MISSION JOURNAL - NOVEMBER 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007 - As is usually the case, the last night of our crusade falls on a Sunday. And since the pastors need to be ministering in their churches, there is obviously no pastors conference. But our pastors, Jeff, Dave and Tony were asked to preach in 3 different churches in the area. This is an honor to be invited into the pulpit of another pastor, especially since that means that an interpreter must also be provided. All went well, except in Tony's case. He was ministering to a small congregation and had stepped off the platform to move down into the congregation. When he spoke in english and did not hear the interpreter respond, he looked back and saw the interpreter's eyes rolled back in his head as he toppled, head first from the stage. Quickly people gathered around him, checking his pulse and praying over him. In a few minutes he came to with a start and the words "I'm OK, I'm OK, let's finish the meeting." And he did. We aren't really sure what happened but he seems to be ok now. |
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| Obviously our ministry opportunities are why we come to India, but you can't have a heart for the people unless He breaks your heart for the people, and He can't do that unless he submerges you in the environment. What we have learned about Warangal is that in contrast to the thousands upon thousands of beautiful people loving and caring people we have encountered, this is a city well known for breeding terrorists. And yet in recent years more than 100 of those would be assasins have been saved in Manna Churches alone and are now serving our God. When you look around at the people, it is hard to believe that so much evil is lurking in the shadows. The people we have encountered have been nothing but welcoming. We are so blessed to have gifted Photographer Stevi Rouse with us this trip. Her tireless energy, masterful eye, and open heart have allowed God to use her to capture many of the images you see here on this journal. Below is a picture montage of a few of her shots of the places, spaces and faces of Warangal. | |
For more of her shots from this trip, go to SteviRouse.com |
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| After lunch, CarolMarie and her precious team of "widow loving warriors", Darlene, Kathryn, and Peggy met the the 50 widows who had spent that last 20+ days at the church, 24/7, praying for this crusade and the harvest it would bring. The Lord had given CarolMarie the scripture from Isa. 61 1-3 which instructed the widows that "It was time to let go of the grave clothes and put on the garment of praise." The celebration began as each widow was handed a jingle bell with the reminder that one voice can make a sound of joy like a bell, but many "bells" together would make a greater song of praise. They began to praise God with their voices and bells as they released the pain of the past and moved into the Joy of the Lord. Bubbles were blown over their heads representing their praise rising up to the Father. Then one by one their names were called out and they came forward and were given a new sari as a gift. One little lady came forward to get hers and CarolMarie began praying for a very obvious cataract in her left eye. As she prayed, they could see it diminishing until all that was left was a small dot in the lower side of the eye! Praise God for Healing! | |
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Now, on every other crusade we have done, Saturday night was the biggest night in attendance, but with the Holiday, we didn't know what to expect. Imagine our excitement as we pulled onto the grounds and the crowds were already surpassing Saturday. Normally the vehicles we travel in pull right up to the stage, but tonight we were met at the back of the field by a ceremonial drum corps. We got out of the bus and were escorted through the crowd by the drummers as those gathered cheered and waved their hands. This was quite significant since this group is only brought to events to highly honor the participants AND it was provided the local Government! How crazy is it that a government who was against our being here now welcomes us with ceremony? Talk about the favor of God! They probably realized when they saw the overwhelming response of the people that they had better get on board and make a supportive gesture.
Once again the evenings festivities began with great music, and when it came time for Dr. Pete to begin preaching, Miracle Net Television had estimated that the crowds had risen to between 130,000 and 150,000 people! Praise God! Evidently the word had gotten around that "Jesus was in the house." Pete continued to preach Jesus to the people and once again the response was overwhelming. When he asked who wanted this Jesus to save their souls so they could be certain of eternity in heaven, the number of hands in the air obscured the faces of nearly everyone in the crowd... Again, FAR to many to count and with not nearly enough commitment cards available.
The same held true for healings. People had heard of the wonders from the night before. Some even brought cell phones in hopes of broadcasting God's healing power back home to their sick or infirmed loved ones. It is absolutely amazing how God's love and power can draw people away from a life steeped in such an ancient and well established religion. Again those who claimed to have been healed by God were to numerous to count... but He knows and that is all that matters. One great note of interest, we ran across the now un-posessed woman that God healed last night. She was in the crowd praising God, fully delivered from the hell she had been living in for the past 3 months! Hallelujah!
Tonight we head back to Hyderabad and then Monday fly to Sempete to begin a regional tour of the Children's homes we support. Suffice it to say that our visit to Warangal changed lives, both for the residents and the team as well. Some of our team will be leaving tomorrow to head back home. We will miss Teresa, Peggy and Kathryn and wish them God Speed. Three new folks will come in to take their place. We will introduce you to them later. Keep praying, it works! Internet is still rather sketchy but we will update again as soon as possible. |
