Thank you so much for your diligent prayers, encouraging words, and support for our India Vision Team. This trip would not have been possible without your investment, care and concern. This team, comprised of BICWM staff, Teachers, Pastors, and Youth, was a "God appointed" combination for the context and ministry opportunities that we encountered. As you followed the blog, I'm sure that you were blessed and enriched as you joined us in this journey!

I firmly believe that a trip like this is not just about the few actually traveling; but, is more about those we have had opportunity to minister to, and those who are holding us up in prayer and support at home! Truthfully, it's about what God is doing in the lives of those who are engaged in the experience at all levels. The journey is also critical as we returned home, and have opportunity to share our stories and experiences. Life change is certain after such an opportunity and experience!

We are home!
We have seen God's heart and known his goodness in so many ways these past weeks, and as we settle back in our homes we are all recalling and processing so much.

As we traveled, as we listened to the heart of the church on the other side of the world, as we held children and looked into their eyes, these words to a song by Christy Nockels kept running through my mind:

"let me be in love with what you love,
let me be most satisfied in you,
forsaking what this world has offered me,
I choose to be in love with you.

for in the fullness of who you are
I can rest in this place
and giving over this, my journey Lord,
I see nothing but your face"

What a joy it is when God shows us what he's in love with - and we saw a lot of what makes God's heart happy in our two weeks in India. Brothers and sisters who have faced persecution, but put their fears aside to put their Savior first, hostels giving young men education in schooling and in the Word of God, ministers in Goa and Karnataka who keep telling of God's great love and keep being his hands and feet in communities distracted by false religions...

God, let us be in love with what you love! Let us forsake what distracts us and pursue what pleases you. Give us joy in encouraging, and creativity in partnering with these precious brothers, sisters, and children we have come to know and love these two weeks. Let us see nothing but your face.

We are thankful for the time we have shared in India and we look forward to sharing more with you in person. But mostly we are thankful for the glimpse into God's heart, into his kingdom, into the depths of his love. We look forward to seeing how we, how you, can partner with the church in India to make his love known even more!

Thanks again for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for the church of Orissa, the ministries of Goa and Karnataka, and the children of India... that our God would be known and glorified!

Amen!

(click on any picture to link to our web album)

As one part of our team continued with the Kidz-Up program in Goa, another group of us headed off to Karnatika to connect with the BIC Church there. This was the first visit of North American BIC leaders to this part of the Indian BIC Church.

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Boy, was today an adventure!

We had a great late night last night - the Orissa church put on an amazing cultural program, and following that was a late supper (10 pm) at Bijoy's! We said lots of goodbyes and went back to our hotel to pack up, since we had an early flight this morning to Mumbai followed by our flight to Goa.

We got up way before anyone cared to, loaded luggage, took the hour car ride to the airport.... and got there to find that our flight had been delayed by several hours. Enough hours that we would miss our connecting flight to Goa. We were a little sad, since we're anxious to get to Goa (and would love to be sleeping through the delay time!), but it turned into quite the adventure!

After eating breakfast in the airport, a few of us came out of the restaurant to find Chris and Erin on the other side of the gate (further in the airport) - they called us over and told us they were asked to be in a film about terrorism! They pointed out the snipers and gunmen tucked around them, and we watched in amazement and disbelief as men armed with firearms ran around them or crawled on the floor. None of us have ever had such an exciting flight delay! (yes, that's a real gun -loaded with blanks- pointed at Chris)!

Things settled down a bit as we checked our luggage and moved on to the next waiting area but, shortly after being seated, they came up to us again, asking if several of us would be in "the film" - we volunteered and they moved us through security and filmed as we all ran out of the airport toward the runways acting as though we were being chased by terrorists! They especially loved the part where Nathan is helping Carol along as we are running!

They had fun showing us the footage they had taken and explained to us that they were going to make a short clip for tv (a sort of public service announcement) that would talk about airport security. In short, we're now Indian movie stars!

Since we missed our flight to Goa and were unable to get another one before 5:30 tomorrow morning, Ken arranged for us to stay at a great hotel here in Mumbai. We're resting up and looking forward to getting to Goa tomorrow!

Goodnight from Mumbai!

(click any picture to go straight to our photo album!)

"There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (ephesians 4:4-6)

The following day we loaded onto a bus, with the wedding party and families, and took a 2 1/2 hour bus ride, through Indian villages and countryside, to the sea beach in Puri. There we dipped our toes in the Bay of Bengal, rode camels along the beach, and continued celebrating the bride and groom with family and friends.

Upon returning to Cuttack, we were taken to the BIC Zion Boys Hostel. At the hostel, we were greeted in song by over 50 boys who live there, receiving an education along with nurturing in their Christian faith. What a neat piece of the body of Christ! We had so much fun hearing their songs, passing out blankets, being shown around the hostel, and seeing how these young men are growing in Christ. It was an exciting and encouraging glimpse into the future of the church in India!

The celebration as a body of Christ continued this morning as we joined the Orissa BIC church in their weekly worship service. We were glad to see the boys from the hostel again - they sit on the floor in the front of the room for the Sunday services.

There was much singing and clapping - some songs in hindi, some in oriya - and much sharing. We heard from Ken, Chris, Nathan, Rev. Dr. George Lucas (Manju's father), and some other pastors who were here for the wedding. We were well challenged (in three languages!) to seek Christ first as we head into this new year.
The service was followed by a wonderful luncheon for all at the service. (served on plates made of banana leaves sewn together - the Indian disposable plate!)

We have truly known the unity in our one Lord, our one faith, our one baptism; and we have been richly blessed these days to join as one body in praising and lifting high our one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all!

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