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
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