Saturday April 21 Eugene Cheng blessed us by picking the Chao's, Mari and Eugene up, and then, to their delight, treated us to dim sum! G*d is a G*d of comfort through the ministry of body members like Eugene Cheng! The team was encouraged by his humor, servant heart, and creativity.
April 21-22 Despite initial difficulties with Mari's visa documents, that was resolved at the time of check-in. Plane flight 21 hours, 2 hours layover in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The L*RD blessed in giving plane seat mates who were willing to converse with us; in one case a person will be contacted in follow up for friendship. Also, the airline opened up seats for David to have more leg room, and one flight allowed him to have 3 seats to lie down. Pain was still intense at times, especially when told to fasten seat belts during turbulence. Forced David to cry to the L*RD. Praise God for His providing us a smooth passage.
We made it to Bangalore! Mari, Eugene, David and Bess arrived safely at 3:30am greeted joyfully by Tim and 2 students. Despite the crazy early time, we sensed the joy of Tim and company for how they took care of our initial needs. The rooms in the center are clean and functional.
For the encouragement of the power for intercessors, especially for the situation with David's pain in the leg and back: What seems to be a foreboding storm has turned to be a rainbow. With all the struggles Bess and David have had to experience and possibly thinking that David is not going because of the pain for the past 5 weeks, the gates of heaven have been opened by the intercessors to God's power to 90% heal his back. When formerly he could only sit for at most 10 minutes before needing to get up, he now can sit for 45 minute or more without any pain. Today Monday, the greatest gift of mobility is that David was able to sit, to stand, to teach as if there was no pain at all!
Pray for Eugene Hui; he was sidelined with gastrointestinal issues, possibly from a bad sandwich on the plane. Though he was sidelined from teaching this morning, he was able in the afternoon to return to lead us all in the 3 songs we had learned that morning. He was able to spend part of the afternoon joining the tenors to spend time with them. He is taking electrolyte fluids from Tim and fasting from food for today. Praise G*d for teamwork: Eugene's tenors got their attention from Mari and David.
Praise G*d for the intense interest in keyboard playing, which Mari was able to get some of the men started with the chords for Shine on Us. They are very interested and delighted with the explanation unlocking the secrets of the keyboard.
Just as Gideon had his army pruned so that G*d would be the only One to get the glory, besides Eugene's stomach, David's pain, Mari's busy schedule just prior to departure, Tim's having to move so unexpectedly out of his home in the US, the L*RD has pruned the number of expected participants from 50 to the current 12. Though this was a disappointment, because we were hoping for a greater mix of students from the north, we know that G*d has chosen these 12.
Meal times were time of hanging and bonding with students. There were several one on one conversations, which allow us to know them individually. Some come from Chr*stian families, so sometimes there are issues from being a pastor's kid, etc. But an amazing thing happened in one of the speaker's sessions in the early morning, who dealt with Walking and Hearing from G*d. Two students accepted the L*RD! This harvest is despite the pruning mentioned above. A young man also this evening gave a testimony to share about his call to be a tentmaker as an agricultural manager to support pastors in rural villages.
Praise G*d:
--We were able to exceed the teaching goals for the day, including extensive rhythmic and melodic theory.
--We were able to have the parts to three songs, 2 know previously, and one new.
--David's pain is almost all gone, and he is able to get out of bed and sit for longer periods. What a healer J*sus is!
--Eugene is on the mend, feverish symptoms have passed.
Pray
--For Eugene's complete healing of his stomach and other symptoms (stiffness, aches, numbness)
--For Tim's travels starting Tuesday 4/24: protection around India, good/trustful-trusting relationships established r strengthened, wisdom in dealing with many changes in schedule.
--For VBS prep for next week: 60 kids in Bangalore slum, 200 kids in Hyderabad.
--For Mari as she goes to Hyderabad to assist the VBS
--For preparation for testimony/preaching/performing at churches next week in Bangalore (Eugene, Bess, David)
--For inner work for the 12 that have been entrusted to us for the remainder of this week for music teaching.
--For J*sus to do beyond what we are capable of doing in us, despite us, for us to trust Him moment by moment.
--For us to learn what G*d is saying to us as a ch*rch as we are obedient in our setting.
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