After a good night's rest, okay, maybe not all of us slept all night! We were excited to be invited to share with the India Gospel League staff in their Extended Prayer Time prior to their work day. They have this time on a regular basis to encourage their employees and it is an opportunity to share Christ's love and provision with those who do not know Him. What a joy to see all of their smiling faces! They are always so warm, honoring and helpful! They take care of all of the details of the conferences and travel. They know our schedule better than we do! They are examples of the servant leadership which Paula taught about in the sessions in the afernoon.
It was an intimate setting in the upper offices of IGL with the faithful and dedicated national and local leaders for the Women With a Mission. They were encouraged to see one another and we were encouraged to see them! Paula French had designed a leadership track just for them and was eager to encoruage them in their leadership in equiping the women in the local, regional and national groups as they lead women to reach thoes in their villages toward a relationship with the One True God! She talked about the leadership of Joshua and the importance of leaders not only being commissioned but personally consecrating themselves to being a leader of integrity and character. It was a holy moment as we prayed together commiting to serve with authenticity and love, consecrating ourselves, preparing for God to do amazing things!
Session Two was full of practical components of a leader following the footsteps of the greatest servant leader ever, Jesus Christ. At lunch the women went out and selected a rock to bring back for Session Three where we returned to Joshua and followed Joshua as his leaders walked through on dry land the parted waters and then Joshua called them back to return to the place where the waters parted to the very most dangerous place. There they were to collect a rock as a memorial of what God had done for them that day! Each woman brought her rock and we wrote the obstacles in our lives we perceived in accomplishing God's call on our lives. In small groups women were encouraged to share these challenging places in their leadership as well as the call that they have identified that God has on their lives. Then in a time of worship and contemplation we laid our rocks before Him and prayed for His leadership and guidance, recognizing that nothing is too hard for God and He is for us and will lead us through the obstacle! What an encouraging time for us all! Thanks Paula, job well done!
We also go our tour of the IGL offices while in town. As always the staff greeted us with beautiful lieus of fragrant red roses so common to celebrations and honoring the arrival of guests in India! What a wonderful tradition that humbles my heart every time! And I know what they are going to do! It was exciting to see that IGL has expanded their offices and built a near upper floor, remodeling the Children's Ministry Department and removing it from the floor below. Becky Stanley's office is there as well as her brother, Danny Stephens who leads the Student Movement Department of IGL and is doing an incredible job stepping into the call God has on His life! So many years I remember agonizing and praying with Prati for him as he ran from that call for a time. But a beautiful work of grace God has brought in his life and he gladly extends it to all of those around!
Finishing a full day of sessions and office tour around 5:00 p.m. we decided since we were alreday in town we might as well do a little shopping! We can eat dinner when we get home! You can't always shop! So off to Prati's favorite Sari store where she was the owner's first customer! The girls were delighted and marveled over the unique and exquisite silk fabric especially created for sari's and punjabi's! Nothing like it anywhere else in the world! Each woman was able to select something that she would be able to wear while she spoke later in the week to Indian women in the conferences to come! What fun to be fully emersed in the culture of a beautiful and unique land!
And what is a new outfit without a new pair of shoes! Prati showed us a little shoe store where the four young men were mesmerized by blonde women in a world of dark haired dark eyed men and women. They weren't the most efficient but they were eager to serve!
Finally sometime after 10:00 p.m. we returned to the sanctuary of Sharon Gardens and had a wonderful meal prepared especially with our American taste in mind! Servant leadership at its best here! When we were finished we remembered that we needed to prepare for the Children's Program tonight. So we spent the next hour assembling the nearly 300 treat bags (containing glow sticks, note pads, pencils and smarties) for the children. Sharon Gardens is home to nearly 300 children who attend school and learn about God in a setting that supplies their basic needs of food and clothing as well. It is common for parents who cannot afford to feed their child to bring them to Sharon and leave them there so that they can be provided for adequately! (How difficult a decision that must be!)
So today we will tour Sharon Garden campus, with a break in the afternoon and then enjoy the Children's Program tonight! This year besides the treat bags we have a treat for the the children as team member Vicki Orcutt has some songs she will teach them and we will celebrate the goodness of God together! What a incredible God we serve!
Thanks for your prayers as we live out HIs love and remember yours!
It sounds like a wonderful wonderful day! My mind imagines the sights and sounds as you share your experiences. Praying words of the Lord to fill your mouths to speak at the appointed time.
Love from Wy!
Juli
Posted by: Juli Banks | September 08, 2011 at 07:22 AM