In India, time stands still

One of the first lessons I learned while in India is that there are no watches. We americans are known for being punctual, on time, never late (except when we go to church) and always on the run. Raju, our host in India told me (jokingly) that "here there are no watches". It seemed like the common answer to "when are we leaving?" was 5 minutes. Everything is five minutes. I'll be back in five minutes, please just five more minutes, we will be there in five minutes. I finally realized after 10 minutes or 15 minutes had passed that the "5 minutes" was just a figure of speach. I soon began to joke about the "5 minutes" took my watch off and just relaxed and went with the flow. Our out door crusades were to start at 7 pm. Rarely did we get going until 8 or 9 pm. What a way to live! Life without time! Just in case you are wondering, flights at the airport were leaving "on time". It looked like the train left "on time", church in India, like in america started on time, but the people arrived late. Having experienced the "no watch" concept, I decided that watches are good, being punctual is good, if you need a reason why I think this way, just look at the confusion and poverty that they live in. It doesn't take a genious to figure out that watches were made for a purpose. Isn't it a joy to serve others?

Tribute to Dad

I have been blessed to have a Father. In todays society many fathers have gone "missing in action". Thats not my case. From my earliest memories my dad has been there. I learned some important lessons in life by watching "his life". My dad is a "mans man". A hard worker, honest, sincere, lover of God, generous, helpful and an example to follow. I don't recall ever seeing him take a "sick day" or trying to sluff off on the job. He always gave his employer a better than an honest days worth of work. I wonder how he learned how to be a good dad? His father (my grand father) died when my dad was a young lad. My dad had to be the man of the house from an early age. My dad didn't have an example to follow or a mentor to guide and advise. How did he succeed in father hood? If half of the fathers today do half of what my dad did for his family, society would be different today. Sometimes we take our parents for granted, I don't. I'm thankful that as a child growing up, my dad was there for me. Took me fishing, hunting, swimming, family vacations, showed me what a father is supposed to do. Thanks DAD for everything, I love you!

Home alone

Wow, what am I going to do with myself for a couple of days? Becky is going to a Women of Faith Conference in Houston, Jason is going to Mexico City, looks like I'm stuck at home with the dogs! Thinking about it for a moment, I don't think it will be all that bad. I can use a little alone time, some time to meditate and think without having to do the "honey do's". I know the routine anyway, wash clothes, sweep and mop, do the dishes, take the trash out, feed the birds. Hmmmm, sounds like my alone time is already being filled with chores. I will go Friday to a house warming up in Mcallen, eat a little Bar-b-que, fellowship with the folks, sounds like fun to me. Where I really get to be alone by myself is on a foreign trip. I really enjoy that. Some of you might already know this, I really am a loner. I like to be by myself, left alone. Why the Lord put me in public ministry is a wonder to me! Isn't it a joy to serve others?

Sizzling Hot!

I've been teaching on the Book of Song of Solomon in our church. It's a love story between King Solomon and the Shunamite woman. It's symbolic of Jesus and our relationship with him as beleivers. She says, "Oh let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for your love is better than wine." This is a great desire for her to be intimate with him. To be kissed, to be connected to, to be fastened together with Him. You know that when a man kisses a woman in a passionate way, the body gets turned on. The old body heats up and begins to feel the urge and desire for fulfillment. When we get connected with Jesus in that way, we too will be passionate about him. We will fall in-love with him, He will become more than just an aquaintance but will be the lover of our soul. Has your love with the Lord grown cold? When was the last time that you and He had a lip lock (kiss) and felt sizzling hot in your relationship with Him? He is longing to re-ignite his love with you. Isn't it a joy to serve others!

Is it possible?

Is it posible for God to have a good outlook and positive future in mind for our lives? How can we be sure that God's destiny for us is good? What about the "Job" experience? Will I have to lose everything? There is a verse that answers this question, Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." We can rest and be at peace knowing that God is not out to kill us or destroy us. He has good desires for you, wants to bless you and bring you into his place of purpose and destiny. Just trust Him, He knows best! Isn't a joy to serve others?

We will miss Imelda!

How can a small town pastor compete with the big city famous Icon named Joel Osteen? The answer is obvious, I can't. Imelda our fearless and competent secretary is leaving small town Harlingen to big town Houston this week. Her new pastor will be Joel Osteen. Imelda has been a part of our church family for many years. She has been an inspiration to all of us. She has grown into an awesome leader and has fined tuned some of her spiritual gifts. She has touched more lives that you can shake a stick at, and has been a great secretary and church member. She has a great ability to communcate both verbally and by text she will be greatly missed by all. Finding a body to replace her is not a big problem, but replacing Her is impossible. My loss is pastor Joels gain. Not only does he have good looks but now he also has my secretary! Some guys get all the brakes! Isn't it a joy to serve others?

India Childrens Home Fundraiser

It is always a challenge to raise funds for mission projects. I'm not one to just sit around and wait for something to happen, I have something inside that makes things happen whether good or bad. So, I contacted a friend that has a home business and signed up. I figured that anything I make off this I'll sow into the childrens home. Check out my web page, look at the products, if you find something you like, let me know and I will gift it to you and give you a membership for free. www.trivita.com/11684521

Oh NOOOOOO!!

Most members assume that the pastor doesn't have to face the same stuff that the rest of the people face. And if he does, well, he's the pastor, he can handle it. I've heard of pastors walking off of their platforms never to return to face their world again. A pastor is on call 24/7, deals with life and death situations, tries to encourage depressed people in impossible situations. Yet he always expected to be upbeat, isn't allowed to have a "bad day", is expected to be the example for others to follow without making any mistakes. I can understand why pastors burn fuses, go over the edge, and fail in peoples eyes. The apostle Paul tells us of some of his afflictions and trials. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 he tells of his beatings, imprisonments, danger of death, in danger of robbers, sleepless nights among other things. Then he says something amazing in verse 28. "Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for the churches." He is saying that the pressure and care for the church is more difficult to deal with than all of the external sufferings that he had to deal with. I'm not asking for sympathy here, but just take into consideration that pastors are human, we eat, put on our trousers and shit just like everybody else. Allow us the same grace for change and growth that others are given. Be patient with us and give us a brake like you do with others. The pressure that Paul talks about is real, more real than what the normal church member will ever have to face. Philippians 2:13 says "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Isn't it a joy to serve others!

Kristi Arrives

As soon as I can I will post a pic of our newest member of the family, Kristi. She is six or seven, not quite sure, she doesn't know her birthday. If I have the story strait, she was with her father who was a begger on the train system in India. One day he decided to sell his girl to a family. He sold her and just left! She excaped from them and began to beg on the streets for food, shelter anything to survive. One day she came across the childrens home and saw the kids playing, laughing and having a good time. She pleaded with the directors to let her stay too. How can you say no? The problem is that there is no more room, not even for a mat to be rolled out on the floor. She is sleeping outside under the porch and is eating meals with the rest of the kids. We hopefully will be able to rent soon another house and move the boys there. This will give us more room for more children. We send money to buy an acre of land and soon to build a childrens home there. Please pray for the childrens home. Isn't it a joy to serve others!

In-Law Invasion

For years when we lived in Mexico as missionaries we saw very little of our family back home. Every once in a while our parents would come to visit or on an ocassional trip up north we would be able to spend some time with family. It was hard for our kids to grow up without seeing grandparents. It was hard for us to be absent from family over a long period of time. For the past three years though Becky's parents have become "winter texans" and have spent the winter months with us. It has been so good for Becky and our kids to spend quality time with them. Since returning to the Valley some years ago we have had more access to my parents because of their ministry close by. There is a price to pay when we follow Christ. Many people don't answer the call to serve because of the ties they have with family. Jesus had to deal with the same issue. When he was teaching one day some folks interupted him and said that his family was outside wanting to see him. Jesus answered and said, "who is my family, but he that does the will of God." We have found that since we were willing to give up family in obedience to Gods call that we have inherited a much larger family abroad. We have so many brothers and sisters in foreign lands that gives us joy in knowing that lives have been changed through our willingness to go. The in-laws have sold the home here and are moving up north. We will miss them deeply. They have loved us and continue to accept us with all our weaknesses and flaws. I guess that is why family is so important to have around. Everybody needs to be loved unconditionally.

I hate the Devil!

I was chatting with Hepsiba, she is the lady caring for the children in our childrens home in India, and she told me that Usha (picture on left)has been diagnosed with TB. I knew that when we took these kids off the streets of Chirala that there might be some serious obstacles to overcome. When I heard this news today, I got angry at the devil. He is the author of sickness and desease. I'm angry coz Usha is the sweetest girl that you would ever meet. She is beautiful and is in love with Jesus. I need to ask all of my blogger friends to take this need in prayer to Jesus. He alone can heal and deliver her. Please pray for her as if she was your own child. She has no mother or father or sibling to comfort her. I hate the devil, he attacks the weak and helpless. He is ruthless! and a coward! He is as a lion going about seeking whom he may devour. He preys upon the needy and hopeless. But Jesus, He came to destroy the works of the devil. Please agree with me in this prayer: Satan, take your hands off Usha now is Jesus name. You cannot have her. Loose her and let her go. Touch her Jesus with your nail pierced hand. In Jesus name, amen. Jesus came to serve others!

Don't lose your Joy!

It Amazes me how much effect people have on our attitude and joy level. If you listen for 2 minutes to someone who is depressed, you start to feel the same way. Depression and bad attitudes are contagious! And we allow other peoples emotions to determine how our day is going to be. Paul and Silas had a great opportunity to lose their joy. They cast a demon out of a lady and as a consequence got thrown into jail. It was a complete injustice to them. They had every right to murmur, complain and get angry with God. They had every right to ask the "why is this happening to me" question. But they didn't allow their circumstances to determine their attitude. At midnight they began to sing songs of praise to God. Don't allow your circumstances or other people determine your joy level. Your attitude is one thing in life that you have some control over. You can't control other peoples attitudes but you can control your own. You can have a good presence about yourself even when all around you are mad at the world, God and George W. Bush. Get in the presence of God and let that determine how your day is going to be. Isn't is a joy to serve others?

Dear Bloggers

Hello again my blogger friends. I appreciate you dropping by to read my thoughts. I thank those of you who leave a comment or send me an email telling me that you read occasionally. We just returned from an awesome Conference in Baton Rouge, Lousiana. We were challenged by some tremendous speakers from Columbia, Brazil, Germany, England and the US on how to be fruitful and effective in serving others. One friend that went with us was healed of a birth deffect in his ear and was able to hear for the first time in 42 years from that one ear.

If you are looking for work, there is lots of it available in Lousiana. Katrina has created a huge job market in this area. It was hard to find restaurants open or with the proper staff to take care of customers. Traffic was a mess! Its nice to be back home again.

Our staff in India are excited about soon seeing a childrens home built. I've learned that faith requires action. To step out and trust that the Lord will come through and meet the need. Some of the kids have the measles. Fun! The doctor came and gave them a shot. So using some medicine and the power of prayer they soon will be back to normal.

Thanks again for dropping by, isn't it a joy to serve others?

Believe it or not!

God is a totally awesome God! He is a miracle worker and honors faith. I want my blog readers to be the first to know about what God is doing for our childrens home in India. I showed you a picture of some land that we want to buy so that we can build our childrens home there. Just this morning we recieved a donation for $10,000.00 to go towards this property! Wow! Recently I was informed that the children had gone to the property to pray and ask God for it. When I heard that, I knew that a miracle was in the works. God had to respond to the prayers of those children. In the near future I will be able to post pictures showing the progress of this project. Believe it or not, its beginning to become reality. Isn't a joy to serve others?

The Risk in Serving

If you are considering to give your life to the service of others, be aware of the risk. When the challenge comes to us from the pulpit or by others means to be involved in public service, very seldom are the risks included in the invitation. The main satisfaction in serving comes by giving ones self without anticipating anything in return. That is what love is, it doesn't expect anything in return. The risks involved in public service are many. One who serves is always on display in the publics eyes. There are those whose main job in life is to critic your job as a servant. Some are objective about it while others can be quite hurtful. There are others who always look for the "hidden" agenda, the "motive behind" your service. Some are backbiters (quite cowardly) talking behind ones back. Others are more open in their comments. The secret to overcome these risks is to keep a clean consciense about your service and ministry. Be able to lay your head on your pillow at night and sleep without any concerns. The other thing is not to take any attack personally. This requires to build some defensive mechanism that allows you to love those out to harm you and at the same time not allowing their poison to get to you. Our main purpose is to please the one who has called us to serve. Jesus found that being a public servant required being misunderstood, threatened, verbally abused and humiliated. But with all that He went through was able to stay focused on his goal and purpose in life, to give himself for others. What a joy it is to serve others!

Pajama Party!

Hey, this is my traveling partner Pete. We bought some Indian traditional clothes while in India and decided to wear them to church as we shared about our journey. I must admit that I felt a little strange wearing this outfit while preaching in the service. They actually feel like pajamas, quite comfortable. I also got some strange looks from some folks at the restaurant where we ate afterwards. In India you see lots of men wearing something similar to this on the street it is quite common especially in very hot weather. I sent this pic to our Indian friends where we stayed and they politely said that we looked handsome. Well, different strokes for different folks! What a joy it is to serve others!

Back to Normal?

Its been a few days now that we have returned from the Philippines and India and I'm feeling that things are returning to normal. Hmmmm? Is this a good thing? If returning to normal means that I'm falling back into that dangerous attitude of apathy and complacency meaning that my heart slowly hardens to the needs of people around me and I get an "I don't care" attitude, I don't want to return to normal! If our lives revolve around us getting more, not being content with what we have, desiring the newest gadgets or toys, is this what life is all about? Mother Teresa, what a woman! She saw a need and decided that she was going to give her life away so that the need she saw would be met. Is this kind of lifestyle workable in our culture? Are there people that give their lives away so that others can improve?

Here is a pic of some property that might be available to purchase so that a childrens home and facility can be developed in India. It's about an acre, on a good road, close to public schools and accessable by public transportation. The asking price is $11,000.00 US dollars. Those of you that run across this blog, I ask that you ask God to help us to purchase this land so that we can impact the lives of children in this area. As you look at this pic, can you see the buildings? the play ground? the accomodations of a vibrant ministry? Look hard and you will see it with your eyes of faith. What a joy it is to serve others!

Hopelessness

What is it like to be hopeless? Can you imagine the feeling? Living your life without any hope for a future? This lady sitting on the street has a baby in her lap. She was raised on the street all her life. Now she has a baby that is being raised the same way. This lady had no hope in her past and now has no hope for her future.

The kids in our home would end up like this lady in the picture if it wasn't for the opportunity given them to come and live in our childrens home. The sad thing is that we have only been able to rescue 12 kids. There are so many more that are in this same hopeless situation.

While we were taking our kids to see the doctor, we stopped at at little store to buy them a treat. Each child chose their treat and then traded it for something else and immediatly we were surrounded by dozens of homeless kids. As I looked into their eyes, I saw no life. Dull, lifeless eyes begging for a coin or a piece of bread. My heart broke as the store attendant begin to run them off and curse at them. Complete hopelessness!

This little hut is a school in an "untouchable" village. These are the lowest caste people. This is the first generation that is recieving an education. These people are not given the opportunity to find a job. They are not allowed to work in the fields as laborours. To earn a living the collect wood in the forest and take it into town to sell.

Inside the hut you see the students. This is the first time that they are seeing a white man with a funny hat on. I introduced myself and asked permission to talk to the student body. Through my interpreter I told the kids about a man called Jesus and how his father loved them so much that Jesus came to die on the cross as their saviour. The only hope these people have to be free from hopelessness is "Jesus". In this village we prayed for a lady that was dieing on a mat. I was recently told that this lady has been healed. Jesus Christ is the hope for the world.

What a joy it is to serve others!

India Pics

Here are the kids in our Childrens Home in India. These are the most precious children that you will ever meet. The tall man in the back with the orange shirt is Bubli. He is acting as home director in the absence of his sister who is studying in Australia for a few months. All but one were living on the streets without any hope whatsoever. No parents, nobody to care for them, to love them, the best that they could do is to exist day by day. What a change love makes in a persons life, to give and recieve love makes all the difference in the world. If these kids were to go back into the street they would grow up to be adult street people. In India there is no hope to better oneself in society. You remain permantly in the caste of your birth irregardless of your education staus. Now, these kids are being tutored to catch up with the rest of the students their age. They are recieving medical attention and eating all that they can swallow.

It's a Different World in India

We have been here now in India several days and it is time to begin thinking about coming home. This has been a wonderful experience. God is so good, words can't express His greatness. We arrived directly to the childrens home and were immediately greeted by the children there. They attacked us with hugs and kisses. It was quite overwhelming. The children are so beautiful and to think that just a few months before they were living on the streets without any hope for survival. Now, they are clean, bright eyed, full of energy and enjoying love from people who genuinely care for them. We have seen the street kids, it breaks your heart to see them suffer so. Still hundreds of kids that need help. We have been doing crusades most nights in different villages and the children from the home have been the main attraction, they have learned several dance ruitines and are performing before hundreds of people each night. Just to think that these kids knew nothing about Christ a few months ago now are ministering the gospel. Amazing! We have seen many people each night accept Christ, some awesome healings, tumors disappearing, pain going, many wonderful miracles. Last night I cast out my first demon (in India) out of a lady here. I will post more later about the trip, when I return I will put on some pics. What a joy it is to serve others....