We’ve had a great first few days here in Chirala, India. Our time has been spent by helping out in the classrooms at the school, participating in a Baptism service, heading out to a fishing village and great times of discipleship with the older youth.
A highlight for many so far has been our trip to the fishing village. Many of you have heard Pastor Gene talk about his twin “sons” James and John. They are from this village. We had a great church service and time of fellowship with the believers in the village. Many came forward for prayer asking for healing. We praise God for how His Spirit has been at work over the past few days.
Many from the team have had a great time connecting with old and new friends here at the Children’s Home. You can see joy on the children’s faces as they reconnected with former team members and as friendships continue to grow. Being with the children is a true Joy for all of us. A highlight for many of the girls from the team was to share prayer requests back and forth with the older teens and to pray for one another.
This afternoon we’ll be taking the children to the ocean. They are all very excited!!
Thank you for your continued prayers for us as a team. God is answering them. All of us have been healthy and are thankful for the opportunity to serve Christ in this way. We are grateful and humbled by all God is doing.
-Pastor Ben for the team
Time is moving so fast.
It has been such a joy for those of us who have been here before to reunite with our brothers and sisters in Chirala. It has also been a great blessing for the children, staff and community to meet the team members who are new here.
4 years ago our main goal for the missions in Chirala was to create a relationship between Hope Lutheran church members and the St Pauls Lutheran school by showing the love of Christ Jesus.
Walking down the street people will ask about our time at the school and when we will return. In the villages both us and the nationals will recognize each other thanking each for continued prayers. When we mention the members of Hope congregation praying the face of the receiver lights up because this means so very much to them.
Our plans for the next few days are…
Some of the team will be cleaning
Our ministry to Vardhini for saris to have made Kevin will continue to offer assistance on the roof project Bible study class with children in 6th-10th class In the evenings we will attend a prayer service in the villages.
A highlight of our week so far was on Tuesday when we lead the Bible class We shared a skit about Matthew 5:14 we sang a few worship songs with the children and many of them came up for prayer, even after class ended.
Please consider our prayer requests
Pastor Ben’s travel to Chennai and back
Women are meeting with the teachers pray for our fellowship The ants will stay out of our rooms The Holy Spirit to go before us each evening village service All is challa baagundi (very good) Joan and the rest of Hope India team
The last few days in Chirala flew by for us as a team. We had the opportunity to visit a few more churches in the villages surrounding Chirala. The church we visited Friday night became a highlight for many. The joy of Christ was so real and evident among the believers in this small church. It’s humbling to see people who have so little be so hospitable and so filled with joy.
Our last few days were also spent hanging out with the children at the Home and school. There have been lots of great friendships made the last 10 days. There were many sad faces as we had to say by to the children last night. The team has done an amazing job of sharing the love of Christ with the youth and children who live at the home. We had many opportunities for discipleship and to encourage the youth to grow in their walk with Jesus.
We can’t wait to share more with all of you about all God has done.
