TGI Friday...I mean, Saturday...I mean, Sunday?

Hey everybody,

What day is it?

I only ask because it occurs to me that no one on this team has been to "bed" since Thursday night. There was definitely some shut-eye snagged on the plane, but not what you would call "restful". We arrived this morning at 3:40 a.m....which, at 9:30 p.m. currently, feels like 2 days ago. The team is pretty wiped out, but we've had a great first day.

We want to start tonight by giving thanks to God for your prayers that were answered in a huge way. First, our travel journey went 100% hurdle-free. Excellent flights, easy security checks and no trouble whatsoever making our way through customs. One of the biggest blessings...we've brought SO MANY supplies and between only 7 people, we knew we were going to have to bring (and be charged for) extra baggage or extra charges for overweight luggage. Leon had a luggage scale and when we weighed the bags, only ONE bag was over the weight limit: 51 lbs. One bag weighed in at 50.7 lbs. Praise God we were able to shift lots of items around and not only did we not have to take extra bags, but not one bag was overweight. We've even seen God taking care of "minor" issues - random items that were accidentally left at home...another team member brought two of. God has been blessing every single step of the way. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying, even when you don't know exactly what to pray for, God is listening, working and answering. Don't let up!

When we arrived at Chennai, we were greeted to the beautiful sight of David Rajan and Gary Hanneken's smiling faces at 4:30 in the morning. We loaded up the van and headed to David's condo where we were able to have a nice relaxing morning resting and enjoying David's hospitality. For lunch, David took us out to experience local ethnic cuisine: McDonald's. I ordered the 20 count nuggets (and shared...). Oddly enough, for being so far away, India's McDonald's nuggets and America's McDonald's nuggets taste identical. I'm starting to think the food is processed in very unnatural ways. After lunch, we headed Star Bazaar - India's "Wal-Mart" - to pick up all of the remaining Grain Game supplies. And you would be so proud of your India 2012 Team. At least half of the items we picked out DIDN'T have the barcode/price on them - it was like we were trying to make our cashier really angry. Fortunately, she only had to run to the aisles and do a price check 14 times.

If you followed our blog in 2010, you will remember a man named Jonathon - he is like David's son - he's a worship leader, a fantastic singer and has such a humble spirit about him. He and his new wife, Priya, and his sister, Joy, showed up to meet us. No lie, it was like a family reunion. And they showed up at just the right time because we purchased 1/2 of "Star Bazaar" and the two cars we traveled to the mall in didn't have enough room for oxygen. A troupe of clowns would've waved their white flags. So, we loaded up their car and made it back to David's condo. Before dinner, we had an absolutely amazing time of fellowship and worship with David, Jonathon, Priya and Joy. The guitar your gifts helped purchase in 2010 was waiting for us and we took turns leading worship songs in David's main room. Such a beautiful sound and a reminder that Heaven is gonna be crazy awesome. David led some good ol' country songs (yes, you read that right) and then we moved into "Because He Lives". While we were singing, David walked out of the room and came back with a harmonica. He then joined in playing "Because He Lives". Then, "How Great Is Our God". Then, "How He Loves". You wouldn't think it, but the sound of 12 voices and a harmonica making music to the glory of God is powerful.

After the mini-concert-worship-hoedown, David asked Priya to share her testimony with us. It was a beautiful story of how a girl raised in a Hindu family was convinced of God's love and friendship and is now serving with GodTV in India. Though her family are all Hindus (and after a period of rejection from them), she shared how God had restored their relationship and they recognize that their gods don't answer prayers, but Priya's God does. God is at work in India in powerful ways - and this is just Day One. Following the testimony, we were joined by David's sister-in-law (and Faith member) Rohini. And then, in pops Sundar Kingsley, another Faith member from India. Apparently, half of Faith Baptist Church is currently in India. It's crazy awesome.

We concluded the night with a look ahead at tomorrow/this week and spent some time in God's Word just preparing our hearts for what's to come. Tomorrow, we'll be ministering to over 100 children/teens in the Mission Center, leading an opening assembly with music, 2 skits (The Good Samaritan and David and Goliath) and we have 4 Grain Game activities planned (Pillow fights, Bubbles, Pin Widgets and Hula Hoops) - tomorrow I'll lay these out in detail. For now, I need to wrap this up. It's about 10 p.m. here and we have to roll out of here - luggage/supplies and all - at 6 a.m. for the Mission Center where we will be staying until the day we leave. Again, the plan is to maintain the blog daily but we will be completely dependent upon the access we have. So, I hope this isn't the last blog you read, but if it is - or at least for awhile - please don't let up in your prayers. We feel them...God is working through you in mighty ways. Keep praying!

Oh...Shirani and Immanuel just walked in. I think I started a gang war by pointing out Sundar (who is also here right now) pronounced "Chennai" as "Chen-I". Shirani and Immanuel will have nothing to do with that. This argument is fierce (in my head). Also, Shirani just said, "Don't quote me in the blog", so I won't.

Ok, before I go, I have to share these two quick stories - hopefully it'll make you laugh...maybe it's just funny because we're so tired. First, on our way to board our 2nd flight from London Heathrow to Chennai (Chen-AY), a young Indian girl was next to Debbie Chiodo politely asked, "Where are you going". The young girl sweetly said, "India". Lovingly, our dear Debbie turned to the girl and in her lack-of-sleep-induced-delirium said, "So what?". Clearly, she meant to say, "Guess what...so are we" - and we all know that. But that has not stopped us from busting on her for being an impolite American to a sweet, young child.

Also, with less than an hour to go on our final flight, I was eager to change back into shorts (as I had put on pants for that flight). But every time I went to make a move to the restroom, a flight attendant would get in the way, or the seat belt sign would come on. Finally, the path was clear, I stood up, turned and right as the "Seat Belt" light came on (which I was going to try to sneak past - I'm not perfect), the same flight attendant came through the curtain, looked at me and said, "Take your seat, please". By this time, our whole crew and half of the cheap seats were pulling for me to get into the restroom. Finally, the seat belt light went off, the flight attendant was down the aisle and I popped up and said, "You'll never take me alive". Hanneken quickly reminded me that that's not what you want to say as you jump out of your airplane seat. Lesson learned.

Anyway - sorry for that digression. To close tonight, we'd love to ask you to join us in prayer for these things specifically (as well as whatever God lays on your heart):
1) Strength for David Rajan. He has been up at 3 a.m. the past few days to pick up people from the airport and will be doing it again tomorrow. He has been so hospitable - please pray that he gets some good rest tonight
2) Strength for the team. Today was a wake-up call regarding what we're up against with the weather. It's only going to get worse as the weeks go on - please pray for physical restoration and sleep tonight.
3) That God's love would shine through us as we start our first week of Vacation Bible School. Help us to relate to the children/teens across the language barriers
4) That God would show us His glory in radical ways this week

We cannot thank you enough for your commitment and participation in this mission. We're here and we're ready to start. Thank you guys so much - we love you.