10 March 2014

Today we visited the Hope for Today Offices and met the staff. They are beautiful, caring, hospitable people with great hearts! It is little wonder that Hope for Today is successful in so many of its ministries.

We also visited two Alpha Schools. These schools are located in slum areas (their description) and they are giving education and a future to children in poverty, as well as grounding them in Scripture and the love of The Lord. The children were attentive and joyful as we visited with them. They sang for us with joy and listened attentively when Ginger and KellySue told them a Bible Story and when I prayed with/for/over them.These schools will change the trajectory of the lives of the children, and God must be exceedingly pleased with this work of compassion.

Finally, we visited the boys Alpha Home and had dinner there. We were greeted warmly and were surprised to find the girls from the girls Alpha Home were there as well. Our hearts were touched as the children sang for us, recited memory verses for us (often an entire Psalm or chapter) and smiled and waved and even danced for us! We shared two devotionals with them - one by KellySue and one by me. I prayed for the children and the homes and they served all of us a delicious dinner. We even got to try some of the soy milk that Hope for Today distributes both to the children of the Alpha Homes and to children on the streets.

Esther Pereira joined us for dinner and she was the star of the show! The children love her so much and she loves them with an amazing, God-given love. At the end of our time with the children Esther asked me to pray for the older children who have just finished/are finishing their basic education. One of them has graduated with an engineering degree and is looking for a job. We prayed that he and all of the graduating children would find jobs and enjoy the Lord's favor on their lives. We also presented the graduate who is looking for a job with a Bible that we brought along.

The Alpha Homes are no common orphanages. The children are treated with great love and respect and given every opportunity and encouragement to complete their education and succeed in life. God is using Peter and Esther to literally change the course of their lives. I believe they will go on to great things for God, perhaps even things that shake India and change the world!

We came away from our evening at the Alpha Home incredibly blessed and filled with joy. God has shown us deeply moving blessings on this trip to India. I am profoundly proud to be Pastor of a Church that partners in this important work for God's Kingdom!

Pastor Mike

10 March 2014

The faith of the Indian Christians is a living testimony of the presence of Jesus Christ. Many of them do not have a Bible. What they know of Scripture is taught to them by the pastors in telling them the stories of the Bible. As we are finding out in "The Story" at DUMC, there is power in God's story, and there is power in the stories of faithful men and women whom God uses for His glory.

Peter tells us that simple villagers in Bihar, which is a region of India that is hostile to Christianity, are hearing the story of Jesus and the stories of faith from the Bible and remembering them. They repeat those stories to their family and friends and God's Word is spread in that form. Others who hear them tell the stories come to faith.

Pastor Elwin, our guide while we were in Delhi, was telling us about a Pastor in one of the places in India where Christians are actively persecuted. The Pastor was imprisoned for seven years. He was made to lie on a bed of ice, and then burned with cigarettes all over his body to try to force him to deny his faith in Jesus Christ. God gave him courage and strength, and he remained faithful.

Many who come to Christ lose everything because they are shunned by their family and village and even have their property seized or destroyed. And yet with great joy they give themselves to Jesus who gives them hope. Being baptized in India is crossing a line of no return - and believers gladly receive it. Their witness is powerful and humbling to me. By comparison, our comfortable kind of American Christianity seems to be a shallow substitute for the living faith we see here in India.

Almighty God, please send an awakening in India that wins millions. Almighty God, please send an awakening in the US that transforms churches and believers with the same kind of living, courageous faith demonstrated in India! May it be so! Amen!

Worship in an Indian Church

An amazing worship service in a Church in India!

9 March 2014

Worship today was filled with God's presence and power. I was asked to preach at two Indian churches, and the experience was amazing. Mark came with me to these services and brought greetings in both of them. In addition, Peter Pereira preached at the church that hosted the children's ministry this week, and Ginger and KellySue accompanied him there. Worship there was also powerfully anointed.

Dozens of people in each service where I preached indicated they made a decision for Jesus Christ in response to the invitation to ask for God to fill us with His Spirit - the same Spirit that came upon Moses and the 70 elders in Numbers 11, and the same Spirit that was poured out on all God's people at Pentecost. After the first service almost everybody in the church came forward for individual prayer from Mark and me. How humbling and joyful it was to pray with these dear Indian Christian brothers and sisters! May God continue to pour out His Spirit upon the church in India and make them light in the darkness.

Only 4% of India's population is Christian. But if the graduates from the ILI Regional Conference we helped to lead have anything to do with it, that number will increase. The group received a crash course in Christian Leadership focused around ILI's eight Core Values: Intimacy with God, Passion for the Harvest, Visionary Leadership, Culturally Relevant Evangelism, Multiplication of Leaders, Family Priority, Faithful Stewardship and Integrity. They are now unleashed to evangelize, lead and multiply themselves by training other leaders!

After worship and lunch we made the trip back to Hyderabad. We will see Hope for Today's offices tomorrow and tour two of the Alpha Homes and the Alpha School in Hyderabad, hosted by HFT staff and Esther Pereira.

Already this has been an amazing trip. I am excited to see what God still has in store for us!

Pastor Mike

Spirit filled prayers

We went to church today with the children from children's ministry and their families. The service was beautiful. There were strong prayer warriors present. As the pastor prayed the congregation prayed with him and the room was filled with praises to God! The presence was so strong people began to cry out to God in worship. It was one of the most breath taking experiences of my life. 

Prayer is powerful. It is a conversation with our Lord, what else would it be? Yet, sometimes we tend to get in a prayer rut. The words are coming out of our mouths, but the passion is not there. We must keep our fire ablaze and speak to God with a passion deep within our souls. This may include crying, dancing, singing, shouting, or whatever the heart feels. Let us not hold back when we are speaking to our Lord. Let us be like the congregation I witnessed today praying to God with passionate tears, shouts, and lifted hands. 

• James 5:16b

  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
• Pray to God with passion today!! He is anxiously waiting. 

Love,

KellySue

Jesus loves the little children

Ginger and I have been helping with the children's ministry for the last couple of days! The children are full of life and such a blessing! Their songs and dances are a joy.

                                        

One girl came up and asked for prayer on Friday. She had a bad fever and could not walk without help. We prayed for her and on Saturday she came up to tell me she was healed!! Praise God!!! God is definitley at work. We continue to see amazing things.

Today we are going to go to church with the children. I cannot wait to see what God has in store. Please keep us in your prayers!

Love,

KellySue

How strong is your faith?

Wow! I am in awe of the measure of faith of the people here in India. On Thursday we met a former Muslim man.  Before he accepted Christ he was a wealthy, secretary at the mosque and a loan servicer. When loans were not repaid he would beat the people that owed. After he accepted Christ his house was taken and no one would repay their loans. Instead of doubting Gods presence he began to share his story with others to win others to Christ. He has since became a pastor and given 17 children a home. We were able to meet the children. The smiles on their faces brightened the whole room! One girl had the power of prayer. She prayed with more faith than most adults I know. It was a true blessing to witness her conversation with our Lord.

Today I had the joy of working and rooming with one of the female staff from the alpha school. Her faith in Christ is stronger than I have ever seen. She prays for miracles daily. Today she found out that a boy with aids that she was praying for was healed! Praise the Lord!! Later in our room we were visited by the pastor and his wife. Their son has a trisomy. My roommate prayed for healing for their son and the spirit of god was so strong that tears began to fall from my face. I could not understand the language being spoke, but I did know that the Holy Spirit was present in a huge way! I now believe with all my heart that God is going to heal their son.

Do you have enough faith to pray in confidence for something that to the world is impossible? Many of us would say no. Today I was reminded that everything is possible with God and we must have faith that He will move!! Pray for the impossible and wait to see God's mighty hand at work.

It is the same with faith. If it doesn't cause us to do something, it's dead. (James 2:17 NIRV)

Love,

KellySue 

Kids at Children's Ministry in Karimnagar

A quick view of the children in Karimnagar!

7 March 2014

Today we began at 7:00am with a four hour drive from Hyderabad to Karimnagar, the site of the ILI Regional Conference where we are ministering. We checked into the Hotel Swetha, which is very westernized and accomodating.

Ginger, KellySue and Mark spent the afternoon doing children's ministry with community children from the church that is hosting the ILI Regional Conference. I gave two talks at the ILI RC, on Biblical Leadership.

The children were excited to sing, make witnessing bracelets, hear the Bible story and get their pictures taken! Children seem to love to have their picutre taken on a cell phone and then see themselves in the picture. The ministry team found the children to be already well instructed in the Bible, and so they are upgrading the level of the ministry they do with the children tomorrow.

The participants at the RC are enthusiastic and attentive. They are clearly engaged in learning the Biblical leadership principles related to ILI's Eight Core Values. Speaking through a translator simply takes some pacing, which worked well quickly. After my second talk on Transformational Leadership Peter led a commitment time in which he led the participants in calling out to God for transformation in their own lives so they can be transformational leaders of others. The time was powerful and the Holy Spirit was present and working.

Tomorrow I give two more talks at the RC. Then on Sunday I am invited to preach at two churches here in Karimnagar. After worship and lunch we will pack up and drive back to Hyderabad for the remainder of our stay.

Thanks for all your prayers. We are feeling them. God is exceedingly good!

Pastor Mike

Alpha Home in Delhi

7 March 2014

We are safely in Hyderabad and checked in the Hotel Minerva. Unfortunately there is no WiFi at this Hotel, so connecting will be a bit more challenging. I'm posting this from their Internet room.

We had a great visit with Pastor Assan and the Alpha Home in Delhi before we left. The children sang for us and we spoke briefly to them and gave them gifts. The children are all orphans whom Pastor Assan found on the streets begging. They are receiving a stable home and education, as well as training in Christianity. All this will be life-changing for them. We were greatly blessed by Pastor Assan's faith and courage. He was a Secretary in a Muslim Mosque and converted to Christianity. His family and community abandoned him and took his home by force. He was temporarily homeless, but God is using him in this amazing work!

We leave at 7:00am tomorrow for Karimnagar and the ILI Conference. We are well, excited and blessed!

Pastor Mike

Weaving our way through the streets of Old Delhi on a rickshaw, everyone competing for the same space in front of you, all the while dodging the dead rats on the road, the smell of smoke and distinct odors emanating from stores of their wares, it may not sound like fun, but it was truly an awesome experience.

Mark

Are we truly committed?

Today we visited two mosques, went shopping for spices (yum!), ate a delightful lunch, and rode in a bicycle cart (yes it was an adventure!).

As we visited the mosques I could not help but think about the enormous time commitment that the Muslims have. Each day prayer is expected six times. How many of us can truly say that we pray to our Lord six times a day? Many of us struggle getting one devotion in a day. It is sad to think that people can commit more time to a prophet than many Christians give to their Creator and Savior.

Our Savior deserves more than we could ever give and longs for a relationship with us all. He is worthy of our time, commitment, and praise! When you are struggling to get that personal time in with Jesus everyday think about how committed you are and how committed you should be to Christ.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

We appreciate your prayers, please continue. 

Love,

KellySue 

Old Delhi Photos 

Location of Ghandi Assassination

Qutab Minar - Minaret tower in Delhi

Weaving our way through the streets of Old Delhi on a rickshaw, everyone competing for the same space in front of you, all the while dodging the dead rats on the road, the smell of smoke and distinct odors emanating from stores of their wares, it may not sound like fun, but it was truly an awesome experience.

Mark

 

The effect of our decisions

We visited the Taj Mahal today and it was absolutely beautiful!! The intricate detail is beyond anything anyone could ever imagine. It's indescribable beauty left me speechless.
                                  

We also visited Fort Agra, a kingdom. 

Both sites were located in Agra, India. The area was very interesting; livestock roamed the streets, 

vehicles drove in both lanes, and different small shops were lined along the road. The community is very poor. Two factories used to run in Agra until the pollution affected the purity of the marble at the Taj Mahal. To decrease pollution and improve the look of the Taj, both factories were closed and driving became limited near the site. This left a lot of people without jobs. Now most people rely on tourism for income. 

History of the Taj Mahal

A king had the mausoleum created for his late queen who passed away during child birth in her late thirties. Total construction lasted 22 years with the work of 20,000 artisans. Due to the extreme cost, the king used all of the kingdoms money on the development and left his people starved. When it was finished he ordered that all the artisans hands be chopped off to guarantee that no other site was built like the Taj. This makes the beautiful site seem sad and dark. Although the site is beautiful, was it worth the sacrifice?

 We often make rash decisions ourselves without thinking of the effect of our decisions on others and the plan that God has for us. The people of Agra are struggling financially to this day, possibly due to a decision made by a King 400 years ago. This should remind us that the decisions we make have the 

 possibility of making an impact, positive/negative. What if the impact we chose to make was Christ-centered? What if we devoted our whole lives to sharing His word?  Think about how different the world would be. With God all things are possible if we trust Him. 

2 Thessalonians 2:14

He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Love,

KellySue

Be thankful!

India Day 1

Our team arrived in India last night. We have been blessed beyond measure by the hospitality of our guide, Elwin. He is very kind and has a huge heart for God. He plants house churches all over India; since March 2013 he has planted over 250 churches with a goal of 500. The ministry is definitely reaching an abundance of lives for Christ. Praise God! Please be in prayer for each leader and church member. They are working as ambassadors for Christ in an area that is not always accepting and at times dangerous.

We did tour some areas of Delhi today. As we drove through the streets I was filled with sadness as I observed the city through the window. Children were running the streets without shoes, people sat in shacks with their families, and debris filled the streets. As I observed all I could do was pray for all the people. We are so fortunate for what we have and we still complain. What is wrong with us? There are people who would do anything to have simply a home, clean clothes, and foods to fill their bellies and many Americans, including myself at times, complain when their clothes are not name brand or their favorite food is not in the fridge. What a huge wake up call!! Please thank God everyday for what you have. We are blessed beyond measure.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:2 NIV)

Love you all! Thank you for all of your prayers! Please continue. 

5 March 2014

Today we had a guided tour of Delhi, including a visit to Ghandi's house (where he was assassinated), the largest Mosque in Delhi (built by the Moguls in the 1500's) and the Qutab Minar (a huge tower built as a Minaret for a Mosque in the 1100's).

Quotes from Ghandi were on display around the memorial at the house where he stayed his last 144 days. Ghandi was on the way to a prayer meeting when he was shot over a political dispute as India was beginning its independence. He shaped a nation on principles of unity, non-violence and respect for one another. The museum at his residence is quiet and peaceful, like Ghandi himself.

The tower was another feat of ancient engineering that is a marvel. It is an amazing structure to have been built in the 1100's and still survive. The Minaret was a tower that allowed the leaders to call all Muslims to prayer at the designated times of the day.

India is such a religious culture. In the courtyard of the Mosque we visited is a large square filled with bird seed to feed the pigeons. Pigeons are believed to be birds of peace, and some believe feeding them invites a blessing into one's life. Muslims pray five times a day with a fervency that many Christians do not display. Ghandi studied Jesus and was shaped by his moral teachings while clinging to his Hindu belief in tolerance and peace.

If only more of these gentle people knew the blessing that flows from Jesus Christ. If only their prayers were directed to the One who died for them and who loves them. If only Ghandi and others in this great land would take the leap of faith in Jesus as more than a great teacher and accept Him as Savior and Lord.

What amazing and important work Hope for Today is doing in India, bringing Christ to people who hunger for more than the gods of their culture can provide. It is a privilege to partner with Peter and Esther in the great work of changing lives in India!

4 March 2014

Today was a long day, but a very good one. We were up and going at 7:00am to make the 4 1/2 hour drive from Delhi to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. The Taj was built by a Mogul Emporer in the 1600's as a resting place for his wife. It is made of Indian marble inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones, and it is an amazing feat of engineering and crafstmanship. Pictures simple do not do it justice. Seeing it in person, it is easy to see why it is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world!

We also toured the Agra Fort, which served as a military fort and the palace for the Mogul Emporer and his wife. She died at age 46 giving birth to their 14th child, and the Taj was his tribute to her. Unfortunately it was so costly that it nearly bankrupted the kingdom, and his son arrested him and had him confined to the palace for seven years. He died there, unable to visit the Taj where his wife was laid to rest.

One striking contrast of the trip is the contrast between the luxery and the poverty of India now, and of the Taj Mahal compared to the tomb of Ghandi. The Taj is opulent and costly. Ghandi's tomb is simple. The Taj was filled with people, noise and even whistles as the security guards kept the crowds moving along. Ghandi's tomb is outdoors and serene with reverent silence for the most part. Ghandi represented simplicity and service. The Mogul Emporer who built the Taj is remembered for his extravagance.

Neither was a Christian, but Ghandi more closely represents the spirit of Christ - a spirit of simplicity and service. I pray that we reflect the Spirit of our Savior as we visit and minister here in India, and back home as well.

Tomorrow we tour Delhi and learn more about its history. Then on Thursday we will tour an Alpha School here in Delhi before traveling to Hyderabad, where Peter & Esther's main ministry is located.

Pastor Mike

Taj Mahal

Team Photo

Mark, Pastor Mike, Ginger, and KellySue

3 March 2014

We arrived at the Delhi airport at about 1:00am local time and got through customs, met our guide Elwin and got to our Hotel and checked in. We finally went to bed at about 3:00am. Sleep felt very, very good!

We had breakfast in our hotel at 10:30am to allow for decent rest before beginning a light day of sightseeting. I had an omelette with Indian masala seasoning. It was quite delicious!

Our touring today took us to the capital building, the Prime Minister's residence, an Indian war memorial called the Indian Arch and Ghandi's grave. We saw a little bit of old Delhi contrasted with New Delhi. It seems quite odd to watch our driver negotiate the organized chaos that is Indian traffic on the left side of the road and along the way see monkees beside the road. The land is beautiful. It is more green than I pictured. The Indian people are generally friendly and the national spots we saw today are meticulously kept with lawns and lanscaping.

Elwin, our guide, has been a great source of knowledge about Indian history and culture and religion. There are tensions within India between the Hindus, the Muslims and the Christians. A first impression of Delhi was that we could smell the air when we got off the plane. Delhi struggles with smog and the air pollution reminds me of the old days around the steel mills, driving through Gary. Elwin assures us that air quality has improved markedly in the past few years.

Lunch at Pindi Restaurant was wonderful, with garlic Nan bread, curry chicken, butter chicken, fried rice and a delicious lentil dish that I can't remember the name of. A little appetizer dish came with salty pickled mango. The food is very flavorful and delicious!

Tomorrow we travel to see the Taj Mahal. The ILI Regional Conference3 begins on Friday. More to come...

Pastor Mike

1 March 2014

Today the trip begins. All the planning and praying and preparing and packing are now complete. Today we drive to O'Hare Airport in Chicago, fly just under eight hours to Amsterdam, layover about six hours and then fly another eight hours to Delhi. We arrive in Delhi at 1:10am on Monday, local time there. (Delhi is 10 1/2 hours ahead of Dayton, so that will be Sunday at 2:40pm Indiana time.)

I am as ready as I can be for the trip. I'm praying for God to use us for His purposes in all we do. I'm praying for God to go ahead of us and prepare the way for safe travel, good health and protection while in a nation that is not friendly to American Christians. I am praying we experience amazing new things and learn what God wants us to learn from the trip.

I believe this trip will be as much about learning from India as it will be about giving to India. God is already there and working. Christians in India live out their faith in the midst of opposition and even persecution. I pray we can be an encouragement to the Christian leaders we meet at the ILI Regional Conference. I pray we can capture the vision of Peter's work through Hope for Today and bring that vision back in new ways to Dayton Church. I pray for glorious surprises from God as we leave everything that is familiar and experience His presence in a different culture. I pray we will never be the same for having journeyed to India.

To God be the glory.

Pastor Mike

The team is preparing for India 2014!

A team of four persons from Dayton United Methodist Church will visit Delhi, Hyderabad and Karimnagar, India, to see the work of our mission partners, Peter and Esther Pereira.

We depart Chicago on Saturday, March 1, and arrive in Delhi on Monday, March 3 (via Amsterdam). After spending Monday through Wednesday in Delhi adjusting to the time zone, sightseeing and shopping, we travel to Hyderabad on Wednesday evening.

I will participate in an International Leadership Institute (ILI) Regional Conference in Karimnagar on Friday through Sunday, March 7-9. Mark, Ginger and KellySue will participate in children's ministry during the Conference.

On Monday and Tuesday, March 10-11, we will tour Hope For Today's Alpha Home and Alpha School, which shelters orphans and teaches them a trade, launching them into a productive life.

Then on March 11 in the evening we fly back to Delhi, leaving for Chicago at in the early morning of March 12, and arriving in Chicago that afternoon.

We invite you to pray for the team as we travel, tour and do ministry together with Peter and Esther. We will post updates and hopefully pictures on this blog as the trip proceeds.

Pastor Mike Dominick