India Report #5: Oct 18 (Tuesday) 2011 (7:10 a.m. your time)
Dear family and friends:
In spite of the firm assurance that our private internet connection purchased in Hyderabad would work anywhere in India, it does not work here. They checked into it in Pitlam today and were told that it doesn’t work here, but they have one that will work in all of India including Mizoram and Tripura. But I am skeptical for some reason and am not sure whether to invest in it or not. I will keep writing for our diary and if we do by chance find somewhere to email along the way, will have it all ready to go. But the downside is that you get an avalanche all at once.
The move did take place yesterday just before meeting. So the beds had to be disassembled and hauled by truck here just a few hundred yards away to the first floor apartment we now occupy. It is a bit cleaner and the special benefit is better air than the very smoky third floor where we were. The downside is that the open windows with bars over them attract hoards of children who want to try out their limited English and observe everything we do. The first couple of hours are cute to banter with them, take photos etc. but then the chatterbox takeover prevents creative thought. We think of how Jesus said “suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not…” That was probably on limited occasions and not continual fare day by day. Tonight an adult came and drove them away, and then stayed at the window himself to take over the observing opportunities. There was one compliment. They all call me “uncle” rather than “grandfather.” So they have great discernment about our practical age.
The meeting last night went well in spite of the long introductions and garlanding. However, with getting the equipment all coordinated and working right, I got to start preaching at 9:30 p.m. and most stayed by until 10:30. That is followed by the praying over many of them, having circle of prayer with the pastors, and putting the equipment away to transport back to the room—except for the large rear-view screen which we can safely (?) store at the site without folding it up each night. We are still in walking distance from the site. On the way I went on the back of a motorcycle driven by one of the Pastors. My back problem made it difficult to get on and off but the ride was fine in spite of our carrying the video projector and computer bag. Tonight we should screen the Jesus Video part 1. We got home last night at 11 and tonight hope to shorten that some. The challenge is to get the needed rest within the hours favorable (when the electricity is on and you are not in meeting or other necessary work).
Just now the adult delegation has arrived. It is the niece of our benefactor landlord. She brought her sister also. They are curious about American money. So we will give them each $1 and hope the word does not spread throughout India and generate a multitude of devotees.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011: From Peda Kodapgal where the meetings are held.
I had to break off writing and get ready for meeting. Attendance is increasing but we still do not know just how many. We hear that not so many are here from the local village, but the trucks bring them from the other more distant places and they arrive at about 8:15. So the problem persists about when to really start the meeting. Having come that far after a hard day’s work, they deserve to hear and see as much as the others. But then if the prolonged preliminaries start and it is late before the sermon can begin, that leaves only two choices—either cut the sermon short (and we came to preach the Word) or go overtime. Well, last night (Tuesday) we were not able to screen the Jesus Video Part 1 because they have no cord to connect from the computer sound outlet and their amplifying system. We tried using microphones as before in some places, but could not get sufficient sound to make it worth showing. We trust they will get that cord from somewhere today. If not, I have practiced using our small speakers from the computer outlet to augment the sound which the microphones can then carry through their sound system to the very adequate speakers at the site.
Last night an unexpected addition to the program came on and thus eliminated the time for Jeff’s children’s story. A former Pentecostal pastor wanted to present us with garlands and shawls in recognition of our valued service. Then he wanted to give his testimony and sing a short song. When I learned his story it helped take away some of the resentment for the intrusion though he meant well. He has built a church in this village and two others which he pastored. He has studied the SDA message with some of our workers and wants to learn more and be baptized. He gave one of the churches to SDA and probably will give the others. He needs more exposure to our message before he is ready to be baptized. We trust that will continue to happen. God’s ways are not our ways and we defer to His judgment.
Some of the newly baptized from our meetings last year in Pitlam want to come to this series also. Paulson hired two more trucks to make that possible for at least some of them. It will help strengthen them by hearing it all again.
Yesterday it was very hot in the rooms here and the electricity was not on much. So that translates into much sweat and feeling miserable because the ceiling fans do not work. They keep the air moving and discourage mosquitoes that come in through all the open windows with only bars between us and them. The repellent does not completely control them.
Lights are on and off now so I’ll close. We got our phone recharged yesterday and that helps a lot.
With love,
Mom and Dad (Glenn and Mary Alice)