On Saturday the team conducted the last Kids program. God seem to save the last for the best with about 75 kids attending. The team had a great time and the kids enjoyed the program very much.
Sundays always seem to be extra special in India. We love worshiping with our Indian brothers and sisters, and this Sunday was no exception. Having the team with us for one more Sunday was an added delight. The first half of the service went on without electricity, but that did not seem to dampen the spirits of those who were there. The worship was lively and joyful, even though there was no AC or fans to cool us down or lights. By the time Sal stepped up to the pulpit to present the message, the electricity was restored, and the word of God was proclaimed without interruption.
Later that day, we conducted the quarterly widows outreach. Over 120 attended. Elena presented a simple gospel message and at its conclusion about 20 widows stood to commit their lives to Christ. I love the genius of the local pastors. They took a picture of the women who stood up. From the pictures they will identify each woman and pay them a visit in their homes in the coming weeks. What an amazing way to follow up! It was a great blessing when a woman grabbed hold of Elena and hugged her tightly. She had come to an outreach last year. She came as an unbeliever and left as a child of God. The joy in her face was a beautiful thing to see. She is growing daily in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
The program concluded with each widow receiving a gift package of essential provisions such as spices, oil, salt and sugar. Cat and Amber personally handed the widows their bundles. We served each lady a dinner of vegetable biryani and chicken curry. It was such a blessing to watch them enjoy the meal. Most of these ladies eat nothing but rice, lentils, and onions daily.
On Monday we took the team to the Palace in Mysore. It was a well deserved day of rest for them. After touring the Palace we strolled through a local shopping district….a very different experience than shopping in the USA. It certainly challenged Amber. She was totally out of her comfort zone. We concluded our day at a vegetarian pizza restaurant……What, no pepperoni!?
We reserved a tour of a few of the poorer villages for Tuesday. We walked about 1/3 mile off the main road to visit a very rural village. This village lost its water supply last year and CAM worked with the local government to have a community water line installed. Each day the water line opens so villagers can fill their pots with clean drinking water. The team found it difficult to tour this village. It is very difficult to experience the poverty up close. It is one thing to watch a National Geographic documentary about tribals. It is quite another to visit them. Cat and Amber fell in love with the children and happily handed out candy to them and their moms.
The second village we stopped at is a cluster of group homes built by the government for tribal people. A number of CAM widows live there. The team was able to enter their homes and pray for them and their families. It was a delight to see Meliga who we found homeless in 2020. At that time she was about 19 years old. Her husband abandoned her and has never returned. She is now living in a small hut and receiving rations through our social service outreach.
Our final day of ministry with the team was at a Pastor’s Conference. About 140 were in attendance. Sal spoke on the Second Coming. Pastors here have very little knowledge on this topic. Sal explained the 8 signs that lead us to believe the Lord is coming soon. Many pastors commented how overjoyed they were to receive this teaching and share it with their churches. After the sessions, we enjoyed a delicious lunch with the attendees which consisted of vegetable biryani, chicken curry, cucumber salad and a dessert called Kasseri Bath.
Now it is quiet here. The team left today to make the long journey back home. It was wonderful to have Kevin and Cat here again. They are a beautiful ministry couple who serve the Lord wherever they are. We were blessed to have them come and give of their time and talents.
Our hearts are especially full because our oldest granddaughter, Amber, desired to come. She was a real trooper and she experienced life here which is so different then her life in the US. Everyone fell in love with her and she earned the nickname Honey. Before she left she told us how happy she was to be serving with us. She also understood for the first time what we have often told her….It is impossible to explain India; you must experience India. The team worked hard but the joy of partnering together kept us energized and excited about the work we accomplished.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24