Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

November 8, 2005

My mom, Arlene Staffeldt, celebrated her birthday yesterday.

It has been awhile since I have had time to put down my notes and thoughts. Needless to say, we have not been sitting around. There are always opportunities for ladies to buy something. In this case, house dresses, called maxis, were brought to Padmini’s house for us to choose our favorites at an inexpensive price. Maxis are the clothing of the house because of the ease in working in them and they are cooler to wear. There was one dress that we all acted like we wanted and then gave Pastor Fern a teasing for choosing it for herself. We had good fun.

That evening at the Wednesday service, Pastor Fern spoke on the gifts of the Spirit and together we prayed to impart the gifts to those in attendance.

The next day we started off to shop for bangles that Pastor Fern wanted to get for her granddaughters, but she became ill and we headed back to Padmini’s. By that time Pastor Fern felt better and we went to IPH. Thursday prayer would be at the church rather than at Mangal’s house. There were ten of us that we looked at Mark 11:25-26 on forgiveness so our prayers will be answered.

Timothy Dunn turned 27 today. Where does the time go?

We took a taxi to the Hum Church to meet the man who would take us to the actual location where the Teen Challenge staff prayer was being held. The location was the red light district in a spot that used to be a hotel (restaurant). They pray for three hours every Friday. Dr. Devraj believes that the Spirit of God is preparing their hearts for a great move of souls into the kingdom and they want to be ready for it.

Before leaving Bombay, we did a little shopping in the wholesale fabric area, which belongs to the Muslim community. They don’t like to bargain much, especially with white skin. Just being in the area we didn’t feel afraid only that there was an air of tension held at bay.

We attended Friday prayer at IPH. I was asked to share the gospel because new people were there. The Lord gave me a brief gospel message from John 3:16. Two people received Jesus.

It took us two hours to go to Borivali on Saturday. We appreciated the a/c bus as a refreshing drink in the hot desert. After a short auto rickshaw ride, we were at the entrance of the park that our tribal people live on the backside of. Because we would be walking through the park, we had to give the fees. Three quarters of the way we walked until an empty auto rickshaw picked up Padmini, Pastor Fern, and the boys.

Actually, I had been walking ahead of the group alone. I was thinking about the first time I had come to Borivali and heard the things that God had done in the lives of the people since I had first met them in the village of Goregaon. They had grown in the Lord, these people who work in the jungle for their vocation, risking many dangers than we are accustomed to. Yet, in the simplicity of their faith, I was thanking God for the good reports I am hearing of God’s protection and provision. How I love being here. Thank you, Lord, for this very great privilege of being where You are working. I am longing to speak the language of these people. Give me Your grace, Lord.

Once Florie put the ladies in the auto rickshaw, she and I walked together sharing the goodness of the Lord to even be able to come to this place as it is normally off limits to the public. Yet, we are not public, we are family and we are accepted as such with these believers.

They were so happy we came. Thara, Ravi’s sister is pregnant and due in November. Their mother has leprosy and is taking medication for it. It is not hindering her faith. Vinod was bitten by a snake and prayed as the venom got as high as his thigh. The Lord healed him and he walked home. He killed a cobra that had bit his mom. She was unconscious, but he prayed for her and the Lord heard his prayer. They are trusting the Lord more as the dangers of the jungle are great, but they are seeing that God is greater.

Ravi was stretched for his first time. Pastor Paul said he should practice some of the English he has been learning. He did very good for the first time translation. We prayed over all the adults and children, about 24 adults and 8 children. The ladies had prepared a fellowship meal before we returned to W. Mulund.

It took longer to get back because of the traffic and time of day. We all got down from the bus, Pastor Fern and Padmini left by rickshaw to go home, while I went with Pastor Paul and family to the hospital where his father was. He had suffered a mild heart attack. I was the last person permitted to enter the ICCU and pray for him. I actually told him that he was here because he had not done what the Lord said to him last time we were here. He agreed and held my hand in both of his saying, “I will pay my vow to my God. He is so good to me.” Then I prayed and went out.

In the foyer, I put my arm around Lily and she broke down crying due to the stress that she was in because no one was available to consult regarding the condition of daddy. But as I comforted her in the word of the Lord, she regained her composure and left the hospital to go prepare food for daddy and take a rest before returning. Florie took me home while Pastor stayed overnight at the hospital. In the morning Pastor told us that he spent the night praying and the Lord was speaking to him confirming the words spoken to him by Pastor Fern and me.

Pastor Paul preached the Communion service on Sunday morning. It was his nephew, Charls, birthday. We all shared in a taste of his cake. Then Pastor Fern, Padmini, and I were invited to his house for our lunch of pork curry and chicken curry over rice. Quite tasty they were. I even got to get a 40 minute nap at their place because I was teaching a class in the afternoon

I held a water baptism class with six children/young people and two adults. The young people helped to translate for the adults. My first experience teaching half Hindi and half English. It was unique and fun.

Pastor and Florie returned from the hospital to report that two pastors (one he knew) were walking by and he told them that his father was recovering inside. They were participating in a 40-day fasting and this was day 39. The other man laid his hand on daddy and told him that the Lord had called him to a work and that this is not how he should be doing God’s work. [Sounds like direct confirmation to me.] They were very happy to see God calling daddy into service.

We all went to Wadli Pada to hear Ravi preach in his house meeting. He did very well and we were happy to see that he had worked hard in preparing this message. We encouraged him and so did the Holy Spirit who manifested His Presence there. People were filled and prophesied to by the power of God. Even Pastor Paul was impacted and moved to fast and praise the Lord. He couldn’t eat even if he wanted to. He was given Isaiah 58, which ministered a burning fire of passion in him.