After the medical Team left India, the remaining 4 Team Members left for Jammu with 2 National Leaders and their families. During this flight they flew over the Himalaya Mountains and even though they were flying at 30,000 feet, it looked like they were just right over the top of the mountains! The views were breathtaking and absolutely beautiful! They all got some awesome pictures, this was a great experience for them…little did they know it was the first of many to come!
They made it to Jammu where the local National Leader picked them up, then the busy schedule started. They had a meeting with the local Pastors for a few hours before the church service, which was received very well, and John shared from God’s Word. Everyone on the Team were very tired from lack of sleep from the previous night.
But they had a 21/2 hour ride in the middle of night to get from Jammu to Ubhampur.
The next morning after breakfast they took a small bus up the mountains, it reminded Richard of driving through some of our National Forests (or the back roads in the national forests I should say). The roads were narrow, most of time muddy, winding around mountain after mountain and there were places where streams ran across the road and you had to drive through them to continue. Finally they made it to a small village called Mongri, where they were very warmly welcomed.
The Team (India & USA) spent the day in this village, especially since this was a very significant day in the village – our Team was the very first Americans – white people - to ever visit their village! The villagers said it is so far from everything, that people do not visit them, and they were so thankful for our Team’s visit. As I said, they spent day eating and fellowshipping with them, walking up and down mountains to see waterfalls on treacherous trails. The Villagers wanted the Team to see a particular waterfall, one where they said, “100 streams come together to form the waterfall”… well, not too sure if it was 100, but it was several, however the “hike” there and back was an adventure to the max!
You know, part of the Team previously paid to go on a Trek in India – well, these 4 got the trek anyway and didn’t pay for it! You cannot tell me the Lord does not have a sense of humor…I know that at least 3 of these remaining 4 did not want to go on the trek, but God gave them one, anyway! I am sure we will hear more of this adventure in the future!
After the waterfall trek, they had an evening service where Richard spoke and Sandra sang. Sandra has a beautiful voice and has blessed several places on this trip with her gift. It was a great service, and everyone in the village was first-generation Christians! The Mother of the Pastor stood and greeted the Team, saying when her son married it was a very blessed day, but today is even more so because they were there visiting them!
The Team was so touched by the love and gratitude being given to them! They are treated like Kings and Queens – when all they are there to do is to serve the one and only King!
The Service lasted until about 9 PM, and was followed by the evening meal, which is normal in India. Then they had to walk down the treacherous trail to get back to vehicle to return to a government housing, which was where they were to spend the night. The housing was not being used, so they were allowed to use it, however I am pretty sure they did not get a great night’s sleep since Richard killed 3 spiders – each was at least 5” across, not including the legs! I didn’t hear how things went in the ladies room.
As badly as they would have liked to return to Ubhampur, going back down the mountain was just too dangerous at night. Just getting back to the housing was dangerous enough on the treacherous trails in the dark! They crossed creeks, climbed basins, hiked through rough terrain - all very interesting in the dark.
But they all were there to help one another – just imagine how you would handle walking in the brush, on a mountain trail, late at night, pitch dark in unknown areas. I am sure you created a great visual!
Early the next morning the got up so they could get down the mountain to get back to Ubhampur for meetings where Richard and John met with local Pastors, while Pam & Sandra met with the Pastors wives and other local women. Both meetings went very well. Pam and Sandra each shared for about 10 minutes that lead into powerful time of prayer. John and Richard had a great meeting with the Pastors and a time of encouragement followed by the Pastors sharing their victories, challenges, and their needs.
John shared the Word at the Evening Worship Service after an incredible contemporary worship! There were two groups who offered awesome interruptive dance as praise to the Lord. After the Word was shared, people came forward for Richard and John to lay hands on them and pray.
Please continue to pray for them. The remainder of the team will be returning on Thursday.
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