India is like a light switch for me, I feel like you can either
switch it on or off. For the past two weeks it has been like a little child
flickering the lights back and forth. One second I feel great, I am out doing
ministry and then BAM! I am back on my feet feeling sick with a chest cold/head
cold/everything cold…lol
Our time in India so far has been awesome; there is
something about this culture, the smells, and the sights that make a lasting
impression you can never forget. Every day I wake up, it is a new reality of
“Wow I am really in India”. I have really enjoyed my times of quite with the
lord each morning. Lately he has been showing me his true beauty in everything.
We serve such an amazing God! I look at all of the “gods/idols” in India, and
they are all so dead. I see no life in them. Then I look to the hills and I see
the one true God, and I pray to him, He hears me, and He responds to my call. Just
like the Sheppard tending to his sheep, I know God is watching after me.
Our ministry contacts here in Ongole have been so AMAZING!!
They have really taken great care of us. Team RAPHA, and my team Ripple Effect
have been staying with Theresa in her flat in the city. A typical day looks
like this: Wake up 7ish am, have my devotions for 30min to an hour, eat
breakfast which consist of eggs and toast most of the time, then after both
teams are ready we split up, my team is helping Todd our other contact here at
ICM, and team RAPHA goes with Theresa to SCH (Sarah’s Children Home). We
generally work from 10am to 4pm. Then we are back home to rest up and prepare
for the next day.
Yesterday my team was able to join team RAPHA at SCH and what
a blessing that was. The kids at SCH are simply beautiful! The amount of joy
and love I feel from them is at times overwhelming. They eat up every second of
attention we give them. All of these children have some kind of physical/mental
disorder, but to me I see children who are healed. I see the potential all of
these kids have to do great things for the kingdom. My heart is overjoyed just
being with them.
Have I mentioned that I have a really awesome team?? Well I
truly do. It has been great getting to know them. We have had hardly any
conflicts at all. I am not saying we won’t at some point but God put together
one great group of racers. I look forward to growing closer, and seeing what
Gods plan looks like for our team.
I am able to write this blog due to sickness right now…lol
I stayed back at the flat today to rest up while the teams
went to the ministry sights. I went and got a check up today, the Doc says I am
fighting a chest cold pretty much so it is nothing to nasty. I don’t feel
terrible but I know I need to rest to regain my strength. Please pray for a quick healing, I am ready
to be 100% again!!!
I am sure things back home are going the way they are
supposed to be going. I miss my family, I love you guys and just know that God
is doing an awesome work on the inside of me here in India; just as much as he
is at our ministry sights. I will try to post some more pics if the internet
grants me the privilege of doing so.
To everyone else, I send you my love. Keep praying for me!!!
Also I am still in need of $8,000 to be fully funded for my trip. I have
already heard threats of being sent home if I am unable to meet the deadlines.
For me that looks like another $4,000 in the next 2 months. Please prayerfully
consider a financial donation if God touches your heart to do so.
Philip
