We took the overnight train from Mumbai to Latur. We had a sleeper car so we all got to sleep through most of the 9 hour trip. We pulled in to the station as the sun was rising and there were enough low clouds that the corona of the sun was blocked so that we could see the ball of the sun and it's bright orangish-red glow. Gave our arrival a bit more of an exotic feel. We went to the hotel to drop off our luggage and to freshen up and then it was off to spend the day at the Latur Ministry Center. The boys were very excited that we were there and along with Chaya and Pastor Samuel, they gave us quite the warm welcome. After a few moments of visiting with everybody, a quick tour of the facility and a wonderful breakfast, we found ourselves outside participating in an impromptu Cricket game. Several of us took turns both bowling and batting. Pastor Samuel has a wicked underhanded spin delivery. It was a great way to spend some time being around the boys as an ice-breaker. We were treated to more yummilicious food for lunch and then had a couple hours rest. When we returned, we asked the boys what they had been doing and they explained that they were playing games. We asked them to show us games that they like to play and ended up spending the next several hours playing with them in the courtyard. They taught us a few indian favorites and we taught them a few "american" ones. There were even a few moments of dancing and singing, with the boys performing for us and Tammy, Cathy and Katherine teaching them the YMCA and the Chicken dance. They LOVE the chicken dance. It was as glorious day and we all felt quite at home. The boys are fun-loving, sweet, quick to smile, and full of energy. It is a blessing to now be known as their auntie.
Our second day began the way the first day ended - with a myriad of booms and crackles as the indian people are celebrating Diwali. The fireworks seemed to stop just for a couple hours in the wee hours of the morning, but were booming away full force again by 4am. The excitement would continue as this was the first day of VBS - vacation bible school. Around 9:30am, several children from the neighborhood started to arrive. More filtered in throughout the first hour and we ended with a total of 63 attendees. By the grace of God and the blessings of Jesus, the VBS was a smashing success. We had several volunteers to help with the various tasks and to interpret for us. Abile and Abishe were the main interpreters, and along with Mahima, provided the singing of the songs in Marathi. These kids know how to rock action songs. We taught them "Deep and Wide" in English as well. Bryan delivered the story today, introducing Jesus. He gave a synopsis of the creation story and the fall from grace, and then how to recover that special place with God - through a great man named Jesus. Each day we have a theme that will build upon how Jesus is for everybody and that He wants us to live for Him and that He will forgive us when we fall and can always come home.
As usual, games were organized chaos and the game of Thankful Volleyball was an exact duplicate of how the kids back home at lifepoint play it. Kids are the same everywhere. ;o) After a snack and some rest, the kids decorated their canvas backpacks and several drew crosses or had phrases such as God loves you. We finished this wonderful time with the children by teaching them "If You're Happy and You Know It" The kids caught on quickly and yelled Amen with such spirit! I have it on video and may have to use it as motivation to challenge the lifepoint kids to worship with the same vigor and joy.
We are all very tired, but it is a happy tired, knowing that we were a part of God's great plan and that these children heard about the Good News today, some possibly for the first time. There were many neighborhood kids who didn't come, but gathered outside the compound gate so we are expecting more to come tomorrow. All of the kids that attended were encouraged to invite their friends to join in the fun.
Would you be willing to pray for the continued success of the VBS? Pray that we will have many, many more kids walk through the door in the morning? And lastly, would you pray for strength, wisdom, and blessings for the team as we continue?
Thank you all very much
PS - be sure to check our smugmug for pictures. Easier to only post to one site with the limited internet options
Our second day began the way the first day ended - with a myriad of booms and crackles as the indian people are celebrating Diwali. The fireworks seemed to stop just for a couple hours in the wee hours of the morning, but were booming away full force again by 4am. The excitement would continue as this was the first day of VBS - vacation bible school. Around 9:30am, several children from the neighborhood started to arrive. More filtered in throughout the first hour and we ended with a total of 63 attendees. By the grace of God and the blessings of Jesus, the VBS was a smashing success. We had several volunteers to help with the various tasks and to interpret for us. Abile and Abishe were the main interpreters, and along with Mahima, provided the singing of the songs in Marathi. These kids know how to rock action songs. We taught them "Deep and Wide" in English as well. Bryan delivered the story today, introducing Jesus. He gave a synopsis of the creation story and the fall from grace, and then how to recover that special place with God - through a great man named Jesus. Each day we have a theme that will build upon how Jesus is for everybody and that He wants us to live for Him and that He will forgive us when we fall and can always come home.
As usual, games were organized chaos and the game of Thankful Volleyball was an exact duplicate of how the kids back home at lifepoint play it. Kids are the same everywhere. ;o) After a snack and some rest, the kids decorated their canvas backpacks and several drew crosses or had phrases such as God loves you. We finished this wonderful time with the children by teaching them "If You're Happy and You Know It" The kids caught on quickly and yelled Amen with such spirit! I have it on video and may have to use it as motivation to challenge the lifepoint kids to worship with the same vigor and joy.
We are all very tired, but it is a happy tired, knowing that we were a part of God's great plan and that these children heard about the Good News today, some possibly for the first time. There were many neighborhood kids who didn't come, but gathered outside the compound gate so we are expecting more to come tomorrow. All of the kids that attended were encouraged to invite their friends to join in the fun.
Would you be willing to pray for the continued success of the VBS? Pray that we will have many, many more kids walk through the door in the morning? And lastly, would you pray for strength, wisdom, and blessings for the team as we continue?
Thank you all very much
PS - be sure to check our smugmug for pictures. Easier to only post to one site with the limited internet options
No comments:
Post a Comment