Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

December 31, 2006

The Christmas Day program was the most unique experience I have ever had in a foreign country. The morning was spent decorating the rental hall not far from Immanuel Prayer House church. The kids brought lunch, but no plates to eat it on, so we didn’t eat. How do you have a rehearsal when no one is there? It seemed that this issue was exposing a shortcoming in me. The children who were not part of the program kept coming on stage disturbing the decorations. I found myself a bit sharp when I spoke to the unruly ones. Yet, by the time the program started, I had repented of my attitude and chose to enjoy the experience of it. I am glad I did.

The pain in my arm had gone with prayer. I was grateful due to the way my day was playing out.

The sound system ended up not working properly and Ravi didn’t show up to work it. When Sam and Shoba came, Sam jumped in to help rescue me. He had anticipated difficulties, by the leading of the Spirit, he brought his CD and tape player. I blew the resistor in my Sony. [I later had it converted to Indian current for about $10.]

The program was supposed to start at 5 pm. Most of the performers showed up well after that to get dressed. The Pune group showed up at 5:45. We did start right at 6:15pm and continued to 8:30pm. Refreshments were served following the recessional out of the hall and around the courtyard and back.

It was a beautiful worship with the flags and glory rings waving before the Lord in singing. I was glad that I had not missed this blessing by having a bad attitude. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole program and inspite of having no rehearsals, the program went quite well. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

The report given back to me was that all enjoyed it and for a foreigner, the only thing they laughed at was the starting time... Indian stretchable time!!! The offering for the service was Rs 1569 and one sari.

Tuesday night we had been invited to the celebration and dinner at Warli Pada. We went through Thane to get to the village because we had a vehicle that had to be parked at the bottom of the hill. We walked up through the slum area and narrow walkways over oil-looking ditches, pipes, and holes. I was glad I had my flashlight in my bag.

A few minutes after we arrived the ladies called Florie and I to get on our tribal sari. I brought along my big safety pin to be sure that there would be no embarrassment. I felt like a doll being dressed for show, but that is where it ended. The villagers cheered as Florie and I went out to join the other women in doing the "stick dance". I just tried my best to do what the others did and keep up. It was a lot of fun. I even dragged Bill out of the hut to dance with us.

By the end of the evening, my arm was hurting again. Bill bought me a travel pillow so I would be more comfortable in sleeping. I could hardly move my arm again and Pastor took us to a bone specialist at the municipal hospital while we were out doing errands. The specialist had my shoulder x-rayed showing a small calcium deposit. He told me to only take 1000mg calcium, gave me some medication, and pain reliever with the instruction to return in seven days for evaluation.

Later that day, Pastor Paul and Florie presented me (LCWM) with the Christmas day offering. I received it, prayed over it, and thanked them for their love. However, I slowly returned it in meeting some expenses for the IPH church, ie. offerings, extra food expense, diesel, etc. [They didn’t have enough income yet for the extra needs.]

Lily, my former translator, is now married to Agnelo. He is away at his job with a company in Dubai, but he actually works on a rig in the ocean. She is off on school holiday; she and her dad, who is staying with her while her husband is gone, had us over to her place for a meal. Her life and ministry has changed since she is now married. Things have changed and I have not had the same time to spend with her this time. I am saddened by it.

Friday was a full day. We had dosa (like a large crepe to be dipped in a curry) for breakfast with Pastor’s cousin and daughter, Chinu. Prayer for the household before leaving is the commonplace.

Lily is tutoring five children in phonograms for a fee. The children’s parents came to the church to meet me. It was a bit awkward at first, but one of the four moms understood enough English to communicate well with me. I corrected one of the moms when she said ‘vee’ for ‘we’. I over-accentuated by saying, ‘weeee’. She got a real kick out of that. She said she would not forget to say, ‘weeee’!

The rest of the day Florie, some of the ladies, and I made glory rings for Nagaland. Bill spoke at the evening prayer meeting. We ate supper and Pastor took us to our place of sleep. We were very tired.

At 1:30 am we were awakened to carolers singing outside our door. The tough part was that Mrs. Powar turned on our light and let 30 plus singers into the drawing room. Bill just looked up and pulled his blanket over his head. I was on the outside and not so lucky. Mrs. Powar pulled my blanket off and I saw them sitting and standing looking at us and singing. Someone yelled English. They sang a song that I recognized the tune, but I understood no English.

They sang all their repertoires while watching us lay or sit in bed. Mrs. Powar then served the group tea and biscuits. The leaders asked her from where we came, shook my hand and left after 2 am. Needless to say that this was a test of forgiveness!

In the morning we were slow to be ready when Pastor Paul came for us. We picked up Florie and headed to Sam and Shoba’s home for lunch. They live outside the Mumbai city limits in a village on the other side of the river. We followed the water pipeline for some ways. The water source is a lake. The British built the pipeline when they were here. It is quite old, but still used. It leaks in places...so much for progress...

We had a wonderful briyani lunch of both chicken and mutton. They invited us to take a rest, while Sam took his friend, Pastor, to see his business. He is working on selling solar panels here. Our eyes must have looked like we needed a nap, because we took one.

Bill went to his dentist appointment.

On the Sunday of the year, we decided to give the Christmas Day offering back to this ministry. We used Rs 1000 for the repair and servicing of Pastor Dennis’ scooter and the remaining balance into the offering. Florie had the sari blouse made for me to wear the sari on Sunday.

It is this church tradition that on the last Sunday of the year, each one brings a special offering and takes a scripture verse written on a card, along with a piece of candy. My verse was Mark 14:38, "Keep watching and praying, that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

As I was praying during the all night prayer meeting, the Lord spoke clearly: "I require more of you. I want more time spent in prayer." This goes along with my friend’s words, "Pray continually in the spirit while you are in India." Guide me Lord according to Your pathway by Your grace and mercy. Amen.