Summer LINK India: Vic and JJ Exposé

Delhi, India

On the flight to Delhi (Credit: Logan Dickinson)

We flew from GSP on Saturday June 28th to Newark, NJ where we had a brief layover before boarding our flight to Delhi. The flight was an uneventful, not very restful, 14 hours. We passed the time watching movies and sleeping. When we arrived in Delhi we went through customs and met "G-man" who is working here in India. After introducing us he took us outside for first glimpse of India. The air in Delhi is hot and thick and a layer of smog hangs over the city. We loaded our luggage into his car and got our first taste of traffic in India. For those of you who have been to India before I'm sure you can relate. The only traffic rules followed are stop lights. Everything else is a suggestion. "G-man" took us to a "transition house" to stay for a couple of days while we were in Delhi. The next day after eating at a local restaurant "G-Man" took us to around Delhi to get a feel for the Indian culture. One of the places that we visited was a part of the city known as Old Delhi. In this part of the city we went to the Spice Market. The special thing about the Spice Market is that there are a ridiculous amount of people in this tiny open-air market where there are hundreds of stands that included spices (obviously), raw meat, and anything else that your heart desires. We finished the day by visiting the India Gate and playing a pick up game of soccer in the surrounding park with some of the locals. 



The next day we got an opportunity to explore Delhi on our own. We visited Humayun's Tomb, known as the Red Taj, and the Hauz Khas Deer Park. Some college-aged locals introduced themselves to us there and we were able to talk to them for  long time. We eventually were able to share the g0spel with them. However, we did not see any fruit from the conversation but we are called to proclaim the G0spel and leave the spiritual work to G0d. We finished up orientation, left Delhi, and flew to I-town on Wednesday. 

India Gate (Credit: Logan Dickinson)

Humayun's Tomb (Credit: Logan Dickinson)

I-town, India

In I-town we were welcomed by the families working here as well as some other short-term teams like us. We did some sight-seeing around the town to get some sense of direction and "P-man", one the guys working here long term, went over a discipleship program known as the Four Fields that includes G0d's vision, proclaiming the g0spel, discipling new believers, and church planting. We have also gone to some of the popular malls where we have been able to meet some local students. One of our goals is to have G0spel-centered conversations and try to build a relationship with them through follow ups.

Just landed in I-town (Credit: Logan Dickinson)

Street corner in I-town (Credit: Logan Dickinson)

Our main goal here in I-town is to assist the long term workers in mapping out the churches in I-town and meeting with local pastors. On Monday several of us had the opportunity to go to a meeting with nearly 30 local pastors. Another group of us went to visit a local pastor who is partnering with the longterm workers here. On Tuesday we called many of the pastors we met and set up appointments for the coming week. We were also able to visit with three more local pastors around the city. 

What We've Learned

We have been experiencing great community here with the long-term teams here. "P-man" has been leading us through 1st Peter,"Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health" by Donald Whitney, and group discipleship training. We will soon begin one-on-one mentoring with the long-term workers. We also have house worship with the families on Thursday nights and go to the local churches on Sunday mornings. 

Please pr@y that G0d uses us to serve the national and international workers here and that we boldly proclaim the g0spel to the locals. Also, pr@y that G0d will bring unity among the pastors and churches with the Four Fields strategy. 

Summer LINK India: Delhi Days

Most of the India team flew into Atlanta Thursday afternoon after 27 hours of airports, delays, and layovers. We left Amy Calfas behind to continue living and working in India until December. Please be praying for her as she adjusts to her new normal in India.

When we first arrived in India, during orientation, we were taken around to several temples in I-town. That night we had praise and worship with a few national believers. I was talking to one brother, P, about the day and the different temples we visited. He said something that I cannot stop replaying in my mind even now as I am in my house in South Carolina. He said, “It is only by the grace of God that you are not bowing down to those idols in those temples.” It’s not a super original thought, but it struck me in a way that I cannot stop thinking about my salvation and thanking the Lord for what He has done in my life. It is easy to look at idol worship in India and see hopelessness and be moved to share the Gospel of the one true living God. Idol worship in America is more deceptive. Generally speaking, we do not have carved images with faces that we physically bow down to, but we do have a multitude of things we mentally and emotionally bow down to. Idol worship is not finished when we become believers. There is always something competing for our affections. We are always worshiping something. Let us not worship that which is false.

“Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.” Jonah 2:8

"Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.

There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might. Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you." Jeremiah 10:5-7

This summer I have learned a lot about missions. John Piper explains the purpose of missions well: “Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.” We have a finite amount of time to proclaim the good news of Christ to perishing people. We should greatly desire His name to be exalted in the earth.

"To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:17

The last Thursday we were in I-town (August 1) the girls had a spa day at a nearby salon. It was one of the national believers’ birthdays so we invited her to join us and treated her to a couple of salon services. We later celebrated with some cupcakes and enjoyed spending time with G on her 17th birthday. G comes from a Hindu family (please pray for their salvation; she shares with them everyday). She became a believer this past year. I was sitting with her that night listening to Christy Nockels (G knew the words better than I did!) and talking about her salvation. She kept repeating how happy she was that God chose her. She would say. “I can’t believe He chose me! The best thing in my life is that He chose me!” How beautiful to see a sister so excited about her salvation. It was a blessing and encouragement to be able to celebrate G's birthday with her.

Sunday the fourth we left I-town and flew to Delhi. We went to a couple of different markets to do some shopping and ate at a great Caribbean restaurant. Thankfully throughout our stay in Delhi no one on the team got Delhi belly! :)

Kayla getting on the plane to Delhi.

Kayla and Jill shopping.

Monday we took a bus to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. It was a great mini-trip! We took tons of pictures and had some fun walking around outside the palace.

         

       

 

Anna holding the Taj Mahal.

Josh

Tuesday we visited the India Gate and took bicycle rickshaws around Old Delhi. That afternoon we did some more shopping at our favorite market and that night we had our end of the summer banquet at Hard Rock Café.

Justin riding in a bicycle rickshaw in Delhi.

The team after eating so much good food. :)

Wednesday we had our half day with the Lord, finished our last minute shopping, and packed up to fly home to America.

Anna and I (Anna Grace) got henna at a market before we left.

The finished product.

Justin has been such a good sport about these pictures of him at the end of each blog. Thank you Justin! We had to finish big:

Justin and the Taj.

Posted by: Anna Grace Watkins

SummerLINK India: Peace Out I-Town

           This past Tuesday we had a neat opportunity at a nearby public school. We were able to take part in a seminar urging the students to love and care for the elderly.  Josh and Justin gave a presentation on the importance of caring for our parents out of gratitude for their care to us as children.  After the presentations the students asked questions, many had difficult questions on big problems in the home.  Also we were asked to sing for all the students. Then we were taken on a grand tour of the school and fed a traditional Indian school lunch!

Later that day the girls went to coffee with our friend P and her sister. We had a great conversation on the g0spel and the peace we have in Chr1st. The guys went to dinner and then to a Chai bar with our friend A.  They had a interesting discussion on the reason for conflicts between Hindus and Muslims.

                                  

                                  

On Wednesday we had lunch with our good sister P and then divided into teams to go pr@yer walking in the malls.  Later that day the ladies were honored with an invite to our sister G's home for dinner. We spent time with her family and pr@yed over them. They are such a kind and hospitable family.

On Thursday the girls went to a nearby salon for some spoiling with facials and hair treatments. We were also able to treat our sister G to a facial for her birthday.  Later we completed our celebration with cupcakes and hanging out.

While the guys went on another adventure with our friend H to visit some local temples and enjoy some street food.

On Friday we joined several of our brothers and sisters for a hike to Ralamandal! The green foliage and sweeping view made the hike well worth it! At the top we gathered for pr@yer over I-town and India.  We are really going to miss these guys!

As Chris Brown would say, "Don't Wake Me Up!"

How can you be pr@ying for us?
- For safe travels to Delhi and then home on Thursday.
- While we are ready to be home please pr@y that we would be content in our last few days here.
-Our teammate, Amy, now has multiple options for her time her in India! Pr@y that she would have wisdom to discern what to do and that she would find a place to live.

Post by: Anna Chassevent

SummerLINK India: When Life Gives You Lemontree

SummerLINK India

        Last Thursday was an interesting day because the auto-rickshaws we use for transportation were on strike. Fortunately the girls were still able to get to the house of their friend G. They were welcomed to an authentic meal and experienced true Indian hospitality. They even got to play a little cricket!

 

Josh and I went to T.I. mall where we were able to meet with our friend R for several hours. 

        On Friday we had to say goodbye to our hotel, the beloved Lemon Tree. We packed our bags and sent our things off. Then we made our way to a conference of national believers.

Bye Lemon Tree!

The conference was organized by V.F.I. and many of our friends were there. We heard two sessions taught by a guest speaker. Then we had lunch and a time of rest and fellowship. There was an afternoon worship session, after which we left. The believers there were full of joy, they continued despite numerous power outages.

                   

        Saturday was a really fun day for us. One of our friends took us to a waterfall called Patal Pani. We had such a good time exploring the area. The waterfall and surrounding area were absolutely stunning.

                                         

                     

                                                Our Fearless Leader

That evening we went back to the house for an evening with the family. They made us a home cooked meal of American food. We enjoyed it so much. It wasn't even spicy.

 

On Sunday we took autos to church. The rest of our day was nice and relaxing.

        Monday was a busy day for all of us. Josh and I spent the afternoon pr@yer walking with B in a few different areas of the city. He acted as our translator so we could talk to Indians who didn't speak English. We also had the chance to visit his home. The girls spent the day doing the same thing with their friend G. We came back together in the evening for dinner and to debrief what we had done that day.

How can you be pr@ying for us? 

• Pr@y that our last few days here will be fruitful.
• Please pr@y that the friends we have made will continue to pursue the Lord, and that those who do not know Him will continue to be drawn to Him.

Obligatory Justin pic

By: Justin Harrison

SummerLINK India: Papa, Papa, Paparazzi

On Monday, some of the girls traveled to a women’s training to encourage them in their walk while the others met with our friend G for lunch and a bible study.

….Meanwhile, the guys had a great time spending the day at Tincha Falls with our friend H and driving through the beautiful countryside.  

  

The next day, the group had lunch with a Christian friend who runs an elderly home for the elderly. We had the opportunity to hear more about his ministry, and of course, had some delicious lunch and chai!

Finally, on Wednesday, the team took a day trip to Ujjain, an ancient city that is considered one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus and attracts millions of Hindu pilgrims from around the country. We started at the Mahakaal Temple, the most famous temple in the city created for Mahakaal, which translates to “Lord of Death.”

  

 Afterwards, we visited the city's holy driver and drove to another famous temple where we got to learn about more Hindu "pooja" (worship) practices: 

After our Ujjain day trip, some of the girls attended a women’s bible study, while the rest of the team went to meet with the students from the local English coaching school as we usually do each week. However, when we arrived, we were met by a surprise! Rather than meeting with our usual group of 10-20 students, we were greeted by badged escorts who brought us into a packed auditorium filled with English students and seated us in the front of the room. We were introduced to cheering students as “American diplomats” and proceeded to lead a Q & A session and small group discussions on American culture,with students asking us about topics ranging from our impressions of Indian culture to commentary on the US defense budget. The night ended with an enormous dance party set to Bollywood music and the team being swarmed by students asking for pictures, Facebook requests, and phone numbers. It was definitely the height of our American celebrity status!

How can you be pr@ying for us? 

• Please pr@y for the people we are seeing regularly and for all who we will meet in our final week here!
• Please pr@y for the unity and energy of our team so that we might finish strong in pursuit of God's vision for this city!   

Token Justin Diva Pic

By Amy Calfas