If you are reading this email it means I made it home. But it wasn't an uneventful trip!

The day was spent with the children. I tell them they are my India family and after visiting my American family I will come back to them. They are a close family, the ones who live at the school.

The evening before leaving Abigail's whole India family had a reunion. It's the first time they've been together in 6 years. I've known some of them quite well for a long time (ride the train with me, help at pastors conferences, baby dedication, etc.). It was special being part of such a meaningful reunion. The father is very old, a fine man of God and long-time pastor who sacrificed untold things for the gospel. They asked me to say a few words and share a Scripture. I picked Joshua 24:15. It was a very meaningful evening and they seem to think I have had a very positive impact on their Indian family.

The bad news is that we got a call saying our flight to Newark has been put off 5 hours. The good news is that they promised us free transportation and hotel rooms while we waited. The bad news is that we had to wait an hour for the Hyderabad to Mumbai flight to take off (4 AM - we were up all night). The good news is that they upgraded up to First Class so we waited in the lunge and got free bottled water, something you can't take through check-in and I would have been without for 12 hours. The good news is that I talked with 3 young American software programmers who were on their way home from India after 2 weeks working with a company here. The good news is that First Class was great!

But the bad news is that when we got to Mumbai they didn't make good on their promise to give us rooms, nor did they upgrade our seats here as they also promised. The good news is they did give us a free breakfast but the bad news is that my stomach has totally rebelled against anything but the mildest food (and I can't blame it). The bad news is we had to sit on hard seats and wait from 5:30 AM until noon when we could board the plane. The good news is that we got to know several other passengers due to our common 'misery' and promises not being kept to them, either. Shared pain breaks down walls between us and Hindus that would never come down otherwise.

The good news is the plane finally took off. The bad news is that the ride was longer (18 hours) and more crowded than I remembered. The good news is that they gave us several meals. The bad news is that Air India serves white rice and puts lots of curry in their food. The good news is that my mouth is getting to not mind curry. The bad news is that my stomach won't stand it.

The good news is that we finally made it, 50+ hours after getting up in Hyderabad Thursday morning. I arrived home a little after midnight Friday night/Saturday morning USA time!

MANY THANKS!!!

Words cannot express how much I have needed and appreciated your support through all this. Your financial contributions made it all possible. Your prayers were the key to all that happened in me, to me and through me. And your supportive words and emails really encouraged me. They still do. I thank God for you and for allowing me to share this part of my life with you. God will eternally reward and bless you for your faithfulness. The fruits of this India trip are yours as much as they are mine!

SO WHAT HAD GOOD BEEN TRYING TO TEACH ME THROUGH THIS ALL?

The answer to that is a definite "I'm not sure!" I know it has to be something but I'm not sure what. Last year I was aware I was being stretched beyond what I'd been before. Still, I was with a group of Americans eating a lot of American food, living in an American-style house and riding in an AC van. It's like this year God took me out of the bubble and set me down in India with no one to count on but Him and a few people I had never met before. I have special promises I've read and trusted every day and I know He's teaching me to trust His promises. I've learned how totally weak and incapable of ministering or even living on my own I am, but that when I admit that He takes over and good things happen. And He's clearly pointed out how much pride still remains in me - and it’s not very pretty! Obviously He was teaching me to find my security only in Him. Also I've been able to forget about the past and future and live more in the moment, enjoy it for what it is.

Still, I think there is more. I haven't just been stretched; I've been totally taken outside myself. God hasn't just stretched what's there, He been building something new and different into me. It's been such an extremely intense time. So very many events happened, almost daily (sometimes several times a day) that would have been the highlight of my whole year not many years ago. But here they are topped by something later that day or the next day. God had me totally outside myself, and then He rained down these wonderful experiences and blessings on me continually. So I know He's doing something. I just don't know what. And I'm wondering if I ever will. Maybe it's not something to put my finger on, to put into words on paper. Obviously He had something in mind. It's like He planted a seed inside me to gradually grow and produce the fruit its creator desires. It’s still all Him, its nothing I get any credit for.

WANT TO JOIN ME?

I’m looking for some willing people (or children or teens) to go alone to help minister here. I absolutely guarantee you that when you come as a group your housing, food, transportation and overall living conditions will be similar to what you experience in America. Mine were so different this trip because I ventured off on my own to better experience the ‘real’ India. I won’t be doing that next time. If you are at all interested please let me know. It’s an experience you’ll never forget and will change you completely! Cost will probably be around $2500, depending on the cost of the flight. Thanks again!

There are other ways of joining than coming to India. I am committed to sending $50 a month to the AIDS family. They are depending on it for their schooling and daily life can't continue without it. I want it to be an 'us' thing, not a 'me' thing- so you can share the blessing and reward. If you can sponsor them for a month, or even part of a month, send the money to me, Jerry Schmoyer, 252 W. State St., Doylestown, PA. 18901. I'll keep an email update list of those who contribute and keep you informed of the family.

AND PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEXT PASTOR'S CONFERENCE AND TRIP. I CAN'T COMMIT TO ANYTHING WITHOUT THE MONEY BEING AVAILABLE TO FINANCE IT. I KNOW GOD WILL PROVIDE, BUT HE WANTS US TO PRAY. Thanks!!!

IN A NUT SHELL

Here is a quick summary of my trip

Days in India 29

Travel here and back: 10,000 miles each way

Travel by plane, train, car, van, 3-wheeler, motorcycle, scooter, foot

Miles traveled by train 3,000 in 70 hours

Places slept 11

Hour+ long neighborhood walks 27

Pictures taken 2500

Messages given 63

To pastors 22

To church congregations 23

Different churches 14

To children 14

Misc. 4 (baby ded, widow’s food distribution, sewing center girls)

Times spoke in Biblical costume 17

Magic tricks done 125

In the first 8 days I spoke 28 times, then 1 day train ride to Ahmednagar and spoke 7 times in 3 days

Last week I spoke 22 times

I averaged 3 messages a day on the days I wasn't traveling.

Also: updated and edited my Spiritual Warfare Handbook, something I’ve been wanting to do for some time but haven’t been able to get to. India is an appropriate place to do such a work!

Thanks for praying and don't ever stop!

You can find updates and more information on my web site http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/ , either at Ministries, Asia Mission Journal http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/asia-mission-journal/ or on my blog page http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/blog/ .

As to showing the slides of this trip, I’ll have a real brief overview on Sunday morning as part of my sermon. It seems Wednesday evening (7 PM at church) would be best to show more. We’ll start and see how far we go. We may finish or we may need to continue the next Wednesday. That seems to work best for the majority of those who responded. If it doesn’t work for you let me know and I’ll see what else I can do. I have many excellent pictures and great stories to go with them. I’ll be able to do little more than give an overview on Sunday. I think they are very interesting and informative and look forward to sharing them with you.

Today David Babu and I leave. On the plane I’ll think and type my feelings, lessons, etc. Suffice it to say its been quite a trip! It’s been more intense, more great memories, more true ministry opportunities than I ever imagine. In all ways I imagined this trip has been more successful than I could have imagined.

Yesterday I spent in the neighborhood of Bethel Fellowship Church, meeting and talking to children and adults. I also visited the neighborhood of the Benjara tribe, the original people to live here before it became the city of Hyderabad. They have their own culture, language and customs. The church has reached out to them and many are now believers.

I also spent almost two hours walking around the various neighborhoods with a young man from the church who knows some English and wants to go into the ministry. We even went into the Indo-American Cancer Hospital, a large complex of buildings. If you give the inside a good cleaning and fresh paint, it would look like an American hospital of 50 years ago. But the care seems to be almost as good as in the USA. They are partnered with Sloan Kittering doctors and partly sponsored by them and others in the US. I don’t know how modern their equipment is, though. Probably pretty recent.

We gave 2 more Hindu widows rice in the afternoon. Both were young with several young children. Young widows don’t remarry. The family looks down on it and men would rather not have a ready-made family. So these women will be alone the rest of their lives. Raising children and earning money is very difficult. One has the poorest job possible, sweeping streets with a broom. It’s hard and very dangerous work, and she gets almost no pay. But it is a job.

Lasts night I spoke at their Bible study. Twice as many people came as normally do because they knew the white American would be there! They seem to really have benefited from what I said Sunday. The best part, though, was that about half a dozen widows who received rice came. The two young widows came as well. I tried to0 clearly explain salvation as a free gift from Jesus and how to receive it, then led them in a prayer to receive the gift. I don’t know who did or didn’t, but they were very open and responsive. Every one wanted me to lay hands on them and pray for them after the service.

Today I’ll spend at the Good Shepherd school with the children. We go to the airport about midnight for a 3 AM flight to Mumbai (Bombay), arriving at 4:15 AM. Then at 7:20 AM we are to leave for Newark with a stop for fuel in Paris – my second visit to Paris! (We stopped for fuel on the way here as well.). It is a 19 hour flight and arrives in Newark at 4:30 Eastern time.

Please pray for today, for the flights to go smoothly (Air India isn’t know for that) and on time, for the time to pass quickly and for God to continue to use this time as well.

Thanks for praying and please, please don’t stop now! I’m not home yet!

SECOND PASTORS CONFERENCE, July 7-7, 2007, Hyderabad , India

Pastor A. Jacob – his and families growth, pray for money so he can send his daughter to school

Pastor B. G. Sundaram, Church of Living God - pray for family, congregation to grow spiritually and church needs.

Pastor B. John Marak, Calvary Hope Church – pray for church and school expenses for children, wife having health problems, God’s anointing to teach believers

Pastor D. Johnson, Children’s Home – pray for spiritual life, faith, greater love for all,

Pastor G. Apollos Rajghana, Kurios Baptist Church – church growth, family needs, new church building, financial supprt

Pastor G. Prabhakar, House of Prayer – church growth in faith and number, family spiritual growth, studies of daughter Priscilla 6^th grade and son Sam 4^th grade, land for a church

Pastor J. Rajaratnam, DBM Church – pray for family, church, church growth, poor people, salvation of unbelievers

Pastor K. Prakash – pray for family, ministry, money to pay rent, spiritual growth,

Pastor M. Christdas – family and church

Pastor M. D. Devavtham, Baptist Church – church and family, 2 married daughters

Pastor M. Devadanam – pray for my ministry, health, son-in-law, whole family

Pastor Mallela Babu Rao – church growth and his family

Pastor Nissi Bhushan Koya, Peace Life Fellowship – need a location for church, for family,

Pastor Pashin B. Praghundas – church ministry, financial help

Pastor Peter Paul Mella, The Holy Grace Penial Church – one problem family in church, need a building, family health, personal problems he has in the ministry

Pastor S, Raul Rey, Church of Christ Prayer Hall – family, church growth, financial problems

Pastor T. John Wilson, Baptist church – spiritual growth, church growth, children grow spiritually, unsaved family, church unity

Pastor T. Rajaratnam, Grace Church – church growth, effective ministry for self and family, new church plant

Pastor V. Matthew – family, church, wants to have children, needs transportation, for believers to come to church and to follow Jesus instead

Pastor Veragi P. Israel, The Real Tabernacle of the Holy Church – souls winning, church progress and world evangelism

Pastor Y. Ratma Paul - salvation of local people, church construction

Pastor Moses – continual ministry growth, finances to expand ministry, new church location, sewing center, widows food distribution, orphans home, Leprosy ministry, HIV ministry, Bible Institute, family, vehicle, computer, money for children’s education, washing machine for family, expand ministry in other locations

You can find updates and more information on my web site http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/ , either at Ministries, Asia Mission Journal http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/asia-mission-journal/ or on my blog page http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/blog/ .

One more night in India ! Tomorrow morning when I get up I won’t go to bed for 50 hours, until I sleep in my own bed in the USA (after a very good shower, of course).

Yesterday I went to the Good Shepherd Children’s School and home and talked to the whole school, then had a nice long time alone with the 20 students who live there. I gave them bracelets with different color beads explaining salvation. We had gone over the colors several times in the main group. I gave the home mother a bracelet by Mrs. Spink like I had given others who have helped me, for she has always made me fine meals and done everything she could to serve me when visiting there. She was thrilled with it! It is so easy to bring joy to these people. It take so little and means so much to them for so long. Next trip I will do a lot of it.

Last night we took an hour ride in a ‘taxi’ (3-wheeler) way across town to a church started by one of the men who came to the pastors conferences. In 2007 he wasn’t pastoring, just helping here and there in other churches. The conference so encouraged and motivated him that he went full time and started a church in his home. It outgrew him home and now they rent 2 small rooms joined by one door. That’s where we met last night. One room is 10’ x 20’ the other 10’ x 25’. Both were packed. There were about 80 there on a Tuesday night! We got there early to beat the traffic (which can’t be done here) and visit with him awhile. He spent the first hour we were there frantically trying to get the electricity to work. They had one light bulb and one fan, and without them couldn’t meet. He so reminded me of myself sometimes at church trying to get the heat to work or get something functioning correctly before a meeting. I’m sure it was especially bad for him because he had special visitors waiting. Finally it worked and was much needed. The light from the bulb reached me where I was speaking, but unfortunately the air from the fan did not! Their worship singing was inspiring and uplifting – so much enthusiasm and excitement, so much praise and worship. I’m starting to learn some of their more common praise songs because I hear them often. I have no idea what the words are but the feeling behind them is obvious. I talked about needing to keep our eyes on Jesus. Peter had to learn that walking on the water but didn’t and denied the Lord, then he stood for Him on Pentecost and before the religious rulers. In these very dark places I can’t use notes so get a quick outline in my head and go by that. I still feel 100% totally inadequate standing before people like this, but I know God uses what I say and just the fact that I came to their church to uplift and encourage them. Afterwards they all lined up for me to lay hands on them and pray for them. That’s one of the ministry privileges here which I will miss most when I leave!

It was most encouraging and uplifting to me to see another result of something very and good that has come from the pastors conferences and my trips here. I could see it in the joyous faces of every believer present last night! What an honor and privilege it is to impact so many lives in such a positive way, and just by doing what I love – speaking to pastors.

Today I am going with Moses to visit a ‘tribal’ church. He said they are like gypsies. It should be interesting! Tonight I’ll speak at his church again. That will end my ministry to adults here. I’ll speak to the children at the school twice tomorrow and then I’ll be done. I won’t be visiting the believers in the AIDS colony or the leper colony for they are quite a distance away. They say they will take me there next time – something to look forward to!

Thanks for your prayers and don’t stop now! Pray these final days would be very effective for Him and that whatever work He is doing in me would continue. Pray for the trip home to go quickly, smoothly and safely. Air India is not a way we will be flying again!

I asked the pastors at the pastor’s conferences for prayer requests. Here is what they gave me. I haven’t been able to get them to you sooner because I needed someone to translate them for me. The pastor I visited last night is on this list.

FIRST PASTORS CONFERENCE, July 2-4, 2007 , Hyderabad , India

Evangelist M. Sanjeevadah – pray for his brothers and his family

Pastor B. Peter, Shammah Church – pray for children and wife

Pastor Ch Abraham – son has night blindness, church construction stopped for lack of money, 3 sons become good servants

Pastor Ch Ravi Kumar, Love Pentecostal Church – church building needed, spiritual growth of family, brother Emanuel whose kidneys both failed, Abraham (12) not talking, those needing salvation, no home for own family, wants to have a son

Pastor D. Kumar - for spiritual growth, for his ministry and for his relatives

Pastor D. Samuel Raju – God bless his family and ministry

Pastor D. Yahon – spiritual growth for him, family and church

Pastor G. David Paryadesi – wife and children’s health

Pastor G. Isaac, Shammah Church – pray for wife and children

Pastor G. Jeovon, Shalem Church – church construction, church growth, wife and children, local people

Pastor G. Timothy Antipas – serve God with family (holy, honest and faithful until death), to gospel ministry, children to hear God’s call to service, church construction debts, follow what learned at seminar, health and prayer life

Pastor H. Samuel – good health, family, church growth

Pastor K. Augustine Manohar, Zion Prayer Hall – effective, fruitful ministry and church edification,

Pastor K. Jacob Abishekam – family needs, church PA system

Pastor K. Nathaniel – pray for his family and for God’s will in his life

Pastor K. Surcoh Babu, Shalem Church – conference next year

Pastor M. Prajad – for own growth and for family

Pastor M. Yesuperdn – land to build church, spiritual growth, do God’s will

Pastor P. Daniel Sostry, Lords Full Gospel Ministry – pray for his 7 children, 3 married; pray for his ministry – constructing a church building

Pastor R. Jebez – own and church spiritual growth

Pastor Raj Kumar – able to carry out vision of taking gospel to untouchables in unreached villages, needs a LCD projector for his ministry

Pastor Ramesh – pray for children

Pastor S. Jashwa Daniel – ministry and family

Pastor S.Devabaram – for family and for town of Guntur to have pastors conference next year if it is God’s will

Pastor Sanjeev Raju, Sharon Church – church development, keep Holy Spirit on him and family

Pastor Y. Prema Sugar, Full Gospel Church – own and church spiritual growth

Pastor Yesupadam, Emmanuel Calvary Church – family, ministry to multiply

Yesterday was spent at Bethel Fellowship Church, pastored by Moses, the man at whose house I am staying. He distributes a month’s worth of rice to elderly (over 60) widows, all Hindu but one was Moslem. I spoke to them first about the free gift we are getting being like the free gift of salvation. That was a challenge – preaching to women my age (only one had more gray hair than I do). Speaking to Hindu women about Jesus takes on a whole new slant!

There is also a sewing center at the church where women learn how to sew so they can earn an income at home by sewing for others. It’s a very practical skill for them to have. Eight Hindu young women were there and I spoke to them awhile. I talked about Dorcas who sewed clothing, died and was brought back to life after Peter prayed. I talked about the resurrection power of Jesus and His power over death. I invited them to pray with me at the end. I have no idea what was going on in their minds and hearts – but God does!

The church also sponsors a orphans home with 18 children. It isn’t a large church but has a real heart for reaching the community, especially those hurting in the community.

Lasts night we went to visit the church of a pastor who came to the pastor’s conference. Sunshine Ministries (David Babu’s ministry that sponsors Good Shepherd school, pastors conferences, sewing center and computer center) is giving 5 pastors a free motorbike to help them get around in their ministry. When we got there he called a special church meeting and I spoke to the people. Since I was the only speaker I spoke longer than at other places but the same message of encouragement, they are not alone, and keep their eyes on Jesus. Afterwards I again got to pray for the people one by one as they lined up around me. I really enjoy laying hands on their heads and asking God to bless them. I pray for whatever He shows me to pray for concerning them. In these smaller groups I have more time to pray longer for each person.

They are located in a very, very poor, crowded section of town. I remember seeing the community my first year here during a morning run but not entering it. Now I was preaching in it! They have a church building. We would call it a large shed, but its great for them. Except when it rains it leaks and gets quite wet so people don’t come. It sounds like MSBC needing a roof a couple years ago as well!

It was very rewarding seeing one of the pastors I taught and seeing how that conference has helped him and his family, how his ministry has been strengthened and focused, and how he has been encouraged and eternally benefited by the pastor’s conference. It seems like years ago, but it was only 3 weeks ago!

This morning the son where I am staying wanted to walk with me so at 6 AM we went for a walk together. He just wanted to spend time with me. He is 11 and makes me miss Mark more! His schooling is in English, as is virtually all education in India, so we could talk about some things. The daughter, 16, who is studying to enter medical college and me a missionary doctor, daily wears the bracelet I gave her mother and really cherishes it. That’s special to see. Thank you, Mrs. Spink, for making and donating those. They have been GREATLY appreciated by me and the women who wear them!

Today I will be at the children’s home during the day and speaking to the children. Tonight I will be speaking at another church pastored by a man from the pastor’s conference. Tomorrow we go to a tribal church. From what I gather we’d call them gypsies. It should be quite interesting. Then Thursday its back to the school and to the airport late Thursday night!

PLEASE keep praying for God to speak to me and through me! Thanks!!!

As to showing the slides of this trip, I’ll have a real brief overview on Sunday morning as part of my sermon. It seems Wednesday evening (7 PM at church) would be best to show more. We’ll start and see how far we go. We may finish or we may need to continue the next Wednesday. That seems to work best for the majority of those who responded. If it doesn’t work for you let me know and I’ll see what else I can do. I have many excellent pictures and great stories to go with them. I’ll be able to do little more than give an overview on Sunday. I think they are very interesting and informative and look forward to sharing them with you.

GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL HOME CHILDREN

I asked the children who live at the school for prayer requests and this is what each child asked prayer for:

Akeela – for her studies

Anita – family to know the Lord Jesus

Anju – for brother’s health

Deena – for studies

Jeevaw – for all the home children and their studies

Johnson – all the children in the home to study well

Keerthi – for studies

Manogna – for studies

Meena – for her studies

Mounika – parents to know the Lord

PLrathep – for studies

Pradeep – for uncle and cousin

Rani – for family members

Ravi – to be able to study well

Samthosha – for her mother

Sharon – for health

Sudhekar – for brother

Suvarna – grandparents to know the Lord

Swapna – wisdom to study well

Vishal – for studies

Thanks for praying and PLEASE don’t stop now! Jerry

You can find updates and more information on my web site http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/ , either at Ministries, Asia Mission Journal http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/asia-mission-journal/ or on my blog page http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/blog/ .

Wouldn’t you know it! Just when I think things are winding down and I can coast through this final week God does something that touched me more deeply than anything so far. Remember when I said we were going to visit 4 house churches tonight. Well, that wasn’t quite right. These churches meet among the poorest of the poor, the very bottom level of society. They have small tent-like dwellings made of pieces of plastic or cardboard they find in the road. They wear rags. Getting to their place requires climbing rocks and walking through mud, which is tricky in the dark. That and a slow drizzle of rain really set quite a scene for it all. They have no electricity, no running water or sanitation – nothing. I can’t imagine the disease they must be exposed to! The gatherings consisted of mainly, but not entirely, women. Many of their husbands are alcoholics and beat them. Yet to hear them sing, to see the gleam of joy in their eye, to watch them gladly give their money in an offering – touching is the only word I can think of and that certainly doesn’t say it all! I was blessed beyond words to be with them. It was too dark to see details, but there was a joy about them that can’t be explained. It certainly came across in their worship1 And here I was, the white guy from the rich country half way across the world, and I’m supposed to be encouraging them and ministering to them!

I told them they weren’t forgotten and alone. God remembered and cared and so did we. People in the US remember them and pray for them. I told them we pray for them to be faithful and we also thank God for them for they are an encouragement to us all. I talked about Jesus loving all of us the same and dying for all of us, and how we’d all be in heaven together some day. Coming out of Hinduism as they have means they have been rejected by family and others in their caste. They have only each other and Jesus.

When I was done I prayed for them, then asked if I could take a picture so we could remember them and pray for them. They were thrilled someone would want to take their picture! I went to each one and put out my hand to shake hands with them when I was done. It reminded me of when Jesus touched the leper, someone who hadn’t been touched in so long. I could tell it was a special privilege to these ‘untouchables’ to have someone touch them in the name of Jesus. It was a real blessing!

But that wasn’t the end! The people flocked around me for me to lay hands on them and pray for them. I love doing that! God shows me as I pray for each one what to pray for, and its always different. Sometimes there is spiritual warfare praying needed, other times healing. The cripples have absolutely no hope of healing outside Jesus. Always I bless them in Jesus’ name. One women slipped me 10 rupees ($.25) as an offering of love and appreciation. How special is that! What a tremendous honor and privilege to minister to these people! I know these people touch the heart of Jesus in a special way, for they certainly touch mine!

Tomorrow we’ll go see some more. I’m looking forward to seeing the church in the AIDS colony – believers in those conditions with AIDS who praise and serve the Lord! What must God think when I complain about what I think are ‘big problems’ in my life while these people live in joy and peace!

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT???? Am I coming back and if so when? That all depends. It is very clean God is leading in several areas. Next time we’ll have one combined 3-day pastors conference and have everyone come at one time. We’ll also have a one-day pastor’s and wives conference. Following this will be the start of our Bible Institute. It will be 3 weeks but I’ll only teach the first 2, then have others teach subjects the last week. I want to go back to Ahmednagar again, this time to speak to a special gathering of all the churches in the district. That’s what should be done. And it should happen some time around February or March. Summer is tough and waiting until fall of 2008 is just too long to put off the interest and needs here. The Bible institute should cover its own expenses, but the pastor’s conference costs about $25 a person for those coming (about $2500 total). My own expenses for Hyderabad are about $1000 and then Ahmednagar is an additional $500. Plane fair can be anywhere form $1200 to $1800, depending how far in advance I get tickets. I’d really like to have some of my family join me next time! I know God wants these things to happen so I know He’ll provide the money. Pray He would provide quickly so we can go ahead with plans for none of this can be planned unless there is money to pay for it, and these things need to be planned in advance or they won’t be effective. Thanks!

I’m looking for some willing people (or children or teens) to go alone to help minister here. I absolutely guarantee you that when you come as a group your housing, food, transportation and overall living conditions will be similar to what you experience in America . Mine were so different this trip because I ventured off on my own to better experience the ‘real’ India . I won’t be doing that next time. If you are at all interested please let me know. It’s an experience you’ll never forget and will change you completely! Cost will probably be around $2500, depending on the cost of the flight. Thanks again!

Thanks for praying and PLEASE don’t stop now! Jerry

You can find updates and more information on my web site http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/ , either at Ministries, Asia Mission Journal http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/asia-mission-journal/ or on my blog page http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/blog/ .

To Nancy: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NANCY!!!!! Sorry I’m not with you on our anniversary. Don’t have a good time without me! Just wait for one more week!

To Everyone else:

The baby and house dedication yesterday was very interesting. Indians always start things late, so the ceremony was almost 3 hours late getting started. I really enjoyed it, though. The baby was Pearl Susan. That’s appropriate since the last baby I dedicated before Pearl was Ruby! Pearl is a 6th generation Christian – something not very common in India!

The mother’s name was Mercy Grace. She goes by both names. It sounded great hearing people say her name! When she was born she was very premature and they didn’t know if she would live. When she did they called her Mercy Grace.

Today church went very well. I rode there on the back of Moses’ motorcycle. It took about ½ hour. He is a careful driver, and his motorcycle doesn’t have much power. I spoke three times in the morning: Sunday School, worship service sermon, then meeting with the teens. This was the shortest service I’ve been in yet here – just 3 hours. They can’t believe our services are only 1 ½ hours. They don’t know how we can get it all in! They sing for almost an hour, pray out loud for ½ to ¾ hours, have an hour sermon, plus testimonies, special music, offering, sometimes the Lord’s Supper, etc. The children of all ages sat through the one today as well.

Next Sunday I will be home, speaking at Main Street! I’ve been working on my pictures and also on what to say. I figure I’ll take about 3,000 pictures again, maybe just 2,500. The problem is how to condense it all into one short message. I figure that gives me about 1 minutes and 3 or 4 pictures per day! I would like to show my best slides (about 500 – 1 ½ hours or so) to anyone interested in seeing them. If you’d be interested email me back and let me know, also give me some suggestions as to what evenings might work.

Tonight we are going to stop in at 4 separate house church his church is starting in various locations. Their church and these churches are all in the poor sections of town (which seem to be most of the town). I will speak for about 10 minutes in each, then go to the next. That way I can get to see and greet everyone in each church and share some words of encouragement. It should be very interesting. And I get to ride on the motorcycle for the whole thing! Maybe I should get one at home…..;(never).

Thanks for praying! And don’t stop now!

Jerry

You can find updates and more information on my web site http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/, either at Ministries, Asia Mission Journal http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/asia-mission-journal/  or on my blog page http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/blog/.

WHAT I MISS - AND WHAT I DON'T MISS
So what do I miss the most? I miss Nancy. And Grace and Mark and all of you. I miss feeling clean. I miss a hot shower, or even a cold shower, or even hot water in a sink. Only cold water and a sink in a very hot climate gets tough! My deodorant has been holding up well, though!
I miss vegetables and fruit. To be honest I'm very tired of spicy starches and very spicy meats. They have some fruits and vegetables but since they are washed in local water I'm told not to eat them. I miss them more than chocolate, though! Actually I don't miss chocolate - I don't even think about it. I do wonder what the first signs of scurvy are, though. So far no teeth have fallen out - I guess that's a good sign.
I miss being able to exercise. I go for a long, swift walk as soon as it is light enough but it is already too hot for that. I miss the cleanliness of the US: its streets, bathrooms and smells. I miss not having to disinfect myself continually. I miss using spigot water to brink, brush teeth, etc.

By the same token, there are things in the USA I don't miss. I don't miss talking on the phone. For someone dependent on reading lips most of the time, talking on the phone can be difficult. Also I don't miss the overt sensuality of the US. Except for an occasional billboard that wouldn't even be noticed in the US, the dress, pictures, advertising, etc., is totally modest. It's refreshing to not have to keep moving my eyes from what I see and wiping the images out of my mind. That I like a lot!
I don't miss the seemingly endless and very time consuming chore of keeping electronic gadgets working: computer, PA system, projector, PDA, car, DVD player, etc. I seem to end up being the computer guru problem solving what goes wrong here, but its far less than at home. That I certainly don't miss.

Now, what will I miss here? I'll miss ministry on the cutting edge, where so much is at stake and every opportunity is a rare privilege. I'll miss the challenges of being totally out of my element with nothing but God's Word to give people and finding that is enough. I'll miss the great hunger and thirst for the Bible and for Jesus, not just in Christians but in the Hindus and Moslems to visit church as well. I'll miss the opportunities to make such a great difference in so many lifes in so little time. I'll miss being able to impact pastors so their whole life and ministry improves and they pass that on to future generations.
I'll miss the way women dress. It is very colorful, very feminine and very modest. Enough said!
I'll miss the new, good friends I have made here. It seems especially easy to bond heart to heart and soul to soul when ministering together under these circumstances. Sharing the same foxhole seems to break down all walls and pretense. I do look forward to getting to know them better in heaven, when we can actually carry on conversations together as well!
I'll certainly miss the children - the ones in the churches and orphanages. Their eyes are so full of trust and openness. Their hearts are so hungry for the truth. Their smiles come so readily and light up their whole face. Their trust and respect is freely given. They just give you their heart the first time you meet them. Seeing them a second time is like reuniting with a child you've known your whole life. They are quiet and obedient. They are deeply grateful and appreciative of anything and everything. They don't assume anything is due them. They are a joy and I'd love to bring a few back with me!

I spent most of the day Friday at the Good Shepherds children’s home. It was great to be there. That place really stuck in my heart since last time and I’ve thought of it thousands of times since. It felt so comfortable going back! Dena and her sister Roni, the 2 girls I got closest to last year because of personal ties through a women in our church who supports Dena, were very glad to see me. They had been waiting for me to come for 3 weeks. I sent my chain of flowers to Dena that first week. She’s grown but still had a special place in my heart, and I think I do in hers as well. There’s that melancholy connection we share!

I talked to all 250 children and used magic tricks to communicate salvation and trusting Jesus instead of being afraid. I used my story of Joseph and David and expanded it a bit. It went very well. Then I spent an hour with the 20 children who live at the school, in the home they have there. They are very familiar from last year, are must more spiritually attuned and are a ‘family’ with the staff. One of the things I asked them is when they got afraid. I got answers that were surprising: “When my father died.” “When my mother died.” “When my father beats me.” Yet their faith in and love for Jesus is very strong. It was just wonderful being with them!

I enjoyed watching the teachers with their classes, too. Some are Christian, some Hindu. There just aren’t enough Christian teachers available. I don’t understand a word they are saying when they teach, but I can easily identify with them for I love to teach children as well. We share the same burden, the same teaching gifts, the same love for children. With all that in common what does language and culture matter?

I’m finally starting to get used to everyone waiting on me and not letting me do any work, carry a suitcase, even stand. The women especially love serving and if I don’t let them its like an insult to them. They watch and anticipate my every whim and then carry it out as quickly as they can. Watching them carry my heavy suitcase while I carry nothing is still hard, but I’m getting more used to it. I figure that just about the time I’m back with Nancy I’ll be fully adjusted to letting women wait on me hand and foot and do all the heavy work for me……….

Today I officiate at a baby dedication and home dedication (same couple). That should be interesting. Pray I’d say what God would have me to say to encourage and motivate this couple and all the family that will be there. It is a relative of Abigail Babu. David and Abigail Babu are the couple that run the Good Shepherd school and home as well as Sunshine Ministries which sponsored the Pastor’s conferences. They are the couple I am here with.

Pray God would bless me and use me in all the opportunities he gives me to minister here. Tomorrow I will speak three or four times: to the children, sermon to the congregation, to the youth after church, and perhaps again in the evening. Pray God would give me His words and I would be used for His honor and glory. Many things are being planned for future ministry here, for the next trip and ones after that. Pray for God’s guidance and will to be done. Keep praying for me and my family. Pray for my health and protection. Pray God would use me to accomplish what He wants me to accomplish in India. And pray God would use India to accomplish what He wants India to accomplish in me.

Thanks for praying! And don’t stop now!

Jerry

You can find updates and more information on my web site http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/ , either at Ministries, Asia Mission Journal http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/asia-mission-journal/ or on my blog page http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/blog/ .

THE ANIMALS OF INDIA

The first thing a visitor to India notices is the poverty and filth. The second would be the colorful dress of the women everywhere. But the third thing would have to be the animals. Animals are everywhere.

Oxen pull carts and plow fields. Cattle and water buffalo roam everywhere. Their large horns intact, they are gentle and docile. They can cause major traffic problems when they just lay down in the middle of a busy highway, though. The milk used here is from oxen and water buffalo. While Hindus are strict vegetarians, Moslems and Christians do eat beef.

Chickens are eaten as are their eggs, although eggs are never refrigerated. Very, very few people even have refrigeration, and the ones that do don't use it for much.

Horses and donkeys are also used to pulls carts and carry loads. Goats run wild everywhere. They are used for milk but mainly mean. There are even a few sheep for meat.

An occasional camel can be seen, dressed up and ridden or carrying a burden. If you watch carefully you can even see a monkey or two here or there.

I have heard some places use elephants but I haven't seen any except at the zoo. He wasn't in a cage, just roaming around for people to touch and climb up on his back for pictures.

In India you don't have to go to a farm or zoo to see animals, the animals come to you wherever you may be.

Friday, June 20, 2007, Hyderabad, India

I said my good-byes to the people where I was staying in Lucknow and left on the train for Hyderabad. Before going I gave the 2 sisters of the young man who has been seeing me around and interpreting for me gifts I brought. Maggie's mother made them. They are bracelets that tell the story of Jesus using colored and shaped beads. It starts at His birth ad ends with Him now in heaven having prepared the way for us. I assumed since he was a believer his sisters, who took care of the food and home while we stayed there, were Christians as well. It wasn't until later I found they were both Hindu and he is the only Christian in his family. But they told him about the bracelets and really liked them. They seem to connect fairly well with me, too. One is studying to be a nurse and we talked about that (most education in this country takes place in English so they can read the resources and communicate with those in the west). It's nice to think that those 2 Hindu girls will now think of Jesus every time they see the bracelets and that and that they'll have such a fine symbol of Jesus in their rooms at all times! Thanks a lot Judy Spink!

The train was 4 hours late in arriving so we waited outside on the hot platform all that time. And its billed as an 'Express' train! There were some monkeys playing nearby on the platform as well - that was interesting to watch.

The pastor accompanying me on this journey is named Naresh. He, too, is the only Christian in his Hindu family and has had a lot of pressure to return but he definitely knows the difference Jesus makes and won't go back! I've spoken to numerous Hindu's and even some Moslems in the services where I've spoken. That's quite a feeling, knowing unsaved Hindus and Moslems are listening to what you say!

The train ride went slowly but the time passed. I find I get my best nights sleep in the train. I slept from 8 PM to almost 6 AM. I guess the motion and jerking remind men of being in the womb, although its been a long time!

I am now back in Hyderabad, which feels like home after all the places I’ve been. We arrived here about 8 PM. I am staying with a pastor named Moses. He is coming to stay with us in the US January 5-20, 2008. He is a fine godly man and knows English!

Thanks for praying! And don’t stop now!

Jerry

EAST & WEST - CONTRASTING WORLD VIEWS

Have you ever wondered why there is such a great difference in the quality and duration of life in the West and the East? Even now, when the advancements of the West are available to those living in the East, they seem to reject them in favor of an inferior lifestyle. Why is this? In order to understand it we musts understand the basic world view that underlies the mind set of the East. In understanding that we find our answer.

Where the gospel has been accepted and the Biblical world view incorporated into society the quality of life has improved. Where it has been rejected life has remained in darkness. In India Christians are in a very small minority. 'Christian' refers to Roman Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, liberal Christians and evangelicals. Even so, for every one Christian there are 4 Moslems and 32 Hindus. The Biblical world view has not impacted the culture and the results are obvious.

In order to under stand the Hindu world view, lets see how it would answer the 3 basic questions all world views answer. First, Who am I? Hindus would say they are a life form going through many carnations and they are at the mercy of distant and uncaring gods. Second, What is my problem? To the Hindu, the problem in life is that they are now suffering for mistakes and failures in previous lives (carnations). They are paying for the past. Then third, What's the solution? The solution that has been developed over the centuries to deal with this is called 'karma,' what you have is what you have. Life is as it is. Accept it, its your lot. Don't question, try to change or improve, just live it. Perhaps your suffering may appease the Hindu gods and things won't get even worse. Self-imposed suffering in the form of Hindu rituals, pilgrimages and other things may help appease the gods as well, but who knows? One only has the next carnation to look for, perhaps it will be better, perhaps worse. After a million or more reincarnations one is finally reabsorbed into Nirvana and then ceases to exist. That's all there is to hope for.

Remember that beliefs affect values and values determine actions. These beliefs form values that are seen in how the people live. Life has little value. Therefore health, sanitation, safety and soforth aren't important. One's own life and happiness isn't important. There is no responsibility to help others in need or society in general. All this is seen in their actions. People simply exist for today and that is all. Life is hard but little or no changes are made. The rich see no responsibility to help the poor or even contribute to the improvement of their culture. The poor don't feel responsible to provide a better life for themselves or their children. There is no joy and no hope.

So what makes our civilization and outlook so different? In having accepted the Bible as truth through the centuries our world view is entirely different. We believe God has a plan for man (Romans 8:28) and that He will bring that plan about in our lives (Philippians 1:6). We know we have an obligation and responsibility to help others and improve the world around us (parable of the good Samaritan). In addition, we aren't functioning in a system of fear for God is not a God of fear (1 Timothy 1:7). Everything we have is by God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). God is motivated by love and we are to be as well (John 3:16). Light drives our darkness (John 1:5,9).

So what's the big difference between East and West? It comes down to world view, for ideas do have consequences!

You can find updates and more information on my web site http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/ , either at Ministries, Asia Mission Journal http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/asia-mission-journal/ or on my blog page http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/blog/ .

Thanks for praying! And don’t stop now! Jerry

You can find updates and more information on my web site http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/ , either at Ministries, Asia Mission Journal http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/asia-mission-journal/ or on my blog page http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/blog/ .

In an hour I leave for the 30 hour train ride to Hyderabad. A local pastor is going with me. Our accommodations aren’t as good as other times but will be OK. I bought water and bread and think they will give me a few of their bananas to take. That and my tuna should be enough. I haven’t been eating much lately – my stomach has rebelled against all the strange spices I’ve dumped into it. So the trip will be a good time to let it settle. At least that’s the plan.

Yesterday we couldn’t go to the children in the villages because the mud paths aren’t passable by motorcycles after a heavy monsoon like we had. We did go to the children’s orphanage which is ½ hour away in town here. I told them more about Joseph and Annie. They really identify with children facing fear, homelessness (they are orphans), jealousy and anger. It drizzled on the way back but I brought my raincoat to make sure it didn’t rain heavy. I didn’t need the raincoat. That was my last bike ride – I really enjoy them but they do go very fast and everyone cuts everything very, very close. Especially the cars and trucks. Motorcycles go faster and cut in and out of every tiny space. They are all used to driving that way and I haven’t seen a motorcycle accident yet.

With all the extra time in my room because of the Monsoons and because I haven’t been over-worked here I’ve had time to work on updating my Spiritual Warfare Handbook. I’ve wanted to do that for some time but there just isn’t the time to do it at home. In the hotel at the Ahmednagar and in my room here I’ve had evenings and even several mornings to work on it and it’s almost complete. I want to have it proof read and get feedback before I finalize and print it, but it’s been coming along. I never thought I’d get that project done but its been a great use of time, Authors get away by themselves when they need to create and produce – so here I am come to India to do that! After all, what better place to update a Spiritual Warfare Handbook than in India!

I don’t know where I’ll be staying in Hyderabad so I don’t know about internet access. God has been good and mostly it has worked out pretty well. We’ll see what He has in store there. It’s a very strange feeling going these weeks with having to totally trust God and those around me. I can’t feed, transport or do anything on my own. I’ve even totally dependent on God to teach. I can’t take care of myself here at all. By the same token no one is dependent on me. I have virtually no responsibility. I’m not ‘needed’ by anyone in that way. I do all the needing. It’s a strange feeling indeed. I guess that’s what being in a nursing home is like!

Thanks for praying! And don’t stop now! Jerry

I have some more articles about life in India for those interested:

ALCOHOL, ABUSE AND AIDS

One would wonder where they get the resources to indulge in things like alcohol and smoking, but somehow evil finds its way into every culture. It can be a real problem in many nonChristian families. Adultery and wife beating are not uncommon, either. Indian people are very quiet and gentle, very unassuming. Yet somehow abuse shows the underlying frustrations among some of the men.

AIDS is a growing problem in all areas, especially among the very poor. It is spread sexually, often by homosexual activity.

Every culture has its sin, and even without resources those who so choose to go that direction can find the means to do so anywhere.

HINDUISM AND KARMA

The underlying philosophy of India is karma - the basis of Hindu and Confucian thought. Karma means things are as they are, they can't be changed, that's the way it is, so just accept it. That's how a very rich person can ignore a poor family starving in a hut by their front door, and the poor family doesn't expect help from the rich family. Karma means accepting your lot in life as it is. But instead of their being a contentedness, instead there is a passive giving up, not caring, not trying, not wanting to improve or change things, assuming life is painful and that's all there is. Perhaps the next carnation will be better, and if not the one after it. The best one can do is accept their lot in this life and perhaps in so doing pay off some of their bad karma and hope for a better lot next time around.

At least they didn't come as a cow or another animal. Although it seems to me most cattle and water buffalo roaming around have a better life than the poor.

There are thousands of cattle everywhere, and their 2 or 3 foot horns are intact. At first I walked carefully past them but soon discovered they are so used to people they are no danger. I stopped taking pictures after the first day because they are just constantly everywhere.

What else is everywhere are Hindu temples. Some are large, exquisite works of beauty with hundreds of full-time priests. Others are small 3 foot square concrete boxes by the road or in a field. Each family has its own god to appease in any way it can. The large ones have been around awhile and have built up a larger following. There are more gods than people in India - and each one has one or more demons behind it being strengthened by the praise and worship it receives.

Pilgrimages regularly block roads. Every day is some kind of Hindu holiday to some god or other. Life is self-imposed suffering so perhaps ones gods will not bring about more of their suffering on the person.

What darkness and emptiness reigns here! What great demonic strongholds have been established! May God bless and protect those few who call on His name in their place!

You can find updates and more information on my web site http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/ , either at Ministries, Asia Mission Journal http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/asia-mission-journal/ or on my blog page http://www.mainstreetbaptist.org/blog/ .