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!!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
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
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
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
Let the stories begin!
Today's midday update comes to you from Jay Taylor. We had a great morning working in the village. We started on India time, but got straight to work moving building supplies and unloading trucks. The villagers were in high spirits and the construction has progressed rapidly. Barbara and Penny learned how to carry bricks on their heads, while the rest of the team found creative ways to throw and catch the bricks.
A great addition to today's projects was the sharing of stories during break time. We heard of God's work in the lives of Isaac and Danny, and were encouraged by the miraculous works of God in their lives, both to save and transform .
It seems like an important time to highlight the helpers behind the scenes. Das, Isaac, and Danny are our three interpreters. Bruce (pictured) has also been an invaluable resource the whole time. His videos and photos inspire, and his interpreting has come to the rescue many times.
The last pictures are of the team during the break, before hearing the stories from Danny and Isaac, and the children we prayed over before leaving for lunch. The mother had tears in her eyes as we laid hands on her boys who were mute and lame and prayed for God's healing in their hearts and lives.
In an hour and a half we will be gathering all the children from the village for another night of Jesus and fun. Several of the kids from last night approached our team today and expressed how excited they were for another round!!
A great addition to today's projects was the sharing of stories during break time. We heard of God's work in the lives of Isaac and Danny, and were encouraged by the miraculous works of God in their lives, both to save and transform .
It seems like an important time to highlight the helpers behind the scenes. Das, Isaac, and Danny are our three interpreters. Bruce (pictured) has also been an invaluable resource the whole time. His videos and photos inspire, and his interpreting has come to the rescue many times.
The last pictures are of the team during the break, before hearing the stories from Danny and Isaac, and the children we prayed over before leaving for lunch. The mother had tears in her eyes as we laid hands on her boys who were mute and lame and prayed for God's healing in their hearts and lives.
In an hour and a half we will be gathering all the children from the village for another night of Jesus and fun. Several of the kids from last night approached our team today and expressed how excited they were for another round!!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Miraculous time of Kids ministry
Raj is feeling much better now. How can you tell you say? . . . He is back to his first love - bananas!!
Jay, Liz, and I added some final tweaks on the programming, and then we guessed at how many kids might show up tonight considering there were only about 35 at the Sunday service?? Liz guessed 30 (growing from there throughout the week), I guessed 43, and Jay guessed 120! Read below to see what happened-
We then started prepping the small group materials, and talking more about the plan of the afternoon. We started the programming "late" - whatever that means in India with already about 85 kids!!
Needless to say after some fun songs and Bible story teaching, we had over 120 for the evening!!! Jay gets a cookie!!
It was an amazing evening, and I can't wait to see what He does with this foundation in the coming days!
Jay, Liz, and I added some final tweaks on the programming, and then we guessed at how many kids might show up tonight considering there were only about 35 at the Sunday service?? Liz guessed 30 (growing from there throughout the week), I guessed 43, and Jay guessed 120! Read below to see what happened-
We then started prepping the small group materials, and talking more about the plan of the afternoon. We started the programming "late" - whatever that means in India with already about 85 kids!!
Needless to say after some fun songs and Bible story teaching, we had over 120 for the evening!!! Jay gets a cookie!!
It was an amazing evening, and I can't wait to see what He does with this foundation in the coming days!
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
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
Sunday, March 3, 2013
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
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
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