Friends and Family,
Here is a quick update of 9/26, since we had no opportunity to email
yesterday: We spent the day shopping for a few souvenirs and visiting
the Agra Fort. The "Fort" is actually a huge complex of different
palaces from various time periods. Over the years, the gold and
precious gems have all been stolen, but it was still easy to imagine how
extravagantly Indian royalty has lived through the centuries. We
enjoyed the beauty of the place, but how much good could have been done
with the money that was spent on luxury......
We also visited 2 carpet "factories" where we saw a demonstration of how
beautiful hand-loomed cashmere carpets are made.... and, of course,
sold. (I'm not saying it was high-pressure sales - maybe just
"guilt-pressure sales!)
We headed to the station to catch a 7:00 p.m. train (which ended up
being a 7:30 train). This sleeper car ride was an experience in itself.
A full description would amount to a book, so let me just say that the
ladies were very grateful that there were both "Indian toilets" and
"Western toilets" on the train. When we arrived in Damoh at about 4:00
a.m. there at the station was a crowd of men from CICM who came out to
greet us and to place garlands around our necks. How humbling to have
these gracious brothers come out at that hour to honor us!
9/27 Wow! What an awesome day here at the Mission. We enjoyed a morning
devotion time with the nursing school staff & students, the Bible
college staff & students and the Mission administrators. Then, we
visited the Children's Home where we saw the facilities and the children
in their classes. What a stark contrast between these happy, polite,
smiling children and those sad, destitute children we have been seeing
on the streets of Delhi & Agra! Indu shared with us the need for
sponsors for the children in the program to help support needy children
throughout central India. These children are served through their local
churches, and just $20 a month can mean the difference between life
& death for them. Next we toured the Nursing College where we also
saw the facilities & the polite, gracious staff & students. It
was obvious that the College is in need of more buildings, but they are
certainly making the most of what they have. After lunch, we met with
Daniel, who heads up the publishing ministry here at CICM. This small
staff has produced an amazing number of high quality commentaries and
other Christian books. Through these publications so many people are
being reached for the Lord! Later in the afternoon, we met with Josh
Howard and the students of the Bible College. Josh shared with us the
personal stories of several of the students. We were moved by the way
the Lord has touched each of their lives.
Today we saw the incredible impact this ministry is having in Central
India. God is moving in this country and people are turning to Jesus!
Praise the Lord! Jai Masih Ki!!
Cindy Adams
No comments:
Post a Comment