Incredible India

As I enter the stadium I have no idea where I am going, or what I am
getting myself into. In my recent weeks in India I've taken a liking to cricket
and I'm about to step out in faith and attend my first professional match. Now,
I'll admit that being surrounded by 50,000 energetic, screaming Indians worried
me, but, once the match started, all my worries faded away and I began to enjoy
the match. The ambiance had a feeling similar to that of a game at Fenway. Once
the match was underway, I found myself craving a Fenway Frank and a box of
cracker jacks; Instead, the vendors were selling Roti and Dosas. I decided to
skip the Dosas and just enjoy the match.

However, after Delhi managed to ransack the competition in 20 overs, I began to feel sick. I began to sweat profusely, and my stomach turned in pain. I wrote it off as merely my body's response to the intense heat. After Deccan played their way through five overs, I forced myself to go to the restroom where I got miserably sick. After I blacked out for a few seconds, I decided that it would be best for me to leave the stadium. I called my driver, and met him outside. As he went to get the vehicle, I once again blacked out.

I asked the driver to take me to the hospital, as I knew something was terribly wrong; thus began a three day stay at an Indian hospital. I was severely dehydrated (they gave me over 7 liters of fluid in 12 hours) and my stomach wasn't holding anything in. The verdict was that I was suffering from an infection in my intestines which caused the dehydration. Thankfully, after three days, I fully recovered.

Indian hospitals are similar to hospitals in the United States--but not in a lot of ways. This particular hospital reminded my of the 1970's. The nurses come to work in pure white uniforms, flat sandal like shoes (with white socks), and wear nurses caps. They take your temperature using a mercury thermometer, and never wear gloves when handling needles or giving you injections. I was amazed when they started my IV without even rubbing alcohol on my skin.

I was also amazed at the way they changed the medications in my IV without even flushing it out with saline first. The nurse looked at me like I had three heads when I asked her if she could flush it out, as it was beginning to clot and hurt. She didn't know what I meant. In spite of these sanitary differences, the care I received was second to none.

I think I amused the nurses--as they always left laughing at my terrible attempts to speak Hindi and communicate what I needed with my limited language skills. We were able to laugh together, which made my time go more quickly.

In spite of this terrible illness, I am not discouraged! I love it here in
India
and remain in good spirits. I am committed to finishing out my term on
a
positive note--and I will not let the enemy derail my service to the Lord.
The
Lord has been with me throughout this entire sickness, encouraging me
and giving
me the strength to continue.

I also have greatly appreciated your prayers and support throughout this difficult period of time, and would ask that you continue to pray for my health. I am confident, with the Holy Spirit at my side, I will be able to continue my work here in India. ***

These are my 10th grade students. This was, without a doubt, my best class to teach.
I am presenting an award to a student at a new school PTL opened up in the State of Punjab.
This is me with my 7th class students. They are a cool group of kids.

Riding elephants is fun!
My host family. Mother Siscily, Papa Thomas, Tincy and Tomsy.
I HATE mosquitoes!!!!!!!!! Yes, those are all mosquito bites.

Me sharing the Gospel with 200 students in Mainia.

Worship in Eastern U.P. is very interesting. This is a combined worship session that we organized in Khuttar. This group is made up of 10 churches throughout Eastern U.P.

God also ministers to those who minister...

Leaving a place such as Khuttar after you’ve built strong relationships is far from an easy task. After all, I had developed such great friendships and my ministry in Khuttar was extremely productive, why should I have to leave? However, on April 6th I reluctantly stepped foot into the rusty old Jeep, filled with 9 Indians, which was to take me to my new ministry location. As I drove away on the dilapidated, pot hole filled road, I couldn’t help but feel helpless, as though I was leaving behind my family. I felt empty, and even a bit depressed to be leaving behind such a great little town. The very town I hated when I arrived had become my second home, and I didn’t want to leave.
I arrived in Sampurna Nager late in the evening on the 6th. My host family placed me in a small room in the back of the home with no window. I felt even more helpless and suffocated. What in the world had I gotten myself into? The next day I was to begin teaching, but yet I couldn’t even imagine spending another second in this terrible place. It was going to be a long four weeks.
The next day I woke up to begin my temporary career as a teacher. I was looking forward to going to the school and looking forward to meeting the students. I was greeted by 250 smiling students—and instantly my spirit was lifted. I began my day by visiting a very excited 7th grade classroom. They were incredibly excited to have a foreigner teaching them, much less an American. Surprisingly, their English was quite good. I began teaching my subject—none other than English.
After some time, I began to get used to my routine of teaching during the day, playing badminton in the evening, and then eating late at night. As my hosts began to learn me needs, they moved my bed outside, where I could sleep better. Thomas and Siscily were my host parents-and after I adjusted to the change, they were great. They even went so far as to build me a western style toilet stool so that I would feel more comfortable.
I was able to build great relationships at the school. The students loved me. I had 250 students from 2nd class to 10th class. When I left the school last week, many of them gave me gifts. I now have nearly an entire suitcase filled with various gifts. When I arrived, I hated my new location. However, when I left, I felt as though I was leaving a piece of me behind.
The time in Sampurna Nager wasn’t easy at all. Continually I had to rely on God to help me through the tough times. With no electricity, super hot heat, and a sickness that just would not quit, I found that God continually ministered to me, more than I ever could minister to others. I found Romans 8:26 particularly helpful. “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Through the hard times, I found a renewed faith in God that I never could have gotten elsewhere.

Eastern UP

‘It’s March 23rd, and as I say goodbye to the Delhi area, I am excited to begin
my ministry. As I board the bus at the Delhi bus station, it’s clear to me that
I am in for an interesting trip. I am about to spent 13 hours on a bus crowded
with 65 Indians, with no idea where I am going. This is going to be an
interesting trip’

Upon reaching Khuttar, I was nervous and scared. There, unlike in Delhi, I would be the only white person within 300 kilometers. Manoj, my host, registered me with the local police department, which in and of itself was intimidating.

Being an American, and a spoiled one at that, it was extremely hard for me to adjust to the lack of electricity, the droves of mosquitoes, and the apparent lack of cleanliness. However, after some time, I began to adjust to my new environment.
On my second night in Khuttar I attended a prayer meeting with nearly 25 people. Indians live very prayer-filled lives. After they were done praying, I was asked to speak from God’s word. I was quite caught off guard, as I hadn’t prepared anything, but I called upon the Holy Spirit to give me the words, and he supplied me with a topic. Thus, my true ministry began.
During my time in Khuttar, ten people became new followers of Christ after I shared the Gospel with them. I was humbled when Pastor Manoj said to me “Wayne, you’ve got a gift for sharing the Gospel.” During my two weeks in Khuttar, I shared the gospel nearly every evening. I have realized that nothing is more powerful than the words of God.

Greetings from the Field!!!

Wow! After two months I can finally sit at a computer and update my friends, family, and supporters. By this point, you’re probably thinking that I’ve run away with your money for a wonderful vacation in the Bahamas. Contrary, however, I’ve been doing great ministry work in the Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, near the Nepali border. In this newsletter I’ll tell you all about the work that took place there.
It’s good to be back in Delhi, where I have at least semi-regular electric current, and a computer to work on. I am settling in here and getting used to my surroundings. As with everything in India, everywhere I go is a new adventure and a new experience. I’ll tell you of some of my experiences later in this update. I want to thank you all for your continued support, both financially and in prayer. Your support allows me to continue to work hard to reach the lost and build relationships here. Once again, thank you!