Yes and No
It's Sunday evening. Rob is about ready to call at the end of first service, but our Sunday is almost over. I'll try to share it with you
The day began when I awoke to the sound of the electricity going off -- AGAIN. Mike and I hadn't run the califont for a couple days, so we got to enjoy cold showers. Also, no electricity means no blow dryer.... :-(
At breakfast we found out Shiney (David and Sheela's marries daughter) had been on IVs all night long and still was in danger of miscarriage. (She did miscarry and had surgery tonight. Her husband does not know as he is currently in the air leading a mission trip here from his church in CA)
Sunday School was at 8am. They were singing when we arrived -- all kids from PreK to college. After the singing they split into groups. As they were leaving for classes we were asked to teach SS. Rob went to teach Jr Hi. mike took the HS and college mike talked about obeying our Creator and used his "block on a rope" illustration. He had a great translator -- a young girl who said she lean red some English at school, but picked it up mostly from talking to Americans.
After the class everyone returned for a closing. Four little kids I think from the orphanage run by AJ Lall planted themselves on our laps.
Yes, we received the traditional beaded garland during SS. No, it wasn't marigolds. I received five of them; the guys only got two.... :-). About 250 kids were in SS.
Then across town the the church building for church at 10am
Yes, here we received the requisite marigold garlands again. :-). These folks really know how to make guests feel SPECIAL. It's humbling. We can learn and thing or three about it!
There was some singing. They used a keyboard, electronic drums and several vocalists. Mike gave the communion meditation, and then communion was pretty much like we do it at home, even down to disposable individual cups. The bread, however, appeared to be an Indian brad, chappati, which is similar to a flour tortilla. I never quoits figured out the offering though. To some people they passed an offering bag. Others came forward to put their money inan offering box. Mamma Pushpa offered me some rupees to put in. (I felt like q small child again....).
Rob preached at church with AJ Lall translating. Sheela was going to translate, but she was at home with Shiney. Rob preached on husbands and wives, which was what David had asked him to preach on. As Rob preached, AJ got more and more excited and passionate in his delivery. The two guys fed off of each other well. AJ was dynamic in his translating. Rob began with Eph 5:21 and how the command was for EVERYONE to submit to one another. Then he developed how the husband/wife roles flesh out into this submission.
AJ was ecstatic after -- "How did you know what we needed??!!"
The afternoon was lazy. We tried to nap, but the electricity was off AGAIN after having come on a bit, and we were just too hot and sweaty...
5pm brought us to a church member's home for a small study. It seemed a VERY poor part of town, but inside the tiny house was immaculate. The front room was a bedroom. Two people sat on the edge of the bed, then they brought in 8 plastic stacking chairs -- the type we might see on a porch - they use these chairs everywhere. They served us chips and Pepsi. We didn't want to take their food, because it was obvious they were poor, but we couldn't offend, so we shared sodas and nibbled a bit. It didn't do us any good-- they sent us home with the chips... Such hospitality!
Then to the hospital to pray with Shiney. We didn't stay long. We really weren't hungry, but they had already made arrangements for our supper -- roast (goat?) potatoes, carrots, gravy, fevered eggs. One of a couple of American meal we've had.
We leave in the morning for Jabalpur. One the way we will visit some village churches and there we will visit Mercy Home. Perhaps we will have time to find some souvenirs. That hasn't happened yet. We did purchase some things from the Oasis of Love, but would like to get some other Indian things.
We have felt safe in our travels here, although we've found out there has frequently been people armed to ensure our safety too. We followed AJs vehicle into the hospital tonight. Following him was a guy on a motorcycle, obviously armed with a shotgun. In the parking lot I noticed someone else who was armed. AJ is so well known here he must take many safety precautions. Again though, we have felt completely safe. Our hosts have taken every precaution on our behalf. Know however, India is not a particularly safe place for Christians. They are harassed and at times really persecuted! Pray.
Now waiting for time to call second service. Over and out until later. I have no idea if I will have Internet access once we leave here. If not, please keep us in your prayers.
Love, Jacque and the guys
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