India

(I wrote this email last night to our families and friends. I thought I should post it here too.)

Hi! This is kind of a mass email to our family and friends. If you didn't already know, Brent is going to go with Pastor Michael and our overseer, Richard Shipp from England, to India on a missions trip.

We're finishing up Brent's packing. He's done a fantastic job keeping track of everything he needed. They're leaving tomorrow night. (Wednesday) Well, actually, I see it's 1:30am. So - he's leaving tonight! (grinning)

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Please continue to do so. I'd like to tell you a couple of things they'll be doing in India, so you know how to pray.

Today Pastor Michael heard from Sudheer, the Indian pastor who began Harvest India. They were ministering in a bad section of town a couple of days ago, and ended up running for their lives. literally. One pastor was killed, and Sudheer and the others were/are (?) holed up in a basement, because the rebels were still looking for them.

.gulp.

I don't believe they have any plans to go back there with Brent and Michael... =]

Enough money has come in through our church and Richard Shipp to put 5 wells in 5 villages! Isn't that exciting? They'll be dedicating all 5 of them. That just blows my mind that one well services an entire village... we have it so good, just turning on the faucet.

They'll be hosting a Pastor's Conference. Which my husband will be speaking at... I'm so proud of him. He's a little nervous about that, but I know that God is going to give him the words to speak. He is so not the man I married - - and I love it!!! =]

I believe they're planning on going to a leper colony, and ministering to them. They've been told to put Vicks under their noses because of the stench... I'm sure that will be an interesting day.

They'll be going to some of the orphanages that Harvest India has. They have 5 of them, I believe. Brent is taking some frisbees, and bought a whole bunch of balloons and several beach balls. I can just see my husband passing out that stuff and playing with the kids. He does that kind of stuff so well.

But the thing I am most excited for Brent to get to be involved in is this: If everything works out right, they will be buying two prostitute's freedom. Isn't that amazing? Their "ransom" is $1000 per woman. So they will literally be paying this to their pimp. This is one of Harvest India's many ministries. Pastor Sudheer's mission takes these women, and teaches them a trade. Pastor Michael said they did this when he was there two years ago, and he said it's just amazing. They have this celebration ceremony, and he said the women just weep... I am so happy that Brent gets to be a part of that. I wish I could be there for that part too....

Tonight, Jaci said, "India is so lucky". When I asked her what she meant by that she said she's glad that they get to feel Daddy's love too. (that made my eyes get a bit watery for some reason) She loves her Daddy. It's fascinating to hear the kiddos process this whole India trip. I showed them on a globe where we live and where he's going, but I don't think they still really grasp it. When Jaci saw it, she was amazed that he's going to be halfway around the world! =]

We feel so much love and support from our church. I was in tears all afternoon yesterday because of the love they have absolutely poured out on us these past couple of weeks. I kept having to go into the back room at work and telling me to get a hold of myself. I guess I should explain myself. We knew right up front that if Brent goes to India, we were going to have to foot the whole cost. We were okay with that, even though I have to admit we were gulping a bit at the cost of it. =] But we sensed very strongly that Brent was supposed to go, so we were just going to let God work out the details. A couple weeks ago, one of the elders announced to the church that Brent is paying his own way, and if anyone wants to help him out, they can do so. (we didn't ask them to do that). The next two weeks, we got about $200. We were so thankful for that, and about couldn't believe it, because a lot of people at our church are not doing well job-wise. Yesterday Michael called Brent and told him that $1000 came in on Sunday earmarked for Brent PLUS enough money earmarked for two wells came in too! This was all in addition to the regular tithe people normally give. Brent called me and I just started crying. We were truly humbled by the outpouring of love. And speechless. How do you even begin to respond to something like that? $1200.00 - to go toward the India trip for Brent. Unbelievable!!!!!! God certainly did exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think! Not in our WILDEST dreams did we imagine something like that... wow!

So - please pray for Brent whenever God brings him to your mind. I know that it is totally the right thing for Brent to be doing. I am excited for him and can't wait to hear all about it. We had a visiting pastor this past weekend and he said India is a "hard-core" missions trip.

From what I hear about India, I think that must sums it up pretty well. =]And, if you would be so kind as to keep me and the kiddos in your prayers too? Two weeks is a long time to be without our husband and daddy. I'm sure I will appreciate Brent in a whole new way! =]

Thanks for the love you give to us, we love you too.