January 3, 2010

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As most of you know, we are back from India. There are so many things that happen on a mission trip that you just can’t put into words, but I will give it a go. There are also a lot of things that I won’t tell because our mission presentation is Sunday night at 6:30 at First Baptist, and I don’t want to spoil any surprises.

However, I want to tell you one thing that God pressed upon me during this trip. I will tell other things in later post, but for now I will share one. The first one is that we are so spoiled and so ungrateful. If you are reading this post from a location anywhere in the United States you are so blessed, and you are spoiled rotten, whether you admit it or not. I know that I am! It’s not air conditioning, pillow top mattresses, and pews in our churches that I’m talking about. It’s having anything we want or need anytime we want or need it. If you have a tooth ache; you go to the dentist. If your kidneys are shutting down you can go to the hospital and get put on dialysis. If you can’t see; you go to the eye doctor and get glasses or contacts.

The look on pastor Manukim’s and Solom’s face was priceless when they saw me take that contact out of my eye. With a look of bewilderment, Solomon asked, “what is that?”. I said, “it’s a contact lens”. Manukim, whose English is broken, says, “oh, to keep the dust out?”. I thought in that very moment how blessed and spoiled I am. Have I ever thanked God that I have contacts? Have I ever thanked God that I’ve never suffered with a tooth ache for months with not so much as an Aspirin. I could go on like this for pages. Pages of things that we all take for granted. Pages of things that we have never stopped and thanked God for. When I preached in the churches, I would say 1 out of every 5 had a Bible. A Bible cost 500 rupees, and the average Indian makes a 150 rupees a day. 150 rupees is about 3 dollars. It would take them over 3 days work to have enough to purchase a Bible, which cost 10 dollars.
This is just one thing that God has really pressed upon my heart this trip. As one of my hero’s in the faith would say, “we receive a continent of mercies and barely return an island of praise–Charles Spurgeon”.

I want to encourage you to begin to really think about how blessed you are and give God thanks. Count your many blessings and name them one by one.

We have had one incredible mission trip.  Words can’t begin to explain it.  We are presently waiting at the Bangalore airport to catch our flight to Dehli.  I just checked the O’hara airport and it says that its still in operation, so we are optimistic about catching our flight.

I want all of you to know that we miss all of you so much and can’t wait to get back and tell you all that God has done in India.  We will spend the  night in Dehli then fly the next morning to America.  We have been so blessed on this trip, but we are ready to get home to our families.

Please pray that there will be no flight delays.  We love all of you and can’t wait to hug your necks.

In Christ,

Toby

Well, the time has come for the team to start their journey home! While you were sleeping last night they were on the first leg of the journey by taking  a 5 hour drive in a Jeep. They arrived in Bangalore and are sleeping right now. At 4 a.m. our time they will board a plane and fly to New Delhi where they will spend another night. From Delhi they will fly to Chicago then another flight to Louisville. I am on pins and needles! When I spoke with Toby this morning it was around 6:30 p.m. there and they were getting ready to do some shopping for souvenirs. I know the ladies were excited about this. Toby is really ready to get home now and I think I am safe in saying the ladies are too. Please remember them in your prayers as they do a lot of  traveling in the next 3 days. Also remember the ones who came to faith in Christ during these past 2 weeks.

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! Psalm 34:1-3

In Christ Alone,

Sonia

Feb. 10, 2010 – Wednesday Night activities have been canceled due to dangerous weather conditions. The leadership of FBC Henryville has made the decision to postpone the business meeting and cancel HYG services. Sorry for the inconvenience and let your friends and family know. Thanks, Matt Martin

Feb. 10, 2010 – Wednesday Night activities have been canceled due to dangerous weather conditions. The leadership of FBC Henryville has made the decision to postpone the business meeting and cancel HYG services. Sorry for the inconvenience and let your friends and family know. Thanks, Matt Martin

As I spoke to Toby this morning they were preparing for bed. This is Monday morning for us which is Monday night for them. On Sunday they had a great day of worship with the Indians. Toby had the joy of helping baptise 17 new believers! I can not wait until Saturday morning. First to squeeze my husband to death. Then to hear all the great things God has done in their lives and the lives of the Indian people. Please remember them in your prayers as when we get ready for bed tonight they will be starting their last day to minister there. For anyone who wants to come, their plane lands in Louisville on Saturday,February 13th at 9:45a.m. I will see you all on Wednesday until then have a great first half of the week.

In Christ Alone,

Sonia

First I want to apologize for not having a post up sooner for those of you who check for one. I worked the past 2 days. When Toby calls in the mornings I am on my way out the door. This morning however I spoke with him as they were ending another day. He was excited to tell me that many had believed the gospel today! They are all doing well. This is the halfway mark. Please continue to pray for them to have strength and energy. We will have a cottage prayer meeting for them tonight at 6:00 at Mandy’s house for anyone who wants to join. The team will be calling to talk to us on speaker phone around 6:30 so come if you can. You can hear for yourself how things are going in India! Love you all and pray you have a great last half of the week.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7

In Christ Alone,

Sonia

Well, it is Monday afternoon around 6:30 p.m in India. Toby called to say that everything is going great. They have seen around 40 decisions made for Christ today! And that is only the first day. God is so good! I am so excited about all that the Lord is doing in India as well as Henryville. I have had so many ask about myself and the boys while Toby is away. For that I am very thankful. It lets me know that we have a caring church family who really do love us. Continue to pray that the Lord leads the team in all that they say and do 13 more days.

O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; show forth his salvation form day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Psalm 96: 1-5

Pray that the Lord is lifted high and the people will see the one true and living God!

In Christ Alone,

Sonia