Safe at Home

Well... 31 hours after leaving our hotel, Jenn & I are safe at home.  Another great trip to Kalavai in the books...  Can't wait to share the stories.  Thanks for all the prayers everyone...

jenarcher

Back in Chennai

Well, Jenn & I have made it safely back to Chennai.  We are "taking rest" in the hotel, will have lunch & dinner then in 12 hours we'll head to the airport to start the trek back to the US.  It was an overall good trip.  Good-byes were a little different knowing that I'm coming back soon.  Can't wait to share stories with my friends.  :-)

jenarcher

Yesterday we finished up talking with all of the people in the village and found ways to be productive with our down time... then off to dinner at Lachmi's house where we had some good conversation.  Pastor Isaac was our translator & he was very entertaining.  Then we were treated to the customary Indian village talent show (which Jenn & I both joined in on) and finished the evening off with a round of "Hokey Pokey".  It was another good day.

On a more personal note, my heart is melting at the fact that the little girl who stole my heart the first time I was in this village is growing up before my very eyes.  Sandia was just a baby when I came here the first time and was afraid of me (because she'd never seen a white person before).  Last trip she warmed up to me quite a bit... but this trip, she can actually talk.  She's telling me all kinds of things...  I have no idea what she's saying... but I'm loving every minute of it.  :-)  She hasn't learned to say "Jennifer" yet (that's the goal for the July trip) but for now, she has taken to calling me "pastor"...  I'll take it.  :-)  How can you not love a face like this?  Yes... it was a very good day.  :-)

jenarcher 

Dinner with Silvi & Sekar

Today was another great day of gathering information in the village.  We were able to speak with many of the people that live on the outskirts of the colony today.  Based on what they had to say and what we observed with our own eyes, I am confident that there has been great spiritual growth in this village over the past few years.  It was good to be able to speak with those who haven't received homes built by GCC and still see that they are thankful for what has happened in the village.  Beyond the things that they have benefited from because of GCC's presence, many of them appear to have some sort of relationship with Jeyan & Jency (the missionary couple in the village) and I feel that I am seeing proof of spiritual growth here.  Not all are Christ followers, but then again, not everyone in the US are Christ followers either.  They definitely know more of Christ because of what He has done in this village...  After all, it's all about what God is doing, not what we have done.

Jenn & I ended the night having dinner in the home of Slivi & Sekar.  Their daughter, Devani (who has captured the hearts of many that have visited the village) and their son Pathyban also joined us.  We had a very good conversation before dinner.  I have had a LOT of interaction with Devani but little interaction with Silvi (her mother) and no interaction with Sekar (her father).  Sekar was very willing to open up about how Jeyan and Jency have been so helpful to them and to the people in the village, particularly the children.  It was another great Indian meal with great friends.  Thanking God for this opportunity to have up close and personal experiences with these people.  He is so, so good.

jenarcher

Dinner with Lattha and Vingadesh

Yesterday was a great day in Kalavai. Jenn and I spent the day observing the people of the village and gathering some useful information. We were able to see some evidence that some of the people in the village are showing initiative to think “outside of the box” to improve their lives. We also spent some time hanging out with the children in the village, which is the is my favorite way in the world to pass time. :-) Our evening was well worth the wait, as we were able to join Lattha and Vingadesh for dinner in their home. Before the dinner we sat for about an hour talking with them about how what GCC has been doing in the village has affected their lives. We were trying to get information on things that they see that have worked, things that haven’t, how people in the village are interacting with each other and all sorts of personal information that they would never have dreamed of sharing with us a few years ago (based on the Indian culture). Lattha even admitted during the conversation that when GCC first came, she would tell them what she thought would make them happy, rather than telling the truth, but she was no longer doing this because God had changed her heart. This was a great talk followed by a tasty dinner that I will remember for the rest of my life. Lattha has been a key person that I would say most GCC team members have connected with. It was an honor to be able to sit and talk with her on such a personal level. God is good.

jenarcher

BRUCE - an interview

This post comes from Raj's son, Bruce. He has served as the media director and as a translator on many trips. His perspective is surely unique, so we hope you enjoy it.

Q: How many trips have you joined? What number is this for you?
A: This is the 15th team.

Q: How do you keep the trips separate in your mind?
A: Each team is very unique. The people that come are different each time, and every team has been so unique. After spending a week with them, each team holds special experiences.

Q: Which day of this trip stands out to you the most, and why?
A: There are two experiences. First, when doing the interviews with the villagers on the last day, I was able to hear their stories. Indian men do not typically show emotion, but some of them cried that day, and all the women cried. They said that even their own families didn't help them build a house, but Christians from so far away did. One word kept coming up was "acharyana" which means a happy "shocked" or "surprised".

Second, when the team prayed for the two boys (mentioned in an earlier blog post), I was very encouraged.

Q: What will you remember about this team, and this trip?
A: In the five days they had, they got to know the families very well. Beyond learning names, they heard their stories. In many cases, they learned more in five days than I have in several years.

Thank you, Bruce.

Preetin's story

This is a blog post from Abby - another story:

Preetin is a beautiful 19-year-old. She served as my interpreter in our small group time with the children. She is the children's Sunday school teacher, so she had a great way with them, and they really listen to her. When I first got to the Village, Preetin and I connected right away. That made me want to hear her story, and when I asked she eagerly shared.

She was born to a very young woman after her mom already had two miscarriages. When she was born, she did not eat or cry for three days. Her mom took her to the church and laid her on the floor and cried out to God. "If this baby is from you and the answer to my plea for children. Please have her cry and feed!" Preetin said at that moment, she started crying! She called herself a "miracle baby!"

As she grew up, Preetin only went to church because her mom made her – she hated it and sometimes fell asleep! When she was about 12, her grades went from being the best in the class to the worst even though she was trying her hardest. It was then that she thought there must be a higher power to be causing this. So she decided to try "the Jesus Way" for a year to see what would happen. During that year she decided to follow Jesus forever.

At 15 years of age, she was asked to teach Sunday school. At 17 years of age, she went to a prayer meeting at the church during the New Year's celebration. It was then that she became filled with the Holy Spirit, and she started speaking in tongues. She stated that was a monumental event in her life and It changed her life forever!

As she is telling me her story, she was truly happy and excited about what Jesus did her life. At one point her family was so poor that they lived with Pastor Anbuvanan, her uncle. And after praying to Jesus, her father's business flourished and now they live in a two-story house – and she has her own room! Most people in India only have two rooms in their whole house! She says all the blessings in her life are from the Lord. Her joy and enthusiasm is contagious.

She wants to be a professor, but she also knows she has a high calling from the Lord. I see her as a great leader now and I believe God is going to continue to use her to lead her community for Christ!

No chance encounters...

Jenn & I landed safely in Chennai this morning and got to the hotel around 7 a.m.  We've spent the whole day hanging out with the team that has spent the last week in the new village that GCC will be going to in the future.  They've got some really good stories that haven't been blogged about so I can't wait for them to get the chance to tell them first-hand to those that they love.  So my story for the day comes from our second leg of our journey yesterday.  This was a reminder to me that there are no chance encounters when God is involved.  On the "short" flight (4 hours) I was seated next to a couple that were on their way to a wedding in Chennai.  She was from Chicago but had grown up in Palestine and was dating a man from Atlanta who had grown up as the son of a preacher.  I'm pretty sure she was the most fun stranger that I've ever set next to on a plane.  We had so much fun that she, Jenn & I snapped some pics while waiting in the customs line and exchanged e-mail addresses.  As we were waiting to taxi down the runway (which was quite some time), she struck up a conversation with me.  She asked where we were from and what we were heading to Chennai for.  I explained to her that we were on our way to a small village in southern India where our church has been doing missions work for a few years.  She explained to me that she was Muslim (but not practicing) and that she and her boyfriend were considering moving to California and she had expressed to him that when they do, she would like to get plugged into a church.  She had some hesitations though because she had seen church as a place full of judgmental people who are too worried about keeping rules and less worried about the people around them.  Well... this is where I know there are no chance encounters.  Of course, I took this opportunity to explain to her that not all church's are that way and she should definitely seek out a place that she feels comfortable with.  I went on to tell her about my own relationship with God.  I told her that it was sad that some people view God or religion as a place of judgment and legalism, but God is really about love, compassion and serving others.  I told her that I am very active in my church, but it makes me cringe anytime someone refers to me as "religious" because my life is more about a personal relationship with Christ than religion.  She shared a story with me about how when she was 15 and living in Palestine, her father took her to Bethlehem.  The experience seemed to have left a mark on her (as well it should).  God works in mysterious ways...  and I love conversations that are obviously so well orchestrated by Him.  I'm also thankful that I'm not fearful of expressing my faith & talking to people in moments like these anymore.  Yes, God sent us on a mission trip to do some work in India.  But you never know what He's expecting you to do on the way.  Life is a mission... LIVE IT!

jenarcher

Time to go - tough to leave

We are about to head to the airport right now so I don't have much time but I wanted to give you a few pictures from today. It was tough leaving pastor Anbuvanan and his family - we have been so blessed by them!! Andrew and others wanted to chug a coconut - so we did that as well!!

We headed into Chennai to do some shopping at Spencer Plaza. Prema joined us, and I could tell Raj was very happy to see her being herself again - back to 100%! We also met up with the J2 team - dynamic duo!!

After the familiar Pizza Hut and time of shopping/bartering, the women got some henna work done on their hands by Clarinda (Raj's daughter), and the men went out to get our faces shaved!!

Finally, for our last Indian meal, we went out to eat to tackle the biggest dosa I had ever seen (food in picture)!

Thanks again for being on this journey with us, please pray for safe travels, and I will try and keep writing a few more posts - see you soon!!!

Ted

Beauty parlor!

This blog post was written by Penny:

Pastor Anbuvanan's wife, Ponita, and her helper, Violet Ruby, have served us well - always with a servant's heart and smile! Think about cooking 3 meals a day and cleaning for 20 adult guests (including translators, helpers, Raj, and Bruce) to stay in your house for a week!!! Incredibly, the light of Jesus continues to emanate from their faces. It has been difficult for us to communicate our gratitude for all they have done to welcome and serve us.

During mid-day breaks, Ponita will sometimes come to our hut and lie on the bare concrete to rest. It also seems this
is her time to spend community with us - though she understands and speaks almost no English. I believe we were all very grateful yesterday while the men were resting their hut, Ponita approached me and asked for a "French braid?". It seems all of the Indian women are fascinated by this hairstyle. It was an opportunity to serve women the women who had served us all week so well.

Dawn quickly met Ponita's request and as the women sat in the circle, we began a sort of community fellowship - with LOTS of laughter, pictures and word exchanges from Tamil to English and vice versa. It continues to amaze me how community can develop here with the language barriers present - all with the love of Christ . . . Even in a makeshift beauty parlor in India!!

Spiritual Healing

Another post from Rick:

I knew someone would break down emotionally this week. Someone always does on these mission trips. I just didn't expect it to be me. I've been in this region before and have seen the needs of the lost and hurting.

But this time I found myself questioning God for the first time in my life. I know He can heal instantly. I know He can! I've seen it with my own eyes. And I am reminded of Acts 14 when we are told God confirms His grace with healings and great miracles. He could do so much to advance His kingdom by confirming his grace and His power and His love so why wouldn't He hear our prayers to heal these two beautiful brothers born deaf and mute and barely able to stand, crawling around in the filth on their hands and feet.

But Jay and Abby helped me to remember that God is most interested in spiritual healing rather than physical. God sent His son to seek what was lost. He wants them back! And Abby pointed out that we don't know what went on on the hearts and minds of the people we prayed for and those that were watching. And Ted later added that it would be so much more beneficial to the kingdom if they were healed by Pastor Anbuvanan after we left so the Glory would more go to Christ instead of us Americans and for the edification of the Village pastor.

Of course, we don't know "why" He did not heal them on the spot, but His ways are far above our ways - remember! God always has something up His sleeve. And it's always for the good of His church (that's you and me). I can have faith I'm that.

What a day!!

So, worked out in 100 degrees for nearly 12 hours today, finished building 3 homes, painted two of them, rode an Ox cart, had 5 cups of Chai Tea, ate fresh watermelon from a man in the village who had once insisted on everyone being Hindu - until his one and only son became a Christian through Anbuvanan's church, shot hours worth of video footage, climbed a water tower, sang a song in the language of Tamil, watched kids and students quote a lot of scripture from memory and do traditional Tamil dancing for nearly an hour, danced the "interlude". . . Twice, laughed so hard I cried, and cried after only knowing these kids for 4 days, rode a rickshaw, drank a limco, heard more stories of miraculous healings, participated in a Tamil prayer meeting, saw once again the amazing love in a mothers eyes for her two youth who were mentally and physically challenged, ran around with children teaching them more about Jesus . . . NONE of which could have been done - if only I had depended on myself and my own "good" ideas. NO!! All these things were made possible today because of Gods work already happening here. we simply could not be happier!! Those relationships and bonding, where the ONLY thing in common is Christ, were happening all over this week - simply amazing.

Make no mistake, God is doing something amazing in Kotthiampakkum. We understand that this is only chapter 1, and there is so much more for God to write - come and join with us, and see what God can do!! Your journey can start by sitting down with a team member over coffee and asking them intentionally about this trip - there is just so much to share!!

More to come later!!

Ted

So you say you have a story?

Have you ever struggled with "witness envy?" - you know . . . When you feel like your faith journey story just isn't as "cool" or impressive as someone else's. This condition might be to the point that you don't even want to share it - afraid you might hear "that's it??" Of course, as a result of your lack of story that person will fall completely away from their faith and it will be all your fault!

Hi, my name is Ted . . . and I suffer from witness envy from time to time. . . It is a condition on our team as well as many other Christians that I know. Feeling a bit ashamed of their "story".

Today has begun to change that for many of us. We were able to speak more with the older kids (10th - college) tonight and exchange testimonies. After our large group time, Liz, Jay, Tim, and Rick did an heroic job of leading all the other kids on massive group games in the schoolyard of a nearby school. These times of sharing were amazing for various reasons. First, the boys (seen in the picture with Andrew and our translator names "Dos"), had never even been to the church building - in fact we were told by a younger kid later that those were some of the bad kids! Very ironic that our main group story tonight was that of Zacchaeus - a notorious sinner. . . Hmmmm, it's as if someone already knew what the night would hold!

Second, the girls all gathered in a circle inside the building and really dove into it in detail!! Most of these girls actually serve as Sunday School teachers - and they have amazing stories. You will hear much more posts on this later, but it is after midnight, and so trying to make this "short."

The night programming ended by us surprising Rick with a birthday cake (he turned 50 today), and all 100 kids singing to him Happy Birthday!! They love Rick!

Back at the "ranch" - pastor Anbuvanan's house - we had a late dinner and then Andrew taught us the "interlude" dance (feel free to google it - or just go down to the 4th and 5th grade room the next time you are at GCC - Granger campus). This is so we can have a "cultural" dance to perform at the celebration event tomorrow night . . . Yes, we had fun!!

Oh. . . One more word for the "witness envy" sufferers - remember that your story often shows others a God that is faithful and true, steadfast and consistent. It gives insight to another (as we heard today) that they don't have to first be "bad" in order to get "saved." Finally, your story might just be the hope that dawns in the mind of another kid that for the first time says "wow, I didn't know anyone ever made it" You know getting through your schooling, college, and 20s without "falling off the wagon!" Don't misunderstand me, I know my sin put nails through Jesus. . . Just maybe though, if you are willing to share your story, as we did today, you might hear and see the reward of someone now saying "I know now that I can 'make it' too with God's help." Hope is a truly beautiful thing!

Keep praying!!!

Ted

J2 for J2 - Jai Ho - LET'S GO!

I've been watching all of the posts from the team that is India right now (as many others have).  I can't wait to talk to them in person and hear their stories.  Today I will leave for India with my teammate Jennifer Price.  We will be working very closely with the missionary couple that has been in Kalavai for about a year and a half.  I believe it was Raj who named the team "J2 (Jennifer & Jennifer) for J2 (Jeyan & Jency).  I can't wait to see what God has in store for us.  Prayers appreciated... be blessed!

jenarcher ;-)

I'm tired of being a good person

India Blog by Andrew Staal:

So I'm sure your week has been just like mine. Wake up on the floor, eat some rice with hot and spicy sauce for breakfast and head to an Indian village to work in the hot sun and play with children. Oh, and to get to the village? A rickshaw of course. Okay, chances are, our weeks have been a tad different. But does that make me a better person than you. Some might say so, but I would disagree.

Our team had done some great things here. We have built houses, done some incredible kids programming and built deep impacting relationships. A lot of people can come here and do the same thing without out ever speaking the name of Jesus. Just being good people and doing good works isn't going to truly change lives. The true miracle is watching God show up and move in this village. This is not just a trip for us to feel good about ourselves. This is a moment in our lives where we are able to see God's love absolutely bless a community. I am more awestruck and blown away by the chances we have to had to pray over people and show them the love of Christ than the houses we've built. This trip isn't about us at all. It is simply a snapshot of what can happen when a team decides to completely surrender ourselves to Christ and let his love shine through us.

The challenge that comes from such an experience goes beyond the actual trip to India and even beyond those on this trip. My prayer is that everyone involved in this team is challenged to open themselves up to let Gods love flow through them like never before. We are fantastic at being good people, but what we need more of is to be bearers of the love of Christ. This is remarkably easy when thrown in another country. The true challenge is whether we are going to allow God to do the same thing through us in Granger, Indiana. Are you ready to give up being a "good person"?

[photo is of Tim praying for a child - many such opportunities have come up for us - people starting to bring their sick children to us and wanting us to pray over them - very humbling]

Sent from my iPhone

Back to Work!

Back to Kotthiambakkum this morning, and alot of progress has been made on the houses - they are looking "SUUUPERRR" - as the Indians would say.

We have noticed a difference in the village adults - they have moved from staring at us to waving/smiling/head bobble. That is a significant step, and mainly because they ALL love pastor Anbuvanan. The kids have always welcomed us in.

Many more puppies in homes here than in Kalavai and very domesticated - even playing with some straps at the bottom of my pant leg!

There is no room for gardens here - much more urban, but I did notice that did not stop this family from making produce. . . On their roof!

This plaque that pastor Anbuvanan is holding is the first one for this village - really an honor to be on it - I think our whole team had a really humbling moment when he showed it to us. We will see it go on their house tomorrow at dedication time!

We are adjusting our evening kids program tonight so that we can spend a little more time with several of the older students (college age) who have been wanting to exchange on a deeper spiritual level (hear our story's and share their own) . Of course Jay and Liz volunteered to take the other 100 little kids to the school yard to play some massive big group game - Springhill style!! I will let you know how it goes!

More to come - just a reminder to leave comments if you want. Our team is very encouraged by them!

Ted

"Chicken" you say?

This post is written by Dawn Payne:

I would like to personally thank Raj for feeding me, as he called it, "chicken". And about the time I swallowed it, he then laughed and told me it was really rat!!! I am beginning to see how much of a jokester Raj is and I love that side of him!!

On our trip to Kalavai, I was reminded of the fellow GCC people that forged before us, and so thankful that they listened to God's call on their life because I was able to reap the benefits of their dedication to Jesus. I am inspired by these people of Kalavai. They are not "happy"; they are JOYFUL! Wow, what a difference in those two words!

It is so amazing that thousands of miles away from home, Jesus can connect the hearts of people in such a powerful way! I love these people and I am so excited to see what God has in store for them!!

Thanks for your prayers!!

[photo was moment that Dawn discovered the truth about the "chicken". . . She wasn't very still - sorry for the blurring picture!]

Rest day and Kalavai!!

In the middle of the week, we took a bit of a rest day from the construction and kids programming. We were able to go to a nice hotel just a 12 minute rickshaw ride away from pastor's home.

This was a delightful day where we were able to swim a bit and enjoy a few western food items like pancakes, but there was no syrup :-). Several of the team members took advantage of the wifi as well! After lunch we started to trek to Kalavai (over 2 hours), and stopped at the "placenta tree" - you can ask a team member why it is called that when they get home!

A few of the team members are not feeling the best (Abby - throat - no more voice, Rick cut open his hand when it accidentally hit a fan, and Frank is having some stomach issues) - please join with us in praying for them.

Kalavai was amazing and it was so great to see all the progress that has been made since I was personally here in the beginning of 2011. The new KC3, playground, and gardens looked great. The villagers were so welcoming to us, and the kids ran up to us with HUGE hugs of love and excitement!! They also put on a bit of a dance show for us. We toured the village and many of the first time members on our team were inspired by how many homes had the GCC plaques on them - we are truly standing on the shoulders of those that have gone before us!

It was raining while we were there a bit, but that did not stop Jay, Frank, Bruce, and I from getting a little cricket in (a game similar to baseball).

The local missionaries to Kalavai (Jayen and Jencie seen with Raj) are also doing well!!

I can say confidently that Raj is back to 100% - as he did his whole "live rat in his hand as He shook someone else's hand" trick . . . Yep, it worked on Andrew. The end of that rat's story will be told in the next post by Dawn Payne.

As if that was not enough, Raj put a big lizard on the back of Jay (and then later on Andrew), that was later to become dinner for a local family. Raj told me this was just a "baby" because they can get up to 6ft long!! Traditionally he said that builders would tie a rope onto their back leg and then throw them up to a higher story floor of a building. The lizard's talons are so strong that the builder would then climb the rope to that higher floor as the lizard held onto the bricks with its talons . . . Yes, . . . That's AWESOME, and jay and I wanted to try it!! - couldn't though - this one too small.

More will be coming soon as stories are starting to come out from some villagers.

Please continue to pray for us to finish strong - we are soooo grateful.

Ted

A moment of clarity

This post is being brought to you by the one and only Liz Taylor:

Yesterday during the children's program, my group of five and six-year-olds was joined by a small crowd of older women. I invited them to sit and join us - some painted with the kids but others wanted just to talk.

One woman in particular was asking me lots of questions. She wanted to know about my profession, how old I am, about my husband and son. Then she asked me where I came from? "America", I told her. Her eyes got large and she got a huge smile on her face. She then said "you all come all the way from America to love my children? We will miss you when you go!"

She and the other woman then stayed close as we played a game and shared the gospel with the kids.

She understood we came because we care about them and she was able to hear how much God loves her and them. I love watching God tear down the language barriers between us!

Thanks for being on this journey with us!!

God is already at work

This blog post is written by Rick Immel:

Missionaries don't bring God to the lost and hurting, God brings the missionaries. And mark my word, the body of Christ showed up in Kottiambakkum this week in total God fashion - from the edification of Pastor Anbuvanan, to the construction of much needed housing, to the kid's ministry work.

People ask what we can possibly do in ten days. But we are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us and setting the foundation for those who come after us to stand on ours. Again, people ask what can we possibly accomplish in such a short period of time?? Those questions wouldn't be asked if everyone could look into the joy-filled face of a child born into a desperate situation. Have you ever sat on the receiving end of a question from a child about why we have come so far to this village? To see the eyes light up and the smile in the face of a boy named "Hajay" when I tell him I came to see him, that Jesus sent me because he is special to Jesus, and Jesus wanted me to tell him that. Those who question haven't looked into the face of a brother or sister in Christ tearfully questioning their adequacy to be a part of God's mission only to see them transformed in the next moment when God shows up through us to honor their family.

When Peter was called to the house of Cornelius it wasn't just for the benefit of Cornelius, it was for Peter too. So we shouldn't ask what can be done in ten days. It's not about what we can or can't do. It's about what God can do. And He is already at work in Kottiambakkum. I am honored to be allowed to share in that with Him!

Thanks for your prayers and support!!

Rick

The return of kids!

Tonight was once again. . . AMAZING - the kids all returned, and we moved into more songs and the Bible story of Jesus letting the children come to him.

We had coloring activities that tied in last night's story and they were amazing artists! We also introduced the Gospel tonight - just wonderful!

Pastor Anbuvanan's family continues to show us amazing hospitality - here they are making a food called "pooty". . . Honestly, a bit awkward to say. . . Like, "I really want more Pooty please" - yeah, that's just not right. . .

We are saying goodbye to Nate tonight - he is heading to the Holy Land. God is doing something amazing through him, and we prayed for him before he left.

We had a few cuts and wounds today, and so we brought out Jack Magruder's new "ambulance on a back", and put it to good use!

Ted