For the past several of years, the team blog has been a fantastic way for all of our family and friends to get live day to day updates on short term trips to the CEM campus in Dowlaiswaram, India. It is a live real time journal expressing what is happening on the trip on many different levels. It is a great way to pray for us as we know, this is ultimately a battle for the hearts and minds of precious people in advancing a Kingdom of compassion in places like India. An initiative like this would never happen without a great group of individuals who have been called into it. Let me introduce the team in their own words:
Dr. Sal Aragona - This will be my 14th trip in the last 9 years and the CEM family has become part of my family. "He gives childless couples a family, gives them joy as parents of children. Hallelujah!" Psalm 113:9 MSG. What an amazing answer to our prayers for years that somehow, some way I may be a father to the fatherless. I cannot wait to seeing my family soon!
Dr. Craig Mayes - After a more than a decade of trips to India, I still go with the expectation that God will teach me new things, and grow my love for him and others in just the few shorts days I will be India. Jaya and his family, and the entire CEM family have truly become my family and I will treasure again the time we get to spend together.
David Droste - I am so excited to visit my friends in India once again! I have been drawn to pray for the people of India since the mid 1990's and then God opened the door for me to serve Him there beginning in 2005. I have been so touched by the ministry of Jaya and his faithful team, and blessed to work together with so many wonderful people from Kensington and partner churches. God challenges and grows me and meets me each trip I have the privilege of taking!
Chris Mayes - This is my third time going to India. I am so excited to see those faces! I have grown to love Jaya and his family and all those kids! They love so much and last year I promised them I would be back, so I'm glad I can keep my promise! I know we are an encouragement to them, but they greatly encourage me. I truly thank God I can be a small part of this amazing ministry.
Dr. Tom DiLoreto - This will be my 5th mission trip to India. I am always fascinated by the great diversity in culture and religious beliefs in this vastly populated country. The staff and children at C.E.M. have become a second family to me. I am going to India with the help of a great team and grace and direction of our Lord to be part of His Great Commission to change the lives of people for the growth of His kingdom on earth.Glory to God!!!
My name is Folga, and this will be my third trip to India. As I reflect back on my previous trips I'm amazed as to how God has changed my heart, He has called me to mission work, and to care for the homeless and the poor. As I look at Jesus work and compare it to mine, I'm eager to continue serving him and obeying His callings in every area of my life. For my third trip to India I pray that I will express Jesus unconditional love and compassion to my brothers and sisters in India as they are so hungry for that unconditional love and compassion. Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."
Chris Gortat - Born and raised in Warren, MI by my wonderful parents, Don and Rose Marie………….This will be my 3rd India Mission Trip to Christ’s Evangelical Mission (CEM). My brother, Greg, was instrumental in encouraging me to take these journeys. I will miss that he and my sister-in-law, Jess, will not be joining the team. Life on this earth has been quite a roller coaster prior to and after accepting sweet Jesus into my life. He is the only way and I continue to pray for a continued daily surrender to our good God’s will. As part of His will, I am so looking forward to communing with our team and all the people at CEM. Godspeed!
Dr. David Bryk - This will be my first mission trip to India. I am excited to be part of this great team I look forward to helping out with the ministries at the CEM Campus. Jaya and Kensington Church have done an incredible job working together to create this outreach for the people of Dowlaiswaram “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Lord, allow the Holy Spirit to work through us to help our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Timm Kelly – This will be my first trip to India, and I am excited to spend time there. I remember seeing a photo many years ago of an empty field, and now enjoy hearing the stories of the great things that CEM is doing for the least of these. I am thrilled to be a part of the team that will serve those we get to meet while in India!
Allison Kelly - This will be my first trip to India and I am really excited! I have never been out of the country (besides Canada) and I hope I will get to visit many times after this
Matt Droste - I am 22 years old, and am an Auto Technician at Avis Ford. I have lived in Michigan my whole life, and I went to Highland Park Baptist in Southfield for the first 20 years. I went to India with Kensington in 2009, where I met a lot of great people, including my girlfriend Folga (who is also on this current trip). I am so happy to be a part of something more important than my own day to day life. It is truly a life changing experience, and I can’t wait to see what God has for us there. I have been attending Kensington ever since India 09’ and I love it there. Thanks for reading and supporting us on this trip!
Dr. Rita Fandakly - This will be my first trip to India as well as my first mission trip ever! I felt the need to go on this trip after I saw the suffering that the abandoned elderly and orphans have to endure in India. I am thrilled to be a part of this team and I look forward to seeing the change that can happen when two or more gather to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ! "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works , and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Leah DeLisle- This will be my first trip to India. I am going to school to become registered as a dental assistant and I have been working for Dr. Aragona for a little over 6 months now. With the encouragement from him and Folga and the calling from God I made the decision to join this amazing team to serve in India. I’m really excited to see what God has in store for us in our travels and to have the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet in India.
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