Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas Week
Greetings from India. We trust you had a Merry Christmas, and wish you a happy New Year. You have been in our thoughts this past week as we think of all of you at home and of all the things you must be doing in relation to the holiday season. Over this Christmas week we have been kept busy attending many Christmas events. One such event came as a surprise, as many things do here, on Christmas afternoon. Shane and I were chillin in our room when Jess came and explained that the head of Police, who is a devout Christian, was throwing a Christmas party and he wanted our church to sing some carols. They wanted our team to help out. Natasha and Shane didn't feel inclined to sing so Jess and I went along. We had been teaching them some Christmas songs so we used them, and they did a great job.
This week some of us were introduced more in depth to transportation by rickshaw. There are many different kinds. Cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws, which have many variations. On Monday night Kush and I visited a village church with our Pastor/host Dad. It took a little over an hour to travel and in that hour we experience many different things. We got to ride a normal cycle rickshaw with room for four people as well as a single person cycle rickshaw in which we fit all three of us on it. Similarly we rode some auto rickshaws where there was ample room, but also had to try out the back seat which consists of a shallow bench and a small place to put your feet. We hung on with all we had and prayed that we wouldn't get rear-ended.
We are picking up a few phrases and words in Hindi. Key word, few. Our host Moms are teaching us a bit here and there as well as other people we interact with. After one of the Christmas events we were standing around drinking coffee and this little boy came up to me and asked me something in Hindi but I didn't hear what he said so I asked him what his name is, in Hindi and he immediately turned and ran away! My friend told me he was trying to test me to see if I knew anything. It's fun to use the phrases that we know because it always surprises people and they ask if we know Hindi and we tell them, no just a few words.
This Sunday we will help out with the start of a weekly youth service at the church here at PTL. Jess and I are playing and singing with the worship team.
Praises:
We are all in good health other than the runny nose which some of us still have.
We are getting involved with different programs here.
Requests:
Relations between Pakistan and India.
Persecuted church in parts of India, and the leaders in those areas.
Continue to have good health and stay "solid" ;)
Peace,
Austin
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with His people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Rom. 12:12-13
This week some of us were introduced more in depth to transportation by rickshaw. There are many different kinds. Cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws, which have many variations. On Monday night Kush and I visited a village church with our Pastor/host Dad. It took a little over an hour to travel and in that hour we experience many different things. We got to ride a normal cycle rickshaw with room for four people as well as a single person cycle rickshaw in which we fit all three of us on it. Similarly we rode some auto rickshaws where there was ample room, but also had to try out the back seat which consists of a shallow bench and a small place to put your feet. We hung on with all we had and prayed that we wouldn't get rear-ended.
We are picking up a few phrases and words in Hindi. Key word, few. Our host Moms are teaching us a bit here and there as well as other people we interact with. After one of the Christmas events we were standing around drinking coffee and this little boy came up to me and asked me something in Hindi but I didn't hear what he said so I asked him what his name is, in Hindi and he immediately turned and ran away! My friend told me he was trying to test me to see if I knew anything. It's fun to use the phrases that we know because it always surprises people and they ask if we know Hindi and we tell them, no just a few words.
This Sunday we will help out with the start of a weekly youth service at the church here at PTL. Jess and I are playing and singing with the worship team.
Praises:
We are all in good health other than the runny nose which some of us still have.
We are getting involved with different programs here.
Requests:
Relations between Pakistan and India.
Persecuted church in parts of India, and the leaders in those areas.
Continue to have good health and stay "solid" ;)
Peace,
Austin
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with His people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Rom. 12:12-13
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Journey Continues
Regarding our second week in India, so much of the same from the first week. From the honking of vehicles, to the Muslim call to prayer. As well as the many weddings that are going on all around. Still India is great, all the sounds are what makes India, well India. Occasionally, you will hear the thump, thump, thump or a loud sound system. It reminds me of the sounds I would hear in Harrisburg. Reminds me of home.
Over the past week Natasha and Jess have been attending the women's prayer group, as well as Kush attending one time. There is a lot of power in those prayer groups. Austin, Kush, and I have been getting involved more with the boys of the IMS school. Again the hospitality is wonderful, involving us in all of the many possible groups ranging from prayer, devotional times with the leadership team, and the pastors of Christian Fellowship Centre. The main thing that is happening is the Christmas celebrations with the church. Jess and Austin are practicing with the worship team Christmas songs and various English and Hindi songs. All of us are involved with the preparation for the first English Youth Service on the 28th of December. Again Jess and Austin are working along side of the Youth worship team.
The youth group here is very strong in their faith, which is encouraging for us. Blessan is the youth leader. He is a great man of the Father. The youth will flourish with him leading, ultimately as long as the Father is the main focus.
The Father is still working here among the people and the staff of PTL. Overall this week has been wonderful and the spirit is moving.
Praises:
That we are all feeling better with our health.
The power of prayer is moving through us.
Weather is still very warm.
Getting a full nights rest.
Requests:
Continue to remember the PTL staff and prayer groups.
Pray for India- peace with Pakistan.
Continued growth of the Father in our lives and the students here at PTL.
Our families back home during the Christmas season.
Blessings!
Shane Martin
Over the past week Natasha and Jess have been attending the women's prayer group, as well as Kush attending one time. There is a lot of power in those prayer groups. Austin, Kush, and I have been getting involved more with the boys of the IMS school. Again the hospitality is wonderful, involving us in all of the many possible groups ranging from prayer, devotional times with the leadership team, and the pastors of Christian Fellowship Centre. The main thing that is happening is the Christmas celebrations with the church. Jess and Austin are practicing with the worship team Christmas songs and various English and Hindi songs. All of us are involved with the preparation for the first English Youth Service on the 28th of December. Again Jess and Austin are working along side of the Youth worship team.
The youth group here is very strong in their faith, which is encouraging for us. Blessan is the youth leader. He is a great man of the Father. The youth will flourish with him leading, ultimately as long as the Father is the main focus.
The Father is still working here among the people and the staff of PTL. Overall this week has been wonderful and the spirit is moving.
Praises:
That we are all feeling better with our health.
The power of prayer is moving through us.
Weather is still very warm.
Getting a full nights rest.
Requests:
Continue to remember the PTL staff and prayer groups.
Pray for India- peace with Pakistan.
Continued growth of the Father in our lives and the students here at PTL.
Our families back home during the Christmas season.
Blessings!
Shane Martin
Thursday, December 18, 2008
"Take more, take more! Please, please."
“Take more, take more! Please, please.”
I have heard these words many times since arriving in India. The hospitality here is overwhelming! I am given much more food than I would ever eat at home, and then told to take more. A few times more food has been added to my plate. Whenever we visit with someone, we are always served drinks and food. We are given tea several times a day. The people here are more than willing to share what they have with us. We are treated like royalty! We are freely shown hospitality.
Jess and I are staying with a host family, and they have been taking such good care of us. They have gone above and beyond what I would ever expect. They are always making sure we are okay, and that we have everything we need, even the little things. The first two nights Jess and I got some mosquito bites, so the next night our host family put a mosquito net over our bed. We are treated as if we are part of the family. Our host mother told us whenever we want to eat any of the fruit at the house, to just take it. She said that is what her son does, and we should do the same. Our host family also includes us in family prayer time.
The man who drives our team places never complains. He always cheerfully drives us wherever we need to go, and interacts with us. He has been very helpful with driving us places, and explaining things to us. His wife has helped us out a lot too. She helped Jess and I whenever we went to buy the material for our Indian clothes. She told us what colors would look best on us, which fabrics would be the most practical, and which necklines would suit each of us best. This was not a speedy process, yet she never grew impatient.
We have been invited to events since we first arrived as if we have had lifelong friends here. We have been invited to birthday celebrations, a house dedication, cells, and into homes. The prayer team has warmly welcomed us into their prayer times.
The people here have blessed our team so much by their warm hospitality. I am reminded of Roms 12:13- Share with His people who are in need. Practice hospitality. I have definitely seen that verse put into action among the people here.
-Natasha
I have heard these words many times since arriving in India. The hospitality here is overwhelming! I am given much more food than I would ever eat at home, and then told to take more. A few times more food has been added to my plate. Whenever we visit with someone, we are always served drinks and food. We are given tea several times a day. The people here are more than willing to share what they have with us. We are treated like royalty! We are freely shown hospitality.
Jess and I are staying with a host family, and they have been taking such good care of us. They have gone above and beyond what I would ever expect. They are always making sure we are okay, and that we have everything we need, even the little things. The first two nights Jess and I got some mosquito bites, so the next night our host family put a mosquito net over our bed. We are treated as if we are part of the family. Our host mother told us whenever we want to eat any of the fruit at the house, to just take it. She said that is what her son does, and we should do the same. Our host family also includes us in family prayer time.
The man who drives our team places never complains. He always cheerfully drives us wherever we need to go, and interacts with us. He has been very helpful with driving us places, and explaining things to us. His wife has helped us out a lot too. She helped Jess and I whenever we went to buy the material for our Indian clothes. She told us what colors would look best on us, which fabrics would be the most practical, and which necklines would suit each of us best. This was not a speedy process, yet she never grew impatient.
We have been invited to events since we first arrived as if we have had lifelong friends here. We have been invited to birthday celebrations, a house dedication, cells, and into homes. The prayer team has warmly welcomed us into their prayer times.
The people here have blessed our team so much by their warm hospitality. I am reminded of Roms 12:13- Share with His people who are in need. Practice hospitality. I have definitely seen that verse put into action among the people here.
-Natasha
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Incredible India - Our Journeys Here So Far
From an unexpected meeting with German police officers to encountering Indian guards, our journey to Delhi was one of adventure...
Upon our arrival in Frankfurt, Germany we quickly made our way toward terminal A, where the Spain team would be boarding their next flight within the hour. Not realizing the potential conflict and error in our travel through the airport, we passed through the passport check point and said our final goodbyes to the Spain girls on the other side. Discovering that we were heading towards terminals A and B we knew we had to go back in the direction from which we came to get to terminal C, so we politely asked the German passport worker if he would let us come back through to get to our terminal and he allowed us to do so. Upon crossing back over a man followed us a little way and asked us to come with him after flashing us his badge. He then proceeded to tell us that we should not have come back through that way and that we were no longer "clean." He took us to the police office. He explained with emphatic seriousness to the officer on duty what happened, then left us there. Standing in complete silence as we were looked over by the officer, we showed our passports to him then explained to him what happened and that it was an honest mistake. Fortunately, he was kind and understanding and let us go without any problems. What a team experience!
After a five hour lay-over, we boarded our plane enroute to Delhi. Most of us fell asleep before the plane even took off. With a great but long flight, we were full of excitement when our plane landed in Delhi, eager to settle in and see what He has for us here. Our flight had landed at approximately 1:45 AM. Upon exiting the aircraft and entering the airport we quickly became aware that we were not in America anymore, but that we had arrived. To our surprise, we were in the presence of heavily armed guards. Not thinking too much about it, we proceeded to go through customs, claim our baggage, exchange some money, and locate the members of PTL that were picking us up. Everything went well and smoothly and we did not experience any difficulties, except for locating the people that were picking us up. We found them after a couple of searches and in the words of John (one of the men picking us up), through the guidance of the H0ly Spirit. Later that day, after we took rest, we started to hear stories about the Delhi airport being a target. In addition to those reports, we learned in Saturday's newspaper that we landed at the airport within the hour of reported "gunshots." However, we later found out that the report of the "gunshots" was inaccurate. Despite all the events, confusion, and chaos that had gone on in the airport just before our arrival, thanks be to Him that we arrived safely and with no problems.
Regarding our first week in India, it has been a time of observing incredible contrasts. One thing that we all quickly noticed was the unique smell to the air of India. For some of us this was not unexpected, but it was nonetheless impacting. Everyday we hear many sounds... from the call to prayer at the Muslim mosque just down the road, to car horns, from loud music being blared, to fireworks, like we see at July 4th celebrations, being sent off just next door. We have heard and seen wedding bands for Hindi wedding celebrations. The other day alone there were 35,000 weddings in this region. We have seen traffic on the roads ranging from pedestrians, to cycle rickshaws, to carts being pulled by oxen, to auto rickshaws, motorbikes, scooters, cars, SUV's, buses, large transportation trucks carrying heavy loads of merchandise/crops, to sacred cows, to hungry dogs, and all these at the same time on the same road! We have seen large houses and small houses. Wealthy next to poor. It has been eye opening to see all these contrasts in one place. Wondering how it can be this way. But, India still goes on.
The boys are staying at the PTL center, where we are serving while in India, and the girls are staying at the house of a family that works at the center. We have been warmly received and have not stopped eating since we arrived. The hospitality of everyone here is more than any of us could ever have imagined. And it has been very encouraging.
We have been getting involved with various aspects of the PTL organization. Natasha and I have attended the women's prayer meetings. Shane, Kush, and Austin have been interacting with the boys from the IMS discipleship school and building relationships with them. The school meets on the same floor in the PTL center that the boys stay on. We join the staff for their daily devotions before they start their work day, and shared a message with them at Monday's devotion time. We have gone to birthday celebrations, house dedications, and welcoming parties. We attended church at the Christian Fellowship Centre (the name of the church at PTL) on Sunday, and we were warmly received there. Prayer is a huge focus of this organization, and we are encouraged by that, and I am glad to be given the opportunity to continue to grow in that discipline.
Our Father is definately working in this place and through these people. It has been a great first week meeting everyone and seeing how He is moving in their lives.
Praises: That we arrived safely.
That we were warmly received.
That we have adjusted quickly.
Requests: For India - politically, and because of post-Mumbai
For the PTL staff
For the women's prayer team
For our health - some of us are battling colds, upset stomachs, and headaches
For the IMS discipleship students - that studies may go well
That His presence will continue to be strong in this place.
Blessings!
Jessica
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with His people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Rom. 12:12-13
Upon our arrival in Frankfurt, Germany we quickly made our way toward terminal A, where the Spain team would be boarding their next flight within the hour. Not realizing the potential conflict and error in our travel through the airport, we passed through the passport check point and said our final goodbyes to the Spain girls on the other side. Discovering that we were heading towards terminals A and B we knew we had to go back in the direction from which we came to get to terminal C, so we politely asked the German passport worker if he would let us come back through to get to our terminal and he allowed us to do so. Upon crossing back over a man followed us a little way and asked us to come with him after flashing us his badge. He then proceeded to tell us that we should not have come back through that way and that we were no longer "clean." He took us to the police office. He explained with emphatic seriousness to the officer on duty what happened, then left us there. Standing in complete silence as we were looked over by the officer, we showed our passports to him then explained to him what happened and that it was an honest mistake. Fortunately, he was kind and understanding and let us go without any problems. What a team experience!
After a five hour lay-over, we boarded our plane enroute to Delhi. Most of us fell asleep before the plane even took off. With a great but long flight, we were full of excitement when our plane landed in Delhi, eager to settle in and see what He has for us here. Our flight had landed at approximately 1:45 AM. Upon exiting the aircraft and entering the airport we quickly became aware that we were not in America anymore, but that we had arrived. To our surprise, we were in the presence of heavily armed guards. Not thinking too much about it, we proceeded to go through customs, claim our baggage, exchange some money, and locate the members of PTL that were picking us up. Everything went well and smoothly and we did not experience any difficulties, except for locating the people that were picking us up. We found them after a couple of searches and in the words of John (one of the men picking us up), through the guidance of the H0ly Spirit. Later that day, after we took rest, we started to hear stories about the Delhi airport being a target. In addition to those reports, we learned in Saturday's newspaper that we landed at the airport within the hour of reported "gunshots." However, we later found out that the report of the "gunshots" was inaccurate. Despite all the events, confusion, and chaos that had gone on in the airport just before our arrival, thanks be to Him that we arrived safely and with no problems.
Regarding our first week in India, it has been a time of observing incredible contrasts. One thing that we all quickly noticed was the unique smell to the air of India. For some of us this was not unexpected, but it was nonetheless impacting. Everyday we hear many sounds... from the call to prayer at the Muslim mosque just down the road, to car horns, from loud music being blared, to fireworks, like we see at July 4th celebrations, being sent off just next door. We have heard and seen wedding bands for Hindi wedding celebrations. The other day alone there were 35,000 weddings in this region. We have seen traffic on the roads ranging from pedestrians, to cycle rickshaws, to carts being pulled by oxen, to auto rickshaws, motorbikes, scooters, cars, SUV's, buses, large transportation trucks carrying heavy loads of merchandise/crops, to sacred cows, to hungry dogs, and all these at the same time on the same road! We have seen large houses and small houses. Wealthy next to poor. It has been eye opening to see all these contrasts in one place. Wondering how it can be this way. But, India still goes on.
The boys are staying at the PTL center, where we are serving while in India, and the girls are staying at the house of a family that works at the center. We have been warmly received and have not stopped eating since we arrived. The hospitality of everyone here is more than any of us could ever have imagined. And it has been very encouraging.
We have been getting involved with various aspects of the PTL organization. Natasha and I have attended the women's prayer meetings. Shane, Kush, and Austin have been interacting with the boys from the IMS discipleship school and building relationships with them. The school meets on the same floor in the PTL center that the boys stay on. We join the staff for their daily devotions before they start their work day, and shared a message with them at Monday's devotion time. We have gone to birthday celebrations, house dedications, and welcoming parties. We attended church at the Christian Fellowship Centre (the name of the church at PTL) on Sunday, and we were warmly received there. Prayer is a huge focus of this organization, and we are encouraged by that, and I am glad to be given the opportunity to continue to grow in that discipline.
Our Father is definately working in this place and through these people. It has been a great first week meeting everyone and seeing how He is moving in their lives.
Praises: That we arrived safely.
That we were warmly received.
That we have adjusted quickly.
Requests: For India - politically, and because of post-Mumbai
For the PTL staff
For the women's prayer team
For our health - some of us are battling colds, upset stomachs, and headaches
For the IMS discipleship students - that studies may go well
That His presence will continue to be strong in this place.
Blessings!
Jessica
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with His people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Rom. 12:12-13
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