Vijayawada

Though it has been a while since we have posted,it has been a blessing to be here. Some of the people have been to trainings before but many have not. The people are so eager to be used of the Lord and are sponges soaking up what we have to teach.

You may notice a new face to the team picture - Kimberle Fowle works with Kidzana Ministry whose purpose is to provide training and resources to those places in the world who cannot provide it for themselves. She brought a team over to lead the first two IGL trainings in Northwest India and assisted us here before heading to Chennai on Sunday. It has been great having her here with us. She has provided a lot of insight to the people and the trainings they need. The other picture shows the excitement the people bring to the activities we do. Julie was teaching the group some fun games to help children (young and old!) memorize verses. The feedback on the sessions have been very positive. The only adjustment is teaching in a sauna! By the end of the day you can just wring us out. We were in a room that barely held the 100+ people who have attended. And when the electricity goes out - which happens several times a day - and the fans are not working...I think you get the picture.

The ministry they do is amazing. One example is Nelson who leads a camp for 5000 children - which shows the enormity of the ministry that is happening here. Many have Gospel Clubs - like our VBS - for over 1000 children each week - and that is doing it without paid staff!

As on any mission trip - hard to know who is blessed more - us or them! We leave tonight physically tired,but spiritually high, on a 12 hour train ride to Salem. It will be a packed weekend and then training begins on Monday. Hopefully Julie and David can give some feedback on the next posting.

Oh I should mention about my first lesson. From our last post I mentioned that we only had a three hour flight left to get to India from Dubai. And I was boasting about my attention to detail and the luggages' weight - well I take it all back. That quality did not last long. As I was finishing that post,they came on the loud speakers saying they were doing final boarding for our flight - well it was 50minutes before departure and there were some guys yelling out for our flight but the three of us figured we had time. When they announced boarding, I quickly shut down the computer and put it into the carry on. The only thing was that I had previously been finishing up some power points and had my notebook out. Did you notice what I said that I got into the carry on - and what I did not put in?!! Yep,left my notebook sitting out. Noticed it when I got on the plane. Felt fotunate cause I could go out and get it - had 20 minutes before departure - should not be a problem.Of course there was one - I had gotten on the plane and you can't get off! They made a call to have someone look for it - but they did not find it. So all my notes and information for India is now sitting in a trash can somewhere in Dubai. The Lord immediately reminded me that I wanted to be lead by the Spirit -well that is definitely happening. Not sure how else God could have answered that prayer, but c'mon Lord - taking away all my notes?!! God is good - all the time!