After an eleven hour bus ride, two flights, and a combined travel time of 48 hours, we arrived in Hyderabad, India. The city is absolutely beautiful and so many of the people we’ve met are filled with a contagious joy. Arriving here meant we had completed the first leg of our World Race, an entire continent behind us, and would now begin our five months in Asia. All new culture, all new ministries, and all new adventures.
Before our ministry began this December, we met as a squad for a Leadership Development Weekend (LDW), led by our fearless alumni squad leaders. It was a time to rest, to recap our last three months, and to pour into each other to prepare for the next chapter of ministry. We listened to some great talks, had a worship night, and got briefed on our ministries for the month.
All of the teams this month are supporting ministries all run by India Christian Ministries. Our team is partnered their Covenant Worship ministry. It is a wonderful group that runs a worship school that does so much, but one of their main ministries is being not only a worship school for young men, but also a home and a church family. Our basement and main floor is over run by guys who sleep here, eat here, worship here, and learn instruments here. It has helped many get off the streets and find joy to fill their lives with instead of filling it with drugs and alcohol.
When we were briefed on the culture here, both Christian and otherwise, it was plain to see that this country knows how to worship. They’ve been worshiping for years, feeling a longing to believe in something. Most of the worship has just been misguided, but the Christians here can worship all night long. (Our Christmas Eve event is planned to start at 10:00 pm and go until 2:00 or 3:00!! – Then wake up for Christmas service at 10:00 am) As long as they have breath they will worship. For this ministry it is about creating real relationships with people and disciplining Christians in their walk.
Because of the culture, the guys and girls on our team this month are split on the work we’ll be doing. The guys ministry with Covenant Worship is well established and has already done so much work setting up home churches and working in the slums. The guys here are amazing to work with. They are always excited and are truly hilarious to do life with.They call each other brothers, and rightfully so. They are a close family who pour into one another, encourage one another, and tease one another.
So far the guys have gotten to preach with them, do house visits, and go Christmas caroling in the slums! (Mostly in Telegu, a little in English). The carols are upbeat and exciting, even though we don’t know the words! Last night, when some of our guys forgot the words, an elderly man we were visiting started to fill in the words for them! When we were finishing and getting ready to leave, he started more carols. He would have continued worshiping far into the night until he passed out from exhaustion! Truly inspiring how worshipful these Christians are.
(Since it is custom to leave your shoes at the door, James got to preach his first barefoot sermon.)
The girls are helping to get the women’s ministry off the ground. It’s a lot of praying and worshiping and pounding the streets to meet women and invite them to events. They’ve hosted a few free English classes and last night had a Christmas party to help build relationships with the women in the area! They want to empower and encourage the women in this city. It is a great team working on great things for the kingdom.
(Learning to drink Chai like an India. You pour the tea out of your cup and into your saucer to help it cool down. Then drink it out of your plate – obviously.)
Keep us in your prayers this month. This month in India will bring lots of excitement and new experiences, but it will bring challenges for us. The girls are having to be very careful with their outfits and all of us are on our best behaviors to make sure we bless our hosts well. We are also going to be missing all of our families and loved ones as the holidays approach. It won’t be the same without all of you!
We are nearing our final financial deadline! You have all blessed us so well thus far. Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and support. It is unbelievable how close we are already, but we just have a little further to go before the December 31st deadline. Please consider helping us reach that final goal so we can put all of our focus into ministry for rest of our trip!
God Bless!
