Happy Journey!

The team is in Schipol Airport in Amsterdam waiting for our final flight home. It's been an intense couple of days, filled with tying up loose ends on our projects - mostly focusing on crafts with the JEMS kids and getting the final few images that tell the story of CEM.

The team took a little time out Thursday afternoon to visit one of CEM's lesser known ministries, but what may very well be its most impactful from a Kingdom standpoint. In the last twenty years, Jaya has planted over 500 churches in villages all over Andhra Pradesh, and the team had the chance to visit one of those churches on Thursday. Everyone agrees that the visit with Pastor Solomon Raju and his community was one of the best experiences they had. The ride back through some of the countryside gave us a taste of India that few ever see.

Then was the bittersweet hours before our departure. The children always get a little clingier a day or two before we leave, wanting to get one last bit of personal attention before the Americans go. We would hear either "No go to America" from the kids who weren't quite ready to see us go, or "Happy Journey!" from the ones who were a little more seasoned and knew that some of us would come back. There were a lot of hugs and a lot of promises that we would return - I certainly will.

But it is time for us to come home to be with friends and family and to somehow integrate the last week's experience into our lives. Whether you are a veteran and rookie traveler to CEM, you never come back the same.

Thanks so much for your prayers and support through this journey with us!

- Chris C. for the team

Up on the Roof

This is our last full day at CEM. It has been a full and rewarding week.

I have developed a pattern of going up on the roof in the morning right after breakfast. It's the spot where WIFI access is possible. A short connection with home and a chance to look over the city. What a study in contrasts! This is a place where Muslims, Hindus and Christians intersect. We hear the Muslim calls to prayer multiple times per day and the drums of the Hindu celebrations outside the gates of CEM. This is all mixed with the worship songs of the children.

The children are beginning to line up for the walk to school. This activity has quickly become one of my favorite activities of the day. It's a time to walk through the community and engage with many of the kids. The kids love to teach Telugu vocabulary (pig, water buffalo, house, nose, ear, mouth, etc) while we walk. There's even time on the walk for a quiz to see how much I have retained!

Time to run! There are only two more opportunities to do this with them.

Bill

Serving an Awesome God

This is my second trip to India and hopefully it won't be my last!

There is much that those of us in the USA can learn from this land. People value things differently here. The materialism that we battle in America is not an issue in a land of poverty. I was watching an Indian political talk show in the airport last Saturday and they were discussing the economic plight of this country. One of the hosts stated that out of the 88 poorest countries of the world India ranked 67th. Only 11 other countries were in worse economic shape than India and this is a country that competes with China of having the largest population in the world.

Like last time being here helps me realize what is and is not important.

I had the privilege to teach the MTS classes this past week. We studied Nehemiah and how he applied Biblical leadership to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, helped bring about spiritual renewal for his country and dealt with economic inequity all wile facing down major political opposition both from within and from without.

It was so exciting to watch their faces as we took the lessons of Nehemiah and applied them to their current spiritual, political, and economic situation. As the light came on in their eyes they seemed to begin to understand how they could address issues both in and out of their pulpit.

We had had about 30 students (20 men and 10 women who were studying the Bible together. An additional unexpected experience were more then 10 pastors who attended these sessions. Some had traveled over 150 k to attend. The icing on the cake was the fact that two of these pastors had been students of mine last year. It was exciting to see how God had been blessing their ministry!

We finished the study of Nehemiah and they asked me to continue to teach. I had been asking God what I should do if I finished early and he had laid on my heart to teach Galatians.

It had been over a year since I had taught this great book but at the prompting of the Lord I launched into the study.

I'm always amazed at how God orchestrates things like this. I was teaching on some of the different Gospels that the Galatians were chasing after. I mentioned the concept of "Dualism" and how it emphasized spiritual things and downplayed the physical. This launched us into a hot topic that the local pastors were currently dealing with. It seems that a local pastor had taken a second wife, now having two wives at the same time. When this pastor was challenged he told his critics that he preaching a spiritual Gospel and didn't have to worry about the physical since it wasn't important.

We were able to discuss this and look at the Scriptures and determine what God had to say about this very relevant subject.

I know I shouldn't be taken by surprise when decided to show up like this and orchestrate events and people so that there are these God Moments, but I still am excited to witness them much less be allowed to participate in them.

Who is like our God?

Serving an awesome God!

Vallen Prest

Children of God

I've been to the CEM campus a number of times now. Perhaps my favorite part of each trip is interacting with the kids of Grace Children's Home. It's funny. When I first get here it feels like I'm spending time with alien children from a far off galaxy, their language and culture are so different. But as the week progresses a magical thing happens. As I play with them and walk them to school, as I pray with them and learn about their lives, they become nearly the same as kids back home. They have similar personalities, likes and dislikes, and hopes and dreams. It even feels as if the language barrier slips away. There is one thing that sets them apart, though.

Earlier this week I got to help update the children's profiles for the child sponsorship program at CEM. I got to learn first hand just how dire their situations were prior to arriving at CEM. I was astounded. These kids seemed to be so joyful. Not the rebellious, anxiety-ridden, disaffected youth I would expect coming from such desperate backgrounds. How could this be. Then I remember that these children attend chapel twice daily and praise God with a fervor that rivals none. They study the Bible and learn worship songs. The primary focus of their lives is God. They are keeping the First Commandment. Is it any wonder that they find joy in spite of their poor lot in life? Back home a lot could be learned from these precious children of Grace Children's home--these children of God.

Greg G

An Ordinary Day at Grace Children's Home

This is our fifth day here, but only the second day of regular routine. The regular weekday schedule was disrupted on Monday when the region shut down in mourning for a senior government official. But the regular school schedule resumed on Tuesday: calisthenics at 5:30, chapel at 6:00, breakfast, and then the parade to school through the streets of the village with the children above 5th grade. The children compete to hold our hands, and we move from pair to pair in order to give attention to as many children as possible. They're all delightful--happy faces and eager conversationalists, with the most frequent topics of conversation being grade level, age and favorite color. The children love to connect with us, and our frustration with the limitations of language is met with the realization that in heaven we will be able to converse freely and know each other fully.


We spent the rest of the morning and this first part of the afternoon doing crafts with the elementary age children who attend school here at the campus. There's no other word for it--the children are simply "adorable". I am so grateful for this place that provides a safe haven for these little ones--good food, clothing, a safe place to sleep, LOTS of brothers and sisters, and good people to care for them and point them to Jesus as the One Who is our true hope, our refuge, our treasure, our path to the Father.

Patti

In My Weakness

Really God? You want me to do what? Don't you remember all of the many foolish things I have done and the many times I turned my back on you confident that I could get through this life on my own? But despite all of my wanderings you have me in a place of serving and loving people in your name, and in my weakness helping to strengthen others...

This is a conversation I have had with God on more than one occasion and I continue to be amazed by his unwavering grace and love - that I, a broken person, would be worthy to carry the work and the name of Jesus all over the world. But that is precisely the message that he so desires for us to understand.

Our image of God cannot be one of him standing over our shoulder recounting the wrongs we have done, or that he is waiting for us to become perfect before we can answer his call on our lives. Rather his message is that in our weakness he is made strong - and all he asks is that we are willing to get off of the sidelines and into the game where he can work through us to accomplish his will.

I am humbled to be a part of Jaya's ministry here in Dowlaiswaram, India, and this week alone I have had the privilege of being a part of some of the most amazing happenings (pictured below).

For a few years now I have been talking with Jaya and together we have prayed about how we might be able to serve the elderly people of his village. I have learned much about how the older generation is treated in India and how very few programs exist that offer hope. On Monday we had the privilege of dedicating the Agape Old Age Home - a program that offers food, shelter, clothing and medical care for the precious elderly.

This week also marks the beginning of a new program for pastors (former graduates of the Missionary Training School at CEM). These pastors have planted churches in their villages throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh, and are sharing the love of Jesus often amidst challenging circumstance. Yesterday we conducted a ceremony where we prayed for 10 such pastors and presented them with a brand new motorcycle and musical instruments for their church. Additionally each pastor will be equipped with Bibles, training materials, a new cell phone and one year's salary!

Last but certainly not least was the medical camp conducted in a neighboring village today. At this camp more than 500 people were offered free medical care and medicines as a part of a weekly program that will move from village to village. People that come to the camps are suffering from a variety of illnesses and the majority of them do not have the means to receive treatment. Through these camps people see the love of Jesus in action.

Jim

Good Morning CEM!

Even this early in the morning, you can’t sit for long without drawing attention from the children wondering what you are doing. The visitors from America are a source of constant fascination for them and a welcome diversion from the normal routine. Already, I’m beginning to draw a small crowd as I sit on the porch overlooking the courtyard as they try to read over my shoulder.


It would be a little disconcerting for someone who is not accustomed to the crush of people that one encounters here; and I’m not sure I’m there yet, but I take it in stride. It’s grown to quite a number, though with the children completely surrounding me. But with one word from the housemother, they scatter and make their way to the courtyard for their morning calisthenics.

I’m often still trying to clear the cobwebs this early in the morning, so it’s kind of fun being able to sit in the cool and think a bit as I hear the growing crescendo from the dorms.

They’ve gone into chapel now and I am writing this to the sound of their fervent prayer (led by my friend Naveen) coming from the room just behind me. It was these prayers that got my family through some very tough times last year.

I come to India for the perspective I get here. It is in this completely different cultural context that I get shaken out of the complacency I often find in my own. In their commitment to simple rhythms (you can count on chapel at least once a day) and the togetherness in their practice of it has a way of bringing heaven near.

The problems of life await them in the rest of the day, and many of them are more complex than anything I’ll ever know. But it is here that they bring those problems and are reminded of the One who gives them the strength to face them.

- Chris C.

Building Relationships

Today we met with the Grace Children to update their pictures and profiles. They were asked questions regarding their current grade, hobbies, prayer requests, etc. At first, we were in a classroom; then we moved to the courtyard because the room was getting too hot. It was an honor to have this interaction and allowed us to get to know the children on a deeper level. It warmed my heart when a child included our team in his prayer requests. And it broke my heart to ask them if their parents were still alive. I cannot imagine the average child being asked this question. This my have broken my heart yet it also gave me a better appreciation for the love my parents shared with me as a child.


Asking the children for their prayer request and general health was one of the highlights for me. In a couple of instances, it allowed me to opportunity to pray for a child's "sadness", improved eye sight, and healing of headaches. What a gift to openly invite the Holy Spirit into this healing! Praise God!

For the team,
chris g.

Home Away From Home

Thirty five hours of travel with minimal sleep, yet upon arrival to Christ Evangelical Mission (CEM) something within me jumps to life. Maybe it is prospect of reuniting with what are now old friends at CEM. Maybe it is the anticipation of all the "God moments" that will be shared with my Indian brothers and sisters. Perhaps it is the immediate showering of love that is felt as I get off the bus at CEM's gates.


Whatever the case may be, I found myself jumping right in with the children housed at CEM with a lesson on how to do the Macarena. Corny and not vey religious to say the least, but they loved it! To me that is what matters most. Hearing the children laugh and seeing the smiles on their faces makes the difficult travel more than worth it.

Thanks to all our supporters for all your prayers. Keep em coming!

Greg G

Preparations and Prayer

Hello Again -

We are just over 24 hours from the beginning of the adventure we have been preparing for for weeks. We are all excited and unified and waiting to see how God is going to reveal himself in new ways to each of us. I can speak for the whole team when I say that we could not do this without the support of our friends and families, and we need you all the more now. PRAY FOR US!

I wanted to leave you with an abbreviated calendar so that you have some idea of our plans and what you can specifically pray for:

Thursday the 6th:
- Team departs Detroit Metro at 4:00pm with our first stop in Amsterdam.
- Pray for safe travel and good rest on the plane.
- Pray for Chris C.

Friday the 7th:
- Pray for continued safe travel and for quick acclimation, as we begin to experience India and its many differences from our own culture.
- Remember that India is 9.5 hours ahead of Detroit Time.
- Pray for Bill

Saturday the 8th:
- As you are getting ready for bed on Friday night, we’ll be boarding a plane for the last leg of our trip!
- We arrive in Rajahmundry around noon (9:30 PM EDT) to be greeted by the children and staff of CEM. The kids are getting pretty good at pelting us with flower petals, so pray that we know when to keep our mouths closed!
- Please pray that we will have a great time reuniting with Jaya, his family, staff and kids from the Grace Children’s Home (GCH) and the Jaya (meaning “victory) English Medium School (JEMS) and that we’ll get a good night’s rest!
- Pray also for Patti!

Sunday the 9th:
- We'll get a heaping dose of culture as the team visits the market
- Pray that as we worship God on this day with the Way of Life Church that He will strengthen us and prepare our hearts to do His work over the next few strenuous days.
- There will be a ton of data gathering for the nochild.org initiative
- We'll also spend time connecting with the GCH kids in the afternoon
- Pray for Karen

Monday the 10th:
- Today the team will be working on several fronts, including JEMS, the Sewing School, and visiting the clinic
- Some of us will be teaching, others will be connecting and building relationships with local community leaders
- Pray for the teachers as we teach across language and cultural barriers.
- Pray especially for Peg!

Tuesday the 11th:
- Today the team continues to work in all areas of CEM
- Pray for the JEMS, the Sewing School and for our sharing time with the orphans!
- We will be gathering images and stories of the elderly of Dowlaiswaram for Impact India 360
- Pray also for Jim

Wednesday the 12th:
- Another day of working alongside the CEM staff in all areas of ministry.
- Pray for the continued construction on the new church!
- Part of the team - Jim, Karen & Peg will be departing for home to load in the information for nochild.org
- Pray for Chris G.

Thursday the 13th:
- Our final full day with Jaya, the CEM ministry team, and the children!
- Pray for The Team as we finish our projects.
- Pray specifically for Greg!

Friday the 14th:
- Today the team says their final goodbyes (that is the hardest part!) and gets on a plane for the first leg of our trip home.
- Pray for health, for rest, for joy and unity as a team, and for strength to begin the long flight home early Saturday morning.
- Pray for our families, who have supported us and are undoubtedly ready to get us back home!
- Also pray for an extra measure of grace as we say our goodbyes to the kids!
- Pray also for Valen

Saturday the 15th:
- Pray for continued protection and blessing as we complete the trip home, and that God will help us find the right words to express what He has done in and through us during this awesome trip!

Thanks so much for your support and prayers! You'll hear from us soon!

- Chris for the Team