India Report #3

Today is Wednesday of our second week in India. Jonathan and I have been apart for several days. He is doing well and his classes are going fine.

We both had a wonderful time driving to our new cities. We traveled some of the absolute worst roads in India. Imagine a dirt road that was as bumpy as a storm tossed sea! It was bad! Lucky for me we had Immanuel driving for us because Deenadayal is a great preacher, but a lousy driver! It was worse for Jonathan because he traveled during the dark of night. It was cool to know that we were going through a forest where tigers live, alas we saw none!

I am in the city of Ongole. It is about 15km from the Bay of Bengal. It’s a city of about 500,000 and still the cows sleep in the road at night. I’m talking the main road that goes through town. Only in India! Classes started slow because of the rains, but we now have about 23 men attending the classes. They have been very complementary and seem to be learning. These are relatively new Christians converted by the efforts of Bill Beasley. Most were formally preaching in denominations. Having classes like this is new to them, but I’ve been impressed by the growth that I’m witnessing in them. One man told me he has read Colossians many times but never understood it like he is now.

We are conducting the classes in a denominational church building and we had to go pay homage to “Pastor Joseph” the owner of the church. Yes, HE owns the church and school that is attached. After we left his office Deenadayal said, ‘Now that we have recognized his greatness, he will leave us alone.” The next day we had to pay homage to “Pastor Vic”, Joseph’s son and director of the school. He was much nicer than his father. He actually lived in Illinois for 7 years. Both are very rich men!

I went to a village on Tuesday night. I was the first American to ever visit the village, and boy could I tell it! I now understand why rock stars duck quickly into getaway cars. I literally had to fight my way to Deenadayal’s little car. The children were sweet, but it was a bit unnerving. A few more villages are planned and I fear it will be a similar experience. I really hope the message of Jesus sinks in these places.

Please continue to remember Jonathan and I as we preach and travel. Especially remember our families as we are separated from them.

Thank you and God bless you all.