Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

October 13, 2004

Yesterday we received a call from Kilang in Nagaland to send the copies of our documents for application to enter into the restricted area. He would need our documents no later than Friday. We went to the cyber café first to send/receive emails because it was the closest to where we were at, then on to make the photocopies.

The trip to the train station area is Rs 45 distance from where we stay. [To go to the church is Rs 10 each way.] Many people gauge the distance by the cost of the ride.

We made the copies and set off for the stationary store to get the proper security envelope to send the documents. At this point there is no one-stop shop for sending letters or packages. You must go to the different shops to get all the parts... even the glue to seal the envelope.

Once completed and ready to post the letter, we headed across the street. I was watching out for the auto rickshaws coming and going in all directions. In the next moment I experienced a very surreal thing. I wasn’t even aware that I was falling until I was half-way down. At that point my brain seemed to inform me that I was actually falling down in the street. I vaguely felt my left ankle pain slightly and I saw my right hand go out before and above my head to catch me, but my hand slid on the road. When down, I rolled on my right side and remember hearing Bill say, "Are you hurt?"

I know I told him that I fell down, like I didn’t believe that I had fallen because everything happened in such slow motion, like I was dreaming or something like that.

I took Bill’s hand and he helped me up. I was immediately aware that I was feeling no shame at falling in the street in front of so many people. I looked at the ground and saw a pothole which was likely the cause of my fall. There were no breaks in my skin from the skidding of my hands, or on my knees, only red blotches where I initially hit down. I didn’t even look to see if my dress was dirty. [There was only a small pull in the fabric on the left bottom front.] I knew that my guardian angel had caught me and kept me from harm because of all the traffic around me. I expressed my gratitude openly.

By the time we got to the post office, my adrenaline had kicked in and I had to concentrate on keeping my hand still enough to put Kilang’s address on the envelope. Pastor Paul took the letter to get it posted as registered mail. He came back to tell us that the person who conducts the registered mail has left for the day and tomorrow the post office will be closed for elections. This meant that we would have to send the envelope another way.

Pastor Paul suggested a private courier. We really weren’t sure what this was. But Pastor dropped us back at the house we are staying and went to the private courier. After some time he called us and informed us that the letter would get to Nagaland by Friday at the latest and the cost was Rs 35 ($.80). We could live with this result.

The English class today would only be 1 ½ hours instead of the normal 2 hours. Tonight we would be going to Wadi Pada (pronounced Wadli Parda), the tribal area closest to the church where we ministered last time. Bill shared from Psalm 139 and 140. The mother-in-law of the house prepared a very nice meal for the pastor, his wife, didi (sister) Padmini, and us. I always seem to be the last one to finish eating... the slow one. [You’d think that eating with your fingers is faster than using utencils...]

When Bill was visiting here in the spring, he saw the little girl who had a crusty skin disease. He thought how something practical could help her. He told me when he got home to the states to plan to take some oil and special skin lotion for her parents to help her. She appeared to be only 3 or 4 years old. The skin condition has deformed part of her face and her hair had to be kept cut short. She just looked like she was so uncomfortable and hurting. We prayed over the practical things and told the little girl’s parents to apply these things in the name of Jesus for healing. These tribal people are learning about the power of the name of Jesus. It has already shown them through one man’s faith to exercise the Name to receive some prosperity, i.e. abundance of fish—enough to sell.

The man whose house we had our meeting and meal at is a tribal man that the Lord has placed His hand of blessing. He still lives in the village, but the people recognize that he is blessed. He is born-again and married now since we first met him last year. His wife, Shalan, was raised in an orphanage. She met Jesus while at the orphanage. When she became of age, the orphanage officials tried to marry her to a Hindu man. She said no and ran away to Pastor Paul and Florie’s house, pleading to stay with them. She did not want to marry an unbelieving man. She told them that she was enrolled for nursing and wanted to finish this first before marriage. So she stayed in the pastor’s home until her schooling was completed.

Shalan had told the pastor and Florie that she did not care what status the man had, he could be the poorest, but that she wanted to be married to a godly believing man. When this came to Ravi’s ears, he was so happy because he wanted to have a godly believing wife. They were married earlier this year.

Their home is the simplest mud hut with a mud floor. It has been improved with brick and mud sides and a freshly thatched roof. It has a covered overhang in which Bill and I must bend very low to get to the door, but it protects from the rain. The other room attached to the "porch" is their bedroom. This house stands out as a witness to the goodness of God in this village.

The supporting post is a testimony of the many people who were demon possessed in the village and were tied to the post until they were completely delivered from all the demons. Now there is such a peaceful happiness that is experienced in that village. The pastor’s wife and sister go regularly to teach and love up on the women and children. Every Tuesday is prayer meeting there.

We have seen the good change since we came the first time two years ago. It is a good report.

It is time to catch a short rest before the Kingdom Living class (Wed).

About 15-20 people came for the class. I always ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to the people who come. I pray that He would reveal Himself especially through dreams and visions to the people who are from the slum and tribal villages since they cannot read the Word for themselves. Yet, God somehow enables them to have a good memory to remember what was taught to them. It is so satisfying to share with His people.

I have been asked to be the main speaker at the 3rd anniversary of the Bhandup church. I have been attacked with the tiredness and achiness of cold symptoms along with the free running nose. Even after an early afternoon nap, I am waiting for the Lord to give me His wisdom on what to share.

Two hours before we are to be picked up, my husband confirms to "preach the gospel". I have the notes ready, but the Holy Spirit will be my confidence in presenting to the people attending.

There was minor outside disruption (loud firecrackers) tonight, but the Lord is so gracious, I love to be in His Presence. I had no problem with any cold symptoms for the whole message and only minor afterwards. According to Pastor Paul, people were touched with the challenge to let God teach them to win souls by this time next year.

Sister Padmini, who was a nurse in her younger years, acted as a mercy person in seeing to it that I took the prescribed dosage of tonic before going to sleep. I slept well and still woke up with bites on my legs. I might just ask Bill to try this bed and if he doesn’t get any bites... then it must be because my chai has sugar in it and the bugs are reaping the benefit.

Today is Friday. We scheduled to go to the Operation Mobilization bookstore to see what they had in terms of bible studies for small groups. Ultimately, they didn’t have anything that would be useful.

The real adventure of the day was the local train rides. We needed to take a local train to the second station and get down to catch another train to where we needed to get off. Well, if you have ever seen cattle herded into a small pen, then you have seen what it looked like getting on. Only, Bill tripped, hurt his left ankle and got on the moving train.

These local trains are not like the cross-country trains, there is only 30 seconds to get on and off these trains. Well, Pastor Paul got off, I barely got off before those who were waiting to get on started to bull themselves on. I glanced back and saw Bill still about six people back and the train started to move. My dupata (scarf) was caught on somebody getting on the train and I am yanking on it because it is around my neck. At the same time I am calling to Bill who had made his way to the edge of the door, but it was full of men. A young man jumped off the moving train to help Bill down and jumped back on as the train sped away from the station. Oh, too close for comfort... but God is faithful and we were all together again.

Bill and I got a couple books to read before sharing them with others. We purchased a couple small books by John Maxwell to strengthen the bible study that the pastors of the area had started before we arrived. Bill went to one of the meetings last spring and one a couple days after we got here. The workbooks that the pastors received are like those for lay leaders. These books we bought will help give the meat to the workbooks Pastor Paul has.

I bought The Power of Proclamation by Derek Prince for each of my English class people, because there has to be practice in reading aloud to the children every day. We are only ½ way through the phonograms, so this will be a reward and then we can begin reading them in class for pronunciation practice. Besides, what better thing than to come to the realization you can read English and learn another aspect of Kingdom Living? I love it.

It seems that we are working on getting Pastor Paul on the right foot in leadership training so the next step is raising up others to help and can be guidelines for others to follow. He also has experienced some of the flock leaving and has felt guilty that they have left. Actually it is a case of growing too fast and not having enough help to take care of everyone. He sees the need for cell group leadership, we are starting at ground "zero" to set a solid strong foundation to build upon. He is very open to learn and has a heart for the lost. Like any young pastor, he has a great zeal and little guidance. The Lord has sent us to help. He is very grateful and we are enjoying the fellowship as a family.

Tomorrow morning Sister Padmini will get us up after the milkman comes so that we can take a morning walk while it is cool. The temperature here is still 86-91. English class is from 10-12 noon. We may go see the "dance of the sticks" in the evening.

We were recognized at the Maxwell Leadership Meeting (Sat eve) with a presentation of flowers. As a result of this, I was invited to speak at Pastor Daniel’s church Sunday evening service to encourage the believers. Bill will be at Pastor Paul’s English evening service.

I am always excited about how the Holy Spirit works to communicate His words to the hearts of the people. I always ask what to prepare and I do it, yet He always takes control to direct and use some, all, or none of the preparations. I know that they are more for my benefit than those He talks to in the message. But the double blessing is always to the interpreter and those who understand English get it twice. (Double portion blessing)

It is the little things that encourage us that the Lord is directing our ways. It’s like living the continual acts of obedience. Thanks Daren Lindley for putting words to this way of life. We prayed the rickshaws to run to get us where we needed to be on time and safely back to our starting places.

I’m trying to remember to get snaps, but I think it would be better if I wore the camera around my neck, then we might be more successful at it. "Otherwise, out of sight, out of mind."

I know we are making ground for the kingdom because I am continually attacked with sinus cold symptom, but when I am speaking, they go away and nothing manifests.

Continue to pray for favor with the authorities in Nagaland for us to have as much time as possible with Kilang and his ministry. So far there is only 20 days for us, especially since the train station bombing and so many children killed and injured.