We are home

Our trip back to the states was right on time. We were tired but it was a good tired. We sensed satisfaction and contentment for all that took place. God truly showed up in a huge way and enlarged our hearts for the people of India.

The pastors conference was full of excitement and joy. Pastors traveled as much as 5 days to get to Quiet Corner. One Tibetan man, Toshi, was a Buddhist who is now a Christian pastor. Another, Mohamed, a former Muslim. They, along with the nearly 100 other pastors, are very zealous to reach their people with the truth of the gospel. They all enjoyed the three days of teaching presented by Sal and Tom. An invitation has been extended to return as early as next year to conduct another conference. The hunger for God's word is large among these men.

During the conference you could hear the distant sound of power tools. Peter and Renee were fast at work making library shelves for the new Mercy Corner. They worked feverishly for three days to construct the units. They are beautiful and will house the reference books and bibles that will be made available at the center.

Participating in the feeding programs for children and the elderly and attending the medical outreach kept us all on the go. The children are especially unforgettable. They so enjoy meeting us "white skins" and playing games. Tara was gobbled up by the kids and they hardly would let her go.

A special time was spent with the ladies in Masaangudi Church. About 40 women came to worship with Tara, Bev and Elena. Elena gave a message about the One True God with a salvation invitation at the end. One Hindu lady named Bandamma gave her heart to the Lord that day. We were told later that her daughter had become a Christian five years earlier and was praying for her mom ever since.

Two very special events touched our hearts and brought tears of joy. The first was the dedication of Mercy Corner. We had no idea they planned to dedicate the building while we were there. Sal was given the honor of uncovering the corner stone and cutting the ribbon while all the staff and pastors gathered around. The second was the graduating of the Tailoring School girls. These were the girls who were attending the school 18 months ago when Sal and Elena were last there. The graduation was delayed a few months so that we could attend and hand the girls their certificates. Each girl was given her own sewing machine from the mission. More importantly, each girl gave testimony of how she came to Christ as a result of the program.

We had no problem keeping up the hectic pace thanks to the fine and delectable meals. Usually Marykutty is in charge of cooking at the mission, but because Thomas had to have a pacemaker implanted (successful by the way), she was not able to be there. So, there daughter, Usha, hired a professional chef to cook for the team. Dos cooked a storm of traditional Indian and continental cuisine. We were humbled by the special treatment and service. The food was amazing and we all ate too much.

There is so much more to say but words really cannot adequately describe what we heard and saw and participated in. The powerful ministry of Quiet Corner is not found at what happens within the borders of the compound. It is found in what is happening outside the mission. Through the feeding and medical programs, through the handing out of Bibles by Mobilization Teams all over the country, through the second Saturday prayer meetings that happen in various places, through the training and teaching of pastors and so much more.

We wish that each of you reading this blog could go there and see it for yourself. Some of you perhaps can but most of you can't. But you can be a part of it. What happens through Quiet Corner takes prayer and money. So we challenge you to consider both. Make Quiet Corner part of your prayer list. If you are able to give financially, make a contribution to the ministry. The American dollar really goes far in India. It is a worthwhile investment that will produce an eternal profit. Please visit http://www.samindia.org to find out how you can help.

Resting In Kerela

Today we took a 25 minute drive to the nearest local city. Like all other Indian cities, it was overcroweded, noisy, polluted. Yet I seem to not be able to get enough of being here. I love the culture and the people. While using a toilet in a back alley, a man was eating his lunch nearby. He was very friendly and asked if I was an American and then If I was a Christian. I told him I was both and then I said "Praise the Lord" in his language. He was excited to meet an American Christian and I was surprised he was not a Hindu.

Until today we were the only people staying on this Back Waters Resort. Now there are a group of French people who arrived. All we hear is french being spoken. Tomorrow we leave here after breakfast and we will travel to Kochin to see the sight where St. Thomas first landed in India around 40 AD. Also we will tour a jewish temple. We have to catch a plane to Bangalore at 8:30 PM. Wednesday is our last day in India. We will spend part of the day shopping. We have to get to the airport at midnight. Our plane leaves at 3:30 AM India time on Thursday which is 3:30 PM your time on Tuesday. Please pray for our safe return without delays.

Back From the Jungle - February 12

We sadly and with many tears left Quiet Corner yesterday afternoon and arrived 6 hours later in Bangalore. It is hard to put into words what we witnessed and shared with the tribal people and the pastors.

The End Times Conference was an enormous success. Over 75 pastors and some with family in tow attended. They loved the teachings and expressed their gratitude many times over. There is already talk of future conferences. The pastors are so hungry to be taught sound doctrine to bring back to their own congregations. They were from all over India. Some traveled 30 hours by train and others 5 days in a car. We were humbled by there enthusiasm because we consider the 19.5 hour flights for us to be inconvenient.

Peter and Renee worked feverishly (literally since it was quite hot) to build beautiful library cases for the new Mercy Corner building. Speaking of Mercy Corner. . .to our surprise they dedicated the building while we were there. Sal got to unveil the cornerstone and cut the ribbon. We did not know that was going to happen. All the staff and pastors joined in the celebration. Tears were flowing freely. How honored we all felt to be a part of it.

We participated in the feeding programs and medical outreach. Everywhere we went small children would surround us. They especially loved Tara. She had a definite connection with them and they clung to her and did not want her to leave. Where ever we went people were so hospitable and kind.

Our trip to the tailoring school was so special. The girls were the same ones who attend 18 months ago when Sal and Elena last were there. Quiet Corner deliberately postponed their graduation so we could hand out their diplomas. Each girl gave a testimony. All of them were saved out of Hindu or Muslim faith. It is hard to put into words all the stories they shared. We have most of it on DVR. For the most part each girl faces much hardship because they may be the only Christian in the family.

Bev, Tara and Elena got to join the women of the Masamongudi Church for a time of worship. Elena shared a gospel message based on Exodus 15:11 and a Hindu lady came to Christ. We found out that her daughter had become a Christain 5 years ago and has been praying for her mother to convert. What a blessing it was for us to be a part of her conversion.

We wish we could accurately describe all that took place. It is in many ways indescribable. The writer of this blog (Elena) now is sitting at the computer of Thomas Samuel. A man with such great faith and vision. All we saw was the doing of his passion and love for India. The fingers of Quiet Corner are reaching all over this country. It has also reached the hearts of this mission team.

Tomorrow Tom, Bev, Sal and Elena will take a flight to Kerela for some rest and recuperation. Paul Samuel will come with us as our guide. We look forward to seeing what is known here in India as God's Country.

Hello From Bangalore

We arrived safe and sound last night or early this morning at 1:30 AM. We got to bed by 4 AM and slept soundly until 8 AM waking to a wonderful breakfast cooked by Marykutty. The sounds of the city are lively as ususal with all the cars and people about.

We are planning to spend the day in Bangalore and will leave tomorrow early for Quiet Corner.

Thomas is in need of prayer as he will have a pace maker implanted today. He will rest a few days then join us in the jungle for the Pastor's Conference.

I will update the blog as I am able to get a connection in the jungle.

NAMASTE!