Part 3 India land of promise

Ashish and Yushpal on the rooftop at Carmel Niwas.

Arriving at Newark in the late afternoon for a direct 15 hour flight to Dehli, India. We departed departed near midnight and with the time zone changes arriving late night also in India. We flew so far north we were over Iceland and Greenland (great circle route which actually makes the flight shorter). With the excitement for the trip who could sleep there were two in the group Barney and Raymond who did sleep for part of the trip. We would often get up in the plane and share our vision and expectation for our travel.

One of the surprises to await me in Newark was a couple of people I went to Bible college with about 20 years ago. While in India I met more from my same class year who flew in from other areas. Quite a blessing. So it was Geralyn, Carolina and Pepe her husband, Barney, Doug, Ken, Raymond, and myself on the plane.

Also on the plane was another group on a missionary trip. In reality though we may have done some “missionary work’ we were in reality going to learn how simply and powerfully the believers were living the word in India and see how easy it is if we will only look to God and not a system.

Arriving at Delhi it was somewhat chaos at the airport though large and International it looks like it had been put together by by second world standards, Oh I’m in a second world. There were a number of believers who where waiting for us, they had been waiting some time as we were delayed leaving Newark and at Delhi.

The believers included, Bhupendder, his son Ashish, Yushpal, Peter, Sangat his daughter Pryia (sp?) and Pershawn (sp?) and Sun Jin (sp?) and others.

What a warm and joyful welcome to see the believers. As we visited getting to know our driver and India believers in our particular vehicle. You could clearly sense the excitement they had to have us visit and their deep rooted joy with the Word of God living in their hearts and growing rapidly in India.

One thing I noticed is how the air in Delhi is very thick, probably like Los Angeles. It seems foggy much of the time and I could not see many stars at all, which I so enjoy seeing and thinking of God’s Word written in the heavens.

Now traveling in the middle of the night to where we would stay I noticed road rules are not obeyed, red lights don’t always mean stop (only if needed) and people constantly blow their horns. No attention is paid to driving lanes you might be on a two lane road but it was treated like it had 3 or 4.

In about 45 minutes we arrived at Carmel Niwas in Delhi, Catholic retreat, the housing might remind you of staying at a camp cabin. Very simple but completely adequate. Oh there is no showers here you take a bucket bath pouring water out of a bucket with a cup over your head.

It’s January and the temps in the nights were about 40-50 and highs in the day 65-70 degrees. No heaters to use here but good blankets. It was cooler then usual in January so out came the light jackets and sweaters.

Carmel Niwas was also the place the Ambassadors (Leaders) meetings were going to take place so except for a day of travel to local sites and 4 different fellowships we visited everything was close by.

Ashish and Yushpal stayed at Carmel Niwas with us their fellowship was greatly enjoyed. The simplicity and powerful affect of Word of God in their lives was very apparent. A day later Ashish interviewed Yushpal on the rooftop at Carmel Niwas (see picture at top) about his first year living the Word. God wrought a number of miracles by them in their lives during this time. (I have a video of this I will post so you can share in it. For the moment a picture will have to do.

We all were so looking forwarding to the things God was going to be revealing and teaching us in the next two weeks.

Next our first fellowship Aligar, India

India: Part 2 Preparation and first day of travel

There was three days of specific preparation for travel, weather, food and the other things had to be taken into consideration. I had packed enough basic “American” food to keep me going if the Indian food was not tolerable.

First day out:
At the Omaha airport at 5AM checked in and took flight to Houston TX, Continental airlines roundabout way for to get me to Newark airport NY.

Now a storm was growing stronger that was moving east, having about a 3 hour layover in Houston I found out some airlines were canceling their flights to Newark because of this major storm and the forecast of a large amount of snow and strong winds. I just gave it to God and did not think too much about it. In the meantime Ken and Darlene P. asked for God to work a miracle and nothing short of that He did the storm split north and south and went above and below Newark airport area. All the believers airlines flights were not canceled though other flights were because of the server winter forecast that did not develop in Newark. Airports north and south of their were closed. When I landed the ground was only wet - no snow but on the monitors was the reports how surrounding areas were shut down and travel was not recommended.

Next, India land of promise.

Trip to India: Part 1 The impossibility of the Trip

Most likely as the reader you want to get right into the trip but their is some background that is vitally important to see how God was working in the situation so I could go.

Having been invited late summer 2007 by Ken Petty to go to India opened what was to be one very fulfilling and exciting opportunity but also my biggest challenge of the whole journey. This was at a Weekend in the Word in Denver with Sangat Bains, his wife Beautrice also Bhupender and Ashish also from India. Plus many believers from around the US.

The impossibility there was no way I could foresee how to come up with the time or money. My new business was having growing pains and strains.

Beautrice said to me during the weekend that I must make the decision to go or it would not happen. My clear decision was made to go. Over the next about five months. The impossibly of the trip at times seemed to loom over me. For moments of time it would seem such a heavy burden or mental pressure that two or three times I almost called Ken P. to say I would not be going. In my mind I knew this would take the pressure off. But this would also not let be trust that God would be my provider. So I refused those thoughts cast the worry, the care upon God and stayed at peace about it. In the end my need was fully met by an outside source. The only thing I had to come up with was my personal spending money, which was miniscule to the airfare and housing, vehicle transportation and food costs. Darlene P. gave me some good tips for packing my items it still took about 3 repacks until everything fit as needed in two bag and a carry on.

Little did I know this was only the beginning of doors God would open.

Next Preparation and first day of travel