India Update 4

September 25, 2011(written on September 13th mainly)

Praise the Lord!

                He’s been faithful to keep me here in India! This last month has gone well. The Lord opened up an opportunity to attend what is called an India Network Meeting, which is to “pray-nstorm”(like brainstorming, but with God’s heart through prayer, instead of our own minds) on how to reach India better, with other people involved in outreach here directly or indirectly. He’s also had me hang out with some pastors from Sri Lanka, and see what their outreach looks like here in India. And, as I write, the Lord got me here safely to Bangalore to see a friend who just had part of his leg amputated.

                The India Network Meeting went well. The Lord had me come to Bangalore with Solomon, and we had a great time connecting with others involved in outreach here, even more so was the fellowship of people from around the globe and in India. The Lord spoke through the gentlemen who led devotions, and even our prayer time was such a blessing! We prayed together for India and the meetings, and FOR each other in smaller groups. It was such a blessing to receive prayer from my brothers here, and an honor to pray for them as well! God helped free me from some of the spiritual attacks that have been going on, and is continuing to do that! Praise the Lord! And I believe God gave the group a little direction in connecting with other parts of His body here in India as well!

India Networkers

                God allowed me to go and see the Sri Lankan outreach too, as my hopes had been shot down to go with them at first, God restored the opportunity. And He truly blessed me in getting to go on what my brother Harim dubbed “the official Indian harbor cruise” from Andhra Pradesh to a small island off the coast. There the Sri Lankan outreach has been able to establish a school, by the grace of God, and rent a house from the village leader, which they are praying will open up doors to share what has been considered the “unable to be shared” at this point. The Lord had us pray for a few churches in the area too, as they also reach out to Sri Lankan refugees.

Sagar, Sam, and I

                And as I write, God was faithful to take me to Bangalore and have the opportunity to see my friend, Atma Ram, who I’ve done outreaches with in the past. He had toes, and then the bottom part of his leg removed, but the doctors tried and couldn’t keep his pulse up because of his weakened heart. He ended up passing away on September 14, 2011. Although this has occurred, God’s timing for me to be here in India as a whole is perfect! To have been able to encourage a man of God in their time of need is such a great opportunity, and even more so as they are a friend and family member of the body of Christ! God has provided all, even for me to go back and “celebrate” God’s gift of Atma’s friendship(along with some mentorship) to me, with his son Jeshu and daughter Joy(Mark, Joy’s husband was there too). Praise God He provided for them to come from the states. It was great to share and hear what God did through Atma and Molly (Atma’s wife that passed a few years back) in peoples’ lives in their physical family, and spiritual family. The Lord truly blessed me with knowing them both, not to mention Jeshu, Mark, and Joy. They have each been such a blessing to me in ministry, and even more as friends.

picture of "Bishop" from 2007 outreach

                God has also opened the doors for me to attend a few Christian weddings here as well. This one, my first Indian Wedding, was spectator only. That was for a Sri Lankan couple, who plan to live in the U.K., as the husband is working there currently. Shanger and Sulax were married on September 7,2011. Then, on September 15, 2011, Nithya (one of the teachers at the school) had invited me to her wedding. Both were a blessing, as they were Christian Weddings. Afterward they had some good biryani(special rice dish with lots of spices and meat or vegetables, which is common for weddings and special get  togethers). Praise the Lord for the native cuisine and special occasions!

Shanger and Sulax

                Thank You for all of Your prayers and support. They definitely are helpful, and go along way. As You pray for the people here and myself, please pray for:

-          India to continue to be freed from bondage of idolatry, and be healed so they can see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ.

-          The Refugees from the Sri Lankan Civil War(which ended a few years ago) who are still here in Tamilnadu, to know Jesus intimately and for them to know His provision as a whole.

-          Jeshu and Teresa, Joy and Mark (I use Atma’s childrens’ names first), and all others who knew him, whether family or friends to receive comfort regarding his passing.

-          Shanger and Sulax (for the wife’s visa to get approved quickly so they can be together in the U.K.

-          Nithya and her husband to have all of their provisions for their house and life together.

-          Solomon and Clara(his wife), Irene and Graham(his children) to be refreshed in-between visitors, and intimacy to be continually renewed as a family.

-          Solomon and all his extended family as well for comfort, as Solomon’s brother Immanuel- a.k.a.:“Raja” just passed away.

-          Me – that God would continue to protect my mind from the temptations and deceit the enemy has been throwing at me since I’ve been here regarding God’s power and authority in my life.

                Thank You for your continued prayer support as well. I pray you are blessed, and would enjoy seeing some requests from you as well. Praise the Lord!

God bless ya!
        Justin

"Harbor Cruise" video

Greetings!
                This month, the Lord has done more work in my heart, than in the people here I think. Nevertheless, His grace has been sufficient. Besides, the prayers I asked for in the last update are being answered through the challenges. In fact, today I was encouraged by 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which state:

                “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

                This is the work God has been doing in my heart as I’ve been challenged, even in my faith in Him. He has been so faithful in keeping me in His steadfast love, and continually renewing my strength. He’s been so good to me. I’m thankful for His gift of life!

                His work in the people here has been low profile this last month, as both the pastor here and I were concerned over drawing too much attention to myself. However, significant victories have been won by our King! One of them was at the school, where a little girl used a razor from a pencil sharpener to cut a boy’s arm. Well, after school, the girl’s dad came, and got upset as he claimed that the marks on the girl’s neck were caused by the boy. He went home after being very apparently angry. The staff and teachers, along with myself, went into one of the rooms and sang some praises to our Lord Jesus! We had a word of prayer and then both parents came back to talk some more. Since I didn’t know the language, and couldn’t really understand what was being said, the Lord led me to pray while outside with them. As I did, I could see the atmosphere go from elevated down to a peaceful conversation. And the truth came out in the end with a victory in Christ’s wonderful name!

                Among Christ’s victories at the school have been some headaches taken away, fevers, and teachers (along with staff) asking me openly to pray for them. God’s good! Although it is a Christian-based school, there are some non-believers that attend. So it’s been a great opportunity as well to teach them some songs for their morning set of worship and prayer before school begins.

                The Lord had me teach some slang to people at the church, which has helped in communication a little, and made me feel at home! Now I can say, “What’s up bro?” to the youth, and get a reply from them. And I heard the pastor even say one of the phrases at the pulpit, which I don’t believe was planned! Talk about fun! To my list of favorites to teach them were, “Let’s grub down!”, “My bad…”, and my top favorite, “Shady gangster!”. Praise God that he has a sense of humor, as my favorite to hear them say was “Shady gangster!”.

                The Lord was gracious enough as well to get me a few days of rest in Bangalore with the people I spent my first week with in India this time around. It was a blessing to get to visit them, and to see many pastors from the 4 square Indian church. We even had a few special guests including the 4 square president Glenn Burris, and FMI director Jim Scott. It was a blessing to see those two gentlemen as well, and laugh with them a bit (including Jim’s messing with me about being an “intern”, which was mainly jokes about slave labor). But this time was refreshing, not only spiritually, as we got fed the word, but also physically, as the weather was significantly cooler (like going from Blythe to San Diego). Plus, I got to get some real coffee! (For those of you that don’t know what it’s like being out of the country this long, some of your favorite items become a real special treat!)

                Along with some fun and stories in this letter, I still need your prayers, as that is the way God breaks down strongholds of the enemy in others’ lives, and makes things happen. So please pray:

-          For Solomon and family, that God would continue to pour out His Spirit upon them, and cause all of the family to flow in their gifting, and protection from the enemy’s attacks.

-          For the finances and construction of the east wing (future orphanage site) to be completed before I go.

-          For me, that God would continue to protect me and fill me up daily through His Word, with the Holy Spirit, and answer prayers.

                        -     For the kids at the orphanage and school to be touched by Jesus’ love daily, and
                            for Jesus’ protection to be on them at home and everywhere they go.



                             Above is my first attempt at a video/slideshow update. If you have any suggestions on how to improve that or this update, please let me know! Thanks and God bless!