I missed my post yesterday and I think Elaine is going to post in the morning again. Saturday was a LONG day. we went from Kakinada to Rajamundry and then 5 village congregations. Talking to them about their work and having services at each one--we did not get back to the hotel until 11:30 P.M and then another one of those wedding parties was going on outside. They moved us to a room on the other side of the hotel so we get away from the noise. These little "village" churches are amazing. They have from 50-100 members in towns from 1000-3000. They are all REMOTE. They are agricultural villages working rice and sugar cane. These people come by bike or by foot some from 5-6 Km to worship. One 80 year old lady walks all day to a friends house--halfway to services---then walks the rest of the way the second day to worship and study the bible. Then after services she reverses the trip. They say she never misses--several miles each way. The older man in one of the pictures apologized over and over that they had not finished and painted their building before we arrived. They are proud of these 25 by 40 or so buildings. They cost about $4000 for materials and they do all the labor. Then any paint, interior, etc. comes from their contributions. The Blue River church in Kansas City has provided the money to build 9 of these. One of the preachers was concerned about his large group of young people in relation to Instrumental Music and other worship issues. Ricky asked me to speak and address those issues. It's tough organizing thoughts and getting ready for that on a ROUGH country lane---in the back seat----in about 45 minutes but we got it done. I hope it helped them---I think it did....they seemed to respond well. When you show these people the truth---they follow it. I preached for the morning service here in Kakinada this morning and really love how these people listen. Then I spent all afternoon with my notes on the sermon "Who is this Jesus" putting it in manuscript form so Joseph Gootam can print it in his newsletter and in tract form. I am humbled the lesson was so well received. Not my MY spirit--but the power of God. It's just 8:00 PM but Elaine is already OUT! She is exhausted but she jotted a bunch of things down she wanted to BLOG so I am sure in the morning she will write. In fact I think I will go to bed too! God bless us all in His service.
