India/Nepal 2014: India Update

(Original post for June 4th)

We are still alive….I promise!!!

I apologize for leaving so many of you hanging these last few weeks. We arrived at the YWAM Vizag base late Saturday, May 26th, and swiftly began ministry Sunday morning.

So without further ado….A brief update on the last two and a half weeks.

First off, we were surprised as we landed in New Delhi. Our leaders, Phil and Moira, surprised us by booking a hotel for three days and visiting the Taj Mahal. WHAT!!! Many of us never imagined that we would have the opportunity to visit this palace (technically a memorial to the queen). It was breathtakingly beautiful, such an amazing experience. This was a great time for the team to rest and relax after our time in Nepal, and to gear up for our time in India.

Let me start the India phase by first giving praise to the staff at YWAM Vizag. They have so graciously housed us, fed us amazing food, led us into ministry, translated sermons and messages, worshipped with us, prayed with us, and laughed with us. We have been so blessed by their hospitality and their friendship. They have made it such a joy to be in India (except for the insane 40+ celsius heat….but they can’t do much about that).

The Vizag staff have done such a wonderful job of setting up ministry for us. In Nepal it was often a fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants in terms of what ministry we were going to do that day (Not a bad thing, but sometimes we just weren't sure what God had in store for us). Here in Vizag, we have had scheduled morning and late afternoon ministry. These have included base worship and intercession, feeding ministry, orphanage programs, slum ministries, hospital prayer visits, church visits, and open air evangelism. It’s been great to get a glimpse of different ministries and see the team’s various strengths shine through; to see the body be the body.

So much has happened that I don’t know if we can give you a completely detailed overview on the last two and a half weeks, but we would love to share with you some highlights.

One of the highlights was a visit to a juvenile girls home. This is a government run facility that takes girls off the streets and out of the slums. Our contacts make regular visits to the home, and we were privileged to have the opportunity to join them.

The home housed 50-60 girls, some just toddlers and others in their late teens and early 20’s. With this being an all girls home, we had our girls lead the program and speak. We shared with them a skit based on the Wedding Feast parable and the Liquid drama. After, Catie shared her testimony and about the love of our Heavenly Father. It so dearly touched many of their hearts, as many, if not all, were fatherless. The girls got the opportunity to speak with many as they came up for prayer and to receive Jesus. Praise the Lord!!!

On Sundays, we have done church visits. We come and share an encouraging message for the congregation, and maybe even lead some worship and do a skit or two. This previous Sunday we visited a church that was nearly 30 km from the base, and at 7:30 am (Nothing says good morning like a 5:30 wake up call). It was an awesome church for us to share in (it had fans, A/C, and it was the biggest congregation we have shared with to date...Hallelujah). We shared with them the Savior drama and Catie shared an awesome message on God being our strength.

After, the church shared with us a wonderful breakfast/brunch and took us to one of their slum church plants. We rock up to a gathering of 20 people under a tree, and they immediately ask us to share a message (Welcome to ministry in India). Zach shared with the congregation an impromptu message on God’s goodness.

Swiftly after the service ended, they rushed us off to yet another church. This church was in a small building with nearly 80 people packed shoulder to shoulder (and really, really hot). Phil shared a message based on the Prodigal Son.

Later that night, we visited a youth service at Christ’s Church. This was a really fun night as we got the opportunity to lead worship, share with them a couple skits, and Line shared on God’s Lordship and Kyle shared his testimony.

Recently, we did our first big open air (we have been doing open airs, but this was our first big venue) at RK Beach. In the evening, thousands come and take in the cool, sea breeze and the relaxing view, making for an easy crowd.

We rocked up and immediately caught the attention of the beach crowd (white people have a tendency to do that here). Right off the bat, we shared the Savior and Set Me Free dramas. Catie shared the Gospel and Line shared her testimony. Many were curious and stayed, and others were completely disinterested and immediately left. We were so grateful for the many who stayed. The team got the opportunity to chat, challenge, and pray for many.

One bit of a side note from this ministry. During our sharing, Riley and one of our contacts had the opportunity to talk with a journalist. He was asking a lot of questions, wondering what we were doing here and what not. They spoke to him with a lot of grace and didn’t think much of it. The next morning at breakfast, we found our picture performing a drama in The Times of India, a publication that millions see daily. Glory to God in the Highest!!!

So that is a glimpse into our ministry during our time in Vizag. We have 2 weeks left before we head back to Australia on June 18th, and are looking forward to every minute that we have here.

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