Did You Think We Fell Off the Earth?

From Gary:
We are back at the India Gospel League office and thus have access again to internet. We leave for Sri Lanka tomorrow and should have better access there and hopefully download some pictures. I know - we said that before!

The first conference was a great experience with over 200 people attending. So many laughs as we tried different games and activities only to discover that what we said and what was being translated were not quite the same. If you are familiar with the initiative called "knots" where people get into circles and through a course of instructions try to unknot themselves. Well, it ended up becoming a lot of people doing Jewish circle dances. Lots of laughs as we realized that what we were going to teach just was not going to happen. We let them go for it for a few minutes and then continued teaching. Some wanted to know what the purpose was of the game - Beth and I just laughed. The other classic was a Bible memory game getting one side of the audience to say the verse loud and the other side was to do it softly. Beth got them all set up and at the count of three, everyone said "LOUD" to which we tried to explain that we wanted them to say the verse loudly not the word "loud". Got them all ready to go again and out came: "LOUD!" Beth looks at me with this questioning look: "What am I doing wrong?" I could only laugh. We were finally able to get them to yell out the verse!

All laughs aside, I have to say that I am humbled once again. These people come from very trying situations; poverty and persecution are the norm. The only request they ask of us is to pray for them. I am so accustomed to people asking for money and resources or what I can do for them. These brothers and sisters truly know what they need and it is for God's supernatural intervention in their lives and ministry so children can come to Jesus Christ and His name be glorified. I may have brought them "tools" and knowledge to possibly be more effective in their ministry - they brought me back to God.

Apparently the internet is working again where we are staying so hopefully I can write more later - if not - we'll chat again in the next couple of days. Thank you for your prayers! I have not gotten sick! Yea God!! I could use more sleep! I even tried one of Beth's sleeping pills and got less sleep. God has been faithful to sustain me.

From Beth:
Praise the Lord for our brothers and sisters in India. The Master Teachers and Pastors have been so gracious and generous to us. Their measure of hospitality is beyond words and I'm thankful for the gift of new friendships and insight into their awesome faith and joy. As Gary noted above, many people have asked that we pray for them daily. The needs are so great and yet, everyone is united in the cause for Christ and reaching children. It's exciting - very exciting. As shared prior to departure, the goal of IGL is to reach 500,000 children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After meeting several pastors this week, this is a very real number. One pastor, Jonathan, asked me to pray for his Children's Gospel Club that will be taking place from April 7 - April 12. He shared with me that he will be teaching the Bible to over 1000 young children during club week. Yes, God is on the move in India and it's very exciting to be a part of it.

Please continue to pray for our health and safety...and that Gary gets some sleep! Poor guy! I have slept well and been healthy. I've had many "revelations" during this trip ... one being that I can actually live without a 16 oz. Soy Latte and a blow dryer (mine blew up). Seriously, I am overwhelmed to the point of tears, most moments, and am thankful that God called me to this conference. There are too many "AAA HAA" moments to mention. I feel a bit like Mary when the Bible accounts "she pondered these things in her heart." Yes, I ponder, consider and am deeply thankful.

As we continue the journey, please specifically pray that our message (translated twice in Sri Lanka) is clearly understood beyond language barriers and into the hearts and minds of the pastors and master teachers. Please pray for wisdom and clarity. So often we are in modes of "what should we do?" because of a language impass. When I spoke, I found my mind racing for words that could be translated correctly and understood by the attendees. Please pray for that God would calm my heart, give me wisdom and that the Spirit move in a mighty way. Thank you for praying continually for us.

On a lighter note...I love the children here! The cows that wander the streets! The sights and smells! Unique flavors and ...everything! Gary is the only westerner that I've seen so we're pretty deeep into India and loving every minute.

We will write later...I am thankful for the support of those in the USA.

Enthusiastically yours,
Beth xo ("Elizabeth" in India - they can't understand "Beth")



The journey, thus far, has been humbling, exciting, and deeply moving. I am reminded over and over again of God's faithfulness...Gary and I have been safe and healthy. Thank you for praying without ceasing for us.