Carl (our former pastor, friend) from India

Date: Jan 24, 2008 7:33 AM
Today we had the Pastors Conference all day again. We heard two more testimonies of the pators from Orissa. It is difficult to comprehend these viscious attacks. The attackers came from outside the villages. There were about 3000 of them. It was clearly a planned attack on Christmas eve and Christmas day. The pastor who still has not seen his wife shared his story. His wife was ill and they could not get her out in time to escape to the jungle. At the last minute the children helped the mother out of the house, but somehow the children got separated from the mother. The pastor could not escape so he hid behind a rock near his home. He feels that the Lord blinded the attackers from seeing him, because they were all around him but they never found him. He had to lie still behind the rock all night. Twice he had to go to the bathroom, but could do nothing - he had to soil himself. It was about 40 degrees - all he had was the clothes on his back. He is still visibly in shock and there is fear in his eyes. The police watched the attack and did nothing. After their testimony the four of us each took a turn washing the feet of the four pastors from Orissa. It was incredibly humbling and moving. They wept as we honored them in this way. You have to understand that these are Dalits who would never imagine someone washing their feet. It is so clear that God ordained that we are here at this time. You should see these beautiful orphan children. I have some video of the girls singing in worship before their dinner. They are so sweet. Today they presented a sewing machine to a 17 year old girl who has been in the orpanage since she was eleven. She has developed great skill in sewing and this will be her opportunity to make a living. A beautiful girl. What an amazing thing to watch. There is so much to say - so difficult to process. The ministries that Bishop Joab oversees are miraculously profound. Much prayer and financial help is needed. I don't know how we can get the word out, but we must try. David Goodnight has such a tender heart for these people. God has raised him up for such a time as this. Tomorrow we go to see the distribution of food to the lepers. Then on Saturday we will go out to a village to participate in the dedication of one of the recently built churches. Pray for safety in our travels. It will be about 3 hours each way... a whole different perspective on life in India. I love you all! Carl

Date: Jan. 27
Yesterday we had day one of the Pastors' Conference. We are it. We are doing all the messages. It is so humbling. How do you speak to uneducated village pastors who don't have a clue about U.S. culture - and who put us to shame with their courage and strength. We met and heard stories of the pastors who were in the persecution. Horrific stories. They look so shell-shocked. By the end of the day, they were smiling a bit. God definitely had a plan for us to be here now. Don't have time to tell the stories in detail. One pastor who is here - had 3 children missing for 5 days. The were alone in the jungle - found under a tree - no food or water all that time. Terrified. They are 12, 10, and 8. I thought about Anna, JJ and Josh. He still has not seen his wife for 1 month today. Just before he arrived here he heard that she might be in a village about 50 miles from him. When he returns to the state of Orissa he will walk 50 miles to see if he can find his wife. So So humbling. Pray that we might bless those we encounter.