Broad sowing of the Gospel

The days are just disappearing! I don’t know how it’s happening! We have spent 5 full days here already! They are passing so fast!

We’ve seen around 20 people pray to receive Jesus so far and at least 100 presentations of the Gospel! Everyone is really going for it sharing with people. Initiating conversations and following up with those who’ve made decisions. It’s so fun to see everyone really diving in.

Sunday was very full here. We had our team time and worshiped and prayed and then all headed to a large park. Some of us were there on Saturday and it was packed. However – that was nothing compared to the crowds on Sunday. Masses. 240 acre botanical park visited by several thousand people. Imagine you’re at Six Flags on the busiest day of the year – times 4. And YOU are the main attraction! The team gathered on the grass and sang one worship song together. Then turned around to the people who were surrounding them (at least 4 people deep) to share the Gospel. The kiddos were celebrities with EVERYONE wanting to take a picture of them and with them. Their little cheeks were almost pinched off! Sherry started doing face painting on hands and was literally mobbed by little people and their parents wanting her to paint a Jesus Loves Me heart on their hand.

Monday was a much deserved day off – we’ve been running a really fast pace and needed some down time to regroup and be rejuvenated.

Pray for us as we finish out – we’re believing for many more salvations and healings these next 3 days!

taking pictures of our kids!

[caption id="attachment_103" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="sharing the Good News"][/caption]

kiddos!

Day One on the ground

Today was a good day. Our hotel staff made us eggs and toast and then we had a team worship and prayer time. So good to worship together here! Then we embarqed on our first adventure. We rented a van to cart around the little ones and the Hammer family since Shelley’s crutches make it difficult to walk long distances. Unfortunately – the driver did not speak English. The rest of the group took off to meet the Johnson’s (Keving and Stacy and 4 kiddos) and drive to lunch in their van – then a few who couldn’t fit in (we fit 17 in a 4runner type vehicle!) rented rickshaws. The kids attract ALOT of attention as we walk the streets. Especially Oakes Smith and his curly reddish hair, Halle Hammer and her smiley face, and Lucy (just over 1 yr old cutie pie) and Maggie Wahlquist (super-cute 2 month old baby)! So the van and it’s occupents got lost – but finally made it to our lunch spot. Then we were off to the park when the rain started! It’s monsoon season here! They said it normally doesn’t rain as much as it did today though! The park was great – the kids rode the train – but not many people out because of the weather. So we decided to go to a large mall in hopes of finding more people to talk to. Right choice – the mall was PACKED! However the Smith and Hammer kids were having a major melt-down by that time so we ate a quick dinner and headed back to the hotel. The rest of the group was staying for awhile more sharing with people and then heading back. They’re still out – so I’ll let you know tommorrow how it went! Keep praying for us – IT’s WORKING!

We Made it!

We’re here! And all our luggage is here as well! Thanks so much for praying for us! We arrived at 5:30 am India time this morning and got to see the city awaking as we drove to our hotel! Joey met us and got us all in our taxis for the trip to the hotel! A harrowing experience as all the taxi drivers were fighting over us! Took a little nap ( actually can’t wake the kids up! they keep falling back to sleep! ) and now we’re having a short team meeting and lunch (Pizza !). An orientation with a member of the long-term team here is on the schedule for the afternoon – then trying to stay awake till at least 8pm to get us on a good sleeping schedule! Pray for that please! Our hotels are actually apartments and very spacious and clean! If a bit noisy! More later……………..

Unexpected layover in London

So – because of mechanical issues with our plane leaving Chicago – we were delayed boarding 3 hours. That translated into us getting into London too late to make our flight to Bangalore. So we are at a nice little hotel by the airport about to hav dinner – all courtesy of British Airlines! Pray we will rest well and that there will be no problems with our next flight!

Everyone traveled great – especially all these kiddos! Thanks for lifting them up! They think it’s a GRAND ADVENTURE! Because of Shelley’s crutches – they requested a wheelchair for her in Chicago and London. The porter assigned to us here in London – took ALL of us straight to the front of all the lines. He saved us hours of wwait time and showed us where to go at every turn! Thank you Jesus for your angels in disguise!

Leaving Tommorrow!

Oh my goodness! We leave TOMORROW! Please pray for all the last minute details to go smoothly. Packing and tying up loose ends here. Pray our hearts will be prepared for all God will do in and through us!

We need a financial miracle! We are still needing a little over $10,000 ! Especially the families with children are needing some more money to come in! Would you pray for the Wahlquists, Hammers, Jones, and Smiths to get all their money in? God owns the cattle on a thousand hills – we need just a few sold at auction! Thanks for standing with us!

Praise report from Joey – who went ahead of us to “learn the ropes”. 21 people came to know Jesus in ONE DAY this week! YAAHOO! Joey is with the team from MCC in Waco that we will be teaming up with! Come on now – that’s something to SHOUT about!

Okay – off to pack……

If you want to donate online – it’s secure and easy! Here’s the link!
T-shirt sales are still going on as well!

https://antiochbelton.ccbchurch.com/app/trx_submit_bp.php?type=public_gift

Buy a t-shirt or donate online!

We need your help!

We leave for India in less than two weeks and we need about $20,000 to get us there! We have our tickets, but still need our visas, hotel, transportation, and food money to come in!

Here’s how you can help –

Order a really cool t-shirt for a suggested donation of $12 (click on pic at right)

and/or donate online! here’s the link:

https://antiochbelton.ccbchurch.com/app/trx_submit_bp.php?type=public_gift

Thanks for partnering with us to share Jesus with those who’ve never heard!

Tickets to India – Bought!!!

YEA!
Over $15,000 came in this last week and we have our tickets!
Thank you to everyone who gave!
May the Lord supply your every need as you trust in Him!

India – Here we come!

In only 15 more days our team of 14 adults and 8 kiddos heads to Bangalore, India!

Why? To share Jesus in this very modern city known as the “Silicon Valley of India”. Our friends working in the city have seen incredible miracles of healing and people coming to the LORD daily. DAILY!

We’re going to sow the Gospel widely – walking through the city, meeting people where ever we can to share the Love of Jesus with them.

Would you pray with us to see many more Indians come to Christ? to be healed, delivered, and set free from idol worship? That’s our hearts desire! To see more people in Heaven and those who have not ever heard have a chance to respond to the Gospel!

Nigeria

Tad and Eric and Rick were able to journey to Nigeria for 9 days. They brought back incredible stories and pictures of their time. Here’s a few of their stories

Edinburg Recap

So all in all a FABULOUS trip. We started out in our planning going to Juarez, then Reynosa, and finally ended up in Edinburg. God knew all along where He wanted us to be – it just took us a few weeks to figure it out!

Many thanks to Kenny and Jenny Ingram at Master’s Harvest and especially to Kent and Laura Lawson (and Izzy) for hosting us! You guys were AWESOME! We loved hanging out with you and laboring in your vineyard!

We’re so proud of our team – they laid it all on the line, without complaining, and they reaped a great harvest! Both in their own lives and the lives of those we met!

You guys are the BEST! We’re so glad we get to walk with you!