And these kids know how to worship! They are all very energetic singers and dancers. Each morning we started off with Abile, Abishe, and Mahima leading singing in Marathi. We have learned some really great songs and plan on teaching the lifepoint kids some of them in English. The first day we had 63 kids and today we had 71. There were about 11 new ones and 3 or so that didn't come back. Hopefully we will see them again tomorrow. Bryan did a great job the first day introducing them to Jesus during story time. Today, Tammy told them the story of the Woman at the Well and the Good Samaritan. We want these kids to know that Jesus is for everyone. He is not just for those with light skin, or the rich, or the adults. We are pretty sure they got the message. The crafts have been a big hit and some kids have been completely overcome to realize that these things are theirs to keep when VBS is over. So far, they have decorated a canvas backpack to carry their items, a bandanna to wear, and a prayer box. Tomorrow they'll make a cross and the last day will be the salvation bracelet. We are pretty sure that one will be an especially big hit.
These kids are well behaved. It takes relatively little to get their attention after activities, and they are able to sit still for long periods of time with very little fidgeting. They also return after being sent downstairs to get water. I am not sure if we have had to really chase anybody down who decided to pursue their own agenda. All of them are truly a blessing and they make running the VBS for them very easy and very rewarding. Today each kid wrote down the name or names of people they knew who didn't know Jesus. We prayed that God would shine His light in their lives and to bring them to Jesus. Not only did we let the kids know that Jesus was for them, but Jesus is for their friends to and that they can be the ones to introduce them. I am asking that each of you consider praying for the courage of the children who are willing to take the risk of mentioning Jesus to their friends and families. Also, please pray for those names written down. They represent somebody special to these children. We don't need to know their names because God already does.
The afternoons after VBS have been absolutely fantastic. Yesterday, we took a trip in to downtown Latur to do some shopping. We went to the market to look at fabric for Sari's and shirts for the guys. Tammy bought a punjabi and some bought some jewelry, but Chaya was not happy with the fabric and didn't want us to buy Sari's there. We went to a Sari shop and were taken to an upstairs room and basically had a private fabric sitting. The salesmen brought out many, many bolts of fabric and many were very, very pretty. Each of us kind of had an idea of color that we wanted. It took about 30 minutes or so, but we all found something that we loved. The guys were with us as well and were good sports about having to sit through that. On the way out of town, we stopped at another shop and the guys were able to find some really great shirts.
After dinner, we attended the prayer meeting in the church here at the worship center. It was a nice time to unwind and destress. Kevin gave a testimonial reagarding worhsip and encouraging everybody, especially the boys, to find out their special way to communicate with God.
This afternoon we went to a session at the Blazing Youth Revival - Latur. A band was playing and they really rocked worship. People were dancing and jumping and just putting their whole body and spirit in to worshiping the Lord. Even though it is a youth revival, there were toddlers and elderly people in attendance. The india team eagerly partook in the dancing and were fan favorites out mixed in with the crowd. After several high octane songs, we were all sweating profusely and ready to hear the message. Pastor Sheldon gave a great message about how our God is the true God and that stones and iron are nothing. Our God answers with fire and is the fire. He also talked about Judas betraying Jesus and how the disciples chose Mattias as a replacement. He asked everybody to cast out the Judas in their lives and to replace it with something new, just as the disciples replaced Judas with Mattias.
It is now after 7pm and shortly we will leave for dinner at the house of some friends who are Hindu. Pastor Samuel asked for one (or more) of us to consider offering a testimonial to the gospel. This family is not new to the idea of Jesus and has hosted a meal with prior Christian visitors. We pray that maybe this time will be the moment that they have a change of heart and mind.
Overall - we are having an absolutely fabulous time. We are warmly welcomed every where we go, there is no shortage of food or tea, and we are having just as much or more fun than the kids during VBS. Both in Latur and Mumbai, people have opened up their homes to us to host a meal and we feel like we are part of a big extended family. Many know Pastor Samuel, Chaya, and the boys as the face of the ministry in India, but know that there are soooo many more brothers and sisters in Christ doing the good work of the Lord.
We hope everybody is waking up to a glorious morning back in the states and that your day will be as full of love and joy as ours has been.
God bless ~
These kids are well behaved. It takes relatively little to get their attention after activities, and they are able to sit still for long periods of time with very little fidgeting. They also return after being sent downstairs to get water. I am not sure if we have had to really chase anybody down who decided to pursue their own agenda. All of them are truly a blessing and they make running the VBS for them very easy and very rewarding. Today each kid wrote down the name or names of people they knew who didn't know Jesus. We prayed that God would shine His light in their lives and to bring them to Jesus. Not only did we let the kids know that Jesus was for them, but Jesus is for their friends to and that they can be the ones to introduce them. I am asking that each of you consider praying for the courage of the children who are willing to take the risk of mentioning Jesus to their friends and families. Also, please pray for those names written down. They represent somebody special to these children. We don't need to know their names because God already does.
The afternoons after VBS have been absolutely fantastic. Yesterday, we took a trip in to downtown Latur to do some shopping. We went to the market to look at fabric for Sari's and shirts for the guys. Tammy bought a punjabi and some bought some jewelry, but Chaya was not happy with the fabric and didn't want us to buy Sari's there. We went to a Sari shop and were taken to an upstairs room and basically had a private fabric sitting. The salesmen brought out many, many bolts of fabric and many were very, very pretty. Each of us kind of had an idea of color that we wanted. It took about 30 minutes or so, but we all found something that we loved. The guys were with us as well and were good sports about having to sit through that. On the way out of town, we stopped at another shop and the guys were able to find some really great shirts.
After dinner, we attended the prayer meeting in the church here at the worship center. It was a nice time to unwind and destress. Kevin gave a testimonial reagarding worhsip and encouraging everybody, especially the boys, to find out their special way to communicate with God.
This afternoon we went to a session at the Blazing Youth Revival - Latur. A band was playing and they really rocked worship. People were dancing and jumping and just putting their whole body and spirit in to worshiping the Lord. Even though it is a youth revival, there were toddlers and elderly people in attendance. The india team eagerly partook in the dancing and were fan favorites out mixed in with the crowd. After several high octane songs, we were all sweating profusely and ready to hear the message. Pastor Sheldon gave a great message about how our God is the true God and that stones and iron are nothing. Our God answers with fire and is the fire. He also talked about Judas betraying Jesus and how the disciples chose Mattias as a replacement. He asked everybody to cast out the Judas in their lives and to replace it with something new, just as the disciples replaced Judas with Mattias.
It is now after 7pm and shortly we will leave for dinner at the house of some friends who are Hindu. Pastor Samuel asked for one (or more) of us to consider offering a testimonial to the gospel. This family is not new to the idea of Jesus and has hosted a meal with prior Christian visitors. We pray that maybe this time will be the moment that they have a change of heart and mind.
Overall - we are having an absolutely fabulous time. We are warmly welcomed every where we go, there is no shortage of food or tea, and we are having just as much or more fun than the kids during VBS. Both in Latur and Mumbai, people have opened up their homes to us to host a meal and we feel like we are part of a big extended family. Many know Pastor Samuel, Chaya, and the boys as the face of the ministry in India, but know that there are soooo many more brothers and sisters in Christ doing the good work of the Lord.
We hope everybody is waking up to a glorious morning back in the states and that your day will be as full of love and joy as ours has been.
God bless ~
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