little baby dressed in pink was one of the cutest "girls" that I have seen, only he is a boy. No name yet so they took some suggestions. I will speak to a group of parents tonight about being the spiritual leaders of their homes and families. Pretty excited about that since I have a strong heart for helping parents lead their children.

Thanks for praying for us.

Happy New Year

Here is a Happy New Year from all of the Turner family. May God bless you and be glorified through your life in 2011.