Festivals, Food, and Frocks :)

I have the great joy of picking up where Bethany left off in the last post and catching y’all (the part of me that lived in Texas is coming out) up on what else has been happening this week. I’m going to start with Monday night…

After we came back from the village and had a chance to rest and get cleaned up, Pastor David took us to visit a couple who have been friends of the family for years. Both husband and wife were college professors before they retired, and they have been faithfully serving the Lord for their whole lives. They served us sweets and coffee, and Bethany and I both suffered through a whole cup of coffee, just to be polite (Bethany actually drank two!). This may not sound like much suffering, but both of us really dislike coffee so it was quite a sacrifice :) Though our taste buds did not really appreciate the coffee, our spirits fully enjoyed to wonderful fellowship with these two older believers. We had great conversation about the Lord and both learned new things. It was wonderful!

Tuesday we did not have any programs scheduled because none of the youth were available to come and sing with us. (All our friends here take their studies very seriously and they are nearing the end of their term, so they have a lot of work to do.) Instead, it was a day of getting things done. In the morning we cleaned and met the engineer for the missions center which HBA is currently constructing. (There is a post devoted to this project coming as soon as we finish it… wait with great expectation J) After lunch, I (Chelsea) went with Pastor David to a small shop and “Reliance Super” (a large store similar to a Super Walmart) and we bought things needed for both households. It was really very exciting because we rode on the motorcycle… something I have decided I really like doing! (FYI: it’s not as scary as you might think, or as I thought at first. Indians are actually very courteous drivers, even though it might not seem like it to those of us used to driving in the States.)

When we came home, David helped Bethany and me set up our stove… something we hadn’t been able to do before because the gas hadn’t arrived yet. It was quite a bit of work to get the hose connecting the stove top to the gas cylinder (very similar to a propane tank for an outside BBQ) on, but we finally succeeded with the help of God and our strong muscles J (though Bethany did get a blister from it). Once the gas was attached to the range, they taught us how to light the stove and how to make Indian style tea. We have been insisting since we arrived that we know how to cook, but after witnessing our (well, my) first attempt at tea making they seem a little suspicious. I have managed to turn out two fairly decent meals so far, but whenever I convince one of our friends to try any of my cooking they say it has “no flavor” – meaning I didn’t put any of the spices they are accustomed to in it. In making tea, the score is 2 out of 3, I’ve had two successes out of three attempts (Pastor David said this morning’s tea was a great improvement), not bad for someone who’s just learning. Check out our journal for tea-making instructions and videos! (http://withhiminindia-journalsstories.blogspot.com)

(Chelsea's "flavorless" soup that we so greatly enjoyed; David and Bulah, not so much)

Tuesday evening, Pastor David and I went out again, this time to pick us the clothes that Bethany and I purchased last week from the seamstress. We stayed up way too late trying on our new Indian outfits and taking pictures of ourselves. (We have no full length mirror so this is the only way we can see what we look like.) We’re such girls! :)

(Two of our outfits)

Yesterday (Wednesday), was Republic Day, the 62^nd celebration of India becoming its own nation, separate from the British Empire. In honor of the day we attended a parade/cultural festival at the Police Parade Grounds, which is very near our home. It was quite the experience. There were “floats” (large banners draped over semis) detailing different government projects, forestry/conservation, education, and medical care among them. There was also a demonstration of police dogs who have been trained to stop thieves, performances by different schools which dramatized different aspects of Indian history and culture through song, dance, and acting, and the presentation of awards for outstanding service in the last year. Our favorite part was the school’s performances; everyone else’s favorite part was us. At one point, it felt like there were two hundred children gathered around us (more like 25), shaking our hands, dropping flowers in our laps, and telling us their names. It was really quite overwhelming and completely wonderful. We were also informed by our friends last night that we made the afternoon news on TV and this morning Pastor David showed us our picture in several newspapers. Apparently, everyone greatly enjoyed the fact that we have come to India to “study their culture.”

Yesterday evening was the mid-week gathering of believers in the homes of different church members. This week it was at a home which was completed just before we arrived, and they happen to be our, neighbors so it was very easy to get there. Bethany shared out of Joshua 24:14-15, where Joshua is reminding the people of what the Lord had done and challenging them “Choose for yourselves this day who you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” She challenged all present to make a commitment (not casually on the spur of the moment, but in quiet and thought when they reached their homes) that they and their families would serve the Lord, no matter what their neighbors may do. It is good for us all to evaluate whether we are serving the Lord and to make sure that our motivations lay in glorifying Him.

On that note, I will say “Good night,” or “Good morning” to all of you since you are just waking up. Much love and prayer is floating your way from India and we can feel the same coming back toward us.

To "the ends of the earth"

o/’ o/’   “How great is our God; sing with me: How great is our God. And all will see how great, how great is our God.”  o/’ o/’  <-- (those are music notes—eighth notes, to be exact :)

Oh, how true those words are! Can I just say, the words to so many songs have all of the sudden become much more meaningful to Chelsea and I; and when we sing them, our worship is full of so much more understanding and appreciation of who our God really is. I think all of you need to come on some life/culture shaking adventure that forces you to consider the truths of God in a brutally honest light. We are experiencing just a little of that and I say with firm conviction that it does the spirit good. I am more confident in my God every day; knowing that this is no misplaced trust.

What has happened this week? I feel that I could fill a month’s worth of reading in all the descriptions of what we’ve seen, experienced (which, as you should know, is often different than what is actually seen), and been instructed by people and the Spirit of God. Lord, do not let these valuable lessons and insights be lost. Keep them in our minds forever so that we can retrieve them for our encouragement and rebuke, and also for aiding in the instruction and encouragement of others.

Saturday I was able to talk with Patrick for just a few minutes. Praise the Lord!!! A special thanks to Daniel and Laurie Lowndes for allowing him to crash in on your house so I could see him on Skype.  Chelsea also got to talk with her family (and visitor, Nate Bergstedt); can I just say from eavesdropping, you are a hilarious family J. You all brightened Chelsea’s day so much!  I also got to talk with my family yesterday morning (Tuesday my time; Monday night theirs).  They were just about as silly as Chelsea’s. Be forewarned anyone joining either of our families through marriage… you will laugh so hard you lose weight, eat so much that you gain it back, and find out that you can truly love a group of people so much that your insides hurt irrespective of any dietary influences.  We are so encouraged by the words and prayers spoken over us by our beloved families, friends, and church members. Thank you all. Nothing happens on earth until it is first directed from heaven. Nothing can happen here until there is movement from our God in heaven, and you are ensuring that He does not forget us.

Sunday… was a very busy day. In the morning we helped Pastor David teach Sunday school.  We taught the story of David and Goliath (same story as we taught the slum children on Friday, but elaborated to contain deeper principles about the Lord we are serving).  There is a little boy named David in the class so I pulled him up to play the part. He really enjoyed swinging his invisible sling around and “killing” Goliath Chelsea.  Following, we also taught them the signs for the chorus of “Our God Is an Awesome God.” I love hearing them sing it with their accents and seeing them form the shapes with their hands. They call us Chelsea Auntie and Bethany Auntie (names come before titles; and Auntie is a term of respect for a woman older than you). During church service, we sang a new Telugu song that we learned last week called “Jeevonadini” with help of Pinky (Priyanka) and Chandana (P.David’s niece and friend). Chelsea spoke for over ½- hour (incl. translation) about the faithfulness of God. The message was very powerful for the church here at this time.  Praise the Lord for such a message which He has been teaching her for years and that He enabled her to deliver the truths in a way they understood. We continue to pray for the depths of that message to sink in and direct peoples’ lives.

After church we taught the youth group. They learned a new song with actions (Blind Man) and then we used props to deliver the convicting question of “Is what I’m living for worth my dying for? Is it worth Christ dying for?” We pray that the question will continue to plague their minds until they surrender their entire lives to Him.

Sunday night we attended one of the local Baptist churches where they have a weekly English service. We were called up to sing five songs (some of which they knew and some they didn’t).  Praise the Lord for preparing us to be comfortable singing into microphones in front of people. Had he not prepared us, these spontaneous opportunities would be absolutely nerve-wracking and we would not have enough peace to be sensitive to the Lord’s Spirit during these times.  Pastor David now has a new favorite English song: “We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord…And they’ll know we are Christians by our Love…” Do you know it?  With all four verses, it is quite a relevant and stirring message.

Monday (we’re moving forward slowly… bear with us and we hope these stories are encouraging and challenging to you): It’s our first day traveling out to the tribal villages.  After a drive of about 30 miles traveling out of the city and into the wilderlands (these are the areas that no one else is yet reaching) we arrived at a small church building that appeared to be almost in the middle of nowhere. The building is the first church building resurrected in that area; it is also the first one that HBA built.  For those of you who would understand, when Teen Mania came to this area in 2007, they helped Pastor David dig the pit for the foundation of this building. We got to stand in it after it has been heavily used for several years. What a wonderful blessing for us to be there! (Due to severe weather from last year, the roof has major cracks in it and is in need of repair; but the believers continue to treasure this building as a gift from the Lord and pray that He will provide for roof repairs).

Four evangelists and their teams met us dressed in mostly white (the clothes they wore for their baptisms into the faith) with musical instruments. The evangelist named Preabudas (we guess he’s 30-35 years old) pastors the church we were at and is reaching out to the nearby village we were going to. He is a native of the Yanadis tribal people who inhabit the land around Nellore. When Pastor David found him, he was a cripple begging for food. He was healed by the Lord and gave his life to preaching the Gospel.  I’ve been told he is illiterate, but that doesn’t stop him from speaking boldly about the truth. He has been through many trials and his story and dedication to the Lord are very convicting to me. I’ve posted a short part of my journaling about it:  (http://withhiminindia-journalsstories.blogspot.com/)

Being in the village was incredible. The buildings look just like I’ve pictured tribal/“primitive” villages to look like all my life.  A few of the newer buildings are brick; but many are still made from big sticks and palm leaves. They’re amazingly well built. It is not a large village and we reached it by a short dirt road. We sang to attract the people—or send them scurrying into their homes where they hid from the foreign spirit which we brought and which might offend their resident gods.  Either way, they heard; and in hearing there is an opportunity for the Lord to split their fearful or hard hearts in order to allow this good news to seep in.  Several of the evangelists spoke; Chelsea and I were also given opportunities to share the gospel and proclaim that the God whom the evangelists were talking about is the creator of the heavens and all the earth—He is in control of the whole earth, not just one small area. We and the evangelists testified to the power which Christ Jesus has. He is the only God who has come down to earth as a man in order to save the souls of man by His own power. He is also the only God who is able to raise the dead. We are praying that the words spoken by the team will remain in the hearts and minds of the villagers so that when their times of testing come, they will remember and turn to the Lord. 

There are two believing families in that village which we were able to visit and encourage through prayer. One of those families wanted to give their baby boy, 9-month-old Isaac, to us for us to raise in a safe, Christian environment. He had the biggest eyes and a huge smile. We are safe from motherhood at the moment…but, hey, Patrick… if you want to start a family real soon… ;)

As we were walking down the street, one tribal woman followed in my footsteps (I was at the end of the group at that point) and spit on the ground where I had walked.  After returning to the church we were allowed to share and encourage the team (20+ people). From the words of Paul to the Galatians: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” We exhorted them to 1) not give up; 2) not grow weary; and 3) eagerly expect you wages (the hearts of men for God).  We reminded them of who the god is that we are serving. Psalm 89 says that in the assembly of all the holy ones, God is feared. The woman who was spitting to ward off our spirit or send curses on us…pah, the spirits she is calling on are trembling and refusing to go forward, for GOD is with us.  What can humans, spirits, or circumstances do to hinder the promise of God that we will reap a harvest. Don’t grow weary; don’t give up!

As we were getting ready to leave, I was asked to pray over one of the men—this evangelist had broken his arm and couldn’t afford to go to the hospital to have it set properly. Now it hurt tremendously and he struggled to play the drum during their walks through the villages as well as many other daily tasks at home and work. I rejoiced to pray for him. He was not healed on the spot, but I am eager to see him again and see what the Lord has done for him.  Many of the women then took Chelsea and my hand and placed them on their shoulders or heads for us to pray for them.  I was blessed to bless them! Chelsea and I are actually common nobodies. Yet we see now that the Spirit of the Lord resides in ALL who believe and because of their faith in the spirit in us, we are able to pray over them and the Lord responds!!! How amazing!

Pastor David says that starting next week or the week after, we will start visiting villages and evangelists several times a week. Praise the Lord! I am so glad to be constantly in places where the Lord’s eyes and attentions are constantly fixed: A place where the good news of Christ has not yet been heard or understood. 

Ahhhh! I still have so many things to tell: I’m only up through Monday afternoon! Well, there is so much to chew on from what I’ve already written.  Know that we are thriving here and getting ready for the next wave of adventures. Tomorrow we’ll go to the evangelist’s meeting (50-60 people) and maybe get to share some encouragement/challenges with them from the scriptures.  We are so excited to meet this band of dedicated servants of the Lord. We hope to update you again on Friday!

Andariki Vandenalu
(Thank you all so much!)

PS: Don’t forget that we’re going to by Skyped in live at the church this Sunday! (grahamcovenant.org) Hope to “see” you there!