Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

December 6, 2005

Padmini and I went with Mangel to her brother’s home in Bhandup for chicken briyani and vegetables. Pastor and Florie came by motorcycle. I shared on the purpose and importance of marriage to these believers who were having problems in their home. They asked for prayer before we left.

We had visitors on our last day in West Mulund. Saji and Grace came with the boys. Then two men came sharing Billy Graham materials for the coming Christmas TV programs. Later, the church members came to see us off in the taxi to the train station. I always have a sorrow in my heart whenever I leave anywhere that we have been for some time. I really love these people.

Another adventure was at our heels as we boarded the train for Indore. We went with the locals in the 3-tiered sleeper, non-a/c, as it is winter. The four persons in the family who were assigned with us arrived when we stopped in Borivali. The man complained that the ‘pardesi’ (foreigners) did not allow for six people’s luggage to fit under the seats. But, when he found out that I understood a portion of what he said when I replied, “shanti” (peace). He immediately said he did not want to spoil our visit in India because of him.

The children and the mom knew some English and at mealtime, she gave me some vegetable curry made with sweet peas and potatoes, and chipati. I told her husband that he was fortunate to have a wife who made good food in Hindi. He replied in Hindi why he is big and healthy.

Sleep was not to be mine as the train window in this ‘boggie’ did not close and the cold air blew on my unprepared body.

Our companions arose early to prepare for their destination…the first stop after daylight. The man across the aisle informed us that the train was an hour behind schedule. As soon as the family moved their belongings to the doorway, the upper bunks were filled with others who did not have a place to sleep because of their children.

We moved our bags to the doorway for ease of getting down from the train. In some stops this is essential because of the short time of the stop. In some places it is only one minute to get on and off, but mostly it is only two or three. However, in Indore the train was at its destination. So we could get down without too much trouble. Titus found us after he checked the second class boggie. It took two rickshaws to move us to the house of Pastor Samuel and his wife, Kunyama. They have been to the States, so they were the ones to look after us and cook western style.

At the evening prayer, both of us shared. I shared about praying the word, using Ephesians as my example.

The temperature is in the 70’s and the people dress like it is in the 50’s. It is refreshing for me, but I am rebuking symptoms of a cold and congestion again in the name of Jesus.

We have a nice room and sleep on a double bed. The house is in a quiet colony with cement streets. The homeowners pay into an association for services. Pastor built this house after 28 years of renting and living by faith.

On Sunday, we remembered Kimberly’s birthday and went to church thinking Bill would be preaching, but when he got up to speak, Pastor told him to share his time with his wife. So under the anointing, I shared my fifteen minutes (= 30 minutes with translation) on Psalm 45:7, Jesus was a man of joy and we must demonstrate Him to the world in this manner. Flexibility is the key word for people as us. About the only disciplined Sunday activity I get to plan for is a nap. I really thank the Lord for it.

On Ray Jr.’s birthday I was introduced to the six students in the Indore Institute of Theology. Pastor Titus translated for the three hours we were there. He dropped me back to Pastor Samuel’s house by motorcycle. Pastor Mammen’s brother had come to see Bill and to meet me. He spent about an hour with us before going home. There had been some trouble makers in his area and he said he could not have us there because of this danger.

The grandson’s dog lives upstairs. His name is Jacky, but I have nick-named him, ‘Shanti’ because he barked at Bill. Now he comes and lies near me on the porch in the sun. There was no program tonight so I spent most of the afternoon making notes for messages. In the evening I was sent to bed by our hosts so they could watch their favorite TV program. From bed I listened to Christian Hindi songs sung by the family upstairs.

I did a three day English phonograms class at the Bible school. The fellas are delighted to learn and I am sure part of it is to break the routine of intense study. The boy from Bihar pronounces the best, but struggles with the ‘sh’ sounds.

I am having fun with this weather. It is perfect for me compared to Mumbai. I fairly enjoy not sweating all the time.

The ladies’ meeting was scheduled to begin at 4:00. My hostess took a nap and when we were ready to leave, her husband wanted tea. So by the time we were finished, walked to the meeting house, we were an hour late. I shared on our preparation shows our readiness to obey what the Lord wants for us in the troubled days which are to come. Three ladies came during the fellowship time to share their encouragements with me.

Our hostess is always asking for ideas of what we like to eat in our place. So I showed them how to make pizza on large thick chipati, with steamed veggies, cheese, spinach, onion, sweet green pepper as topping. I heated each one in their microwave for two minutes. Their grandson watched and helped through the whole process. He ate two of the pizzas as the reward for his efforts. Everyone enjoyed the entre and promised that they would make them again.