Our Hosts
Pastor, his wife, and their two children live in a remote village a few hours from Hyderabad. They run a children’s home for ten boys ages 8-15 on the first floor of their home and reserve the second floor for church meetings. We pitched our tents in the church most nights, but did spend a few nights camping on the roof as well (the view was breathtaking!!).
Linguistic and cultural barriers made communication pretty complex. However, they had no bearing on how much we loved, appreciated, and learned from our hosts.
Hard working, courageous, passionate, joyful, empathetic, content. Pastor’s wife spends most of her time managing the house/children and pouring into her local community. Though she will admit to feeling exhausted at times, she never seems to be ministering from a dry place. It is clear that both her and pastor are being filled from a source that does not run dry. Pastor spends most of his time investing in his family, his church community, and the network of pastors in nearby villages. His heart breaks for people in his community and he deeply desires for them to know the hope of Christ and experience His healing touch.
Though I spoke very minimally with our hosts this month, simply watching them follow Christ/obey His leading taught me countless lessons that I will never forget.
The Kids
The children were dressed and bussed off to school by 7:30am every day and returned around 5:30pm each evening. I threw a party in my tent one of our first days there and we were friends from that point on! Movie nights, clapping games, conversations on the porch, chess, teaching dances and songs – our team got to love on/be loved by them in countless ways throughout the month. We will always remember each of their unique little personalities and the ways that the Lord is pursuing each of them 🙂
Ministry
Every evening we traveled to a different church community to sing, preach, share a testimony, and pray with people. Every night God blessed us with a new and renewed heart for all He is doing in this country.
We ministered in house churches, store fronts, and church buildings. Each person who joyfully welcomed us into their community was potentially doing so at the risk of their safety. What a beautiful, courageous, and inspirational people!
Team “Nos Amis”
Not only did we laugh more than we have ever laughed before, we also gained a new member this month. Brant Copen (on the far right), a long term missionary with the Adventures in Missions India base, spent his month in the village ministering and doing life with us. Not only does he have one of the world’s best mustaches, but he is also super insightful and was an amazing addition to our team.
Thank you to everyone who is journeying with me through this experience.
More stories coming soon!
Love you all 🙂
