We arrived safely late Saturday night (early Sunday morning) and the team is finally all together. It has been an interesting missions trip so far. Here is a break down of the last 4 days:
1) Our flight out of Chicago to Delhi got cancelled due to engine problems. We ended up sleeping at a hotel.
2) Our flight next morning got cancelled again.
3) We scrambled to find another way to get out to Delhi – barely found one connecting in London and then to Delhi.
4) One of the team members could not get on therefore we had to leave two people behind.
5) On our train ride out to Derha Dun, I had my fanny sack stolen! I had my wallet, passport, credit cards, return train tickets and a lot of money in cash.
6) Missed the World Cup finals.
It has been crazy. I am in Delhi now trying to get into the US Embassy so that I can get a new passport. As I am separated from the team, I have had some time to reflect. It is sobering realizing that we are never in control of things and if God had to take me thousands of miles to India to RE-TEACH me this lesson then I praise God. Here are some things that the Lord placed in my quiet times of reflection:
1) God is always in control and His purposes cannot be thwarted. God is always working things out for the good… ALWAYS (Ro 8:28).
2) Spiritual warfare is real. Even though God is in control, there is always opposition from Satan to hinder the work of God and to discourage God’s people. There is an important Church Planters and Leadership Conference that I will be leading in my time here. Now, I am wondering if Satan knows the ramifications of this conference if the people of God experience Him in a powerfully way.
3) It is always about perspective. Through this God is teaching our team to depend on Him more and always to pray, which is a good thing. Through this we have been more unified, which is a good thing. Through this I have had some alone time to seek God’s face, which is a good thing. Through this I have had time to talk and build relationships with some of the key workers who have been helping me. And the lost passport, wallet, money, etc.? I didn’t like my passport picture anyways so I can get a new one. It was time for a new wallet anyway. I had the privilege of blessing the nation of India with money albeit some group of kids are going to live it up for a whole year.
I will try to update as often as I can. Please continue to pray for us.
This passage came into my mind this morning:
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Co 4:1, 7-12, 15-18; 5:7).