| Thursday, 31 January 2008
|
My first impression of India was looking at a
sea of faces just outside the doors of the airport. The people waiting for
other travelers parted like the Red Sea and let us walk single file towards
the awaiting bus. The streets were lined with small shops and people
standing in small groups with an occasional small campfire on the side of
the street.
Welcome to India – the many sights and constant sounds of the city. After a
day to acclimate, we began our Community Health Education classes with a
group of 27 village level denominational workers from the area. Some have
traveled many hours by bus to get here. Even though there is a language
barrier, the singing and fellowship have been precious. They have
appreciated the training and we have enjoyed learning from them as well. I
have discovered that fellowship with other believers crosses the language
barrier in a special way. |
| Thursday, 31 January 2008
|
| Presently many people on our team are sick with
minor illnesses, some of which prevents them from doing what they have
worked to accomplish for months, or making them less effective then they
could be. Please continue to remember us all and lift those who are sick
before the Father in your conversations with Him. Thank you for your
thoughts and all your support – we would never be here without you! |
| Friday, 01 February 2008
|
Thursday was the fourth day of the CHE five-day
TOT (Training of Trainers) conference here in the city. When we arrived the
students were finishing a Study of the Word together in the cool,
whitewashed room where the lessons are given. We joined them in chairs
forming a large circle as they sang a few songs to the Father in their own
language. Their joy even in trials is so encouraging – and a great example
to me as I tend to complain about the smallest of inconveniences.
The Community Health lessons continue to build on others given during the
week, focusing on ideas such as working together as a community, and also
more practical aspects such as treating diarrhea and other common ailments.
Sometimes the Indian brothers also do skits, which makes everybody laugh,
but which illustrate real life situations which are often sad.
All lessons are applied to the Word, and can be taken back by the men and
used in their villages as part of their work. Please continue to remember
these men as many of them are doing pioneer work in their communities, and
they endure suffering for the Name of our Father.
-Kacy- |
| Friday, 01 February 2008
|
They say you learn best by doing. Today that
was certainly true for about sixty leaders learning about small groups. It
was the fourth day of the leaders' conference in a town about an hour away
from the city, and our men’s team was teaching on several different topics.
John started the day with a session on 1 Thessalonians, and Bud closed it
with teaching from Colossians. In the middle, Tom G. taught a lesson on how
to have effective, interactive small groups.
In the Indian believer’s culture, interactive small groups are not the norm.
As a whole, the focus tends to be on the gatherings which include the whole
fellowship and teaching in a lecture-style rather than small, interactive
groups. So the concept of meeting in an interactive small group is rarely
practiced concept. However, Mike spent several hours earlier in the week
explaining their foundation in the Word, and today Tom built on that by
explaining their benefits, such as greater opportunities for love, sharing,
and brotherly exhortation. Afterwards, they divided into nine groups
according to language, and practiced what they have been learning.
Tom G. said that at first it was very difficult to get them to interact; by
default they would allow the oldest or most educated man be the leader and
only he would speak, but towards the end of the hour they were starting to
grasp the benefits of group interaction.
Often it can take up to three or four years for this concept to take root
and grow, so please remember these brothers as they are trying something
new! |