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.