India mission team "The Day Is Young"

Sent 9-18-09 5:04am

We rose early and after breakfast rode on our familiar bus for a 3 hour harrowing ride to Meerut, a bustling large city of 3.5 million. Our ride with constant honking and screeching brought us finally to a small storefront type place -- we went up a couple of flights and the sound of praise increased. Finally we joined M_ Christian Church in the midst of jubilant praise -- a welcome oasis of brothers and sisters in Jesus. They welcomed us warmly with orange leis and I was invited to bring greetings from Mountain and Countryside Christian churches but also from all their family in the Lord in the US. Brother Smith preached a good word about the compassion and healing of Jesus. I saw some our team members weeping for joy at the truth being told. The church was strong -- probably 250-300, lots of beautiful children, vibrant teenagers, some of whom played in the band (and one of the bongo kids had taped fingers just like Gary Tollenger!), and young men, elderly, too. The power only went out once so the overhead Casablanca fans were not off for long. After the service they lined us up front and all came to greet and touch and welcome and thank us. We were humbled and enjoyed this time very much. Few spoke English but we were communicating very well. We prayed with several and there will be some cool stories from this time of sharing. We hurried away in to a nearby school where we borrowed their pool for 6 baptisms. I will not soon forget the assertive manner in which the pastor dunked the people! One young boy about 13 was majorly apprehensive and resisted the baptism -- a minor struggle ensued. Finally the minister decided to let the boy dunk himself, which he mostly did -- but we are sure it "took" just the same and all the angels rejoiced with us by the pool today. Another young husband and his wife and child were baptized as well. As the pastor prayed the man had his hands outstretched to the sky and after the baptism he came out of the water and shouted the name above all names, "Jesus!”

We are at lunch now and the will hold another medical camp. Pray for Emily who has been awake since 2 AM (in fact pray for the people she treats too)

Big day ahead and then long drive home.

Ben and India team.