Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

March 31, 2006

Arlene’s plane arrived at 1:30 am, but it was 3:30 am before we left the airport. I fell asleep around 4 am while Arlene tended to her things. Before lunch I walked her to and around the walking park to help her swollen feet. We took a nap after lunch.

In the evening we fellowshipped with a retired gov’t minister, a doctor with six Masters degrees plus two earned doctorates, a general practitioner specializing in psychiatric treatment for aids patients, Gene, a minister of hospitality, Arlene, and Joshua, alumni of Grace Bible College. We are just a taste for kingdom community here on earth. [President Bush arrived in India at 8 pm.]

One day Bill, Arlene and I went to Priya Complex to check emails and phone home. Bill exchanged money for Arlene and purchased water and a few other things. I got back in time to teach Jonaman, Gene’s friend, phonics for a couple hours. Bill and Gene made mutton burgers in the meantime.

Arlene and I, with Mike’s help, made stroganoff with rice, dilled beet-root, carrots with radish boiled in dill and drizzled in butter. The perfect dessert was apple turnovers cooked like stuffed pancakes with extra filling on top and sprinkled with coarse cheenee (sugar). The dinner was a success and worth the wait (9 pm).

Cooking in India is very laborsome. Arlene and Gene had to get the ingredients that took them 1 ½ hours to collect; then all the preparation time. No wonder the women are tired.

Arlene had here first experience in shopping at Sarojini Market. We had a lot of fun.

We got an update report from W. Mulund: 1. Ghatkopar has had its first communion service where two families participated; two people are ready for baptism; the church is full; Wednesdays are children’s ministry; 2. Meena will get her cataract removed at no charge; 3. Florie took Ramu’s mother to the Leprosy hospital to confirm her condition. Florie waited four hours for the result. The Dr. personally came to the church because no on usually waits at the hospital. As a result of this, Paul, Florie, Lily, and two other ladies we trained at no charge to recognize and minister specifically in this disease. They set up a camp in Wadli Pada to test for leprosy and found many church members infected, but with immediate treatment, they can be cured. The Holy Spirit is so faithful to let His people know when satan is sneaking around to destroy. 4. Lily now has a junior sized scooter to make her ministry easier. She has saved up her teaching finances in order to purchase the red and silver one that we prayed together for just three years ago. Pastor Paul is teaching her how to ride so that she can take me next time. 5. Graceson has come up significally from his failed classes as a result of putting Bible reading before his studying. 6. Pranay in Pune purchased a vehicle saying, “Whenever Aunty and Uncle are here or there (Mulund), they have a vehicle to take on God’s work.”

7. Three ladies are now renting the top floor rooms to help pay the mortgage payment on the church. 8. Pastor Dennis is enjoying the benefits of his scooter and the ministry has resumed in the farther place. 9. Salome is two months pregnant and due in October or November.

Arlene and I shifted to Sunil’s home to work at Agnes school on Monday. After church we all went to the new malls that have been built in Gurgaon. It was so western, but shoppers are shoppers and we were there for six hours and not many items. We did lots of looking and feeling like we were more back home than in India. My ‘puppies’ were sure barking by the time we got back to the house! I’m not used to that much shopping.

Bill called early Monday morning (6th) to tell me that Derek had died. I could not believe what I had heard, so I made him repeat it. How? He’s only 44! I cried out my burden for Bill, Peggy, Joyce, and Charlene. I went ahead to school asking the Lord for the grace I needed. As long as I am focused on what I am here for, I’m ok, but anytime I am quiet, I know there will be a need to grieve more. In the meantime, the Lord has given me, Isaiah 57:1-2 and Psalm 116:15, as my comfort and reason to move forward. In the evening we sat around practicing phonograms and words. We laughed a lot and somehow it felt so very ‘healing’.

At Agnes school, Arlene is working with Juliet and the smaller children reading stories and assisting at playtime. I am listing the library books and other books sent to the school before we arrived. Angel would like to have the American reading and math books for nursery through at least fifth grade. We currently have only two sets for the first grade from Bob Jones University. [Lord, in Jesus’ name please touch the hearts of your people to help in this area.]

The children are not as far as I thought. The teachers did not fully see the purpose of the full method of teaching although they had said they understood. So, Principal Sunil has asked me to rewrite the syllabus if necessary to help the children get their good start in the English class.

William Derek Hawkins’ funeral is March 8th, on my sister, Kristine’s birthday.

I gave the starting test to the children for their spelling and English knowledge. It will be good for charting their progress and our own ability to effectively communicate. The teachers want a weekly planner to help them know what to cover in each week. They forgot that they already have everything they need. We just need to go over the things again.

I spoke at Sarah’s youth Bible study group on putting Jesus as their first priority. The Holy Spirit lead so I don’t remember everything, but at least two people specifically came to thank me for the word. We met at an apartment on the 10th floor of the resident buildings called, The Retreat. I must say that it is a far cry from the slums and villages that we have lived in.

Mr. JP Sharma, the blind man from Faridabad, came personally to see if we would come to his house. Since it would not be possible this time, he made me promise to come with Angel the next time. I assured him I would come with her.

Bill is starting to write his memoirs of his life as a boy. He thought that his children and grandchildren (now great grandchildren) would benefit from him putting these things down for a heritage.

The syllabus for the new school year beginning 3rd April is finished. I have asked Sunil to be willing to teach the math class to the third, fourth, and fifth grades. He seemed pleased to be given this assignment. He gave Arlene and me our ‘wages’ (Rs 1000 less than $23) for our work. He says it is from the Lord and he is pleased to give it.

The school needs to move from its present location because the toilets are not working. We are praying for a better place and for the Lord to open up the windows of heaven to meet every need, as well as, to send more children, teachers, and volunteers.

The classes need a good curriculum and Angel would like it to be American. The children did pretty well on the tests I gave to determine the grade level; only two or three were below and one or two were above their respective levels. I was encouraged.

Juliet invited us to her new house for a south Indian cuisine of chicken curry, special coconut rice and idli. We had a great time of fellowship, singing praise songs, and shared in the joy of their newly constructed home. Seema invited us to her mom’s house for a typical Hindu north Indian meal. We had a good time being testimonies of the Lord’s grace to our hosts. They invited us back next time. Now Arlene and I have cookbooks for both cultures!

Arlene and I have spent our time in Gurgaon productively encouraging Sarah and Sunil in the things of the Lord that we have learned in our own lives. Ministering the Lord is really our way of life here. It is sometimes just the simple things that we take for granted that is the most impressive for training to those who are here in India. We have opportunity to minister to the very wealthy, as well as, to the very poor. God is so very good to His people.

Our friend, Madabi, called to wish us a safe journey and invited us to her new home in St. Augustine, FL, with her new husband, David Elsen. We will plan to meet in South Carolina.