Thursday’s day off was a new experience. It was much needed physically and mentally. I found a small exercise room with a jogger, bike and hand weights – I spend an hour there each day now. Pastor Moses was able to locate some much needed medicine at a local drug store and I am thankful for that. On the down side, though, I got a few drops of water on my keyboard when opening a water bottle and thought I lost my laptop for the rest of the trip. I did some serious praying and later, when Peter returned, he was able to get it working for me again. It’s not perfect in all ways, but definitely usable.
Peter left on Friday and I miss him. He was a great help, companionship, someone to talk to and a great friend. Now I am my own backup – well obviously God is and always has been my backup. I do miss Peter, though, and am very grateful for the time he was with me here. Thanks!
Reports from the pastors. Pastor Moses was sharing with me the notes he was mailed from some pastors who he didn’t know but who came across our Spiritual Warfare book. One wrote about how he was delivered from that which was demonizing him by reading the book. He said he used it for sermons to teach his people. Other pastors who have received the book from friends said they, too, taught it to their people and the results are wondrous. One pastor we don’t know got a copy and wrote asking more so he can give them to a group of pastors he is training. In the USA we have seemed to move past printed materials in our information distribution but in a culture where that has not happened, and where many places are without electricity most of the time, people love books to hold and ready. There are not many good books for the pastors, so we are privileged to provide this and the book What God Expects From Pastors to them for free. They are really well used.
Many thanks to those of you who have dropped me a line through email. They are greatly appreciated, a life-line back home. They are encouraging and greatly supportive. Thanks and keep them coming!
Please keep praying for me. Normally I am a very good sleeper, but it seems every time I come to India I sleep for a few hours then lay awake the rest of the night. I can easily fall asleep sitting up in a moving car which is starting and stopping and bumping along with continual horns honking outside, by lying in a quiet bed seems to continue to be a problem. I’d LOVE a long, full night’s sleep!
Pastors’ conference results. The reports from all the pastors who come is overwhelming appreciation and gratitude for the things we teach them, things they say they have never heard and are hungry for: pastoring, marriage relationships and spiritual warfare. Pastor after pastor tells about how these things have changed them so very much. They are grateful beyond words. Thanks for your prayers and gifts that make this ministry possible.
Doing this ministry in India is privilege and blessing beyond what I can possibly imagine. The blessings of being the instrument for such a far-reaching ministry are beyond my wildest imaginings. Yet it is hard to get excited about what is happening because there is so much happening to me as well. It seems the price I personally pay gets higher each trip here. The price is physical, emotional, spiritual and social. Details aren’t important. What is important is that, for whatever these things happen, God uses them to help me grow closer to Him. “Weak” is the word I keep thinking of when I think of myself – so very weak. Of course God brings Scripture to mind about when I am weak I am strong (II Corinthians 12:10). Every day I teach that our strength is in Him (Ephesians 6:10). Perhaps this is to help me better identify with the people here as well (1 Corinthians 9:22). I know God chooses the weak things of this world to work through (1 Corinthians 1:27). I know, too, His grace is sufficient for His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). So if you are feeling week today – look to Him as your strength and help.
2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Do you feel weak physically, emotionally or spiritually right now? Look up the verses I referred to and ask God to speak to you through them. When do you feel the weakest? What is God trying to do in your life during these times?