Events from Friday, April 15

The latest update from the remaining team members in India.

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.

Week 1 wrap-up from India

Here is the latest news from the mission trip team in India.

Bright and early on last Thursday morning, the Team traveled from Ralap up the Himalaya Mountains in hopes of seeing Karakoram - locally it is known as "Chogo Ri", meaning "The Great Mountain". It is the second highest mountain peak in the world with a height of 8,611m or 28,250ft.  This mountain prevents them from seeing Mount Everest.  They were able to see it a little before the fog set in; some of the National Pastors and their families were there as well, so they had a worship service right on top of the mountain, praising God and singing songs in Hindi and in English. They said it was a beautiful time – a mountain top experience for sure!

Afterward they went to Pastor Marshal’s house and he fed the Team a very good breakfast. They stopped to shop in Gangtok for a short time before driving back down the mountain to Ralap to hold the next clinic.

This clinic was held inside of a church, with everything set up inside in one room. Some of our Team preferred this other using separate rooms – they could communicate easily with one another, everything was close by and easily accessible to them, so it went better, and they felt they got more accomplished.  They seen about 200 patients, but as always, they had a cut off time they had to follow, so some were not able to be seen.  They finished the clinic this day about 5 PM, then went to the Pastor’s home for an authentic Indian supper – rice and everything.

After dinner, they had to drive down off of mountain – it was night now, and very dark, and you are right on the side of the mountain with precarious turns and curves.  Some Team Members were understandably apprehensive about this ride, very concerned until they got off of mountain.

It was about midnight when they got back in Siliguri, this was the night they had to hunt for more hotel rooms because of the hotel they had reservations at did not have enough rooms.

Friday morning was more leisurely for the Team.  They have been going at a very fast and hectic pace, so a slower morning was a blessing. They went to Sanjay’s home for breakfast before making the 3 hour drive to Makrapara Child Development Centre. The children and staff were all waiting on them to arrive!  They had lunch ready for them, and then it was time to play with kids, sing songs with them before having a time of prayer with the children.

Some of the Team Members are Sponsors to some of the children at this Child Development Centre, so they had the honor of going to the homes of their sponsored child and spending time with the whole family.   It was a very moving time for a lot of people!  Team member Phyllis said she never had kids before, but now she does!  She picked out a boy and a girl to sponsor!  She was so happy and thrilled – it was emotional for several people.  Other Team Members also choose certain children to start sponsoring. Some visited the home of a child who is sponsored by a previous Team Member who sent gifts for their child.

But all good things must end, and they had to return to camp for the evening Worship Service. It was during this service that John Boedeker dedicated a building in memory of his sister, Joyce Gompf. Family members and friends of Joyce had donated the funds to build the building that is used for classrooms and an office at the CDC.  It was an emotional service for John, but he was honored to be able to do this in honor of the Christian and sister that Joyce was.  Richard found it emotional, as well. They did not get out of there and to the hotel in the forest until about 9 PM.

On Saturday morning 12 Team Members went on elephant ride in protected National Jungle. They seen rhinos, deer, peacock, wild pig, monkeys and a python – they really enjoyed the ride, the peace of the jungle and seeing the animals in the wild!  This was a refreshing break after the hustle of the clinics. 

Afterward it was time to go back to Makrapara to hold the last clinic.

The clinic flowed well, however the needs of the patients required more time to be spent with each patient, so they were only able to treat about 225 people.    This clinic ended very well, they had stopped accepting names earlier, seeing it was taking longer with each one, so there were not a lot of people waiting in hopes to be seen that wasn’t able to be treated.  They did end up taking a few more close to the end.  When they finished, there were the children at the Centre waiting outside for them, so the team went out and blew up balloons, played ball or whatever games the children were playing – everyone had a great time ending the day this way!

On their drive back to Siliguri, everyone was ready for some American food, so we found a Domino’s Pizza!  Ohhh, it was sooo good!  When they arrived at our hotel, they all were full and ready to get some sleep, for the morning would be here soon and the trekkers were to leave at 5 AM!

And so the group of 7 or 8 trekkers did leave this morning . . .  the remaining Team Members will be going to Sanjay’s church before heading to Darjeeling for some excursions of their own (Tiger Mountain is one), shopping and a time of rest or spending it with the National Pastors and families.

All the medical clinics are now completed.  The Team saw approximately 1100 patients at the 4 different location; they performed 2 surgeries on the spot, while other arrangements were made with an Indian doctor for people who needed surgery, and these have been paid for.  People have been so appreciative to have been given this help, but it was very hard on our Team for those who did not get seen.  They spoke with another group that has done medical clinics in India that they would incorporate a "spiritual check-up" after the physical check-up at their future medical clinics.  This was done some of that at the last location & 4 people were lead to the Lord!  The group has worked extremely well together & are already talking about the next medical missions trip.  Crossings Church had other people on a waiting list to take part in this venture, and who are eager to go on the next trip.

The time is drawing nigh for part of the part of the Team, they leave India on the 14th to fly back to the States.  Of course, some of the Team is staying longer, with the next 2 people departing India on April 20.  Richard and John remain there until May 6.

They have had no access to email at all so far in the trip, so don't be alarmed if you've heard nothing or have expected a response from them.

 So until next time . . . keep praying and keep your eyes on the Lord!

Update from India

Here is the latest update from our team in India, sent from Debi Fields with Helping Hands in Motion.

I have spoken with Richard, Sanjay and with Pastor Pam tonight, they were very excited about what all has been happening and the experiences thus far.

Everything is going very well, Sanjay also echoed this fact.  There have been challenges, but God has showed up and enabled them to work in the primitive settings with no power at times, with the Gangtok strike going on, and lost hotel rooms.  And they all spoke about the awesome worship services.

They have had 3 clinics so far, and treated approximately 900 patients, and had to turn some away - which bothered our Team tremendously, but due to time restraints they had no choice.  On the first day they got everything set up and ready, then they treated 450 patients in 5 hours.  They had to travel for Day 2 Clinic, so after traveling they seen about 250 patients that night. On Day 3 they got the opportunity to do some shopping before seeing the remaining 200 patients in 4 hours.  They seen a person who requires more extensive treatment, so the funds were left for that procedure to be performed by a local physician.

I am not sure which clinic it was where the power kept going off, but I would think it was Gangtok on Day 1 due to the strike.  But they kept working throughout each outage with flashlights - they were not to be stopped!  Other than that, things have been going pretty smoothly most of the time.  I am sure they have had challenges, such as getting finished with the night clinic and going to the hotel to discover there was a mix-up and they did not have enough rooms (they had been reserved), so at midnight they had to go in search of 4 more rooms.  They eventually found them, but it was not ones they would have preferred.  But it was someplace to sleep.

Everyone on the team is staying pretty healthy, no one has gotten real sick, except from riding down a mountain last night (motion sickness).   The mountain roads are very curvy, tight turns and steep...usually with a drop off on one side.  It can get to the best of people.  They have been traveling around in 4 or 5 cars to maneuver from one village to another.  It is hot there, the only relief was when they were in the mountains, and they enjoyed the cooler temperatures, even if it was for just a short period of time.

The Team has witnessed a great out pouring of love, with people seeing again after being fitted with the right glasses and lens for their eyesight, and huge smiles because they can actually see!!  And then there are the ones that they have treated with illnesses who touched their souls by the outpour of love and gratitude from the people. These faces will be etched in their minds for life.

As I mentioned, their worship services have been "INCREDIBLE".  They were in the Himalaya Mountains at Marshal's church, praying and singing in 2 languages - just worshipping the Lord!  And it started to rain - a pouring rain - but the Presence of God was so "intense" and as Pam put it "the worship was just INCREDIBLE!"

They are heading out to Makrapapra now and Sanjay and Marshal are accompanying them.  They will be meeting with 4 kids that are sponsored from Crossings and other Team Members; and all 4 sponsors are in the team! So they get to meet and spend some time with their child. They are looking forward to seeing the all kids, playing and interacting with them! And, of course, giving them the gifts they have brought from the U.S.  There is a good chance they may also meet the family of the sponsored child, which will be an honor for the families as well as for our Team Members.

They are expecting approximately 400 people at the next clinic, and they will also be dedicating a building built in memory of John Boedeker's sister, Joyce Gompf, with funds donated by Joyce's family and friends.  This is an area with no electricity or running water.

So until next time, be blessed.  I know some of you are really missing your loved one, maybe this has helped in some small way.  God bless you - and thank you for being a part of impacting the people of India!  Keep the prayers coming - they can feel them!  They all said that!

Safe and Sound

Below is the first update from the team. It was sent yesterday from a local pastor. It seems that the strike that you have been praying about did occur, but the team was still able to minister to the people. How wonderful it is to know that we serve a God who is greater than any obstacle or hurdle that we may encounter. Please continue to to pray for the entire team. As God to multiply their rest each evening so that they greet each new day with energy and excitement. Ask God to give them an extra measure of love and compassion so that they can share thet with the people of India.

Michael

Today Richard (Richard Fields from Helping Hands in Motion ministry) arrived along with the rest of the group. Because of the 48 hour strike we were not able to travel to Gangtok, and so we had to visit a garden and do the camp today. I was not very sure how the camp will go or how many will turn up, as we only sent the news on Monday. But there 410 were fortunate to see the doctors and about 50-odd were turned away. We had been working non-stop from 11Am to 4PM without any break for lunch or otherwise. We will be heading to Gangtok at 6 in the morning and start the camp by 10AM. Please continue to pray for the team.

-Rev. Sanjay Daniel Murmu

The Power of Prayer

I just received the email below from Pam Millington about the upcoming trip to India:

Please take a moment right now to pause and pray. I just received a phone call from Richard Fields who is in contact with our Pastor Leaders (Sanjay and Marshel). Apparently strikes have been called in Gangtok for April 4 & 5 and "everything" is scheduled to be shut down. Richard and Sanjay are working on a Plan B. Remember we have consistently talked about the importance of flexibility. Our scheduled Clinics in Gangtok may or may not occur. We may end up staying in Siliguri--we will have back up hotel reservations for Hotel Conclave for when we arrive.

Prayer Points--

1. Pray that the strike will be called off.

2. Pray that the pastors & their families coming to meet together for training, fellowship and to be with us in Gangtok will arrive safely--at this point, they still plan to come.

3. Pray for the safety and flexibility of our team.

I know that God will use us in just the right way. Does anyone get the idea that the enemy must know the power of Jesus that was planning to gather corporately in Gangtok? I'll update you if I hear more. Otherwise, I'll see you Saturday morning.

Pam

One of Pam's final sentences draws attention to a very real challenge facing believers today: the Evil One and his efforts to thwart God's plan at all costs. Make no mistake - Satan is real, he has power and dominion in this world and he would love nothing more than to halt the spread of the Good News of Jesus, the Christ. Despite what you may have read or heard lately, Satan is headed for eternal destruction and he would love to take as many souls as possible with him. It is certainly within his power to use civil unrest and/or labor disagreement to generate a strike to disrupt the plans of our team...and he may succeed in forcing our team to reschedule and adapt on the fly.

The best part is, it doesn't really matter. Ultimately, God is sovereign and what God has purposed will come to pass. It may not be in the manner that the team originally planned, but as long as they remain obedient and totally dependent upon God, then He will get the glory. And when you boil it all down, isn't that what any of this "Christian life" is all about? Our lives glorifying God and pointing others to Him?

Now, before you start to think that you have no role to play in this, let me encourage you to stop and voice a prayer right now for the concerns that Pam has mentioned. Interceding for fellow followers of Christ is one of the great privileges and weapons that we have at our disposal. In fact, in Philippians, the apostle Paul mentions that is was a great source of joy to lift up the Philippian church in prayer.

Prayer is about power. It is an opportunity to call on God to be who and what He promises to be: Provider, Healer, Deliverer, or whatever else the situation may call for. The former director of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma - Dr. Bill Green - had a phrase about prayer that he loved to share: "No prayer is no power. Some prayer is some power. Much prayer is much power." In my own life, I have found this to be an axiom for daily living.

So, how about it? Exercise your prayer muscle and tap in to the power that we can access when we get on our knees before a holy, powerful, merciful and loving God. Ask God to perform God-size tasks, either in India or in your own life. He can handle it.

Michael

India Team

I want to thank everyone in advance for the prayer support you will offer during our trip. To offer some guided focus as you pray, please consider the following: * For the health and safety of the team * Travel mercies both in and out of the country * That God will bring the right people to the Clinics * That the local church and pastors will be encouraged * That threatened strikes in Gangtok will be called off Team Members include: Chris Ayers, Pam Fountain, Sandi Garrett, Debbie Huff, Julia Luke, Casey Lyman, Pam Millington, Deborah O'Hasson, Shane & Valerie Pennington, Phyllis Purcer, Jeff Reames, Rebecca Thomas, Perry Santos. We will be joined by John Boedeker. Pam

Off to India!

Later this week - on Saturday, April 2 to be exact - the team pictured on the left will be departing for India. The team will be there for almost two weeks holding medical clinics and visions clinics for the residents of several communities in northeast India. In addition to the medical and vision clinics there will also be opportunity for pastor training and women's ministry. The team will be lead by John Boedeker and Richard Fields. Missions Pastor Pam Millington and Church Elder Jeff Reames will also be on the team.

Please pray for the team and ask God to allow them to feel no ill effects of their long journey, to recover from any jet lag quickly and to be ready to serve the precious people of India when they arrive. India is a loooooong way away, even by plane.

Because India is so far away you may be tempted to ask: "Why are we going there? Don't we have sick people right here in OKC that we can help?" The fact is, yes, there are sick people here in Oklahoma City and we do indeed help them through the clinic housed within our Community Center at Penn and Hefner. But God has so richly blessed our church with extraordinarily gifted people and an abundance of resources that we would dishonor God by limiting their use and service to only the Oklahoma City area. To be certain, we are called to serve locally first, but as God continues to open doors for us to be involved in ministry around the world, we must be obedient and follow where He leads.

It is clear from even a cursory reading of the Bible that God has a special place in His heart for the poor, downtrodden and defenseless. The majority of the population in India fits this description. Imagine the poorest person you have ever encountered or the most squalid living conditions you have ever seen. Now increase that by a factor of ten, cram tens of millions of people into those conditions and viola': you're in India. If we have the opportunity, means and ability to minister to those that Jesus called "the least of these My brothers" whether we find them across the street or across the ocean, we must go.

Pray for the team, their families that will remain here in the States and the people that they will encounter in India. Ask God to glorify Himself in every situation, circumstance and conversation that occurs during the trip. The greatest desire for each member of the team is that when someone looks at them, that person will see Christ and experience His love for them.

Until all have heard.