Praise the Lord!

At last- internet access!

Getting to the internet has been wayyy harder than any of us thought it would be here. Fortunately, John Uncle brought me over to his place today so that I could update you all after leaving things hanging these last few days.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Things here have been so amazing. Angela, Emily and I made the 12 hour flight to Singapore smoothly and had an easy transition on Singapore Air to Chennai-our shortest int'l flight yet: 4 hours :)

We made it through customs and to baggage claim to discover that one of my two suitcases were put on another SingAir flight. They were going to mail it, but when they found I had more than 1 laptop in my possession when traveling (one packed in that suitcase), they chose to confiscate it until we can make the 6 hour drive back to Chennai to fight for it. Thankfully, Angela and Emily have been wonderful enough to let me use their clothes all these days...God found an easy way to pull me out of my comfort zone, that's for sure!

Kyle, Xan, and Daniel arrived at last on the 23rd. They drove thru the night from Chennai and met up with us at CLM around 1pm. Unexpectedly, Kristin took a step out in a different direction and chose to back down from the trip during all the complications with her flights. We all miss her here but know that God has a purpose for her remaining in the states as well as for the team to consist of the 6 of us here in India.

Dec. 22nd
Let me backtrack a little bit.
There's so much to tell! I will try to keep it brief to condense as much information as possible.
We (girls) slept on/off in the drive to Trichy and had our first cultural wake up call when we stopped at a bus rest stop to use the washrooms- these are no where near your typical restrooms, trust me, lol it was great :)

When we arrived in Akilandapuram, the village Christian Love Ministries is located in just outside of Trichy (nearest town), we didn't bother sleeping- we were too excited! Personally, I was overcome with the emotion of being in my late Achie's (grandmother's) home and staying in her room. The minute we walked in there I was so overwhelmed by thoughts of her outstanding life and how I never really processed her death that I burst into tears. Thankfully John Uncle was there to comfort and understand me.

So we stayed up that night and had our first shower in 4 days before the CLM Christmas program at 11am. Our shower isn't a western shower either! It felt so good to be cleaner though.:)
Anyway, we were introduced to the students and parents (all from different backgrounds- mostly Hindu and Muslim families) then sang "Joy to the World" and then we got to sit back and in awe watch the children sing, dance, and recite God's word from memory. It was amazing! An adult couple did a little puppet show and presented the gospel clear and hard...
Afterward, they had a lunch for everyone. You guessed it- this was not a church lunch like we would have in America either! There were mats lined along the floors of the classroom for people to sit down. Each person is given a banana leaf (these are India's paper plates) and were served their food. We tried to help serve, but everyone was just as eager to help and I think we were slowing down the process lol. It was hilarious. Once everyone was fed, Ang, Emily and I sat down and they gave us food. This was even more hilarious because the local Indians just couldn't believe that these 3 American girls were sitting on the floor eating their food with our hands like they do on banana leaves just like they were. It was great and the food was sooo good!
We helped clean up and then met with Steven, a young man who attended Wheaton College for his Masters in Missions, but has returned to India to help continue his dad's orphanage ministry. Steven has an amazing heart for the 2 orphanages that his father has started and great visions on how to continue to better them for the future. We will be working with Steven and his dad in the upcoming days and the team is so thrilled to be a part of their work!

By that point we were feeling the jet lag so the rest of the day was highly uneventful, but praise the Lord much sleep was had. :)

Dec. 23rd
As soon as the boys arrived on the 23rd afternoon we had some lunch and jumped into choosing songs and teaching/learning a funny skit called "The Doctors Office" for Pastor Jacob's ministry at Revival Christian Worship Center (RCWC). This night in particular was a Christmas celebration for kids that come from the area slums. God has been using Mrs. Jacob to do amazing work with these kids. Though they come from Hindu and Muslim families, they have practiced their faith in Jesus Christ within their own homes. Some have even gone and prayed over their parents in time of sickness and have healed them!! How AMAZING is that?! They were all very receptive and joyful to have us their to participate in their program.
Afterward, we had dinner in Pastor Jacob's home which was delicious. Unfortunately, Daniel didn't join us for this night because he had been struggling with sickness these last two weeks, but God was speaking to him and suddenly healed him that afternoon and he's been better ever since!!

Today: Dec. 24th- Happy Christmas Eve!
Today, Kaja (our driver) picked up the girls around 9:30am and we met the boys and John Uncle at Pastor Robert's ministry: Glory to Jesus church. It was out in the "boonies" of India but it was the greatest thing yet! These kids were CRAZY excited when we drove up and showered us with love and welcoming. The kids recited scripture as well and we taught them songs, dances, and presented them with a word of encouragement. I shared 1 Timothy 4:12 with them and encouraged them to rise above society and speak the truth of Jesus Christ. Like RCWC, the children come from Hindu and Muslim families but have gone back, prayed over their family, have healed them, and some have even brought whole families into the church. Praise the Lord, there is such a mighty work in India! This generation that's rising up is going to be a great movement in this country. They are such examples of faith it is astounding.

I asked Pastor Robert's wife why Hindu and Muslim parents let their children just come to these things without hesitation. She said it is because they see Christians as good people and the biblical principles are considered good upbringing. Plus it is a safe place to send their children- so they do! Little do they know, their children's lives and their whole families are en route to be transformed by the power of Christ :)

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Thank you for continuing your prayers over us even when I have left you hanging these last few days! Here is our schedule of events for the next few days for you to pray over since I'm not sure when I will be able to update next:

Dec. 25th
-Christmas service at CLM: 2 testimonies (1 boy, 1 girl) and songs.
Dec. 26th
-Program at Ellis William's church (songs, dances, skits, testimonies)
-John Uncle and I travel to Chennai.
Dec. 27th
-Work in Christopher & Steven's orphanage.
Dec. 28th
-Sunday worship and fellowship w/ RCWC kids and church members.
Dec. 29th
-Serving food at the leper colony :)
Dec. 30th
-Upkeep work around CLM (sanding/re-painting school desks, etc.)
Dec. 31st
-New Year's Eve Service
Jan. 1-3
-Rest days.
Jan. 4th
-Full day of ministry at RCWC
Jan. 5-7
-Full day programs at CLM: games, activities, songs, LOVE. :)
Jan. 8th
-Leave Trichy :(
Jan. 9th
-Back in the US of A :)

Also, some things to specifically pray/praise for:
-Praise God Dan is healed!!
-I had an infection from a recent ear piercing, but Emily, Angela and I prayed over it today and it is healed in Jesus' name! Haha, the minute we finished praying over it, it stopped bleeding!
-Praise God for pouring his Holy Spirit into us once more. :)

-Pray that health, strength, and rest would continue to be ours.
-The Holy Spirit would overwhelm us and every place we go.
-Pray against all schemes satan has and may try. We know the victory is ours.
-We want to see at least one healing take place EVERY DAY! Pray that it will be so.
-For the unity among the team, that we would continue growing together and that nothing would separate us, only bond us closer together.
-Pray for John Uncle and I as we travel back to Chennai on the 26th: that my luggage would be released with ease. Also: my dad is arriving at Chennai airport!!!!! We are believing for safe, smooth travels all the way.
(In case you were wondering, there are many CLM staff members who are taking care of the rest of the team as we travel.)

Hopefully, I'll be able to post again soon and try to get pictures up as well, but technology is pretty limited around here so it may have to wait.

PRAISE THE LORD!!! We love you all and thank God for each one of you! We miss you and are grateful for your constant support. There is proof of your prayers in each day. :)

(As we say here in India) Happy Christmas!!!!
With Love, Sarah.

Ephesians 3:7-8
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of His power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me; to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.