Photos from the Week #4

Praising the Lord for the week that He has given. I've managed to recover from last weeks trip to Tamil Nadu and now back into the full schedule of everyday life in India. We started the Sunday youth meetings two weeks back and they seem to be a success so far. There are a large number of keen youth ready to learn from God's Word which is a real blessing. So far we've looked at the importance of knowing the truth of God's Word from Ephesians 4:11-16, being a disciple of Christ, and how to share our personal Christian testimony. Our time together is split into a portion of teaching, discussion questions, and small group studies, with a video or game to end with. I would ask for prayer that our time together may be greatly profitable in God's Word and a real strengthening of the faith of these young people.

A packed class for the Sunday Youth Meeting in Hunsur

The Trials and Joys of Tamil Nadu

Last week it was decided that we would go to Tamil Nadu for four days. The aim of the visit would be to see the work the Lord is doing, to encourage the believers there, and strengthen their faith through the teaching of His Word. Raju has been actively involved in setting up assemblies in that area since the 2004 tsunami hit and has made the trip over there many times.

I wasn't too sure what I was getting into but it was very different to what I expected. There were times of great difficulty and frustration but then there were also times of great joy and encouragement. Below is a brief overview of the trip.

We left first thing Monday morning and made the long journey down the Western Ghates, dropping more than 2,000 metres into Tamil Nadu.

Driving down the Western Ghats to the vast plains of Tamil Nadu

Photos from the Week #3

It's a real joy to be able to serve the Lord in India and I much prefer it over working back in New Zealand. Even though at times it is very challenging and difficult, it still proves to be far more rewarding. By God's grace I am remaining in good health and am continuing to serve Him through teaching His word and showing forth His character.

On Sunday morning after the breaking of bread we looked at the faithful unnamed servant of Abraham in Genesis 24 and how we can learn from his example to serve the Lord more faithfully. For he was one who took up the task of travelling a long distance to find a wife for Isaac. He didn't complain but was focused on the job at hand.

The girls at the children's home excited with their new posters

Photos from the Week #2

It has been a busy week that has flown by so quickly. The bible studies each evening continue to be successful and we are now looking at the life of Jacob. It's a great help having a projector as I use it to supplement the bible study with pictures, maps, videos, memory verses, language translations, key notes, and songs. It engages all of the children well and helps them to remember the study.

We are aiming to start a weekly youth meeting this coming Sunday. It's focus is to meet the spiritual needs of the young people in the assembly by building up their faith and understanding key bible doctrine. But it is challenging to know what actually are their spiritual needs and what their level of understanding about God's word is however I have confidence that the Lord will make our time together profitable.

The boys at the children's Home on a Sunday afternoon

Photos from the Week

Another week has gone by and life in India still shows new experiences each day. The temperature has dropped to around 23 degrees and most days it rains off and on. The sky seems to always have grey overcast look to it. Several of the children have come down with some type of stomach bug causing loose motion and sorts. We're not sure how they got it but we think it just might be an issue with not cleaning their plates properly. I'm still trying to fight off this cold that I've had from two weeks back, plus the odd stomach bug, but otherwise I'm doing relatively well.

Stopping by a field of Marigold flowers on the way home from school

A Heavy Heart for the Lord's work

It sure is a blessing to be able to serve the Lord in a foreign land. I am constantly thanking the Lord for this wonderful opportunity. Each day has it's challenges which is to be expected but to be able to share Christ through the way I live and teach of Him to such a precious group of children makes it worth all the effort.

Waiting for the school bus at the children's home

The Lord at Work

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done; and Your thoughts towards us; There is none to compare with You... Let those who love Your salvation say continually, "The Lord be magnified!". - Psalms 40:5, 16

I am very thankful to the Lord that I have made it safely to India. It was a very long and challenging journey but after 20+ hours of travel by plane and bus I have finally arrived at the children's home in Hunsur on Friday evening 15th.

Stepping off the plane for the third time in India is still a huge culture shock. The smell, the dust, the noise, the vast number of people everywhere, and the primitive look of everything, almost makes me think I am in another world entirely.

Being welcomed by everyone at the children's home

An Open Door

Praise be to the Lord for opening up another opportunity to visit India and further His work there.

The purpose of this blog is to record my experiences while in India, report on the work the Lord is doing there and to encourage others in their walk with Him.