So guys, just a final update on our last and final week in Bilaspur, India!!!!!!!
No one can believe how fast it has gone and having made such awesome friends, it's so sad to be leaving so soon:-( After an action packed Sunday of ministry to youth, children, ladies, and the biggest protestant church in Bilaspur, we spent the week doing more touristy things and solidifying relationships. We found there is so much more ministry doors opening up here and rea). Amazingly though, God had already planned this and revealed to Nicolene that she was to stay for the next 7 months!!!!! A bitter sweet revelation but both we and the base team here are so happy that she is being obedient as coincidentally, 2 staff are leaving at the end of the month with an AIDS DTS to start in January!!!!! After all the planting of this month, it is truly awesome now that God has provided a longer-term worker to be a channel for His watering Spirit.
Please continue reading below for more details of this last week and check out pictures on facebook from next week.
Following on from that though, we are all very sad to be saying goodbye to Nicolene now. However we are all confident that this is God's will for her life right now so please do pray for her safety, passion and peace about what lies ahead. Everything is very uncertain right now including her finances, so these prayers are very much needed. There was a miracle in the financial arena that got her here too so we very much believe that God will provide.
Following the Friday night ministry, Baboo chose to spend the week with us. I was somewhat anxious about the repercussions of Friday night's bold gospel ministry evening but we have found that there have been none. In fact, one of Baboo's friends who attended the meeting - Prakesh, helped us with a few issues this week without any hesitation. Baboo has been truly an awesome friend and very much part of the staff and minitering to us every day. I really want to say thanks to God for him for his ever present love, joy and committment to the team.
I must say now that that is definitely one of the most wonderful things about India. Nothing is too big or small for them to do. Many have shown amazing servant heart with very grateful attitudes and spirits. We have been honoured and welcomed every where we go since the first day we got here. It has been somewhat overhelming but I do feel that this was God lavishly pouring out his love and blessing on us. We have been treated like superstars which unfortunately tonight took the glory from God. We were all moved with righteous anger, however, by His grace we were encouraged to seek to trust that He is able to work and minister even in the midst of this so this has been a mighty lesson for us to learn. We recognise that everything that has happened has been because of God and so we are all moved to make sure He will continue to get the glory in all things and that includes our attitudes. If we humble ourselves and pray, his glory and intervention will come.
As I said earlier that we really focused on strengthening relationships this week. Jon has been building a great friendship with the next door neighbour's son, Raavi. He is a Hindu boy but very much searching for something more. After attending the international food and ministry night on Friday, he came over almost every day this week and spent time dancing, talking and even joined us at a cross-church youth event where the Holy Spirit really came and touched people. Please do pray for Raavi that God provides people in his life to really help him grow in his faith and be supported not to fall back to old ways of the hindu religion. Boldness of character to fulfill the dreams within him too would also be an excellent prayer point. He's an excellent dancer, so let's pray that God really moves him to use it for His glory.
We spent a lot of time this week with the youth band from the Chhattisgarh Peace Festival. They really have an awesome heart for worshipping God and we had an awesome time jamming and worshipping with them. Please pray that God continues to work in their lives and move them from strength to strength in their faith. One issue we had this week was that they were not allowed to join us to minister to a cross-church youth service because the hosting band were not known and so they did not want glory to be given to the Peace Festival band. As a whole team, we were all mortified that ministry was being made about people and not God. However, the band received this very graciously and came in an opposite spirit and this really facilitated the Holy Spirit to move and touch hearts. We do praise God for them and hope they continue with this attitude even as young as they are. We are currently praying that they are able to really bond with Nicolene and befriend her while she is here and have every confidence that God planted them in our lives for such a time as this, so thank God for his faithfulness.
One last thing of note this week was when we were followed by the Indian Secret Service and questioned about our intentions here. We had expected this very early on in our stay in Bilaspur and so were a little complacent about this prospect. However, God in His mercy and infinite wisdom allowed this day to be the day when we did a lot of shopping so when we were approached we were only able to share truth with them as we are here on a tourist visa. We were completely blown away by this and really felt a confirmation that God has been here with us always. I just want to say thanks to all of you who has supported us in prayer during this time. I really feel that those prayers were surely answered and that God's hand has been holding back the tide on a wider scale too as there has been no backlash from the article nor the Peace festival performances. Thank you again but most of all, I thank God again for his love and commitment to us.
So as we finish off our time here with a trip to the Taj Mahal - eek!!! - I just want to say thanks so much for all your prayers and support. Please do continue as we still have a couple of weeks of ministry left in South Africa. I have learnt so much about keeping God first in your life and if He is not Lord of all, He really isn't Lord at all and how easily things can be our gods. Even the Taj Mahal is a testimony to the ruler who created it for his wife after she died and then cut off the hands of the builder. I don't know about you but our God does not require such craziness and I'm committed more and more each day to following His heart, His commands, His Spirit for He is my Lord of all.
Please do pray for our safety in travel to both the Taj Mahal and back to South Africa. Continued protection and for our ministry and especially for blessings upon this base and it's staff. THey have been such an amazing source of love, understanding, grace and compassion and truly showed us what serving the Lord is all about. We love them all even as some - Nermala and Angel return home now after their 3 year commitment but do pray for Nicolene as she stays and looks to staff and AIDS DTS from January and just for God's comfort and presence with her - leading and guiding her.
So we arrive in Johannesburg on Monday for a final week of ministry so I hope to update you in a couple of weeks. Take care and God bless. Remember comments are most welcome and hope you have enjoyed this blog.
G xx
p.s. please check out facebook updates for new pics.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
More, Lord more!!!!
So after a crazy week of high profile ministry, this week was much more fellowship based. From a inspirational peace-filled lunch meeting with an entire family in ministry - Christ Lovers Ministry to a fun filled day at the local waterpark where we were the only ones just shows the uniqueness of this week. We had a few celebrations - Diwali, Ettienne‘s birthday, guys hostel ministry, and ladies ministry. Please click for pictures(more will be uploaded once we're back in SA in a few days time) or carry on reading below. I can’t believe our time here is almost over as it’s been so wonderful. Time really has flown as we have had a lot of fun - whoever said being a Christian was boring really didn’t fully let the Holy Spirit take over completely!!! More, Lord, More!!!!
So it's been a very varied week. The Christ lovers lunch was good. We all tangibly experienced a lot of peace and love between each family member. Everyone, you could tell was very in love with Jesus!! It was very refreshing to see the words of Joshua in Josh 2:9 where the father’s decision for him and his household to serve the Lord was actually in action. May it continue for a long time.
Ettienne - one of the staff had his birthday this week. We again, in true ywam style had a cake fight but this was topped with Ettienne being egged by Baboo (one of rhe guys here on the base but not official staff) immediately after prayer!! Classic pics but I just must add that Ettienne shared later on that the party we had for him was very special as in his entire 26 years, he had never had a party only for him. This was so precious to know and again really humbled me.
We also had a fire-works night during Diwali this week. We had a lot of fun and very exciting. There is no concept of health & safety when it comes to this too as many were doing it in the middle of the streets and about 10 feet from the house. This is a massive celebration (bigger than Christmas) in India and pretty much everyone celebrates for a good 4-5 days. We struggled with the fact that they did not start the barrage of fireworks until 9pm and felt the need to go on until the early hours of the morning. We also learnt that even people who lived in slums nearby and who hardly had any food or clothes but were able to afford hundreds of “expensive” fireworks (by India’s standard). Priorities of the people here were really very gob smacking!!! Not only was each night filled with bomb-sounding fireworks, but also ceaseless idol worship. The end of Diwali also signifies the end of the wedding season and time for the wedding gods to go to sleep for 6 months of the year!!!! Yes, I kid you not, there were processions leading the idols to the river for them to be buried. The deal being that if people choose to get married after this time, their marriage will not be blessed by the gods. Please check out a few pics in idol worship album as this was just one of many. Unfortunately, the last one cuts off a guy who was actually being whipped as he walked before the idols that were carried as a sign of worship and sacrifice - apparently, the whips don’t actually hurt, they just sound loud to make out that it’s painful. It’s so sad to see that even worship is false?
There are also a few pics about life here in Bilaspur. Ettienne and Lauren can be found helping prepare our exceptionally spicy dinners,; there is a picture of a cow outside the train station but I must add that is only one of the many crazy places we would find them. As a sacred animal with more rights than a human being in this place, it is common to see cows laying in the middle of the street, dogs running left right and centre. Every driver is contending with other cars, bikes, rickshaws, horse/oxen carts, cows, dogs and various other live-stock. Hats off to all who dare to drive in this place!!!!
The waterpark was a great time with both teams where we could relax and actually have something touristy to reflect our visas. It was very small with 3 pools but we had a great time. We happened to be the only ones there for the entirety of the day, so it was very special. We were treated to monkeys flinging themselves through the trees in the morning just outside the perimeter, a wave machine and Bollywood style rain rotunda where we cheekily decided we should do some of our dances just for effect;-) Ahhhh good times!!!!
We ended this week with a couple of awesome ministry times. The team of girls here were asked to minister to 3 different women prayer meetings and gatherings. We were told that many would come but found only a few and very small venues so some quick - spirit led adaptability meant that we were blessed abundantly with almost Rs2500 by the end of the two days. God was surely, with us. I was asked to preach again at one and to be honest I really don’t know what I said, but by the end of it we were all really filled with peace. God is so awesome!!!
Ending this week in a powerful way was a night of ministry with the guys from Baboo’s hostel that the boys have been meeting with weekly to play cricket and share the good news of God’s love. It was an awesome night! 30 people were invited and about 30 people turned up. The Holy Spirit really moved and touched many hearts. One guy named Ronnie turned up late - having taken a train and a taxi to get to us. He had initially thought he was going to a party but after listening to the gospel - which we chose not to hold back on - he shared that he was seriously considering becoming a believer - in front of all of his hindu friends - he too being a hindu. Many became uncomfortable but all listened - it was incredible - their attentiveness. The Holy Spirit was really in control as they didn’t even rush off after. They stayed to have food and loved it. Guys, we recognised that it was truly risky sharing as we did and also that Ronnie shared but we have had no come back from this either. God has had his hand of protection over everything and everyone and we’re all really believing that there will be fruit as Baboo will be around for follow-up with these guys. Please join us in prayer for the hostel guys. God has a started a good work and I believe will carry it on to completion!!
Catch you up next week and do check out website and leave comments at: www.artsdts2010.org for cool pics soon.
God bless
G xx
So it's been a very varied week. The Christ lovers lunch was good. We all tangibly experienced a lot of peace and love between each family member. Everyone, you could tell was very in love with Jesus!! It was very refreshing to see the words of Joshua in Josh 2:9 where the father’s decision for him and his household to serve the Lord was actually in action. May it continue for a long time.
Ettienne - one of the staff had his birthday this week. We again, in true ywam style had a cake fight but this was topped with Ettienne being egged by Baboo (one of rhe guys here on the base but not official staff) immediately after prayer!! Classic pics but I just must add that Ettienne shared later on that the party we had for him was very special as in his entire 26 years, he had never had a party only for him. This was so precious to know and again really humbled me.
We also had a fire-works night during Diwali this week. We had a lot of fun and very exciting. There is no concept of health & safety when it comes to this too as many were doing it in the middle of the streets and about 10 feet from the house. This is a massive celebration (bigger than Christmas) in India and pretty much everyone celebrates for a good 4-5 days. We struggled with the fact that they did not start the barrage of fireworks until 9pm and felt the need to go on until the early hours of the morning. We also learnt that even people who lived in slums nearby and who hardly had any food or clothes but were able to afford hundreds of “expensive” fireworks (by India’s standard). Priorities of the people here were really very gob smacking!!! Not only was each night filled with bomb-sounding fireworks, but also ceaseless idol worship. The end of Diwali also signifies the end of the wedding season and time for the wedding gods to go to sleep for 6 months of the year!!!! Yes, I kid you not, there were processions leading the idols to the river for them to be buried. The deal being that if people choose to get married after this time, their marriage will not be blessed by the gods. Please check out a few pics in idol worship album as this was just one of many. Unfortunately, the last one cuts off a guy who was actually being whipped as he walked before the idols that were carried as a sign of worship and sacrifice - apparently, the whips don’t actually hurt, they just sound loud to make out that it’s painful. It’s so sad to see that even worship is false?
There are also a few pics about life here in Bilaspur. Ettienne and Lauren can be found helping prepare our exceptionally spicy dinners,; there is a picture of a cow outside the train station but I must add that is only one of the many crazy places we would find them. As a sacred animal with more rights than a human being in this place, it is common to see cows laying in the middle of the street, dogs running left right and centre. Every driver is contending with other cars, bikes, rickshaws, horse/oxen carts, cows, dogs and various other live-stock. Hats off to all who dare to drive in this place!!!!
The waterpark was a great time with both teams where we could relax and actually have something touristy to reflect our visas. It was very small with 3 pools but we had a great time. We happened to be the only ones there for the entirety of the day, so it was very special. We were treated to monkeys flinging themselves through the trees in the morning just outside the perimeter, a wave machine and Bollywood style rain rotunda where we cheekily decided we should do some of our dances just for effect;-) Ahhhh good times!!!!
We ended this week with a couple of awesome ministry times. The team of girls here were asked to minister to 3 different women prayer meetings and gatherings. We were told that many would come but found only a few and very small venues so some quick - spirit led adaptability meant that we were blessed abundantly with almost Rs2500 by the end of the two days. God was surely, with us. I was asked to preach again at one and to be honest I really don’t know what I said, but by the end of it we were all really filled with peace. God is so awesome!!!
Ending this week in a powerful way was a night of ministry with the guys from Baboo’s hostel that the boys have been meeting with weekly to play cricket and share the good news of God’s love. It was an awesome night! 30 people were invited and about 30 people turned up. The Holy Spirit really moved and touched many hearts. One guy named Ronnie turned up late - having taken a train and a taxi to get to us. He had initially thought he was going to a party but after listening to the gospel - which we chose not to hold back on - he shared that he was seriously considering becoming a believer - in front of all of his hindu friends - he too being a hindu. Many became uncomfortable but all listened - it was incredible - their attentiveness. The Holy Spirit was really in control as they didn’t even rush off after. They stayed to have food and loved it. Guys, we recognised that it was truly risky sharing as we did and also that Ronnie shared but we have had no come back from this either. God has had his hand of protection over everything and everyone and we’re all really believing that there will be fruit as Baboo will be around for follow-up with these guys. Please join us in prayer for the hostel guys. God has a started a good work and I believe will carry it on to completion!!
Catch you up next week and do check out website and leave comments at: www.artsdts2010.org for cool pics soon.
God bless
G xx
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Looks can be deceiving!!!
Just a quick update this week:
So... can you believe it!!! I can't believe it's only a week and half to go. How time flies when you're having fun!!!It's week 3 and we've done a plumbline with the youth, ministered to families, led ladies bible studies to illiterate hindu women performed in front of 5000 people and the health minister of Chhattisgargh at a Peace Festival!!! and made front page of a local paper. Can there be more Lord, more? Click for pictures
Guys, India has really been full of nice surprises. People have been very hospitable. The team is gelling together and still very unified which is awesome and news about us seems to keep on spreading. Our hearts are totally that the name of Jesus is spread so we are a little down by this but we know that this is still very positive for a nation that is so much against the gospel. However, we can certainly testify that there are many here who are on fire for God and it is very exciting.
This week the boys have once again had another opportunity to spend time with the cricket guys and was able to pray with some of them and tell others the gospel which was very exciting. Please do stand with us to see further breakthroughs and continual openness to the truth.
As a team of girls, we have been finding teaching the ladies in the bible study a little difficult.There is very little visual responses, low literacy and language barriers bigger than we imagined. However, we are learning a lot and adapting the way we present everyday and trying to understand the culture and environment better. Please pray for a more uniting of hearts and spirit and that understanding and that the ladies are able to take things to heart and really process what Good leads us to say.
We're currently taking a step out of the limelight and doing a few touristy things so that any issues that have arisen from the article will die down. We hope to continue further ministry at the end of the week at another conference so will update you then.
God bless and do check out the blog next week for more information.
Grace xx
So... can you believe it!!! I can't believe it's only a week and half to go. How time flies when you're having fun!!!It's week 3 and we've done a plumbline with the youth, ministered to families, led ladies bible studies to illiterate hindu women performed in front of 5000 people and the health minister of Chhattisgargh at a Peace Festival!!! and made front page of a local paper. Can there be more Lord, more? Click for pictures
Guys, India has really been full of nice surprises. People have been very hospitable. The team is gelling together and still very unified which is awesome and news about us seems to keep on spreading. Our hearts are totally that the name of Jesus is spread so we are a little down by this but we know that this is still very positive for a nation that is so much against the gospel. However, we can certainly testify that there are many here who are on fire for God and it is very exciting.
This week the boys have once again had another opportunity to spend time with the cricket guys and was able to pray with some of them and tell others the gospel which was very exciting. Please do stand with us to see further breakthroughs and continual openness to the truth.
As a team of girls, we have been finding teaching the ladies in the bible study a little difficult.There is very little visual responses, low literacy and language barriers bigger than we imagined. However, we are learning a lot and adapting the way we present everyday and trying to understand the culture and environment better. Please pray for a more uniting of hearts and spirit and that understanding and that the ladies are able to take things to heart and really process what Good leads us to say.
We're currently taking a step out of the limelight and doing a few touristy things so that any issues that have arisen from the article will die down. We hope to continue further ministry at the end of the week at another conference so will update you then.
God bless and do check out the blog next week for more information.
Grace xx
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