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.