Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

February 15, 2005

It is hard for me to imagine that this is our last month and it is down to only days left as I sit to write of the previous two weeks. We have been continuously busy going and doing. We have treasured any naps we have been able to grab.

The last week at Agnes School went quickly. The teachers have been very receptive and responsive even when they were the ‘students’ during practice time. They seemed to enjoy ‘playing the English teacher’ in practical application of what they were taught. We all had a good time.

I had ordered a third board made to fit the chart so it would be easier for the main teacher to use in teaching. The classroom blackboards were all for tall people and the teachers are short. They would have to use stepstools to utilize the full blackboard. I mounted the charts with a Velcro dot on the chart and on the other dot used Fevicol adhesive on the board itself. I will bring more Velcro next time and some good adhesive, just in case the Fevicol does not hold up.

Bill usually waits at the house when I am at school. He is getting caught up on some reading time. It seems that this is the best time for him to get some books read. It is good for him.

In the evenings I have tended to getting sari blouses stitched and we have visited other friends for breaking bread together. We had supper one evening with Pastor Mammen, Grace, Blessy, Blessen, and Mammen’s elder brother. We had a wonderful fellowship.

On another evening we had a meal with Pastor David, Jessy, Priscilla, and the new addition, Kesia. Priscilla is as old as the twins, so we could imagine how big they are by now. Bill got to share in the cottage meeting held in their home that same evening. While we were there, we met John Varghese, Jessy Varghese’s brother. He told us that Jessy is married, has two children, and is living in Faridabad. He called her on his cellphone and I got to talk to her.

At the end of the week, Angel came from Chandigarh. Bill went to Grace Bible College with David and hitched a ride home with Gene so that I can spend Saturday with Angel.

Saturday Angel and I, with Sunil as our driver and a young man from Faridabad as navigator, headed out for the day’s program. We were scheduled to go to the home of JP Sherma in the old part of Faridabad. Before we reached his house, Rajendera stopped us and diverted us to a home where Robin and Usha are taking girls off the street (prostitution) to give them a better opportunity for an education and a good life with an honorable vocation. Angel and I shared and two of the newest girls gave their hearts to Jesus.

Next, we arrived at Mr. Sherma’s house. He is blind and his wife is lame, but they are strong believers and distributors of Gideon bibles and have meetings in their home that has no wood doors or windows during this winter season. They are suffering without complaint. Three ladies gave their hearts to the Lord after the Lord used me to give the message.

Jessy Varghese, now Jessy Augustine, came to the Sherma home to meet with me. She introduced me to her eldest son, 3-yr old Stephen, a real handful of energy. She showed me a picture of the youngest son, Blessen who had to stay home. I got a picture of her and her husband, Aji. I asked her to give her testimony of her burned hand that has no scar. It touched the people who were there.

We met a relative of our friend, Joy Kulakkada, who is a slum pastor and started a school that takes in handicapped children. We did not know that we were supposed to go to the school. The communications had not been clear in this matter. We had been told that he had been beaten up by the neighbors for being a Christian, but he and his family did not leave their home. So we agreed to go to his home and pray for him, his household and neighborhood when we left.

After our delicious meal and before leaving, Mr. Sherma showed me his humble home and I prayed for the Lord to complete the work He has started for them quickly and wonderfully for His glory. Then I was invited to return when we come again to India.

Rajendera drove us back to Delhi and took a bus back home. Sunil knew the rest of the way to Gurgaon. [I left a bag with things that they would keep for me until I came back in the fall. I would have more things to add to it as it got closer to the end of the month.] I collected my packed bag and climbed into the car to go back to Vasant Kunj where Bill was. Angel and Sarah decided to ride with so we could continue visiting as ladies do. We had such a precious time together. We would look forward to seeing each other this fall.

Bill gave the Sunday morning message at the little church in the Kanpur district where Pastor Daniel George lives. We spent the day with them to be able to celebrate his 50th birthday at the special service to be held on the roof of his house. We had a great time of praise, dancing, and worship.

We spent one day back at Vasant Kunj to rest and catch up on sleep and expense recording before being picked up by Pastor John Philip to stay at his home for a few days to see his two schools in Gurgaon. Pastor John has a newly built house in Sector 10. It reminds me of western influence in the size of the kitchen, positioning of the cupboards and cabinets. He has two children, Sarah and Aaron.

I went to school with Principal John Philip for two days. He told me to teach English to the children. I figured that he was asking me to do the impossible. When I went through the gate into the school yard, I listened. I did not hear anyone speaking English in this English medium school. I then understood his request. I was given opportunity to visit each class from N-8th and introduce the sounds of the alphabet. A few of the children gave me some difficulty, but I sent them out and continued with those who wanted to participate. Overall, it was a ‘noisy’ school that the Principal had to be a ‘father’ to over 200 children. I had to take a nap after lunch because my energy level was spent.

Then I went to the second, Holy Kingdom English medium school with Principal Shaji, Pastor’s wife. The first thing I noticed was the atmosphere of the school was peaceful, quiet, and the 150 plus students cooperative. I had a good time there.

The Principal arranged to have a three-hour staff meeting that was in fact a teacher training in the focus for the teachers to be the English speakers in the school as models for the children. I shared about phonograms and methods of student learning. Then we all went out for lunch together. None of the teachers wanted to sit and practice their English with me, except for the office staff. Lord, You do Your will in this place.

Bill and Pastor John dropped me off at Pastor David’s for the night. I would be sharing Sunday service in the small gathering of Agape Fellowship, while Bill would speak in the big church. Later Saturday evening Joy, Thara, Dorcas, and Debra came to see me since I had not been able to get out to Grace Center where they live and work. The new baby, Divia, was at home because of sniffles. We all had such a fun time and before a blink of the eye, they were heading back home again.

Back at Gene’s home, we all slept in and late morning headed to the Reliance cyber café at the Priya Cinema complex for our usual coffee and email check. Then after lunch we walked down the few blocks to the Monday night market. It took us three hours to bargain and be ladened down with all the vegetables, fruits, and purchases that would be for Gene’s birthday the next day.

There are only 10 days left. My mind does not want to comprehend it at all. The stuffy nose has turned into a sinus infection. I declare my healing in the name of Jesus. I do not want to go home sick.