Our Journey to India (Better Late Than Never)

After many failed attempts of taking self-pictures in the airport, I'll spare you of those pictures. However, I thought I would put up some pictures of our journey from North Carolina to India.

First stop: New York, NY

Michael and I had a 9 hour layover in New York so we decided to venture into the city. We at least wanted to get a good piece of pizza out of it, which we did. I can't say that I loved it since our affinity lies with Chicago and its pizza (the place where we had our first home together), but it was exciting to walk around in the city! We went to Rockefeller Center and actually went to the Top of the Rock, as they call it. The views were beautiful. Michael spotted the Statue of Liberty, which I must say was very disappointing at that height because it looked so small. But we did get to see an incredible view of the Empire State Building and Central Park. As I blogged from the Dubai airport, there we so many different people there from so many different places. I can't begin to explain how many languages we heard even solely on Top of the Rock. It was astonishing. 

While we were waiting to go up, we visited a courtyard that had flags from all over the world. As we walked up and stood against the railing, Michael immediately noticed that India's flag was right in front of us. That was pretty neat to see and know that we would be there in a day or so. 

Second stop: Dubai, UAE

Traveling across the globe for us was really a good experience; however, waiting in the airports was not so much fun. Between trying to adjust to different time zones and having flights in the middle of the night, we took naps whenever we could. I'm usually the napper, but Michael has taken that title from me on this trip. Poor thing was trying to read for his class he is teaching, but could not make it through. After watching him fight it for about 20 minutes, I looked over to find this and couldn't help but take a photo.

Among our adventures in the Dubai airport, we decided we need to eat a meal before we boarded our final flight to Trivandrum, India. After roaming and surveying a wide range of options, we decided upon Burger King. The BK had a menu with the standard fare, but it also had choices tailored to the region. After studying the menu board and calculating the currency conversion, we determined that, of all things, the special "Ramadan box" would be our best deal. In the spirit of providing lots of food to a person breaking their Ramadan fast at the end of the day, the box was loaded with a meal we could easily split. I snagged a picture of Michael with the Ramadan box to commemorate the occasion. 

Part of our adventure included many fruitless attempts to the (purportedly) free Dubai airport Wi-fi. After finally giving up, we discovered that with a purchase at a coffee shop/food stand we could gain access to their Wi-fi. So after polishing off the Ramadan box, we settled upon a Nestle Toll House stand, where we purchased a cookie and a Coke Zero (for Michael). After firing off a few short missives to family on our newly-acquired Wi-fi signal, we boarded our final (4 hour) flight into Trivandrum. 

Worship in Another Language

This morning we worshipped with Bhart Bible Church in Kunnathukal. We were greeted with smiles by the pastor and congregation as we arrived. We were then encouraged us to take off our shoes as we entered. Yes, we worshipped barefoot. :-) Everyone was so friendly. There were lots of teens and children there and they were so friendly. I cannot speak to most of them and only one spoke to us in English, but for the rest of them I could receive their names and smile and that was mutual.

I cannot tell you the words to all the songs that we sang, which were many nor could I tell you the prayers of praise and adoration to our God by members in the congregation, but I can express that they were worshipping our risen Savior Jesus Christ.

Services there are so God-centered. We entered as they were praying. They would sing a few songs (I say they, because all we could do was clap) and then they would pray again. This cycle was repeated quite a few times. They are so dependent on the Father for everything - throughout the entire service. The songs were about Him. The prayers for to Him not out of their wants or needs, but in praise to Him for His mercy and grace (as we were told by our translators), and the message was about Him. I am thankful for that. Our churches in America seem so far from this sometimes, but that's a different blog post for a different time.

Michael preached from 1 Corinthians 15:1-5. God was gracious and kind in enabling him to speak the Gospel clearly. Other than the congregation singing "Because He Lives" in English, this was the only other time I could understand. Augustin translated for Michael and translated so beautifully with great passion and urgency of the Gospel being proclaimed! It was an amazing thing to hear Michael proclaim the truth of the Gospel and then to hear Augustin repeat the proclamation in a different tongue. It was a very poignant time that I have not experience anything like before.

We then entered into another time of prayer and then observed the Lord's supper. As Michael wrote to our pastor a little ago, it was a great reminder of what God has done through Christ's blood. He has united all in his blood. By us joining together around this ordinance this morning, that became something we could physically see. What we have already felt in the bond that we have with our brothers and sisters in Christ here in India, we were able to see in this ordinance. This was such as sweet time of fellowship and worship with them.

Abraham's son, Finny also shared from Scripture. I'm sure it was good; however, we could not understand anything! :-)

After service was over, I was suddenly surrounded by all the girls from the children's home and two super cute little boys who are also staying there. They all wanted to shake our hands. Each one introduced themselves to us. I communicated to them how beautiful they were and how much I loved their clothing - clothing here is always colorful and just beautiful! They were so kind to us. They asked us if we would please pray for them. I'm not sure why they wanted us to pray. It was actually quite humbling that they would ask us this. Michael prayed over them - for safety, for God to bring them up in His truth and grow them spiritually, for godly men who would become their husbands, for good education, and most importantly that they would worship God all the days of their lives. It brought tears to my eyes as Michael was praying to unite with them in spirit.

Look at this cute little face!

We had to leave quickly after they gave us Pepsi and bananas because of things going on later today, but we later found out that the pastor wanted me to teach the girls some songs. We are supposed to go back to this area tomorrow for a pastor's meeting so I'm hoping for more opportunities to share with them.

We are so thankful for this time and what the Lord is doing in us and in his Church. Stodrum! (I think)

Schedule/Prayer Request

We are so tired! We have not been awake past 10 any day - most days before that and we are up around 6. So we have to be up and ready in the morning to travel about 1 1/2 to the church where Michael will preach. For those of you who are reading today, (your Saturday), please pray for Michael as you head to bed tonight or as you sit down to watch t.v. because he'll probably be preaching around that time. We have a much busier schedule now that we have had a couple days to get over the jet lag. Monday Michael will talk to pastors in the afternoon. Tuesday and Thursday we will go to different children's homes. We have busy days ahead, but we are looking forward to spending the next week with the students, pastors, children, and others we will meet! Pray also that God would continue to work in our hearts and do what he wants in us just as he is working in the lives of those we encounter. 

Jesus plus nothing really does equal everything

Today we went to the point of three seas - the Indian Ocean, the Sea of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. We went out on a ferry to this place where you can see all three waters come together. We also went to where Ghandi's ashes were and Ghandi stood at some point. We also saw some shrines/temples and just saw a lot of the country. So we traveled from Trivandrum to the very south tip of India. I don't think neither Michael or I thought we would be gone all day, but we were. We left our hotel at 9 and just got back a little bit ago. So we've had a full day. We were super blessed to have our driver chauffeuring us around and we are extremely thankful for Augustin who was our personal tour guide and the one we could ask all our ignorant American questions to. Nevertheless he was always eager and kind to answer with a smile.  

We could say two things about our day - one positive and one negative. It was very sad to see all the lostness - based on Hindu practices they obviously know there is something higher than them and they given the sacrifices and offerings they provide, they must believe that they are not good enough on their own account to come before that higher power. Problem - they believe in many many (Augustine told us today it was like 133,000,000 gods/goddesses). So that part is very sad and burdensome. But, hearing what God is doing and how the gospel is spreading is crazy! In our car rides today, we would ask Augustin questions or he would either volunteer information about religions, culture, or how the gospel is spreading in India. Many times as he was speaking tears filled my eyes because everything he shared was a testament to God's goodness and faithfulness to carry out his gospel. He is taking care of the believers in India. He is providing for their needs and blessing their ministries - as they would say - not because of anything they have done but because of God's grace. They know that the only way they can accomplish the will of the Father is to pray. Michael and I are humbled to hear the professors and students tell us their testimonies and desires to use their lives to further the Gospel. And they make it clear that every single aspect both in their pasts and their futures is all dependent and has been a result of God's grace. 

I am so thankful for this opportunity. We still have a full week, but I'm already trying to figure out how we can come back, what we can do to support the work of the Lord here in India, and how in the world I'm going to go back to my normal life in America. By God's grace, I will not go back to my normal life in America and fall back into complacency and a life of comfort. I want these two weeks of seeing the students' passion for the gospel and their desire to see the great commission fulfilled at all costs to change the way I live from this point further. I pray that our church can see truly from the testimonies that we bring back and see that the Gospel really is worth it all. Jesus plus nothing really does equal everything! - jana

Greetings from Trivandrum, India.

Greetings from Trivandrum, India. The Lord has been so kind and we are honored to be serving here. We have been so encouraged by the believers here, and I’ll try to pass along that encouragement to you.

I have the privilege of teaching Biblical Interpretation to seventeen eager students, from basically 9 AM to 4 PM, with breaks for chapel and lunch. I have been pleasantly surprised with their grasp of English—it is very good!—and if not for this Southerner’s accent the communication would be pretty smooth. The college is clearly preparing them well, and their knowledge of Scripture and Christian doctrine is very sound, which makes teaching both easy and joyful. Above all, their pure faith and sincere love for Christ have been refreshing; I am so grateful for the transforming, trans-ethnic gospel of Jesus Christ! Can you imagine a group of students who, with all genuineness, asks to take time to sing praises to the Lord in the middle of class? This is the group I am honored to teach. (Or should I say, be taught by?)

Yesterday afternoon I asked if they could each share a word about how they came to faith in Christ. I wish you could have been there to hear them share, because it was a soul-stirring time. Many come from regions of India, or other countries, where it is dangerous to profess faith in Christ. Everyone faces the challenge of living where their faith is in the extreme minority—less than 4% Christian in most cases, versus 86% Hindu or another religion. But their love for Christ and desire to proclaim the gospel are unmatched.

One student quoted 2 Tim 4:4–5 and said that he was once like those mentioned there, who didn’t rejected the truth of God and wandered after myths. His family was Hindu. But, he said, God delivered him. And now his desire is reflected by verse 5: be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Another student shared a family struggle. His mother insisted he go find a job instead of attending a Christian college. But he began seeking the Lord and reading the book of Matthew, and when he came upon Matt 6:33, he felt he had his answer: seek first the kingdom of God.

Another student (as is true of many here) had experienced several harrowing accidents. He had fallen off the roof of his house, and nearly died. He had fallen off one of the packed buses of people that are so common here, and again nearly died. And yet now he is here, in my class. He is broken over the lost among his people. And he plead, “Please pray for me. I want to proclaim the gospel. But I do not know when I will die.” His great fear is not death, but not having the ability to share the gospel with his countrymen.

There is more to share, but time and words fail. Today will we travel to a point on the Southern tip where we will see three oceans (Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea, I think) come together. We look forward to a little sight-seeing as we continue to get to know this culture. Thank you for your prayers, and for sending us. -michael

People from every tongue...

We are awaiting our flight at JFK to take us to Dubai and then on to India. We are excited, but more than that, we are already exhausted. We have extremely long days of travel and with our venture out into the city, we are ready to be on the plane and snoozing!

While we were waiting in the security line, the Lord started opening my eyes to the people who were around us. And then he even brought to mind the various people we had encountered in NYC. He reminded me of words that I spoke to Michael earlier in the day when we were at the Top of the Rock viewing the city. Michael wanted someone to take our picture and I finally said to him in frustration that there was nobody around that could even understand what we were asking. You see, we were consistently the minority everywhere we went today after leaving Charlotte. Do I think that is wrong? Absolutely not! And that's not the point of this post. I often hear people at home speak ill of those that utter a language that they do not understand. But there is actually a gospel problem with that. For as I waited in line in security and was marveled at the various languages I heard all at once, the Lord in his kindness reminded me that one day, people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will be before the throne of Holy God - worshipping the One who is worthy of all praise, worship, and adoration. Praise God that he has revealed himself both in creation and in his son Christ and I trust that he is orchestrating all things so that people from every tribe, tongue and nation will in fact be seated around the throne.

For from him and through him and to him are all things (including people)! To him be glory forever. Amen.

Off to India - Guest post from Michael

As many of you are reading this Jana and I (Michael) will be on our way to serve at the Logos School of Theology in Trivandrum, India. In this quick post, we want to express our thanks to you and our Lord, and then share how you can pray for us more specifically.

We have been humbled and honored over and over again by the way many have supported our trip, and supremely, by the way the Lord has provided for us. To be completely honest, we weren’t sure how we would pay for this trip when we committed to go. But we clearly sensed the Lord leading us to go and serve, and confident that where the Lord leads he provides, we began making plans, purchasing airlines tickets, applying for Indian visas, etc. We’re delighted to share that the Lord has abundantly provided. The trip has gradually grown more expensive than we first estimated—we learned in the last two weeks that we’d need to provide the textbooks for the classes we’re teaching, a cost of over $200!—and yet the Lord continued to provide. The entire $5300 cost of the trip for both of us has been covered with a slight abundance we hope to bless our hosts with. The Lord is good. And the Lord’s goodness has been shown to us through many of you. Many have given generously and sacrificially that we might go and serve. We are deeply thankful.

As you may know, Jana and I will teach Indian pastors at the Logos School of Theology. I’ll be teaching Biblical Interpretation and Jana will teach English. In addition, I’ll be preaching daily in chapel as well as for a gathering of pastors outside the school. We desperately need your prayers because, with a heavy teaching load in a cross-cultural setting, we expect to be mentally and spiritually drained.

We would especially appreciate your prayers along the following lines:

1. Mental fortitude and energy to pour Christ into those we meet.

2. A sensitivity to and quick grasp of the culture we’re engaging.

3. Humility as we teach and serve.

4. Protection from spiritual warfare (health, attitude, energy).

5. Impact on those we serve, and lasting impact in our own lives and marriage.

As you have given and as you pray, you are truly partners with us as we seek to equip Indian pastors to reach the untold hundreds of millions of Indians who do not know Christ. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.