Life Changing Words Ministry
Missionary Journal
February 2008
On the 1st of February, Charls had made an appointment for us to meet his boss, Dr. Thampy. We visited while Charls taught his class. The Dr. showed us around the church headquarters campus and took us to his house for a snack and tea. He invited Bill to speak on Sunday in the service. He gave permission for Emma and I to also share something.
We stopped at the building that housed where the people met for church and where the Dean's and Charls' offices were. Bill was invited to speak at the evening home meeting that night. I was invited to speak on Saturday at the same location, the Dean's home.
The Dean also asked me if I had enough material to teach for two days.
"Always the Lord provides fresh and sufficient supply to meet every day's needs." I smiled.
We walked back to Charls Villa from the campus. Charls eldest sister, Moley, came to meet us and asked for prayer. She had been in a motorcycle accident that had injured her arm, back and legs. She received what she was looking for and invited us to come to her house for a meal. We thanked her and asked her to schedule it with Charls.
We could hear the grandfather and the two boys having their devotion. The boys were prompted to sing and to pray.
Our rooms were on the second floor. Emma was in the great room with a curtain for her privacy. Bill and I had the room with the door to the roof.
Saturday morning, Emma, Sweety, Salome and I went shopping in Kottayam for a new dress for the girls. We had a lot of fun together. Meena had to remain behind to do some work for Grandmother.
By the time we got back the report of no water was given to everyone. The tank is empty. Charls wiggled the switch and the tank filled up. We were ok.
Bill shared the message at New India Church of God. It was very good. Emma shared her testimony and I shared what the Lord is doing at Immanuel Prayer House. Only one lady greeted us after the service.
Back at the house to have our lunch, Asher, Charls' youngest son, made a point of telling us of his school program that starts at 5:30 pm.
"You will be there won't you?"
"I'm sure we will be." I replied.
He had to be at school for practice by 1:00 pm. He is five and was to be a very long day for him. Anyway, we went to watch his program seated outside. He had three dances he would be doing. We were tired and ready to leave; Charls took us home at 8 pm. The program finished after 9:30. Sweety and Asher got home much later.
Monday morning news: there are water problems at Charls Villa. There was no knock on our door. But I woke up to strangers in our room unlocking the door to the roof and going out like we weren't there.
A man was called to bring water. He would come fill the water tank, until they could determine the nature of the problem. He would come tomorrow.
Sweety, Emma, and I went to the tailor shop to have our pant outfits made. My friend, Jayne, is about the size of Emma, so we had Emma's measurement for Jayne's outfit. Afterwards, we wandered over to a bangle shop. There was a lot for us to look at.
Our bedtime prayer time was held in the basement with Charls and his family. God gave Charls a vision of two angels that talked to him, but he did not understand them. Next, we prayed for Sweety who felt herself strengthening under the anointing. When we prayed for Charls the second time, he was slain in the Spirit and lay on the floor for some time. His vision continued in that the two angels gave to him a scroll.
The angels spoke, "Breakthrough," and he experienced peace.
I spent most of my day preparing for the Thursday and Friday classes at the Bible school. The water man came and the panic in the atmosphere seemed to subside. We visited with the children mostly while we were in the 'upper rooms'. They had a lot of questions and we enjoyed them a lot.
On Wednesday, Emma and I walked to the campus with Charls. Emma would be speaking in the chapel. I went for moral support. I counted ten young men on the right in front of me and only four young ladies seated together on the left. Charls told us that at the beginning of the school year there were fifty students. Only the sincere students have remained. When we finished, we went back to the house.
Emma again continued her story in the chapel session on Thursday. It was a good message.
We walked across the field and up the stairs to the classroom. For the first hour and forty-five minutes, I shared the Word of God to seek His face, not His hands. They were weak in understanding, even with Charls translating. They had no experience in finding the answer to my questions directly from the scripture verse. [Traditionally, the students are told things and not given the opportunity to think out the scripture verses. They are accustomed to copying and memorization.]
The tea break is a half hour. Most of the students leave the classroom. A bell is rung to let them know the class is back into session.
In the last hour and a half I introduced the students to the American English phonograms. At least there was more reactive behavior. Laughter was the most refreshing rolling out of the students, as they attempted to pronounce the sounds. They said they found the class helpful.
In the evening, Charls received a call from one of his superiors. Another man was coming in the morning to teach a class. I would only have until 11:00 am to finish what I started. [Satan robbed our time from us.]
Emma finished her message. No one went to thank her or let her know if they had been touched. We walked across the field. The women didn't come near us or attempt to talk with us. Usually the women are not given opportunities to interact like the men are given. Yet, the men don't approach to talk to the women either. How can the body of Christ come together if there is no contact?
I had just enough time to finish the phonograms. Charls had to go somewhere else, so he could not translate. The phonograms were my only option to teach. The class understood enough to have a good time.
In the van, the seats face each other. Sweety always falls asleep wherever she goes. She even falls asleep while riding a motorcycle with Charls. Emma had observed that while she is sleeping, Sweety's tongue would go in and out of her mouth resembling the motion a snake performs. We told Sweety about this. She said that it happens to her grandmother too. We saw that the children have this characteristic also.
In the afternoon Sweety came to us for pray. She received some relief by breaking the family curses she knew about. She thanked us and returned to her duties of preparing the evening meal.
Company came to see us. We met Cici and Maya, who was engaged to a Navy man, Shine. Maya wanted prayer for her future with him.
Charls and Sweety took us out to the newest 'fried chicken' place in Kottayam. It would give us an opportunity to visit privately, although his parents never spoke with Emma and me. At suppertime, Charls told us we were going to Ranni to visit Sweety's grandmother. The trip was more than two hours and we would leave Saturday morning.
When we arrived, we were introduced to everyone in Grandma's house. Grandpa wears the typical lungi wrap that the Keralite men wear. Emma and Charls' family will stay in their house. They took us over to meet Sweety's Aunt Mini and Uncle Soman, who live next door, the place Bill and I would sleep.
We came in through the back kitchen door. Soman was on the bed in their room. He has been fighting with kidney failure for four years. He was on dialysis, very thin, and eating no solids, just liquid protein drinks.
We put our bags in the room of their son, who was a male nurse working in another town. We have a western style toilet in the bath room right next door. Bill led the way back as we returned to the main house for our meal.
We met one of Grandma's sisters, the one the kids called, Gold Grandma; because she never let anyone boss her around regarding her jewelry…she had kept all she wanted. She is deaf and you have to shout into her ear for her to hear anything. She sat next to me; attempted to communicate through mimic and mime. The other family members sat around watching with great laughter. It was refreshing and fun.
We found a place on the front porch to sit for the daily rain. A pipe from the roof spilled out the water as it collected. Where the runoff hit the ground it made a deep hole in the pebbled walk way.
When Abel came out, I spoke to him, "Tomorrow when the rain comes put that tub in this spot. We can watch the tub fill up; then you can use it to float a boat or something." He liked the idea.
The sun came out again and the humidity increased. Emma and I took a walk toward Soman's house. Soman is a pastor, but had to step down from the church because of his illness. A prophetic word was spoken to Soman for a new ministry, if he would forsake all the old ways of thinking for the fresh new manifestation of God. He resisted receiving from a woman, but he agreed to receive the word spoken.
Ammakutty, Mini's mother, received healing of the right thumb in which there had been much pain. Prophetic word to her was "freely as you have received, freely give."
Bill walked up the hill with Abel and Asher to the college that is at the top of the road. Emma and I were given plastic chairs to sit outside, while we visited with the ladies. Later, Soman came outside near us to sit in the sun. Emma felt led to pray for him another time. The second time he was prayed for a strong healing anointing flowed into him. He did not 'feel' anything, but he did see a golden light flow in him.
We were originally scheduled to go to another church on Sunday, but the pastor called to say that another man would be there. We elected to cancel and attend Grandma and Grandpa's church together. This church was a very mission-minded congregation. Soman used to be the pastor until he fell sick. The people were very friendly and warm at this church.
Ranni is south and east of Kottayam. It is lush and green, which means it is very humid, especially after the rain. Here the rain comes down as if someone is emptying a bucket of water. Water builds up quickly in any low place. Wherever people go, they are carrying the umbrella.
We had a heavy rainstorm during the evening fasting prayer at Mini and Soman's house. I watched the rain pour down and create lakes in the low places in the pebbled walkway. I watched it carry the sandals left outside away from the door stoop over to the side of the house. It was a common occurrence and no one moved to save their foot coverings.
Emma spoke, "Soman, remove the mantle of suffering and of sickness now. Put on the mantle of healing you received yesterday for yourself and your ministry."
Charls took us for a walk to Abraham and Cici's house near by. Cici and another lady and Maya's brother served us refreshments. Emma and I spent most of our time visiting with Maya, who said, "Yes, I will come on Monday for prayer."
Bill sat behind us in another visiting area with the other husbands.
While we were in their home, lightning struck nearby causing a very loud crash. It frightened Maya's adolescent brother to cry outloud. We walked back in the dark. In India it is wise to carry a torch (flashlight) with you wherever you go.
We didn't stay late visiting. Charls had to get to bed. He was getting up early in the morning to take the older kids back home for school. Asher would stay here with us. They would get to live with Grandma over the summer holiday months. They are loved here and they feel that love. This is their retreat from the other stormy place. Charls would drive back after the kids were off to school.
On Monday we hung out visiting, walking, praying, waiting for Charls to return. When lunch was finished, Charls asked, "Would you like to go see a beautiful waterfall not far from here?"
"Sure," the three of us almost said in unison.
So, Grandma, Grandpa, Asher, Sweety, Minu, the servant girl, Emma, and I all got into the back of the van. Bill rode with Charls in the front.
For a 'not far', we rode long enough to get a numbed back side. But, we did find it. The road and pathway was not in the condition they last saw it. A huge mudslide had blocked the way down. Emma was leary to go down because of her ankle. Grandma and Grandpa would definitely not go.
So, the three of them remained by the van. The rest of us ventured down carefully and out onto the smoothened rocks. Charls was disappointed at how low the river was. The waterfall was not as powerful as he had remembered it to be. I took some pictures anyway.
On the way back home, Grandpa told Charls to find a 'hotel'. This is their word for restaurant. Here a hotel is mostly an eating place, but could also have lodging facilities. We stopped in Tiruvalla at a favorite spot. It started to pour rain while we were eating. It was still coming down heavily when we left to get home. Upon arriving, we found ourselves 'in the dark!' We decided to go to bed.
There was a morning prayer meeting scheduled at 10:30 am, but most people came at 11:00. The meeting lasted until 1:30 pm. Bill spoke, while Emma and I prayed for the ladies after the meeting for various healings.
During the service I was listening to the mantras and the drum-beat hand clapping that made it very difficult to hear the voice of the Lord. By faith I pressed into worship and under the anointing my hand began to shake, until my whole body was shaking under it.
The evening prayer meeting was also in the home where Bill and I slept. Emma and I shared in the mostly men-gathered meeting. Two men came to me directly to thank me for the word shared.
During the refreshment time, I shared with the pastor of Grandma's church through Charls translating about the acts of obedience for the youth.
He didn't understand as he replied, "Our twenty-one day fast is now going to be a forty-day fast to find a person from the church who we can send out."
"Why go here and there when you can hear from God directly and have a divine encounter evangelistic experience?" I queried.
"You are invited to come back next year." Charls translated while the pastor smiled. We watched everyone leave one at a time.
We ate our supper sedately. We would be driving back to Charls Villa this evening. Charls had called home to let them know we were on our way after eating. Driving in the dark is no fun and very difficult as there are no amenities like we have here to provide for a relatively safe driving condition at night. Most of the van occupants fell asleep, but I talked to Charls to keep him alert just like I did when we were driving back from Sikkim to Hamiltonganj.
The gate was closed and the doors were bolted when we arrived at about 10:00 pm. Charls shouted into his parents room to open the door, but Sarah called downstairs for Meena to get up and let us in. At least she smiled when she let us in.
Charls' sister invited us to her house in Tiruvalla to spend the day. Her youngest son, Feby, came to drive us in the van. Charls had to teach. We met all the church band members that Feby plays with on Sundays. Emma and I encouraged the young men in their godly responsibilities in leading the church into the place of worship in the Presence of the Lord. They were very attentive to our sharing. We prayed for each one before they left the house. One of the young men had a sick grandfather in the hospital they wanted to go see.
Feba, Feby's sister, was newly married in December in an arranged marriage. She was still in India while her husband, Justin, had returned to his birthplace, Toronto, Canada. They had had only five days together before he left. The paperwork process takes a very long time, and this is February. We discussed why the men don't do this ahead of time so they can take their wives home with them. Anyway, she wanted prayer for speedier paperwork. She occupied our time with her expensive wedding album and the three CDs of the engagement party, the wedding, and the reception.
Moley had fixed a very good meal with many famous Kerala dishes. Charls had not yet arrived when we were invited to the table. He had to come by bus so he could take us home. He would eat later. Emma sampled many of them. Bill and I ate all our familiar foods with gusto. We enjoyed our time together.
Thursday 14th, Charls and Sweety were busy with duties and running errands. This gave the rest of us a time to rest and fellowship. Emma and I had time to talk about our working as a healing prayer team. Since the Lord impressed on me that he had given her the healing impartation for this trip, I received her insights. Her giftings enable her to keenly sense the anointing – its coming and going. We had spent many times talking about how the power of God through healings was impacting people here in India.
Sweety came in to inform us of something awful the neighbor told her. "Just down this road, a drunken man tied his young Christian wife up, poured kerosene on her and burned her alive in their house. The oldest of the three little ones was there to see his father and grandfather do this thing to his mother. The littlest was a nursing baby. It was the little boy who told the police what happened."
The unfortunate part of this tragedy is that it happens frequently in marriages that are arranged. The man might be arrested, but he won't be charged for nine or ten years when the courts finally get to hear the case.
While waiting to go to Kottayam to the internet, I was worshipping on my bed. The Lord gave me a mantle of faith, which I put on myself.
Charls came in to report, "Our Hindu neighbor boy, who lives around the corner, was killed in an accident. Today is the wake, so Sweety and I must go to see the family and offer our condolences. They will cremate his body near their house today at 3 pm. We will be back soon and then I will take you to town."
"Yes, that is alright. You go do what is necessary for them."
Charls took me to town to check the emails, while Sweety and Emma did some shopping. One of my emails was very, very special…our son, Chris, and his wife, Kim, are going to give us our fifteenth grandchild in October. Praise the Lord!!! We will get more details when we see them at the Newark airport.
In the evening we met down in Charls and Sweety's bedroom to look at their picture albums. Bill was watching TV. We saw the horrible tragedy demonstrating such lawlessness at my college, NIU (Northern Illinois University) in DeKalb. The only fearless place is in the Presence of Jesus.
To date, we still have no word about our permit to Nagaland. Bill called to talk to Kilang and told him that the timing was too late and that we believed that this delay was of the Lord. We would not be at their home on this trip. Emma had no witness to go.
The children went with us Saturday to the Arabian Sea at the town of Alleppey, where we will catch the train on Tuesday back to Mumbai. Salome, Meena, and Abel successfully flew kites. I also did a little as I wound the string up before we left the beach. Asher didn't have the patience to fly one very long. Abel flew his the longest, but it was accidentally cut by Salome's kite and it was caught up into the wind and sailed east on its own. We all had such a good time together. We watched the sun set into the water. I took pictures for my friend, Ursula, to paint.
On the way home, Sweety told us, "You have been brightness for us. Usually the grandparents are exhibiting hateful things, like locking the bathroom upstairs, or accusing the children of eating their food. There is no unity and they have to sit in ritual prayers at night with them."
"We can only pray." Emma encouraged.
Sunday service was about ten kilometers from Charls Villa. The New India Church of God church is held in a rented room in a business building. Pastor Thomas is a close long-time friend of Charls. They have the same loving spirit. Pastor Thomas is Spirit-filled with a heart of compassion. He has a small group of new believers. It is very refreshing to see their friendliness and enthusiasm. He is a man that stirs the faith of the people. He encouraged those needing healing to expect it to come to them.
Bill shared the gospel and both of us ladies shared something. At the end of the service, we prayed for those who came for prayer and they all received what they came for. The Presence of the anointing was felt by many who did not want to leave. But, Pastor Thomas hurried us all out so he could lock the rented room up.
We had such a delicious lunch, Mariamma, Jincy, and Bincy made; fellowship together and prayer was very precious. It seemed to us that this time together with this family made up for what we had not received with Charls' parents. [It grieved my heart that his folks don't even know their condition.]
Pastor Thomas was very gracious. He informed us that he and his wife were scheduled to meet with the prospective groom of his eldest daughter, Bincy, in the early evening. He apologized that he would have normally rescheduled the meeting, but marriage proposals are something one can't reschedule. He invited us to come back anytime to stay at his home.
As I worshipped on my bed that night, the Lord gave me the Sword of the Lord to put in my belt. Then I unsheathed it and handed it up to the Lord in worship and requested Him to pierce me through with it as a sign of dying to my will and way. He allowed me to help do it. I felt a momentary fear, and then tears fell, at which I asked for healing.
Shortly, He brought to mind, as I heard Him say to my spirit, "You have been given the mantle of suffering with persecution. Receive My encouragement. You have My assurance I am always with you."
"Yes, You are. I may not understand it all, but I acknowledge your goodness and love to be with me. Thank You."
I raised my hands again in worship and I perceived a weight on my hands, heavier than the sword.
"This is a robe. It is royal blue," I heard in my inner self.
I somehow knew that it was velvet-like with a white collar. Yet, when I turned my head, I got a glimpse of white eagle feathers, close together like on a wing of the bird. I knew to remove the mantle of humility and allow Him to put the robe on my, although it was more like a cape. The brown mantle of humility fit nicely overtop. I was surprised that the robe was not as heavy on me, as it was while I was holding it.
I just lay there marveling at what the future will be like with these items given for the preparation. I was overwhelmed with the desire to spend more time in worship and in His Presence.
Monday was spent repacking, giving away clothing, unused toiletries, and getting things in order for our trip back to Mumbai.
Pastor Thomas came in the late afternoon to let us know that his daughter had accepted his future son-in-law, Sam's proposal. He regretted that we would not be in Kerala for the occasion. He would send us an invitation. He thanked us for praying for him and his family members.
I gave him and his wife each a crocheted face cloth for the hot summer ahead. He also received a copy of Scripture Keys for Kingdom Living, by June Davis, which he was very appreciative. He reiterated the invitation for our next visit and asked us to keep in touch by email.
Sorrow was in the children's hearts as we ate breakfast together. They were not at school because a strike had been called by the Communist party for all public transportation in the state of Kerala. It was mind boggling to me that this state promotes Maoist Communism to rule, but Jesus is not yet Lord here. I read that Maoists are working in eighteen states of India. Truly troubled days are ahead for India also.
We said our goodbyes, and I kissed them all…including Sarah, once on each cheek. Her eyes expressed surprise, but she said nothing.
Kurian shook my hand and said, "Read Psalm 24."
Sweety rode with us to the station in Alleppey. We arrived two hours early. All the shops were closed because of the strike, so whatever we had with us was what we ate.
The train arrived; we got everything on board, and shared our tears, as we said our final goodbyes as the train pulled out of the station.
Bill's bunk was the top most bed. Emma and I each had the middle bunk, but we could not put them up until the couple felt like they wanted to sleep on the lower berths. There is not enough room to sit up in these particular bunks, unlike the others we had been in. It was 9:00 pm before we could make them up and lay down.
The Christian couple, who attend the Church of South India, got off in Goa. He had quit his job in Oman to come back to take care of his ailing mother after her surgery. He had married late in his life and admitted that he received his wife as an answer to prayer. I had shared some seeds of 'more in God,' but my words were foreign to him. He spoke mostly of doing 'deeds' for God to earn himself a place in heaven. This is why we have to be sure to instruct the people that Jesus is the One and Only, above all other gods.
Pastor Paul was so happy to see us when he fetched us from the train. We were only gone for two and a half weeks.
While in the evening prayer, I laid my hands on Pastor praying over him.
He said, "I saw the Lord's hands holding the country of India. He put India into my hands." He wept.
Thursday, Florie and I went over the Phonogram budget for this next year, now that we had nine teachers more than last year. We also set up the teachers schedule as a chart. The chart gave a distinction that made me very aware of how this program will be the instrument to fashion future servants of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Bill was working on our flight changes home. The first available flight was March 16th. We have considered having to travel separately, ie. Emma and I, then Bill. If we are being sent home because we are finished with the assignment, there will be a way and a time we can all go together. Bill's patience level is getting low…
Everyone who came to the Friday night fasting prayer meeting received their requests. Thank You, Lord, for your goodness and blessings poured out to your people to draw them to Yourself in this place. It has been a joy to hear and see the things You have done and are doing. You delight Yourself in our obedience to come before You to hear Your voice and receive the love You pour out so freely. We want more of You in our lives.
Joshua led the Teacher's class. He was giving dictation examples. He will be teaching grammar and helping the Teacher's go through their lesson books. It gives the teachers a chance to be together and also have a little competition among themselves. Mostly they are to have fun in what they are doing. Charles likes being called, Sir; Ruth is having fun with the nursery children; Beulah says that all her children are good students; Amos has more girls than boys in class (5:1 ratio); Graceson enjoys the challenges; Esther and David are enjoying their classes; Lata is happy to do this for the Lord Jesus.
While I was at the altar on Saturday, I saw brightness of white light and from it immerged a bright yellow substance – alive and moving – like those lights that look like oil and water. I didn't understand at first what it was.
Later, at the ladies meeting I shared Mt 7:7, Mk 11:24, and He 11:1 on believing faith. Then, I understood that the yellow substance was faith. Emma helped Lata to release God's power while praying for others. When Emma prayed over me, again more faith came.
During worship at Sunday's service, a mantle of the confidence of Jesus was given to Joshua. A box of gifts of faith was laid at the altar. Is 66:18-22 and 2 Chr.16:9a were scriptures given to the church body. The Lord is looking for those loyal hearts. Something I at first could not identify was laid before the Lord. Later it was revealed to be a shofar.
Also received was a box of leaves from the tree of life for the healing of the nations. I watched the yellow substance of faith moving.
In the late afternoon Emma, Florie, and I went to the market to find the ladies whose pictures Emma had taken. She developed the first set and we wanted to give the pictures to the ladies. They were so ecstatic, one lady who wasn't at her spot, came running after us to get her picture.
Monday, we three ladies went to Borovili by a/c bus to see how the phonogram class was going with Joshua and Ravi More. There were sixteen children who were in the class that day.
We had a good time and had our lunch with the villagers. Emma prayed for the owners of the hut and for a girl with hearing problems was healed. Praise the Lord! On the walk back to catch an auto rickshaw, we both got some pictures of deer that were bedded in the woods.
Jaya came for prayer. She thought she was hearing the Lord's voice, but the words she spoke revealed that the counterfeit had moved in.
In the late evening, Pastor Dennis came for prayer. A devil face manifested to him. He used the sword of Gideon to overcome it and then waved the worship flags.
Again at a later time he saw the devil very big in size, but Pastor Dennis called for the warring angels to help him to overcome this one. Then he saw Michael and the others with him helping Dennis to win.
He told us before he went home that he is learning very much that he had never thought about before. He is extremely grateful to the Lord for being here.
"You are not left behind; only behind in the support position so you know what it takes to work in a team ministry. This is new for you. But I am changing these things for you. You are not in the front, I AM, says the Lord. You are following Me into new areas of ministry. This is the deeper and higher levels of kingdom. Don't allow worry to come to you. Remain in My confidence. I am preparing you for My plans. You rest in Me and allow Me to flow through you to touch those who are coming to you in the life pathways. There is nothing you lack in Me. Your wells are deep and I will fill them to overflowing. Just watch and see what I will do! There is much more for you also! Keep alert, yet rest in Me, says the Lord, your God."
More gifts and mantles went onto the altar, a specific one was purity. I knew that one was for Charles. I let him know that there was on for him on the altar. He told me that the Lord spoke to him to wait 40 days, before coming on the red carpet. If he would obey, the Lord would prepare his heart for this very holiest mantle. Charles was awestruck that the Lord would choose him for this holy gift.
The anointing was so heavy in the Sunday service. More mantles and boxes of the Spirit's varieties of gifts were delivered. He was depositing everything that His children would need for kingdom living in this earthly realm. The new dimension that takes His seekers beyond the veil of flesh into the spirit realm to be overcomers and victors who demonstrate the love of God, speak forth life, and take back what really belongs to the King of kings.
The service began at 9:30 am with no electricity, and lasted until 2:30 pm. No one wanted to leave then. So, Pastor called Manda forward to dedicate Mercy. We blessed and praised the Lord for the testimony this little one was to the church and who she is to the plan of God.
We had been to Mr. Uttam Bhingardive's house before to pray for his healing. We went again to have lunch with his household. Mr. Uttam has so improved that he was walking by himself, feeding himself, and speaking well enough that his wife, Maya, understood him to translate for us. It was wonderful to glorify the Lord on this man's behalf. His sons, Kurnal and Pravin, were there this time. Pravin is still looking for work.
Uttam's mother, Vandan, served our lunch as she sat on the bed opposite the couch we were sitting on. I wore an orange sari. She asked Florie who helped me to put it on. Florie told her, "Aunty knows how to wear the sari."
Vandan did not believe her. When I was done eating, she instructed Maya to bring two particular saris. She asked me to choose one and go put it on. So I did. While I was dressing, she came in to watch. Because I had done it myself, she gave me the second sari and wanted her picture taken with me.
Florie, Beulah, and I went to Wadli Pada to have supper at Joshua's house with his family. His mother made her traditional "hot" spiced meal. They presented a sequined orange sari and Brother Moses put Rs 100 into my bible. I had a wonderful time getting to know another family. I asked the Lord to bless them with the second floor to be added to their house. It was dark and time to be escorted back down the mountain to the auto rickshaw stand.
Pastor Paul shared for the LCWM Board to pray for the Ghatkopar toilet which needs to be built for the church. A kitchen would be nice and the new building would give a place for a pastor/caretaker to look after the things of the church building. The estimated cost for this project is Rs 103,000 ($2700).
We were to leave at 7 pm. Loving friends and church members would be coming to see us off in the taxi. Dennis brought us each a leather coat that he negotiated for very little in order to have a love gift to give to us. We received a vase, a picture frame clock, and a lady's dress jacket. I had to leave the gift saris with Florie for the next visit.
I wanted to spend as much time as I could in the sanctuary. My heart was longing for the promise of a double portion of what was brought here to be taken home. While I was waiting under the anointing on the red carpet, I heard in my inside, "I don't just give a double portion by measure, but I give abundantly."
I saw, as I was laying there, Pastor Paul and Florie, who were very large in stature to me, standing each with a square silver tray in their hands. On the trays were large round ornate containers with lids, which they had brought to present to the Lord King.
Emma interpreted the vision, "These gifts are the souls won for the Lord Jesus Christ."
Lord Jesus, how awesome You have been before our eyes. You do such marvelous things. The old things and ways were mighty great, yet You are now doing new things that are definitely more than what we would have ever imagined in our own abilities. I am extremely grateful that You don't rely on us to do Your plans. I do thank You for the privilege of being in the middle of what You are actively doing now. I am looking forward to the new things that you have promised to become manifested in not only my life, but all the other souls You have purposed to love and draw to Yourself. Prepare us completely for the taking of the kingdom of heaven and putting it here on the earth. Lord God, You will showcase Your people who will carry Your glory to this dark world. Come reign in us this day, we invite You. We are waiting…