Oh man, I can't wait to explain the title of this entry. All in good time.
Well, yesterday I said that today was shaping up to be a huge day for us. Ends up, not terribly huge. But amazing. We had three items on our agenda (2 school programs and a village church dedication), but due to some fighting in the area, David felt that we should stay out of the area where the church dedication would be held. We were sad to have missed that opportunity, but again, God, in His provision, knew what we would experience today and what we would need.
We arrived at our first school today - the Jesse Moses School - which is a primarily all-girls Volleyball school. These girls are highly educated and so Father Abraham was a bit beneath them. Because of this, we had to change almost all of our music to more of a worship setting - but your INDIA 2010 Team killed it! We added some songs we hadn't done yet and Christi even had the opportunity (finally...after almost a week of waiting) to sing Thy Word as a solo and the team all joined in at the end. It was great. We had a great time at the school.
After some lunch at the world's most confusing mall, we headed out to our second appointment at the St. George's school nearby. Pretty much everything that the Jesse-Moses School was (orderly, reserved, well-behaved), St. George's school WASN'T. They were insane and hyper and it was awesome. The stage they had was actually the biggest one we've been on and the entire school surrounded the rectangular stage (almost like Theater in the Round...or, Rectangle). This was so much fun because the team got to spread out and lead songs to all the different sides. These kids were screaming, dancing - we had a ball. We did our usual routine (with a couple of adjustments) and it was so much fun. However, it was at 2:30 p.m. In INDIA. We learned a very important lesson today. When you dance and jump around during the massive heat of the day in India...your clothes will be soaking wet. Just to give some perspective, by the time we finished up our hour program, we had to wipe down the guitar I was playing because my sweat was dripping off of the guitar...I mean, it was literally soaked.
But in spite of all of this, your team made you proud. And just because the program was over, ministry didn't stop. John Kinsey went and ministered to about 20-30 older teen guys who surrounded him as he gave his testimony and shared what God had done in his life. Tim got together with a group of students and showed his illusion again. Christi sat on the steps, surrounded by kids, and gave the gospel presentation using her "Salvation Glove". When she was done, four children prayed to receive Christ. Amazing. Absolutely amazing ministry taking place even when everyone was so incredibly drained.
Then, a handful wanted some of the poisoned popsicles the kids had (made with the "no no" water). Fortunately, no one is sick from them. That's what you get for eating popsicles.
With the Church dedication being cancelled, the rest of the evening was free. As a result, we experienced what to me has been my favorite part of the trip to this point. We rested up and spent some time recharging, then around dinner time, everyone started convening downstairs and we got to spend the evening just hanging out with David. He gave us the long version of his testimony (which is absolutely incredible), we had dinner together, had our sharing time and then...The Godfather Sang.
Ok, you've been patient. Time for the explanation. Over the past week plus, we have noticed a trend wherever David Rajan goes. First, he's always the best dressed person everywhere. Second, no matter what the setting, he always has a chair that people get him. He's hardly ever on stage, and instead sits off to the side or in the back just watching everything going on. Yet, if you look around, you get the sense David runs everything, no matter where he goes. For instance, today, we were in a store buying some authentic, home-made shirts from India. We head to the cash register and David walks over, grabs the employee "swivel seat" and makes himself at home like he owns the place (which, in fact, he just might). So, because of this, he has earned the nickname "The Godfather", because we legitimately believe he is the "Godfather" of India. He's done nothing to downplay this distinction either, as evidenced by his posing for "Godfather" pictures while we were meeting with the Headmaster of St. George's (a time for seriousness). But what does David care? Who's the Headmaster to him when he's The Godfather? By the way, for any of you who only know David as the humble missionary servant of God who is responsible for planting 35+ churches in India, know this: David Rajan is one of the funniest people you'll ever meet - get him "at home" and he is off the charts hysterical.
So, after sharing time tonight, everyone pressures David to sing us a song or two. David grabs the guitar, handsome Indian heartthrob Johnathon grabs the other one, and they lead us in a few songs. But here's the thing I NEVER expected....David is well versed in the style of old-time country gospel. Yes, Country-Western gospel is David's style of choice. I will give you a minute to wrap your minds around this.
Ok, so, we're sitting around his living room as he performs a mini-concert for us singing old-time country gospel songs (my favorite: "On My Mother's Side") and it was my favorite moment of the trip and most likely will not lose that distinction to anything else that could possibly come up between now and the time we leave. First, David has an incredibly gorgeous voice. Second, the song itself was amazing (and I'm not a fan of the country-western - but this song moved me to tears). The "concert" went on for a few more worship songs but as it was getting late, we had to wind things down. But knowing that The Godfather was so talented and time with him is so much fun, I can't wait for the next concert. Fortunately, Tim grabbed a few of the songs on his phone and we are working on getting them uploaded onto YouTube. Links will be made available as soon as we get it up.
As far as tomorrow, things have had to change. Hey, like we've learned to say, "It's India". Ends up, the government has shut everything down from tomorrow through Friday. This means all of the events we had planned are kind of out the window. But every time God changed our plans by removing a scheduled event, He always had a reason - and we can't wait to see what it is. So, it looks like tomorrow will be a "Down Day". We have plans tomorrow to do some sightseeing with David, maybe a little shopping....and see where the Lord leads. Tomorrow night, we're planning on hearing from David all about the churches he's worked on and planted in India. It's going to be a great time of fellowship and celebration.
So, even though tomorrow is a "down day", we need your prayers:
1. For continued health of the team - please keep Lee Salley in your prayers as he turned his ankle pretty good heading down the stairs - it hasn't affected his ability to participate, but he sure is hurting.
2. For divine appointments/opportunities that we can't even begin to anticipate
3. Praising God for His work at the schools and the lives that were changed for Jesus.
Thanks guys. I'm going to go sign off now. Lee is snoring like...well, something that snores a lot...and Tim is about to go do something to punish him for continuing to keep us all from getting a goodnight's sleep. Gotta grab the camera phone....see ya tomorrow!
-Jeff
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