Straight Shootin’

I remember an old song, just a few lines come to memory. As I was thinking about what I wanted to write about, these lines came to mind:
“count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings and see what God has done.”

These are words I remember well these days since leaving the US; for if we count the blessings God has given us, we would have to keep counting for days and days on end.
God has done so many wonderful and marvelous things for us.

As I shared with you in my previous blog post we were headed to Bangalore. We have since arrived, my wife has put up a post about it as we have reached Bangalore safely. God has been faithful and good to us, we moved in with my parents for a while and we were looking for a house.
God gave us a cute small house a bit far away from the city. It’s a good looking blue house on the outside.

I was sick for some days because I was stressed. My wife Ashley has never lived in India before. This is her first time staying in India for a long time, every time she has been here she has been for like 10 days, at the most 14 days. So I wanted to do the best for her. Her stay here should be comfortable- this was my concern. She has no friends here and I was so worried and concerned and I become sick, but God protected me. I did my best. We are just settling in, we have good neighbors and all the stores are at a walkable distance.

Ashley’s birthday was fast approaching and I was trying get her a good birthday gift. I knew being away from home is hard and having a great birthday would make all the easier. I was trying for weeks and was able to get her a bow and arrow that she’s been wanting for some time. I had been saving for a while to get it for her. My friend is planning to teach her how to shoot it. She can’t wait!

A friend called me from New Jersey and she asked me ‘why are you doing this?’ (In reference to moving to India for ministry) I told her God has called me to the people here in India, that I could have lived in the States working earning and living a happy life but God told me “your people are dying with out me are you willing to go or will I have to raise a stone to do my will?” so I told God “I’m willing to go God, here I am send me!”and God spoke to my wife as well, so here we are in obedience to the voice of God. She was excited and is interested in being a part.

People often ask me similar questions: “is it comfortable? do you have everything? which organization is sending you? who is behind you?” My answer, ” God is behind this, no organization. No it’s not comfortable, it’s not so easy here in India, it’s hot, it’s crazy living here but to obey is better.”

I have been working on meeting some of my old friends getting my connections put back in place. I met with some of my school friends, I guess I haven’t seen these guys 15 years so (yeah, I feel old saying this!),it was good a reunion-catching up, talking about the past we had a lot of fun.

When I was in 8th grade I had given a Bible to a Hindu friend of mine and this guy shared with me saying he has since read the 4 gospels, listing them:’ Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John’ and is not able to understand some of the fundamentals necessary for the Christian faith. He wants to accept Jesus as one of the gods among all the other gods that he believes in. He does not like thinking that Jesus is the only way. He is an educated man, a college professor, but struggles on this issue.This is a common thought in Hinduism, they like to just add Jesus to the list. So I started to talk to him we had a good conversation and now he is willing to talk to me again and he wants to ask more questions. I am so exited and can’t wait to talk to him again! I know God started working in his life and I know God is going to touch his heart in a way he has never felt before.

the ministry has begun! it’s not super quick because we aren’t looking for those who already believe or who are already in a ministry. We are searching out the lost and forgotten ones. Nonetheless it is happening!

I would love for you guys to pray for my friend P.V., that’s his name in short, pray that God will touch his heart.
My wife Ashley is planning to start giving some music and English lessons so we can connect with people to reach out to them where they are. There is need to learn English. We would appreciate if you could pray for us and support us in your prayers and in your giving in that way you can also be a part in reaching out to the people and children in India.

Next week from the 18th through the 21st we are having a Music and Arts Camp (MAC) at the Jalahalli East Slum with our dear friends Bruce and Kathy Nolin from Celebration Church. They arrive next week. We need your prayer support. We are also planning on giving food to the children. That could possibly be there only meal for the day. Many of them, most of them will not have been previously exposed to the gospel. We are looking forward to seeing lives radically changed in a positive way!

My question for you to think and ponder on is this, Jesus died for you what are you doing for him?