Yes, if you look really close on the left side of the image above the trees, you will see a mosquito so large that it can be seen 10 miles away in the this image. Ok, maybe not 10 miles, more like 10 feet maybe. You get the idea... (hint: click on the image to enlarge it).
Since so many people have asked about how we posted audio to our blog here ya go. Simple really, all we did is call Gabcast.com from a satellite phone, punched in a few codes, left a message and hung up. It was that simple. Sure, there's geeky technical stuff to get it all synched up, but that's the general idea.
Brought to you by TravelGeek. If you need tech support while on the road (or riding an elephant) just Skype us 24/7. more >>
As we approach the end of our mission here in Bangalore India, I was quite honored by the opportunity to utilize my skills in counseling. My first thought was how I would be able to communicate with these people but during our time at the medical camps, there was a lovely 19 year old college student named Krupah who interpreted some of the problems these people told me.
In two days I say 32 people, in all of the people I counseled they all wanted prayer about poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence. Many of these Indian people suffer from body pain, the effects of polio, leprosy, rickets, and anemia. Socially they expressed worry about financial debt and a desire to be educated hoping for the opportunity to leave behind the hopelessness and desperation they feel.
One particular person who deeply affected my heart was a 26 year old woman named Pushpa. She came to the medical camp completely paralyzed and was carried in by her husband Ravana and her 3 year old son. Pushpa told us she was not able to walk, do chores, get herself dressed or take care of her son. She told us she had an abortion one year ago, a decision she made with no regrets because they could not take care of another child. Pushpa and her husband reported she was walking after her abortion but three months later was not able to walk or function to take care of herself or her son.
The doctor referred Pushpa to speak to me because she assessed her problems to be more psychological rather than physical. Dr. Krupa also told Pushpa and her husband to come back the following day and that a social worker she worked with previously would talk to her in more detail. Pushpa was tearful and expressed to me that she had no family repeating her parents died when she was a little girl
The following day Pushpa returned back to the medical camp. I was pleased to work with my counterpart, another MSW named Malathi. We spoke with Pushpa again, this time alone and without her husband. Pushpa revealed she was not married to Ravana and that she wanted to get out of the relationship. She told us Ravana was promised to another woman and he did not want to take care of her or her son. Pushpa then in tears expressed the reality that she could not take care of herself and she must go to a hostile to live. She also knew her son would also be placed in an orphanage.
It seems this would be the final sacrifice that this poor woman would have to make and yet she needed in my view to be loved as well as given some way to get out of her desperate situation. This is only one particular situation where prayer was the only resource I could use. I felt her helplessness and hopelessness and so much for her to give up in order for her child to be in a better situation. Please pray for Pushpa and her son. Although she feels despair and shame, my prayer is she will find courage and trust God to meet her needs.
Thanks to all the preschoolers at Winter Park Baptist for their donations of instruments. We used them during VBS and gave them away as prizes. more >>
R.L. is a young man who is from Burma and now lives across the street from the Westfalls in Bangalore. His father was a Buddhist priest and was well respected for his powers of healing and answered prayers. R.L. was being trained by his father to be the next generation of priests in his village. Before joining the priesthood he heard the Gospel message and became a follower of Christ. You can imagine what that did to his family.
After studying the Bible for a while he began preaching the word of Jesus in his country. However, the village leaders and sometimes the government did not allow him to do so. Eventually, he was expelled from his country for his religious beliefs and practices. At first he was mad at God and wondered what was he to do now that his calling to preach the Gospel in his homeland had been stopped dead in its tracks. What happened next is only something that God can do.
R.L. was in his early 20’s at the time and decided that he would be a better leader if he replicated his ministry into the lives of others who were still allowed in Burma. So R.L. began is work as a mentor and teacher for dozens of young aspiring preachers who sensed God’s call to ministry but had no one to teach them. As a result, he now operates a seminary in Bangalore for new pastors in order for them to start new churches in the villages and jungles in Burma.
There are enormous holes in this story that are wonderful tales, like running from tigers, and escaping violent village mobs, but they are all evidence of R.L. determination of fulfilling God’s call in his life. As he shared with me this story of defeat and later of successful leadership he reminded me of the importance of 1 Corinthians 12 and God’s amazing love. Is it any wonder that 1 Corinthians 12 speaks of giftedness and being one body with many parts just before the “love chapter” in 13?
God has wired us all for something incredible. Many of us, myself included, look self-reflectively as to what God may be calling us to. In R.L.’s story I hear a man who experienced God’s love in such an incredible way that he was willing to do anything to share that love, even if it meant running from tigers (really, he said that!) and going to prison.
What is this thing we label as a “call from God?” Is it that God calls us to specific tasks? Is it that God calls us to specific jobs? Or is it God calls us to live the Great Commandment (Mark 12:28-34) and fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) and really doesn’t get caught up in the details of when, where and how but rather just calls us to do it? In R.L.’s case he sensed God’s call and took action to fulfill that call. For me, sometimes I pray, read my Bible, talk with friends, and even daydream about God’s call in my life. Is it to India or Nepal, is it to be a pastor in staff at a great church like Winter Park (which I love by the way!), or is it my choice to determine the where and how, but just to do it?
Where has God called you? Or maybe I should say, what are you doing to live out your call? more >>
For the past year or so we have hear d a lot about connecting with neighbors and building friendships. Tonight I’ve was blessed able to see that in action. For Jay’s Birthday (May 5) we had a huge party. It was a good excuse to get friends together, plus it also was a way for our team to mingle with the various ministry partners the Westfalls have been developing- about 125 or more in all. Yet, it was more than a dinner and a time to meet new friends. It became a place of worship- there in the sand and misquotes standing under the coconut trees.
The moment I walked out of the Westfalls door I was greeted by child after child how said, “Uncle, we have been praying for you for so long. It is good to finally see you. God has called you to this place, and we are grateful.” I began to cry. And went back in side. Not to be disrespectful, but I cannot remember the last time a 6 year old walked up to me and touched my soul so deeply. They were not coached to say those words; it flowed from their mouths as if they were speaking directly from God. It’s so hard to explain in words, yet its something that I will capture in my heart for the rest of my life.
In know this blog should be about the team and all of our stories, but I cannot speak for them. Today I ran into the question I feared the most on this trip. A question that I still cannot completely answer, but it’s in the unknowing that God has been speaking into me. While visiting ProVision Asia, a ministry providing free physical therapy to the physically challenged and deformed, the current director asked me this dreaded question in front of the entire team, “So what brought you to India.”
At first my answer was the standard churchize response, something to the effect of “Representing the church from which the Westfalls attend in the States, etc, etc.” But in a way that only Cokie could do, she cut me off and said for me to just speak from the heart. I was stunned. She was right! All the insulation of our culture and even being a Christian in America has indeed built up a thick insulator around my heart.
As I pondered her question I just stared at her and finally said, “I have no theological answer for you. I’m just supposed to be here because God asked me to come. Plain and simple.” Yep, after 8 years of theological training and 12 years of fulltime ministry I had no complex answer other than God said to do it. I felt like a real moron and wanted to hide. I still do as I reflect on it, but I suspect I’m not the only one.
There was a song a few years back that played on Christian radio (of which I am not a fan, but my kids like it so I indulge them) that went something like, “When you say go, I will go. When you say pray, I will pray…” I probably messed those lyrics up, but you get the idea. Those are simple words, but maybe the most difficult for us to follow. Just go. Nothing fancy, nothing to think about or toil with, just go.
Most of us have arrived in India. Heather and David Webb are
still on their way and should arrive this evening. Jet-lag is taking its toll though. So this blog entry is short so I can go to sleep. :-) - Mike Womble
From: Mike@winterparkbaptist.org Subj: Air India...should be interesting Date: Sat May 3, 2008 6:12 pm Size: 0 bytes To: Mike.wpbc.winterparkbaptist@blogger.com
Jay and Cokie Westfall began serving as Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Affiliate Field Personnel in Bangalore, India during the summer of 2007. Their role in India is simply to build relationships in their community so that their neighbors and friends will experience Christ. They do this through networking with established ministries and NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) that provided medical care, family support, and spiritual guidance (churches, schools, etc).
The primary goal of the May 2008 team is to offer physical support to the Westfalls. We will be assisting them strengthen the bonds they have created with local NGOs and ministries. Some of our tasks, other than building friendships, include providing medical camps in the poorest areas of Bangalore, hosting a VBS at a local orphanage, and leading a day retreat for young Christian leaders.
We will use this blog to post audio-blogs (via phone), images from our day, and journal entries about the movement of God…or just silly stuff. Sometimes we may be serious, and other times we may just be goofing off on the blog. Use this blog as a way guide for your prayer times- not just for our team, but also for your own spirituality. This is meant to be an interactive blog, so leave a note, share What God is doing in your life, or just post your favorite Peanut butter and Jelly recipe.
Thank you for your interest and feel free to pass this blog onto friends. more >>
