Day #4

Today we split up into three groups. One group (Andy, Jenny, Lindsay, Tyler, Billy, and Ramesh) went to a pastor's conference, where the boys talked to the pastors about church growth. Afterward, they went into a local village to worship and pray with the believers there.

Another group (Brett, Drew, Will, and Vijay) visited two different villages. They preached and worshiped with community churches. Drew preached on God's faithfulness through the story of Abraham, Brett shared the story of the sick man who was lowered through the room just to see Jesus, and Will spoke about the relationship of faith and works in a believer's life.

The third group (Jana, Lauren, Michelle, Shannon, and me) met with Jaya, a leader in the Indian church, who had been teaching at a village church for the past two weeks. She helped lead a worship service where we each shared a brief message to the local believers. We kept the messages simple to best reach these uneducated new believers. Jana spoke about how we will all worship together in heaven, Shannon shared a passage in Isaiah about how God deserves our worship, and then Lauren shared her testimony. I spoke on how a believers life is continually transformed, and Michelle finished up by explaining that it's our job to make disciples of all nations.

This was a fantastic experience for all of us. There are so many stories to share - we will give you the full version when we return home.

We are all still doing well and we love you all!

Day #3

Today we visited a village where COI has helped plant a church. Brett and Will shared the Five Threads of the Gospel with the villagers, and it went very well. Afterward, one young man came up to the front to give his testimony. He said that he had been suffering from fainting and seizures, but now, after believing in Jesus, he had been healed. Another man came up to the front and asked for prayer for his grandson, who was currently in the hospital because he had fluid in his lungs. Drew led us in prayer for his grandson. After the meeting was adjourned, some of us started passing out candy to the kids, while Brett and VJ continued to pray with some of the villagers who had additional prayer requests. The people were all very appreciative that we came to visit them. The children all wanted to take pictures with us, and the few people who spoke a bit of English got to know us a little better.

Tomorrow, Andy, Billy, and Tyler will be speaking at a pastor's conference in the morning, and we will all be visiting several other villages to continue sharing the gospel and visiting with the house churches there.

Thank you all for your continued prayer support. We love you all!

Day #3

Yesterday we got the opportunity to visit some of COI's ministries - a school, an orphanage, and two of the women's vocational centers. At one of the vocational centers, the ladies learn cosmetology, and all the girls were able to get henna tatoos. 

Today we're traveling to a village in the northern part of India. Internet access will be very limited

We are all safe and we love you all!

Day #2!

We're about to get started on our second day of ministry. Yesterday was fantastic!

The ladies spent all day at the women's shelter. In addition to teaching, we also spent some time in corporate worship and playing games with the women there.

The men got a chance to minister to some of the slum kids who came to see them play cricket. Drew's talk went very well, and the kids were very interested in seeing their English Bibles.

Afterward, we all went shopping at a crafts market. It was a good overview of the many different areas of India.

Ramesh, Brett, Vijay, Drew, Will, Andy

Today, we're going to visit the slums and one of Ramesh's Vocational Training Schools. We're all doing well and super excited about what today will bring.

Thanks for your prayers and we love you all!

We're in India!

We got in India safe and sound, and all our luggage got here too!

It's about 10am on Monday morning here. We're about to leave for our ministry assignments. The ladies will be speaking on the Gospel and Womanhood, Marriage, and Parenting. The men will be meeting with the youth to play cricket, and Drew will be speaking to them on integrity for growing leaders.

Internet access is spotty here, so updates may be few and far between. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!

We're in Minneapolis!

We have a long layover in Minneapolis before leaving for Amsterdam later on this afternoon.

We spent some time goofing off in the souvenir shop...

We're in Minneapolis!

We have a long layover in Minneapolis before leaving for Amsterdam later on this afternoon.

We spent some time goofing off in the souvenir shop...

India...2 more weeks!!!!

The countdown is on! We only have 2 more weeks to go until we will start our journey to India. Here is our daily schedule, please pray over this time and for us as we share Christ with the people we come in contact with.

Sat. July 24- Meet at the b’ham airport at 5:30 am. We will then fly to Minnesota, then from Minnesota to Amsterdam, and then from Amsterdam to Delhi. We will arrive there at 10:50 pm on Sunday July 25th.

Mon. July 26- The ladies will go and teach woman about the gospel of womanhood, marriage, and parenthood. The guys are going to go to a youth center and play a little cricket with local youth. After our very active morning, Drew will be teaching the youth about being a leader through Jesus.

Tues. July 27- We are going to go visit COI’s children ministry and their vocational training center. We will be sharing with the woman in the center that day as well.

Wed. July 28- We will be traveling to a small village outside of Delhi. That evening we will be able to share the gospel with the locals

Thurs. July 29- Tyler, Andy, and myself will be teaching local pastors in the village on what aspects of a healthy church.

Fri. July 30- We travel back to Delhi. Then we will do a little shopping.

Sat. July 31- We will travel to Agra, India to see the Taj Mahal. After which we will travel back to Delhi for dinner and then to the airport.

Sun, Aug 1-Headed back home

Please pray over our time in India. Ask God to prepare the hearts of the people we come in contact with and prepare our hearts to be a light in the darkness. Of course things on a mission trip can change in a moment and normally do. Please pray for us to have patience and seek the Holy Spirit. Thanks everyone!!!

-b

Ministry in India

Thank you all for praying for our trip! I have a few more details to share with you!

As you know, we'll be working with a Brook Hills ministry partner in Delhi, India. That ministry is Cooperative Outreach of India, and you can learn more about them through their website: http://www.coindia.org/index2.php

We as a small group have begun fasting every Wednesday in order to prepare for this trip. I would like invite all of our supporters to join us in prayer every Wednesday between now and when we leave. Please pray for our team, the Cooperative Outreach ministry, and the people we will meet on our trip.

Also, please join us in thanking God for providing all the funds needed to pay for this trip. We have more than enough to pay for the travel and lodging. And thank you for your financial and prayer support!