Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

October 23, 2004

Life is indeed interesting here. "Whatever it takes to get the job done," is the apparent motto. The first thing was light was needed in a dark hall. So, a florescent tube light unit was brought in and tied to the metal bars in the window and the inside window shutters were positioned open in order to lay the lighting unit on top. Then it was plugged in and "there was light!" However, when the celebrations outside became noisier than inside, someone stood up and closed the window shutters and the light unit lost its lofty spot and remained dangling against the wall, a great bit caddy-wampus, yet doing its job of shining its best.

The second experience took place in the cyber café yesterday (Tues) when I was told that I could not connect my computer to the printer to print out the three pages I needed. So, I needed to email them to one of his other computers. But instead, he decided to have me email them to the pastor’s email, who hadn’t used his in a long time and also didn’t know that his email was coded to India and has a different ending to the address. After five idea/tries we were successful, but it took almost 40 minutes to accomplish this feat. The bill for this wonderful assistance was 95 rupees more than last week.

The English class has four adults. It is not the class that we initially intended, but communications here really need to be overseen. Yes, there is a nursery school in the new building and the children come an hour early so they won’t miss being on time when the teacher arrives at 11am for her two hour class time. We had the pastor contact both young ladies to come for English training, but the parents of these girls will not let them come. What we have discovered is that there is no organization to the operations and we have begun to open the eyes of the church leadership to what is necessary in doing the Lord’s business — since it is very clear to all of us that the Ghatkopar school project is God’s idea. He will guide us in what He wants to accomplish. We already know that He wants English taught to these children, but it may have to begin next school year. Some more prayer and ground work needs to be laid down and a believing teacher, who is certified in three languages and married, needs to be prayed into the program.

We are working with the church senior pastor in teaching the necessity for record accountability and financial management. No one has ever taught or spoken about this need to them. I am setting up books for recordkeeping and to determine what is needed specifically in the prayer request. Pastor Paul is awestruck at these facts because he had been praying that the Lord would send him help to be more effective in his ministry. He has been feeling like he is being pulled in too many ways. He is. So we spent most of the evening after class last night explaining his need to focus on establishing those who have been faithful in attendance to become true church members (vs visitors) and to equip and strengthen them to do ministry within the body. The pastor at this point is doing everything and all the running around with little time to spend with his family or in the word. We are prayerfully helping to set his priorities and the immediate work necessary.

They are so eager to learn and there is joy in their faces that someone wants to help and see them succeed in the service to the Lord. They are just like us in making life mistakes, but because forgiveness flows freely to repentant hearts, we all pick up His new mercies and focus ahead in each new day. We each see that we are growing closer together as a family unit in the Lord. How can we not fall in love more with Him when He gives us these precious relationships to grow by?

Because the English class is such fun, we are having an hour of review before the Wednesday service where I am having the Kingdom Living class. The class wants more times to meet. When we get finished with all the phonograms by the end of next week, I will be giving each of them a small paperback book that we will use to read from in the class. It will also help them to grow spiritually on an individual basis. It will be their surprise for what they have accomplished this month of working so hard and bearing up under the pressure of covering so much information in a short time.

We are using the Kingdom Living class to begin to introduce the tribal people, who don’t read or write, to hear who is the One, true living God in whom they have believed. It is encouraging to see the faces of the four women from Wadi Pada listen very carefully and smile when asked if they understand. Their smiles get so much bigger when I come to each of them and put my arm around them, as they snuggle in under my armpit. [Oh that I would still be a sweet fragrance...] But they don’t seem to care. It is the hug they love to receive and now they come over to me to get it. I love serving You, Lord. I love letting You love up on Your people.

We had a very interesting observation of a ministry called, Jesus Fire Ministries from Chennai (Madras). This minister gives scriptures on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but he spins people into circles and puts pressure on the temple spots which cause some dizziness. Not the usual that we have seen. So I questioned some of the "recipients" as to what they experienced. I’m not sold on the evidence. The people here are so emotion focused and that is what others play on to do their thing. For this reason we are trying to instill the word of God into their hearts so that there can be discernment in issues like this. Especially since it is crucial to have all of the gifts that the Father has for us to receive, to live and do all the good works He has planned.

Bill found some peanut butter, honey, and popcorn. He’s set for the next few days. His spice limit has been met and he is doing what he can to get back to "normal" before he eats the peppers again.

Each time we meet as an English class for my four adults, they are like kids who see that they are learning. They make it so fun and easy for me to teach. We are almost finished with the phonograms. We have begun to practice reading and the students are noticeably correcting their sounds. Next week we will be starting to put spelling words in the notebooks.

The next exciting announcement is that next week one of my English students, a certified teacher, is going to help start an English medium school in the tribal village of Wadi Pada, which is within walking distance of the church. I will work with her to establish a curriculum that can conform to the requirement syllabus of the government, but set with the excellence that sets apart for the glory of God. Our God is so faithful and awesome, He is marvelous in our eyes.

This doesn’t mean that the Ghatkopar school is out of the picture. It is delayed this year because of some political issues in that slum area and that there is no certified teacher yet. We are praying and waiting on the Lord for His timing so that it will have great impact on this community. Part of the delay is that it takes time to establish trust in an area. They need to have time to see if the Hindi/Marati nursery will be beneficial, then they will see that English medium can be helpful. We need to establish relationships.

I now know the names of the ladies who are faithful to come to every Kingdom Living class from the tribal village of Wadi Pada. They are Meena (I am declaring a clear eye for her.), Kamal, Shibhavanty, and Laxima. I called them by name as I prayed for them tonight. Here they shake hands with everyone and say, "Praise the Lord." I can see that it delights them that I know their names. Relationships are so important to making people feel loved and like family.

Already this is the fourth notes home. Seems like time is going so quickly and always so much to do. Already the thoughts and plans for what must be done when we return next year...Thank you to all who the Lord has touched to help us to be here. No words can adequately thank you for the joy of this work.

Blessings to you, Love, Bill and Georgene