How Do You Spell Hot?

Sorry for the delay in posting blogs, but we have not had regular access to the internet for a while. (Right now I am sitting in Pastor Sam Stephen's home office as the regular internet for guests is not up. Hopefully everyone can be on tomorrow)

So how do you spell hot? How about a church filled with 300 very excited children in the middle of the day when even the locals say it is really hot! But I tell you what - it was a "hot" day in the Lord. We were able to take part in the Sunday service in Sam's church this morning. The Privett's did a puppet sketch and I (Gary) followed up with a teaching from Luke 10 on the Good Samaritan. There are a considerable number of children that attend the church as it is on the campus where IGL has housing for 300+ children. So in my true teaching style, I brought up some children to help me tell the parable and its application. We then had the privilege of attending a baptism service where 12 college students were baptized. The thing that impacted us what the emotion expressed when they cam eout of the water. We are so used to people being excited and hugging and cheering. The people that came for the service broke out in joyful singing, but I don't think we will forget the expression on each of the ones being baptized - there were quite stoic and somber - every one of them. They understood the seriousness of the commitment they were making. It's not to say that one is right or better, but just a different perspective of the step they were taking.

Then the grand finale of the day being able to minister to these 300+ children in a village about 90 minutes outside Salem. Many Hindu children. Many excited children! They sure know how to sing out their praises to the Lord. It was a privilege to be part of the work God is doing through the pastors serving here. Many children expressing their desire to make a commitment to Christ, but comfoting to me knowing there was a strong ministry here to follow up with them. The service was closed with not only us singing "The Blessing" song over them, but then they prayed over us. How amazing to hear their hearts poured out to God for us with their hands extended out to God and to us. Does the heart good! As we told Kennedy from IGL, we know the importance of doing the training for the leaders, but it sure refuels us to get a "kid fix" in now and then!

The training in Pune went extremely well. They had a testimony time at the end of the second day and it was humbling and gratifying to hear what people had to say and the take-a-ways they received. One woman said she had been to a number of trainings prior to this and her expectation was not to learn a whole lot more. She was excited about all the practical applications we gave them in all of the teachings. She, like the rest, was revitalized and inspired to go back to her village to train the other leaders. Speaking of, it was hard for us to fathom what it took for people to come to the trainings. Their dedication to Kingdom work is astonishing. Jeff was introducing a new game to them and each person was to write down one thing they hoped to do in their lifetime. He gave som examples like skydiving and mountain climbing. What was their response? Every one of them wanted to do something greater for the Lord. It showed us how sold out they are for the Lord. So much to learn -so much to grow in!

Jeff will be joining us tomorrow as he took a couple of days and ventured further north to visit the orphanage where his daughter spent 40 days last summer. It will be great to hear the tales of his journey.

It's late - gotta go to bed. Hopefully all the rest will have access to internet tomorrow and you can hear from them. Can't thank you enough for your prayers and support. How faithful God has been! Health wise, we are all doing really good. Yea God!