STANDING in THE PROMISES OF GOD

I couldn't resist the opportunity to stand IN the promise of God - His rainbow, a symbol of all the precious promises of God to protect those who trust in and follow after Him. This is Victoria Falls in Zambia. It's not raining. This is the "mist??" coming from this powerful waterfall!

Standing above this location (before plunging in), we could actually see 7 rainbows, most of them almost full circle. What an awesome reminder of the grace and love of Jesus Christ, the Creator of all that beauty! And the greatest fact is: He loves and cares for me. ALWAYS! He is a God of Love, and He'll never again bring destruction on the whole earth, because He loves us ALL.

FUN WITH THE KIDS

I love the kids in India (and around the world). They are so obedient and love to learn. Any chance I get, I take the opportunity to just hang with the kids. Without an interpreter, there are some limits on interaction. BUT, they learn by rote repetition, and they're totally uninhibited to try anything! AND they like to practice their English. So, you just sit down and start pointing at colors, say the word, and they repeat (without the local's habit of "w" and "v" being switched!) Then: they generally have learned to count, so you use your fingers, etc to get them started. Then you point at body parts ("toe, 10 toes", see picture), etc. etc. etc. The only problem comes when you point at yourself and say, "My name is Millie." So they point at themselves and say, "My name is Millie". So you try to clarify, saying (pointing to yourself), "My name is Millie. What is your name?" (pointing to them). As they look at you in confusion, you are reminded of the most FRUSTRATING part of working in another language area - THE INABILITY TO COMMUNICATE!! Even when you both SPEAK English, you realize ways and customs are different, accents are different, etc. They speak British English "Mind your step, Madame!" (A cautionary remark to a lady with respect, not a woman of ill-repute). Did you know that the huge animal seen submerged on safaris around the world is a hip-po-po-thomas, not a hip-po-pot'-tu-mas. (If you didn't catch that, you'll have to call for a verbal lesson in pronunciation). GREAT FUN TRAVELING THE WORLD. COME JOIN US!

Heartaches of India

This little girl suffered with polio. She came into our clinic with her mother, walking on her ankle with the sole of her foot turned upward. (As usual), with high hopes, I asked our translator what it would cost to have surgery done. He told me (sadly), "About $3000". A local nurse explained to me that it was the result of polio and the degeneration of the sciatic nerve. She said it would take major surgery and a brace to make her "normal". This is just one of the sad results of an impoverished nation unable to properly care for the children and the poor. Our first patient in the first clinic had been a baby with a hole in its heart, already struggling to breathe. These are the pictures of pain and suffering that you carry home with you, rarely forgotten.

UNTOUCHABLES OF INDIA

(Gathering manure for fuel for fires for cooking, this lady has worked so hard all her life, she is unable to stand up straight).

In India, your lot in life is determined by the family in which you are born. Society is divided into castes, determined purely by your birth. Education, achievements, hard work - nothing can elevate you above the caste into which you are born. Certain jobs and positions are available for certain castes, and no degree of intelligence or success can change your caste level. Only the good things you do in this life, followed by "reincarnation into a higher caste in the next life" (Hindu belief) can change your position in society.

The Dalits, or Untouchables, are the people considered even lower than the lowest caste. They have no hope in THIS life whatsoever. They work hard all day just to barely make enough to eat, possibly just one meal a day with their children receiving just the water in which the rice is boiled. These are the people to whom we minister in India. Body wrecking work, difficulties, hopelessness, no end to suffering - this is their "lot" in life. (The people of higher castes and greater wealth do not minister to them since, according to their Hindu beliefs, this would be counterproductive to their being "reincarnated" into a better life).

As we share what the Bible teaches about life, we give them HOPE for a future (even if it is just after death). We tell them of the biblical view of eternity, Heaven, the incarnation of Christ, Jesus' coming to SAVE them, not to destroy. (There have been 10 incarnations of Hindu gods, all coming in destruction). The people are given (much appreciated) temporary relief from pain, disease, "blindness". But, even greater, they are given HOPE in Jesus Christ. I met a lady, in one of our Homes for the Elderly, who was widowed at the age of 7 years (yes, that is 7); she was never allowed to remarry (but not thrown into the fire as they burned her dead husband's (legally betrothed husband's) body as many widows were. She shared with me - with the greatest smile of joy on her face - how the Lord had ALWAYS taken care of her! And we think we have it hard!

MINISTERING IN CHRIST'S NAME

Medical, dental, and eyeglass clinics enable us to share the Gospel with many people who might never come to a church or evangelistic rally. Indian people have little access to medicines and no funds to find transportation to a hospital. As we take medicines to the villages, the people come, desperate for physical healing. Their traditional medicines of herbs and leaves often work, but their application of "sacred" cow dung to wounds and infections does NOT work.

As we administer medicines, it gives us a chance to tell them about the Great Physician, who can heal their spiritual wounds and give Eternal Life. Many times the peoples' needs are more than we can help, or even beyond human help. As we pray for them, they see the power of Christ to heal their diseases, give them the children they desire, as well as meet the deepest desire of all people - to know the One True God.

INDIA 2009

India, a country of thousands of gods, is replete with every imaginable thing to worship. On every street corner, in the poorest of villages, in the middle of a field, in every shop, there is an opportunity to worship "things carved by human hands". Children are named "elephant", "cobra", "adder" because these are the names of the gods of India. Hinduism, an ancient religion, is the main religion of India. Approximately 80% of Indians are Hindu while evangelical Christians account for 2.5% of the population. True followers of Christ are called "Believers" because to be born into a Christian family gives you the title "Christian". When a Hindu converts to Christianity, he is typically called a converted Hindu.

Our annual trips to India take us to the remotest villages, even into mountainous areas where the people have never even seen our colored type faces. The people are born into the group called "untouchables", the lower than the lowest caste, doing the menial tasks and degrading labor of the unmentionable. As we minister to them, touching their wounds, their formerly leprous limbs, their blind eyes, Jesus Christ reaches down into their formerly untouched heart and opens their blinded eyes to the truth of the Gospel message: that He loved them so much He died to pay for their sins; He lives today; and He offers them the free gift of Eternal Life in Him.

Through the 55 American Missionaries, wonderful Christian Translators, your support and prayers, our team recorded over 4100 new decisions to follow Christ as the One True God. At HOLY WINGS (a World In Need of God's Salvation), where 2 teams of ministers were led by Hugh and I, we recorded over 1400 decisions for Christ in 18 villages around the city of Korukonda in southeastern India.

Thanks for your prayers and support! We love you and appreciate you being co-laborers with us in this ministry.

Theological Education: A Top Priority in Christian Growth

Hugh and I had the opportunity to meet with an administrator from UBS last week. He updated us on the status of the Baptist Seminary in Uganda which we visit during our annual mission trip in June. Hugh had the privilege of speaking to the graduates (pictured above) in June 2008.

UBS is being defunded by the International Mission Board as they seek to turn over control of seminaries to the local associations. The seminary was founded in 1988. In 1998 there were 40 students. In 2008 there were 240 students who reported 11,542 decisions for Christ in their ministries during this past year. It cost about $400 per student per year to provide theological education through the seminary each year. (There are 3 levels of education at the seminary, with students attending classes for 3 weeks, 3 terms per year. All classes are taught in English, so pastors and lay leaders who do not read and write English must be taught in local Bible Schools where they are available).

UBS is dedicated to training Pastors and enabling them to grow in their Christian life and ministry. The students are accountable, not only in their studies, but in their ministries as they give reports on new converts, baptisms, church growth, new church plants, etc. UBS sees theological education as one of the main factors in the rise of Baptist churches and membership growth in Uganda. They take the commands of Mt. 28:19,20 to make disciples seriously as they train men and women in the necessary skills as they continue in the ministry to which God has called them. SBC missionaries first came to Uganda in the 60's. In 1978 the churches were shut down by Idi Amin. In 1988 there were 126 churches with 5,621 members. In 2008 there were 1100 churches with 63,109 members. Most (village) Baptist churches are grass thatched pole structures like the small mud hut homes of the people.

As elsewhere around the world, the Muslims are hard at work, even offering money for pastors to convert or for Muslim men to marry wives of other religions. Students at UBS come from 70 of the 78 districts in Uganda and several neighboring African nations. 60 of the students are from the Internally Displaced People camps along the Sudan border (where people were moved by the government from their homes to camps of 10s of thousands of people in an effort to stop the rebel forces from N. Uganda and the Sudan (led by Kony)).

There are many outside forces trying to stop the spread of the Gospel in Africa and Uganda and around the world. Evangelical Christianity is the only answer. As Believers in Jesus Christ and Followers of the Way, we must see the needs, offer resources and support, and heed the call of Jesus to go into all the world and be His witness and make disciples. Please pray for the leaders of UBS and those who make decisions for them. The field is indeed ripe for harvest. Pray that the Lord would send laborers into the fields.

I am reminded of that song, "My house is full, but my fields are empty. Who will go and work for me today? It seems my children all want to stay around my table. No one wants to work in my field. No one wants to work in my fields."

What a blessing it is to be called, or to go, or to pray, or to give. What's your heart? Is it,"Here am I, Lord. Send me." ? Or "Pray ye, the Lord of the Harvest, to send forth laborers"? Or " Give and it shall be given unto you "?. . . Answer His call. It will change your life.

GRACE, GRACE, GOD'S GRACE

Grace, truly an example of God's grace, lives out her life of following Christ as she ministers to the HIV/AIDS victims at the hospital when she goes for her treatments. Grace, widowed with 2 children, knows firsthand what it is to trust Christ with her life. After discovering she was HIV positive, she visited with the ladies of Pallisa Bacptist Church, Uganda. She cried and cried, understanding the hopelessness of her situation and the lostness of her soul. As they lovingly ministered the grace of Christ to Grace, she understood the great love of Jesus, His willingness to die for her, and Grace invited Jesus Christ into her life as Lord and Saviour. Grace now always has a smile on her face, evidence of the hope she has in Christ, the assurance of His love, care, and provision for her. I have never been so drawn to an individual as I was to her. I could see the peace on her face, evidence of the presence in her life of the Prince of Peace. She spreads the love of Christ, the assurance of Eternal Life, the hope of comfort and provision with all those with whom she comes in contact. She has found purpose in her life as she shares Jesus with others suffering this dread disease. She ministers tirelessly in our clinics and open air Crusades. She truly is an Ambassador of Jesus Christ, proclaiming His message: Be reconciled to God. We helped her get a bicycle to give her transportation back and forth to the hospital for her treatments and ministry to other AIDS patients. Please pray for her and her 2 children, Esther (12) and a 10 year old boy.