The Way

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 envis...

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 co...

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 ...

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 gosp...

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