Day 3 "So that the world may know..."

 

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2: 1- 10

Day 3!  This is our last day before starting ministry tomorrow.  We awoke again to God's provision and enjoyed another delicious Indian meal.  Afterwards, it was back to Pastor Greg's room for a simple, but meaningful Sunday service. 



One of the few moments Pastor Greg is seen relaxing during the trip so far.

  He works so hard serving the team through his leadership.



Sharing a few laughs before service - what a joyful group!  :)

 

Last night, Amy shared from Phil. 1:27 "...Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ," and so Mark felt led to sing "Your Grace" during worship time.  The chorus goes like this:

Your amazing grace is perfectly free

Day by day Your grace empowering me

To please you in all things

To walk in Your ways

Completely forgiven

And it's all by Your grace.

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver, Oliver, Oliver... we love him.  :)

 

This song meshed well with the theme of Pastor Greg's message to us from Phil. 2:1-10.  We were reminded through this passage that fixing our eyes on Jesus is required for putting others above ourselves.  Paul's letter to the Philippian church was one of encouragement.  Are we feeling discouraged?  The Holy Spirit is our comforter, and we receive comfort from His love, knowing God is with us, empowering us.  Intimacy with Christ, being of the same mind with believers, and loving one another as God loves us gives us opportunities to make God's joy complete.  This type of relationship models the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We were encouraged to avoid comparing ourselves with others and focusing on self.  Instead, we should be asking ourselves, "How can I assist, encourage, and edify my team members?"  In the same way, Paul referred to himself as a "drink offering" being poured on others' sacrifice so that others may be more effective.  We should follow Christ's example in humility.  Christ teaches us that the world will know that we are His disciples if we love another.  Therefore, the unity among team members on a missions trip is vital to the effectiveness of the ministry.  We love one another by asking ourselves, how we can help others do their best?  We love, forgive, serve, and pray for one another.  This is key in making God's joy complete.

Pastor Greg's message was closed by a short time of prayer.  We prayed against the flesh, which will have opportunity to act in effort to discourage and disrupt team unity, especially when the team is hot and tired from the high temperatures and humidity.

The rest of the morning was spent sightseeing and learning more about Indian culture. 

Many pictures to follow - enjoy!

We first went to Gandhi's Ashram (house), where we learned so much about Gandhi's life and work.

 

Approaching the entrance to the Ashram.

 

 

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

 

Statue of Gandhi.

 

 

 

We had to remove our shoes before entering the Ashram.

 

Inside Gandhi's room.

Ashram house rules.

Kasturba's (Gandhi's wife) room.

 

Some of the women wearing the Indian garb purchased yesterday.

 

Can you guess what this is?

 



 

 

Here's a close up shot.  Comment if you think you know.

 

 

Apparently, Gandhi was so well-known, that a stamped
picture of him was sufficient as the mail recipient.

 

Ann practicing at the spinning wheel.  For Gandhi, the wheel represented
the economic revolution begun by Gandhi.

Birds outside the Ashram.

 

Mosaic of Gandhi made from crushed net shells.

"My life is my message." - Gandhi.
(Mark joyfully wants to apply this attitude to his life as well.)

 



After touring Gandhi's Ashram, we headed over to the Adalaj Step-well, built in 1499 A.D.  The Step-well led down to a large well, which provided water during a time of drought in India.  The architectural details and designs on the walls were breathtaking.

Approaching the entrance to the Stepwell.  It looks a bit non-descript from the
 outside., but wait until you see the inside....

 

  

 

 

 



Phyllis Jean and Oliver.

Linda likes the peacock design on the wall.  The peacock is India's national bird.

Michael, Linda, Tracy, Ann, and Carie.  Micheal was assigned to watch
over this small group of women.  We are so blessed to have him look out for us! 

 

Adorable.  Michael taking a close-up shot of Phyllis Jean and
 Oliver in front of the well.

Hi, Carie!
 

Michael on the roof of the step well.

Pastor Greg enjoying the view overlooking the step well.

Outside, the women were praying to a god for their husbands' longevity.

Mangoes sold in front of the step well.

 

After our morning out sightseeing, we headed back to the hotel for lunch.

 

 

Michael loves his chai tea. 
 

 

During our evening gathering time, Pastor Greg shared a short talk.  The topic was respect, another characteristic of a successful missions trip.  We were reminded of the importance of respect for other cultures, and that we can benefit from learning other cultures.  As we learn to respect another culture, we will see forms of common grace present in that culture, and vice versa.  We honor God by learning with humility, being compassionate, and keeping a respectful attitude.

 

After the talk, we spent some time encouraging one another and thanked God for His grace in each other's lives.  Each person was a means of grace to others in different ways (caring, praying, serving as an example of joy in the midst of difficult circumstances, leading, helping, spiritually refreshing in conversation, passion for missions).  God's grace is so evident in everyone's life, and He received the praise and glory as the source of these praiseworthy characteristics.

 

Over 100 years ago, Gandhi said, "My life is my message" (as seen in one of the above pictures).  His mission in life was to set India free from British rule.  Over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”   His mission in life was to give up His life to set undeserving sinners from sin and death.  We, as believers, are the "sweet aroma of Christ" to those who are perishing and to those who are being saved (2 Cor. 2:15).  Please pray that the India team would be this "sweet aroma" to those around us, showing love, compassion, and unity toward one another as we carry out God's work during our time in India.

 

Some other prayer requests:

 

1.  Some of us are still struggling with health issues (stomach aches, jet lag, lack of sleep, general tiredness).  Please pray for God's healing so that we may be strengthened for ministry.

 

2.  Please continue praying that God would hold back the rain and that the temperature would not get too high.  Currently, it is in the upper 90s, with humidity.

 

3.  Please pray for those who will be giving messages at the conference tomorrow (Pastor Greg - young couples, Michael - young single men, Linda - young single women).  Pray also for Carie, Ann, and Tracy as they continue preparations for messages later in the week.  Pray that all who are speaking would be refreshed by God's word as they continue to prepare their hearts and minds to share.  Please also pray that the translation would go smoothly, and that God's wisdom would be evident in their teaching.  The conference will take place in the morning.

 

4.  Please pray for the VBS group as they continue preparations.  VBS will be held in the afternoon.  Pray that they would have wisdom in communicating who God is to the slum children, as many are unsaved.  Please pray for clear translation as well, since all their activities will need translation (crafts, skits, story telling, etc.).

 

 

Thank you for following our blog, and for your prayers!

 

God bless.  Good night!