Building houses

We got down to some serious work this morning after breakfast and our devotions.

We are in the process of building three houses right now - all at different stages. Doing GCC proud, we formed many supply lines for bricks, sand, and concrete!!

We also were digging out holes four feet deep for the footers for the houses - that's some pretty hard work. John (Dawn's husband), you would have been very proud of your wife - she made me take this picture for her proof!

Frank is now a proud owner of a mumti!!

It was hot. . . It was hard. . . We stink. . . BADLY. . .God got Glory. . . Let's do it again.

After lunch and a bit of a break, we are going to have our first Kids ministry programming - we are excited. Stay tuned!

Ted

To the worksite

This afternoon we ventured to our first worksite, and started to demolition a thatched house that was falling apart. This will be one of our homes that we will eventually build this week.

The sun was still warm and we enjoyed the hard work. The villagers came out in force to help - especially the kids!

Frank became reacquainted with a long lost friend. . . The "mumpti", which is the primary digging tool used here in India. As you can imagine. . . It feels great on the lower back!!

We took the house all the way down to the ground, and so we can start building a sturdy home!

Tonight we had a wonderful dinner again, and shared a GREAT devotion time and debrief of the day. I truly love how our team is becoming quite the family! We finished up with training for our first official "kids ministry" program tomorrow afternoon - SpringHill style!! Thanks to Jay and Liz, we are all prepped and ready - it should be great!!!

Come LORD Jesus come, and may your children lead them!

Good night and . . . Stay pure for Sure (you'll have to ask a team member what that means when you see them again!)

Ted

Dodie down!

This morning we were able to go to village of kottiambakkum for the first time to participate in a Sunday service of one of Pastor Anbuvanan's congregations. Being the first GCC team in this village, we were unsure how well we would be received; however, within minutes of arriving, several of the veterans felt like we were welcomed in with open arms similar to present day Kalavai. Perhaps a bit more formal than Kalavai, but very similar!

It is clear the impact that the local church of 6 years has made in laying the foundation for community transformation.

Service had an interesting beginning - as I started to preach, my Dodie (i.e., the traditional dress of men here - looks like a "man skirt") fell to the ground. . . Yep. . . That really happened! Luckily, I had decided to wear shorts underneath it this morning, so that was relieving (to say the least!). After Raj helped me get dressed in front of the church and everyone was done wiping tears from their eyes (especially Frank!) from laughing so hard - we started once again!

Within minutes the power went out as well - the two events were unrelated :-)!

After the service, we toured the village and saw some of the homes that we will be finishing to build. The kids were hanging on us (always wanting to hold our hands), and we were quite the mob walking down the street! We also found some puppies, and Dawn couldn't resist!

We will soon be heading back over after lunch to start construction work. It was a great morning!!

Took rickshaws on the way back - always a fun ride

Ted - now with pants on!

Setting up camp - excited!!

We had an amazing afternoon and evening!! We made a mini-pilgrimage to mount St. Thomas (where the apostle Thomas was murdered) and saw the painting that St. Luke had painted for him as well as the stone on which Thomas fell when he was killed. We saw and stood on the same rock that Thomas himself preached from frequently - amazing. Finally, we also visited St. Thomas Cathedral, where the remains of St. Thomas are buried - great moments to be so close to one who walked with Jesus himself!

Andrew also enjoyed a quick swing on a Banyan tree!


After a quick stop at KFC (last Western food for awhile), we headed to pastor Anbuvanan's house. We proceeded to setup our beautiful mosquito nets as they made our beds up with grass mats. Here is a picture of the Ladies quarters.

I snapped this quick photo of Pastor's youngest daughter as she curiously watches us, but too shy to come forward - I love kids!!

We had a great debrief time sharing about how we experienced God today. Of course, what happened next took the cake for all of us I think . . . Raj asked me to preach tomorrow at the church building, and for us all to sing a song. So. . . Jay breaks out the guitar and we ended up singing praise and worship music for nearly two hours - AMAZING!!!! God be glorified!!

Now we are all PUMPED UP . . And. . . trying to go to bed!

Have a wonderful day/night . . . The mosquito count on the top of my net right now . . . 1,324. . . 1,325. . .

Ted

Setting the stage

After a bit of rest this morning, we are up and eating breakfast at the hotel - on a beautiful rooftop setting. Everyone is taking advantage of the last beds and showers for awhile!!! Here we are having some group devotion time after breakfast this morning.

There is a great mood of anticipation this morning as we are studying scripture surrounding The apostle Thomas. It is good and right to recognize and be inspired by those that have gone before us - called by the same God that calls each of us daily!

You may notice in the picture a young man in the back that is new to the team. His name is Nate, and he is joining us for a few days as he travels the world seeing Kingdom work. His home church body is in Virginia and they hold a great relationship with Granger Community.

Interestingly, I just heard already the 4th Hindu call for prayer over the loud speakers in the city this morning. . . And it is only 10:30am. I hope that each of us following Jesus have such commitment to communicate with our King if kings.

God bless you in whatever and wherever God calls you to today - thanks for the prayers!

Ted

We are HERE!!

We have arrived in India!!! The team is doing great and we are getting a couple hours of sleep (it's almost 3am here) before an exciting day tomorrow. Bruce (Raj's son) greeted us at the airport and showed to our hotel. Raj is sick so please pray for him.

For those that have been here before, tomorrow will entail St. Thomas Mount and pizza at Spencer Plaza - classic!!!

We will then head to Vellavedu to settle into our mosquito nets and concrete floor before nightfall.

Thanks for your continued prayer support - we feel it!!

Ted

Halfway!!!

I know that most of you are sleeping right now as I write this from the Frankfurt airport, but good morning/night to all of you (our bodies have no idea what time it is!!). The flight to Germany was smooth, and we are about to board our second flight. Everyone is doing well!!!