Sharon India Foundation

On Saturday morning when we walked out of Hyderabad Airport, we were greated by over 100 Indian brothers and sisters. We were covered with the most beautiful flowers leis, so many that we could not see. These each weigh about six pounds and are of themost beautiful colors and scents. I was overjoyed to tears that would not stop running down my face. These people are so precious... I could go on and on.

Saturday evening, we had our Pastor's families whom we sponsor come to our hotel for dinner. For three hours we had just an intimate time of sharing and getting to know one another more personally. Through translation, we were able to have a beautiful conversation while we enjoyed a seven course feast of Indian cuisine. Samueul, his son Kranthi and his daughter Prashanthi all are learning English so we were able to communicate in that regard as well. I also have learned about 10 words in Telugu.

On Sunday, I experienced one of the most special days of my life. I truly, truly have no words. Words cannot express what happened inside of me in just 15 short hours. One thing that has been affirmed is that my heart is committed to these precious people.

Operating on just 11 hours of sleep, since I stepped on the plane on Thursday, I felt my body wearing down some. But Sunday morning at 7 am, I was picked up by Pastor Samuel and our day began.

Brent partnered with me and our day started with travel to Samuel's congregation/home. We took the tour of his home (first floor rented to young couple in his congregation- second floor is Samuel's home- third floor is where congregation gathers- It is a very small 3 story building)

After the tour and being greeted by more members of the congregation we traveles about 6 kilometers to Operation Mobilization Hyderabad. This is a guarded area where Christians come for retreats, teaching meetings and baptism. I was honored and blessed to receive water baptism by Pastor Samuel. Brent also received water baptism snf then Samuel asked me to give baptism alongside of him to six new believers. What a wonderful moment in my life.

We then went back to the congregation to prepare for Sunday worship. Brent and I were endowed with clothing fit for kings. We were asked to receive these special gifts and to wear them for the day. I could spend hours telling you about this day and never say enough. These people have faith in the Lord that I have never seen before. They have literally nothing in many cases- yet there is no sadness, no complaining- just pure joy. The children sat for three hours through a translated service without a sound sitting indian style on the floor- I couldn't comprehend that. Over 200 people packed into this small room like sardines- they were gathered outside looking in and even down the staircase. When they sang to God, they sang at the top of their voices praising God and asking him in song- "Who will You send next" and "Where shall I go"- The concept of the song is asking who and where God will send each member to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ's work on the cross. I gave the message in the service. After the service, we handed out candy to the children and blankets to all the families to help them keep warm for the winter that is fast approaching.

After the service, we shared a Love Feast with all 200 memebers and their children. We got ample time to visit with the children and families of both Samuel's congregations (the other congregation meets in an alley way about 2 kilometers away- see below)

From there we went to visit with the local widows home. These precious widows celebrated my birthday on 10/21 with Pastor Samuel. On my birthday, he shared a message with the widows and then they ate cake and fresh fruit. I was able to go there with Brent and pray for them and visit with them. We brought them blankets as gifts. Their little sunk in eyes and frail bodies came to life as we hugged them and held their hands. I gave a short message of encouragement to them and then it was on to the next curch service.

This service began at 8pm and was conducted in an alley way. This is how they conduct this service every Sunday because none of the local Hindu's will rent them a place for worship. They lay blankets in the middle of the alley- and there they sing songs of praise and worship with loud voices (they sing from the top of their lungs)and tamborines. Then Brent and I gave a message and we finished the evening with some tearful goodbyes to those that we will not be seeing on the rest of the trip.

We arrived back at our hotel at nearly 11pm. We were exhausted- but something happened to me today that I can not explain. I am off for breakfast now and today we are splitting into teams of three and visiting local congregations. Tonight we will be having a great gospel meeting with an estimated 10,000+ Christians, Hindus and Muslims in attendance. Tomorrow will be the exact same schedule.

Please pray for something important. These gospel meetings are also being recorded and played on TV here. There are men of high standing attending. There are very prominent officials coming to hear. The minister of the Corruption Bureau of Hyderabad, the highest ranking local government official and many of his party will also be attending. These men are of the Hindu religion. Please pray for a great movement of God in them as there conversion to Christianity could mark one of the greatest days this country has ever seen.

I close with this- hat the Holy Spirit is moving here. As it dies off in our country, it is coming to life half way around the world. There is something happening here that I cannot put into words...and only God knows. May He be glorified as He continues the work He has started in these precious souls in India.

Picture 1- Women praying- Samuel' congregation- Sunday am

Picture 2- Me at the Widows home giving blankets and much love!

Picture 3- Me giving the message at the morning service- Samuel's congregation

Picture 4- The congregation at Kalavathi Nagar gathered in the alley way. They are waving hello to "Sister Joanna, Brother Christian, Siater Sofia and Sister Estelle"

They would not stop asking when we would return. The women eagerly sought for Joanna to come and the children were pleading for Christian and Sofia to come and be with them...Hmmm...could this be a family missionary trip to India in the making...