Baptisms and Persecution

We just recently got our internet back…  there were some strong winds that blew some communication wires down so we were without for about four days!

     Last Sunday, we had the privilege of witnessing 23 students get baptized on campus,  some of them were the B-Th (Bachelor in Theology)  but most were DTS (students who are learning English while trying to qualify for the B-Th program,  since the whole curriculum is in English,  they would need to be proficient enough to be accepted into the program).  DTS is something new that the school is offering this year which is why there are almost 300 students on campus this year instead of close to 100.
     Next to the chapel on campus, where they offer church services in Hindi and Telugu, is a baptism “pool”.  It is approximately 7 ft by 8 ft wide and 4 ft deep made out of concrete lined with light blue tile squares.  There were two pastors in the pool to perform the baptisms and students were taken two by two into the pool.  They stood and waited by the pastors while questions were asked of them to profess their faith publically before God and each of the witnesses.  There was a crowd of about 70 people all gathered around as witnesses including Risa and myself.   At first the boys were brought into the pool (13 of them two by two, except for the last boy because they brought in one of the girls)  and then the girls…  that day happened to be a cool day and I'm sure the water was quite chilly.  Each student with their Sunday best on,  marched into the pool and professed Christ as their LORD and Saviour. Risa was asked to participate in reading/asking the students questions professing their faith (I was as well,  but I  knew I wouldn't be able to record or photograph them if I participated,  so I opted out). They were fully submerged and one poor girl was extremely claustrophobic and had great difficulty going completely under water.  They then draped a sheet over each girls’ shoulders as they exited the pool as sign of modesty and respect.     
     I have photos and videos that I would love to share,  except that everyone in attendance was asked not to share them on any social media sites (so if you want to see them you'll have to let me know). Not only is it for the students’ protection,  but for the church as well. We learned earlier, during the sermon that day,  that much has happened in the way that Christian organizations and churches are being run especially with respect to their web presence.  The government is cracking down on Christians and Christian organizations. Some have even been forced to close their businesses.  Many affiliates of the church have been asked (by the church) to take down their websites or to change their verbage so as they do not bring the government's attention to themselves and the church.   Please pray that this would cease and/or that God wound continue to shield them from the eye of the government.  The largest concern that the government had is “forcing” children to convert to Christianity,  which is obviously not something this church or school does.  
     Persecution of Christians is happening all around the globe and is a serious issue.   Please pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering in the name of Jesus.  Any one of these newly baptized students may very well be one who is persecuted.
     Thank you for reading.   We  will return home in just a couple days and can't wait to share more with you all (especially pictures and videos as they don't seem to be loading on the blog page).

God bless,
Tiffany

A Week In...

Each day is a new experience in India.  I’m thankful to have had this opportunity to live in a nearby flat (less than a 10 minute walk away) where I can cook meals and prepare bowls of cereal everyday.  Being so close affords me the free time to come and go as I please.   During the week we are busy interacting and helping them grow in wisdom & vocabulary.  Most days (M-F)  our time is utilized from 12:30-8:30 with breaks in between plus two meals and plenty of Chai. There are two different groups: freshmen and discipleship mentees.  The first week we were here we mentored twice by ourselves without supervision.  It's good to know that we are trusted to lead.  They are so eager (and some are very shy & timid) to grow in understanding!  This is such an encouragement to me and my walk.  Both groups are  memorizing prayers (mealtime,  thanksgiving,  morning,  etc)  and we are privileged to be able to listen to them as they recite from memory.  We've learned that American candy is a HUGE motivator!!  Shyness and timidity go out the window when candy is in the mix…

Since Saturday is our free day,  we booked a car to take us to Aalankrita Resort &  Spa,  determined to have a fish pedicure.   We went with our roommate and another girl here for a health ministry.  I went first and the fish swarmed my freshly washed feet…  there  were so many fish that it looked like I had “fish boots” in my feet! One by one,  everyone else set their feet in the water and the fish began nibbling off the dead skin cells on our feet/legs.  It tickled greatly to the point of a constant feeling of a vibration on/under my feet.  After a while your feet are desensitized and it tickles much less.  After wading with the fish we set off to find the spa…  massage for me and head/shoulder massages for everyone else.  My masseuse,  Silji,  saw my cross necklace and asked if I was a Christian.  I told her I was and asked if she was one also.  She said she was. After my massage/steam-room/shower,  I asked if I could pray for her and she accepted. I praised God for the gift of healing hands that He gave her,  lifted up her family (from Kerala),  and asked God to shine His light through her…

We left the resort and made our way to Thinespo,  an American-food-themed restaurant,  where we ordered pizza (woo… spicy sauce) and cheesy garlic bread.  Delish!  In the evening we walked our street because on  Saturday nights there's a farmers’ market.   The street is packed with food vendors on both sides,  mixed with crowds of people walking trying to buy their groceries,  and numerous cars/motorbikes filling up the once empty space!  You can't imagine the loud sounds of people selling their goods,  honking their horns,  all the while the exhaust is filling the air, gagging us.   In America,  we would block off the street to vehicles,  not here in India!

Sunday brought a 10 am church service,   then lunch on the same grounds.  We returned home for a nap,  then watched 3 Idiots!  on DVD with our roommate and friend, all the while eating sweedish fish and gold fish crackers. That movie is so great…  quite emotional, really.  We had to stop the movie in order to catch the evening worship service at 6 which has loud music and dancing during worship.  I love it!  We met and spoke with some church goers who were eager to hear about why we are here!  After sharing,  they talked about our country’s independence day being tomorrow and wanted to know if we had plans.  I mentioned that we are having dinner at Patty's with the other internationals,  but that was it.   They also asked about fireworks,  we said we didn't have any!  They offered to plan a celebration on the church lawn,  fireworks and all after our dinner.  Today's the day and I'm looking forward to celebrating America's Independence with my Indian brothers and sisters…

That's all I have for now…  I will edit the post with an update to the party as soon as I can.

Good bless,

Tiffany

Joy Among The Impoverished

     Sorry readers for the long break between blogs we have been quite busy since we arrived and our internet has also been spotty.

     I wanted to share about one of our scheduled trips to a Good Shepherd school in the slums called, “IDPL.”  Right next door to the school was a pharmaceutical company appropriately named IDPL. When it shut down all of the workers were fired and without jobs,  so this community of people grew destitute.  Without work, parents could not provide tuition for their children. Public Schools do not exist in India, education is not free nor is it paid for by the government.  Many of the people had to go and look for work in other areas in order to support their families, therefore it is a very transient community. Good Shepherd came into the community and provided a school for the children. There are two “buildings” and in the main structure, there are four classes (one in each section of every corner)  from primary through junior high.   This school is literally no more than four cement walls and a tin roof (which they just received after their other roof blew off in a storm). The room size is approximately 20’x15’ and attached to this main structure is a small room that is technically Jothi’s (pronounced “Joh-ty”) office.  She is the head teacher of the school and has been teaching there for the last 18 years.  Right now her office is being used to cook food for the children, so it is very smoky and it billows into the classroom as well.
     The students are so well behaved and very focused on the work that their teachers had given them.  After telling us about the school, Jothi had some of the students come over and recite memory verses for us. All of them said the verses clearly and precisely. We asked if the classes would sing us a song and they did with such exuberance. These students learn about God through song and scripture. They then take this knowledge and love for the Lord home to their parents. The school not only helps these students get an education so they can hopefully build a better life for themselves,  but it also has a great impact on their eternity.
     Just a few steps away the school there was a second (very small and narrow, maybe 15’x7’) classroom for the pre-schoolers.  In this small structure they can have up to 50 students.  There wasn't any light or even enough seats for all of the children.  We only got to pop our heads in to say, “Hi” because there was not much room for all four of us to stand.
     One of the things that really struck me on this tour of the school was just how happy these students were even though they are living in such poverty. They have such a respect for their teachers as well as their education. You can see the love of Christ just shining in their eyes. God calls us to have faith like a child and now when I read this verse, I will be thinking of these students.

Thank you for reading,
Risa