Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

March 4, 2006

Pastor Charls told me that Goodu got up early to read his Bible and pray. He said that he can tell there’s a change in his life and that he can understand what he is reading. [I anticipate that his brother, Deepak, will not be too far behind in attaining his kingdom citizenship with us.]

Reedish, Goodu, Sweety, Salom, Bill and I are with Pastor Joseph Rai today. We literally walked up the street from the church to the level where we booked the special car to take us farther up into the mountains to the Tsomgo Lake. There was a short delay at the check post, but the reason was not Bill and I. Reddish, Goodu, and Salom’s names were not on the list. Three other names and ages were listed instead. Once resolved, we were on our way up into the clouds. The weather is overall mild. This area is where the earthquake took place, but the road is to be the main trade route opening to Tibet and the military use it too. We have seen places of repair. Pastor GB Rai said that 57 houses had crackings and two died in the 5.7 R quake.

Bill and I are staying back at the tourist village at the edge of the lake while the others climb on the hiking trail for some intense exercise. We will have to start back by noon to meet Pastor Charls and the children to head back to Siliguri.

We had a long drive from Chanzu to Siliguri. When my backseat mates weren’t sleeping, they were vomiting out the windows. The roads, curves and no shocks kept them in either state. I felt sorry for them, but could do nothing but maintain my own composure and pray for grace.

The weather was not as cold as when we were first here in December and it was quite warm in Siliguri. We had booked a non-a/c room, but with the fan, we were quite comfortable. The hallway activity was noisy since they put us next to the kitchen. I feel awkward eating in this hotel restaurant with Bill. The prices are touristy.

Pastor Charls and his company stayed within a few blocks at the place where Svinu is living. There is no gas in their cylinder, so all of them will have to go out to eat supper and for breakfast in the morning. I like eating in the less expensive places because of the atmosphere, good food, and the prices.

In the morning Pastor Charls and Reedish came to put our bags in the car. Sweety, Salom, and Meena came to say goodbye. I had put our pictures from the Gangtok trip on the laptop so they could see them before we left. I hugged each of them and asked them to pray for another opportunity to meet. [Because Pastor Charls is getting a promotion within his organization, we don’t know if we will be able to return to West Bengal or if the Lord will allow us to go to Kerala to see them. Pastor Charls is likely to be doing more traveling in checking on all the mission activities throughout the country. We will just have to see what the Master plans for us for the next trip.]

Pastor drove us to the station. As we waited, his eyes filled with tears. He told me that we have given them so much in spiritual blessings; they have nothing to give to us. I told him to practice what they have received and bear fruit at testimony.

The platform we were told to wait on was not the correct one. Our train was in sight when we needed to move to the other platform. We ran to the end of it and crossed over two sets of tracks, like the crazy people we have seen before do. Pastor pulled me up onto the high platform while Bill walked to the end to get onto it. In the meantime, Deepak, the Hindu school teacher back in Hamiltonganj, called to wish us a safe journey. [Lord, I am waiting to hear the good news about him.]

We saw Kilang as we ran to where our boggie had stopped. Kilang jumped off and ran to help me carry my bags. Inside, it was joyful to see Charls and Kilang meet again after five years…like two brothers reuniting. Kilang, who is two months older, was surprised to see Charls hair color (salt and pepper). The train was moving as Pastor Charls and Reedish jumped off.

I turned around to see that Kilang’s traveling companion was the Principal of Servanthood Bible College! We spent several times sitting and talking about the Lord and teaching. I gave him a copy of Foundations and he was thrilled. I also gave him some of my notes for his personal devotions. [The leaders don’t always know the resources that are available for them, or else the cost is too much for them to own the resources. Men that love the Lord, whose heart desires to serve, will often begin to do the work in faith and the Lord adds to the ministry.] What the principal learns for his own life, 145 students will also learn. He is a very lovingly dedicated man. It was a joy to be with him and his sweet spirit.

Our train arrived only 40 minutes late, but safely. Kilang’s party came to wisk them away to an evening meeting. They first kindly negotiated the porters and an agreeable, although still high, taxi fare home. Gene was in Gurgaon on Crown Financial business, so we settled in and secured another taxi to go to V-20 for Bible study.

A letter came for us which indicated in the natural that the Lord was closing a door for a particular area of ministry for us. How significant that it came in the month of our completing our fifteenth year here. I felt a moment of pain, then a great measure of peace, the kind that goes beyond explaining.

Dr. Tom Monohan, from Chennai, approached me in the kitchen asking what it would take to come to Chennai to minister. He said he would send the proper letters to LCWM for consideration and prayer. Is this a distraction, or another door opening? We will only know through fasting prayer.

Bill and I cooked one evening a meal of chicken-mushroom curry over rice, a vegetable dish and spicy beans served with Bill’s famous coleslaw. Dr. Daniel K. told Gene it was refreshing to have us cook for them.

I try to be a blessing for Mike, Gene’s Christian manservant, by making our beds and keeping the bathroom clean. Mike brought me a glassful of something looking like flavored milk. It was milk flavored with coffee! Life is adventuresome everywhere you are!

On the day that I spent helping Mike and Dr. K. with their English pronunciations, Pastor Mammen came for a visit. I got caught up on the computer work, cooked the meal per Gene’s instructions, and ended the night staying up to let in Dr. Tom. While I waited, I wrote down a little Hindi vocabulary. I am determined to learn Hindi by November. Not only to speak, but I want to read and write it also.

Madabi (English name, Rachel) and I met to go shopping for her wedding sarees and shoes. We were planning for the date to be set the end of the month. [Due to delays, the wedding date was set for 6th April. I will not be there. How disappointing…only the Lord knows the reason why!]

President Bush is due to arrive in Delhi on the same day that Arlene is coming for her visit. Such important people coming on the same day!!!