::games for days::

Another great day at the mobile school!

::Unchartered Territory::

The past three days Craig and I joined a mission group from Texas to do ministry in the unreached territories of the Sunderbands. This territory is famous for its mangrove forests that reach across hundreds of miles on the border of India and Bangladesh. It is also the home of the Bengali Tiger which is an endangered species that is only found in this particular area of South East Asia. As we began our journey we met up with a few National partners who have a burden for the Unreached peoples in the Sunderbands. To our great pleasure we have heard from the nationals that several churches have been planted in these Islands over the past few years of their ministry. The Kingdom of GOD is growing in the midst of the darkness! Through the guidance of our National Partners we handed out hundreds of gospel tracks in the market places of several different Islands and were even privileged to show the Jesus film in a school building. We pray that each of these tracks that were handed out will have found themselves in the hands of soon to be believers. There are many barriers to belief in Jesus as the only way in this culture. Superstition, tradition and fear of society drive many people away from the good news of Jesus Christ. Please pray with us for the gospel to penetrate the darkness that has blinded the hearts of many. Many of the things I have seen over the past two months have been deeply saddening and eye opening. Some of the situations that people are in seem so hopeless. Indentured servants, trafficking victims, ruined crops on isolated islands, and the constant fear of Tiger and alligator attacks. BUT there is hope. These people still have HOPE. JESUS is their hope. The world is a place of struggle for many here, but the gospel brings good tidings. That these people who feel forgotten, who are trampled upon by society and are enslaved to so much sin and darkness are deeply loved by their Creator and have a way out of a life of sin and a way into a righteous and hope filled life in Jesus. It is the greatest news in the world! please fight for these souls in prayer and pray that we will be faithful to pray as well. It is surprising how easily one can lose focus of the goal when in the midst of such a vital mission. My heart is shaken by the things I have seen...I have confirmed in my heart all the more that the world needs to know Jesus and His Salvation. Press on brothers and sisters. 

::Back to the Future::

The past two weeks have been filled with much refreshment, Joy, Challenge and reinvigoration. Two weeks ago, Craig and I flew into Thailand to do VBS for a group of 10-12year old missionary kids during a Regional Mission Conference. It was such an incredible opportunity for us to invest in these kids who are going through the struggles of growing up on the mission field. As each day sped by, we found ourselves getting very attached to these children who are so special and dearly loved by GOD. We came to hear each of their testimonies and of their struggles and desires in life. As I remembered back when I was their age, I found myself very encouraged by where many of them were in their walks with the Lord. It took myself a long time to finally 'get it' as far as the gospel goes, but some of these kids have definitely 'got it' and that was such an encouragement to see.  Some are struggling fiercely and others are flourishing in the faith, but whichever the case was, we saw the Lord meet each of them where they are at and do a work in their hearts. Many of these children do not have the luxury of having friends their age who can speak a common language. This is very tough on a child at such a pivotal age so for many of these kids, this conference was a rare opportunity to hangout with kids their own age who are in similar life circumstances with parents in full time ministry. We definitely saw some good fruit in these kids lives throughout the week we spent with them and we ask that you pray for missionary kids such as these who face many challenges living cross-culturaly. That being said, I believe that it is a high privilege and extreme blessing to have the opportunities that they do to live in a foreign land and see GOD at His mighty work.
After many sad goodbye's with our new friends we headed up North to Chiangmai Thailand where we spent 5 days catching up with old friends from our High School days in Thailand. I cannot express to you all how encouraging it was to see our dear friends and teachers (also our friends) and hear how they are doing and what GOD is teaching them. It was refreshing for me personally as well to return to the city where my transformed life in Christ began. He is so good. We enjoyed much good fellowship during these days. We were blessed with an opportunity during this time to visit a juvenile prison for girls and do a program for them where we shared testimonies, sang songs, played games and taught guitar. There is a flourishing ministry among these girls run by some local missionaries here in Chiangmai. It was so good to see how GOD is at work among these hurting people! We also spent a morning singing songs and sharing our testimonies at a local bilingual school. We were informed that many of the students there are not believers so we pray that fruit will come from the time we spent with them.
I sit here once again in Kolkata India facing two more weeks of ministry here in South East Asia. Please pray for strength to persevere in sharing the gospel and wisdom on how to do so effectively. There is hope my friends! GOD is alive and at work among these peoples. Tomorrow we head out to a village for three days so please pray for protection there and for boldness to proclaim truth with love!
Grace and Peace

::Friends::

update 3 | kids&curry

::GOD is FAITHFUL::

Meet my friend Peter. A teacher, Pastor, father, Evangelist and persecuted believer. Craig and I had the privilege of meeting Peter at the Slum schools we have visited and taught lessons at. During our last visit I asked him to share His testimony and for the next 45 minutes or so, he shared with us his journey of coming to faith and of the many struggles he has had along the way. In Christian circles we always say, "GOD is Faithful" with belief and conviction. But that phrase has so much power when it is seen through someone's testimony or through personal experience. I myself have seen GOD's faithfulness in my own life over and over and over again. I find it hard to believe (knowing my own heart) that GOD would love me. It is honestly, really shocking to think that the Creator of the Universe would love me so much that He did not even spare His own son to be a ransom for me so that I could have a renewed relationship with Him. It is amazing and it is the greatest gift that I have ever received. GOD's love is not like our love here on earth. It reaches as high as the heavens and as deep as the depths of the sea. As it says in Ephesians, may we 'have the power to understand, as all GOD's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.' Our friend Peter came from a Hindu background, worshiping idols and frequenting temples to somehow appease the gods. One day during a christmas festival he received a track which was to be the start of his journey with Jesus and which later led to his conversion. Once he finally understood the good news and accepted it he received much taunting and persecution from his family. He slept on the streets having been kicked out of his home for his faith. Yet, in the midst of such pain and suffering GOD always provided for his needs. He was able to receive a bible education, his formerly baron wife was blessed with a child and he is now the pastor of a church. As we were chatting during a break in the mobile school he shared with us a piece of bread that they distributed to the children. He said, 'Please pray that we can feed all the children some day'. They have their own bakery which they use to supply the mobile schools in Kolkata with bread...wow. It brings tears to my eyes to see a generation of kids who are still treated by society as undeserving outcasts. They have such beautiful smiles and they are very much loved by GOD yet those like peter who are actually doing something about this are very few. But in the midst of the darkness GOD is powerfully at work. Praise His Name. There are many who are deciding to follow Jesus like Peter. These schools are being used to teach these children who live in a country where 33 million 'gods' are worshiped that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father and that it is in Him alone that true peace, hope and love can be found. There is hope in the midst of the darkness. I ask you to pray for Peter. Pray for him to be bold to preach the gospel in a place where it is offensive. Pray for these kids to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and for this mobile school ministry to be provided with all that it needs to impact the Kingdom of GOD in the greatest way.
Pray for Craig and I as well. I wish I could express to you the extent of GOD's faithfulness in our lives and in the world around us. We are un-deserving. In fact, over the course of the last few months I have seen over and over again how desperately I need Jesus in my life. Anyone who knows me knows that I slip up. But GOD is so good to us. He forgives us and helps us to keep moving forward. Pray for Endurance.
Currently we are in Thailand helping to lead a group of 10~12 year olds for a Mission Conference. Pray for these children's lives to be impacted in a positive and GOD exalting way.
May the Love and truth of Jesus guide us all into maturity in the faith and into the truest and most sincer e love.

::Jesus Loves the Little Children::

Today has been one of my favorite days here in India thus far. Craig and I were privileged to go hangout and teach some kids at a mobile school for slum kids. The kids were adorable and I kept thinking about how Jesus taught people to love children. He said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me" Those are some incredible words from Jesus. He says in Matthew that the Kingdom of GOD belongs to such as these (referencing the children crowded around Him). For these kids this mobile school is the only education they are able to receive (and it is extremely basic). The children there could not even write their own names in their native language. After teaching at the school we were invited to visit some of the children's homes and we were blessed to share the good news of Jesus through a translator there. We met one 14year old girl who had to drop out of school to watch the kids while her parents went to worked. The situations that we encounter here are very saddening. May we not take for granted the blessings we have received in our lives. Our education, our shelters, our families and daily provisions of food. Pray that these people find Jesus and find hope in Him. Unfortunately in this society they are considered out-casts. But in GOD's eyes they are precious and of great worth. Pray for the gospel to change India from the ground up so that people like this girl will have opportunities in life and more importantly that all people in this nation might hear the Gospel, turn to Jesus and be saved! And may we remember the words of Jesus, "From Everyone who has been given much, much will be required." (Luke 12:48)

Grace and Peace

::Jesus the Hope for the Hopeless::

The greatest tragedy that could ever befall someone is to die without having known Jesus. As Craig and I roam the streets of Calcutta the reality is that most of the people we walk or drive by do not have a relationship with the One who loved them so much that He gave His only Son to die for them so that they might have eternal life...Some may have heard the name Jesus, but many have not entered into a relationship with Him. People are very open to talk about GOD here. In-fact you can hardly go anywhere without seeing some sort of shrine or tapestry representing a Hindu deity of some-sort. There are Mosques, Synagogues, Temples and Churches scattered throughout the city. There is a Spiritual thirst here among all age groups but with it much blindness.
This past week Craig and I have been engaging in many spiritual conversations with college students and young business men at a certain area in the city. Praise be to GOD we have had many opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with many of these who are often either Hindu's or Muslim. At times it is intimidating to preach the good news of Jesus but I am reminded of the nature of the news we carry. STOP STRIVING! STOP WORSHIPING IDOLS! GOD HAS MADE A WAY FOR US! The simple and yet incredible news of the gospel astounds me. That we, hopeless sinners are invited to not only receive eternal life but invited to enter into a relationship with the creator of the Universe who loves us more than any human being could ever possibly love us...WOW. The good news not only effects our life beyond the grave but our daily lives here on earth. We are empowered through Jesus to live the best and most fulfilling lives today! We pray that the seeds we have sown will not return void. Everyone is desperately trying to satisfy their souls in some way or another but only Jesus will give them the fulfillment that they seek.  Pray that they would turn to Jesus and be set free from the snares of sin and death. That is probably the most saddening thing for me here. That people go on with their lives trying and trying to find fulfillment when if they would only turn to Jesus, they would find the truth and it would set them free.
Christ not only offers us Salvation for the life to come but He also offers us a better way to live in this life. In Christ we are made truly alive in this world. In Christ is the truest love the world has ever known and He continues to change lives all around the world. Pray with Craig and I for India and for the many pilgrims who pass by here searching for truth. Pray that they may find Jesus.
This week we will be teaching bible-stories and little English lessons at a slum school and then next week we are off to Thailand. Pray for Perseverance, love and sensitive hearts to the Holy Spirit and that we may be bold to share the gospel as we should be!
Grace and Peace