MISSION JOURNAL - FEBRUARY 2007
Wednesday February 7, 2007 - On the road again!
"Be in the lobby at 7:45." Those were the last words of the evening and bright and early we gathered downstairs to begin our trip to Amalapuram where we were scheduled for a 4 night crusade and a 3 day pastor's conference. Our journey took us on a flight to Rajahmundry, the sight of our first crusade in April of last year.
From there, we boarded a Manna Ministries bus and headed off on a 2 hour jaunt to our final destination; a city of over 100,000 people.
This trip is special. It is like there is an abiding peace on the hearts of the team members and everyone is just rolling with the punches and marching confidently to our goal. There seems to be no fear or anxiety in anyone and the power of the Lord is evident in the favor we are receiving at every turn. This kind of confidence building experience makes one ready to step off, head first into the unknown. It is a feeling like no other.
We are all staying at the home of Pastor Carl Komanapali, Bishop Ernest's brother. The home is in the Manna Ministries compound in Amalapuram, just minutes from the site of the crusade and pastors conference. It is also the location of a leper colony and a hospital. We will visit them later this week.
While I was outside I was accosted by 3 little boys playing cricket and they asked me to play. Now never having played cricket before, I thought I would give it a try... and I actually was able to hit the ball. I think it is arguably easier than baseball. I don't know, but we had fun!
We got our bags into our rooms and enjoyed a home cooked lunch by Pastor Carl's family and then most everyone kicked back for a few minutes to relax.
At 2:30 we got a gift. Bishop Earnest asked Dr. Pete to preach tonight as we began the crusade early with a night for the believers. What a great opportunity! A chance for more souls and another opportunity to witness the power of God. We got cleaned up and headed for the grounds at about 7:30.
After the usual music and pomp and circumstance, complete with flowered leis for the VIPs (including us), Bishop Ernest introduced Dr. Pete and he began to preach that "All things are possible with Jesus".
\
And when Bishop Ernest gave the alter call, even though the evening was intended to be kick off for the believers conference which would begin tomorrow simultaneously with the pastors conference, several thousand people came forward to accept Christ. As a Christian, I don't believe it is possible to watch people flocking to Jesus without being moved. Dr. Pete then prayed for those wanting healing in their life. Again thousands responded and when asked who had been healed by Jesus hands shot into the air all across the fair grounds.
What a wonderful, unexpected evening. Tomorrow at 9 am the pastors conference begins as well as the believers conference. Our clergy will be teaching at both events and our team will be praying and laying hands on those who would like prayer. Then tomorrow night we kick off the Redemption Festival. Please pray for the team and for all those God would draw nigh. There is celebration in the heavenlies tonight and it is going to do nothing but get better.