Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

November 30, 2005

I held another baptism class with Shilpa, Poornima, and Graceson. They are so eager to learn and excited to be baptized. According to Florie, Graceson and Poornima have been begging to be baptized and she wanted to know if it was in the Bible for them to be so at this age. The children were so happy when I showed them that they could be. Saturday is baptism day at the river. Bill and I will not attend for the purpose of safety. Pastor will have someone take the pictures on another camera.

I began the Foundations class in the evening. Because most don’t read, I have taken only the portions on faith and the repent and believe chapter.

Since we were staying at Saji’s and Grace’s home, Pastor Paul would come regularly to fetch us to the evening meeting. He and Florie had received a phone call to pray for Joylin, the 11 year-old who was on kidney dialysis. She was swelling in her body and she had not taken food or water for three days. We sensed that the Lord was giving us peace regarding her condition and we released her into His hands right then before going to the evening ‘Foundations’ class.

On Friday before the evening class, two granddaughters brought their Hindu grandmother for prayer. She was explaining to Florie that she had been to another church for help, when she suddenly manifested a demon. Immediately we began spiritual warfare, which lasted only half an hour because people began to arrive for class. The devil threw her down on the floor, but we persisted. Finally, she sat up into a chair and said that she felt peace come. But we knew there were more to deal with and told her to come back the next day. She did not come.

Pastor Paul’s birthday fell on the same day as the baptisms. Excitement filled the atmosphere. After the Foundations class, we played the Indian version of musical chairs and celebrated the birthday with a cake and presents for him. We had a feast of chicken curry, fried rice, idli, and sambar.

On the way back from the river, the pastor’s bag with his wet clothes, Bible, and camera were stolen. Then he received the call that informed him that Joylin had died in the middle of the night. Pastor had sent his sister, Lily, to visit the family the night before. Lily had arrived at the house right at midnight and in that brief moment of being informed that Lily had come, Joylin went to be with Jesus to receive the healing she knew He would give to her.

Joylin’s mother asked her daughter if she wanted her or Jesus. She said Jesus. Joylin’s face was peaceful and the swelling was gone. A beautiful, angelic-like face was the remaining testimony to Joylin’s family that she had received all that she had trusted Jesus to give her.

In the midst of her suffering kidney failure, Joylin witnessed to the hospital staff that Jesus would heal her. She maintained those words until the moment He came for her.

The grace of the Lord confirmed her words with the evidence of a physical body with no swelling and a peaceful expression. I felt blessed having had the opportunity to meet her and see her determination of faith.

On Sunday the 20th, (Kylie’s birthday) the newly baptized participated in Communion service with celebration of cake and food afterward. This evening we would do another first: visit the Ghatkopar church building with the new painting on the inside.

We arrived to a full building. Florie was informed that the lady who watches over the building was having stomach pain. She told me to come with for prayer. Stomach pain!?! She was in labor with the seventh baby! She was having the baby at home because the government would not allow her to go to the clinic. The service went on with Bill and Pastor. I was called to explain the designs on the walls and then taken back to the “delivery” room. Florie and I stayed as long as the Pastor allowed and we had to go much to the woman’s disappointment.

We were taken to a nearby believer’s house for tea and biscuits, prayed for their home blessing and family, and returned to where we were staying. Saji had come to see the painted walls and left with his friend. Later that night, both Bill and Saji got sick with temperatures and body aches.

Bill and I shifted back to Padmini’s house. I think she realized that she had spoken wrongly and apologized to Pastor. She also admitted that her loneliness was great because we were still in the city and her house was empty. She wants to minister through her home. Bill stayed back to take his medicine and sleep. He had told me that he just wanted to rest and he would talk to me later. I told Padmini that he would sleep and don’t feed him.

I went on to the church because I thought that we were having the Foundations class. Only Lily came, but she didn’t feel good, so I sent her home. I would go back to Padmini’s after our meal.

Three members of a family who knew Pastor came to invite him, Florie, and myself to their family meeting honoring the grandmother who died. So we went, sang songs, I shared the gospel, and they fed us Kerala food. Unfortunately, my husband fell into the enemy’s hand that evening with his attitude. I know it was because the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of the people. Four souls invited Jesus into their hearts. There are always attacks after the victory. How Bill’s attitude was affected? Padmini woke him up and complained to him about my not being back by a certain time. My poor husband was still sleepy and trying to appease her complaints. We all lived through the turmoil.

November 23rd is my 29th year since Jesus saved me in my kitchen. I shared on Eph 5:7-10, and Acts 13:47. I filled in for Bill as he had his dentist appointment for the two front teeth to be put in, but there was no smile on his face when he returned. The teeth were too white…he would have blinded us with his smile!!!

We spent Thanksgiving Day with a meal at Raj and Reema’s home after I finished checking the accounting books of the IPH church. We planned to have a ladies meeting on Saturday. When the day arrived, we fellowshipped and worshipped with dance. It was such an enriching experience that the ladies want to plan for next year to have a three day seminar with one of the days being exclusively for praise and worship with banners, rings, and dance.

On our last Sunday in West Mulund, we received flowers and I received a sari. We ate lunch with Padmini’s two daughters, Swarna and Preety. We got there late because a man, who came for prayer, began manifesting demonic possession. After receiving some relief, we asked him to fast for three days and come back Wednesday evening.

I had such a wonderful time with the baptized children in a meeting where I began to teach them how to study the Foundations for Righteous Living book that each one received as their baptism gift. There are 52 chapters so they will study one chapter a week until we return next time. Then they will be tested and assigned duties in the church to begin their discipleship training. These kids are 9-15 years old! They will be learning how to lead others to Jesus!!!

We visited two slum houses. The first one we shared the gospel and prayed for their business downstairs. The second house was the home of a pregnant wife, whom the doctor said that the baby didn’t have enough water in the womb to protect the skin. I placed my hand on the baby and prayed for the Lord to heal in giving fresh water, a healthy normal baby, and a normal safe delivery. When I said in the name of Jesus, I felt the baby move around under my hand. I asked the Lord to give her a gift of faith and the anointing of love, which casts out all fears.

We spent our last full day with Pastors Paul and Dennis explaining the importance of their relationship in ministry. In the end, they repented and reconciled. Dennis broke down and openly wept. God wants to do more for them both.

The used scooter deal fell through because of the cost to bring it to good running condition. Pastor and Dennis went to look at another one available. They began negotiations on a newer scooter that was only 1 ½ years old with no need for repairs at Rs 18,000 ($420). They should be able to take possession on the 1st, the day we head for Indore by train.