Sharon India Foundation

Well, here I am in India; we made it! It is a surreal experience traveling half-way around the world to meet some people that you know, but have never seen face-to-face. What a welcome it was! Forty or so pastors including Pastor Yohan and his whole family - Nirmala (wife), Harika (19), Mounika (15). They all covered us with huge wreaths of flowers upon arrival. I will try to upload pics later; only small images work, so I will need to edit the pictures I have taken to fit.

Hyderabad seems very nice, especially after Delhi. Even though I was only there at night I could tell that it was the dirtiest and darkest place I had ever been. Hyderabad so far is on par with Nairobi, Kenya. The Marriott that we are staying in is amazing! There are quite a few monkeys (with babies) running around outside our room near the pool area - you don't see that everyday. We had the pastors and their families to the hotel for dinner last night; very good food and a special time with these amazing workers for Christ.

We are all adjusting surprisingly well. I have a feeling that I will not be sleeping much during the time that I am here. Last night after dinner I spent about an hour talking with Harika and Mounika while Yohan took Nirmala home on their scooter. What sweet girls, whose desire in life is to serve Christ and help their parents to do the same. While we were talking, though, I really started to fade and had a hard time staying awake. I guess that is what happens when you sleep only about 5 hours in a 48 hour period.

Today will be a long day. I will be spending it with Yohan, his family, and their congregations. I will be speaking to them twice (what do I have to offer these people?), baptizing 8 people, dedicating the foundation of a new training center/orphanage, visiting slums to hand out treats, and eating a meal with the whole church. Please pray for safety (Yohan is picking me up on his scooter), and that I would know what to say to people who are committed to Christ yet have nothing materially. They should be speaking to me! I guess the position of dependence upon Christ to speak through me is the best place to be. May He be glorified in all that I say and do!