Teaching ABCs at EBH

We have made a strong push for CPR training at the Evangeline Booth Hospital and have had great success.  We have come to learn that only a couple of people have been trained CPR.  Nurses, nursing students and even some doctors do not know how to perform CPR.  We had an opportunity to ask NHQ’s Medical Secretary if there were funds available to purchase training equipment and he indicated that they can provide the needed funds.

Though we do not have the proper equipment, we have moved forward in teaching the nursing students and staff at EBH how to do CPR.  This has been a significant accomplishment and it is our hope that the training does not stop here.  We envision CPR training not only within the Salvation Army but outside in the community.  This can be a great tool to connect with the community.

We had a great opportunity to be part of IHQ’s Medical Evaluation Team in assessing the future of this hospital.  We had the privilege of working with staff members from IHQ, NHQ and THQ—this has opened our eyes to a part of the Army that we would have never seen outside of this Summer Assignment.  There are many challenges that lie ahead for The Salvation Army’s medical services and who knows what the future may hold for us as we are faithful in following God’s will. 

This is our last week in Nidubrolu.  On Friday evening, we will be taking a night train back to Chennai where THQ is located.  Deb preached this past Sunday and will preach again this Sunday at the only English speaking corps in the Territory.  We cannot believe that our time is nearly over and we are trying to take in every moment of this wonderful country.   It will be very hard to leave. 

It is our goal to continue sending frequent Xanga updates until we return to CFOT at the end of August.  Thank you for your continued prayers cards and e-mails.  We love you all and cannot wait to sit, have a cup of Starbucks and share our experience with you.

Under His mighty flag,

D&J

The Power of Prayer

Have you ever questioned the power of prayer?  Sometimes our prayers fall into a trap of limited perspective:  what we often seek from God is for us and not for Him.  How many times have we been discouraged or doubt rises during the times that we wait on God? 

What about miracles and encounters with the Spirit of God that can only be explained as God’s personal revelation to us?  Some people doubt, but in India many believe in the power of the Holy Spirit and they expect that God’s work would be done in their lives as they obediently submit themselves to God. 

This is a picture of a man that I was praying with who was in a drunken stupor and was lost in a world of sin and alcoholism.  His wife and children left him and he was now living with his mother who did not know what to do to help him.  We prayed for him and asked God to forgive his sins, heal his alcoholism, reestablish his relationship with God and make him a new person free from the bondage of doubt and sin.  Last week, we did a follow-up visitation (it had been two weeks since we prayed for him) only to find out that he was not home—he found a job and was at work!  He was a new person; he stopped drinking, became responsible and found work and started to provide for his family.  His wife had heard what happened in his life and they are back together.  Deb and I could not stop praising God for what He done and what we witnessed.

I want to tell you that I believe in miracles and the awesome power of God.  I am a miracle.  I was so lost in the world and my selfish desires that I became unaware of my sin and I turned a deaf ear to the pardon found in Jesus.  But I knew that something wasn’t right.  I knew because there was a restlessness within me.  This restlessness was from a loving God who was patiently waiting for me to come home.  I have learned the hard way that it is not about doing good rather it is about being who God wants me to be.  The Creator of the heavens, stars and earth wants to have a relationship with me.  And He wants to have a relationship with you!  It wasn’t until I submitted everything to God, that I found the peace and joy in the loving arms of a forgiving Savior.  What a difference God has made in my life.  I am a new person; I have been born-again.  Each morning I pray that God would give me the strength to live in a way that glorifies and honors Him—for God not only has saved me, but He continuously pours out His love for me.  He is worthy of my praise and service.  When my life is emptied of my selfish ways and sinful life, God’s Spirit dwells in me and I can live a life that is without sin—that is holy just as God is holy.  This is important because God calls you and me to a life of holiness.  It is not good enough to try to do the right things; we are called to be holy.

So if we live a life of holiness and the Spirit of God dwells in us, can we expect God’s supernatural work to be done through our lives?  If God’s miracle has happened in my life, can’t God’s work also be manifested throughout my life in relationship to others?  Do you believe that prayer can change lives; do you trust God for His work to be done in others?

We live in a dying world.  Do you believe that?  As believers in Christ Jesus, we are called to save those who are lost—unaware of their sin and not aware enough of the pardon.  The world is dying and God has called us to save the world.  So often we are passive, not wanting to offend, but it is our responsibility to get the message out—to simply say what God has done in your life.  It is not God’s fault that this is not getting done.  

I want to tell you that Deborah and I have witness God’s work not only in our lives but others.  I want to tell you that God loves you and your soul is precious to Him—more than any other thing He has created.  God has changed our lives and we have seen miraculous work of God through faithful obedience and service to our loving savior Jesus Christ.  So what about your soul?  Is it saved?  Have your sins been forgiven?  What a better life God has for you and for me.  When we give Him all that we have and trust His work to be done in our lives, His blessings flow so much that we cannot help but tell everyone the good news. 

We pray that God will do His work in your life and that you will be bold in the faith, relying not on your own strength but God’s to see you through the end until we see Him face to face. 

Blessings to you our dear friends and family. 

D&J

Birthday, Terrorism & Revelation

What a difference a week can make.

On Monday, July 10^th, I had a special Birthday Party/Meeting where I was honored.  Many officers had nice things to say about Deb and me and it was an emotional meeting.  We really feel loved by the officers. 

During the afternoon my worst nightmare came to be.  A four-day old baby was brought into the hospital without a pulse and not breathing.  Deb and I spent over 30-minutes performing CPR and praying that God would restore the helpless baby.  We had to transport the baby to another hospital where a Pediatrician pronounced the baby dead.  Mixed emotions flooded our minds and countless questions soon followed.  We spent some time with the family and prayed for God’s comfort and peace to come to them. 

On Tuesday, India experienced terrorist activity and five bombs exploded in public areas killing almost 100 people and injuring over 500.  The country is now on high alert and we have been asked to keep our traveling outside of the hospital to a minimum. 

Wednesday proved to be the highlight of our trip so far.  Deborah has been teaching a class on Worshiping God and Wednesday night we led 46 nursing students to the Lord.  The Spirit of God was so strong and powerful that none of us are the same.

God’s work continues at the Hospital. This morning I had an opportunity to give the message and there were many people that responded—the altar was filled and there were people kneeling in the isle.  We praise God for what He is doing and we are grateful that He is using us as we are faithful to His call and bold with the life changing message of Jesus Christ.

Please continue to pray for us and God’s protection.

Thank you for your calls and mail.  It is always nice to hear from you and please know that we greatly miss you.

D&J

30-Day Mark

We miss you!  We are receiving mail and it appears that the letters will come within a week.  Thank you to all that have taken the time to write and send photos.  We look forward to hearing from you and responding to your e-mails.

On July 4^th, we made our first all-American meal:  fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn.  During the evening we were relaxing and thinking about all the celebrations that are happening in America and we started to hear fireworks outside of our room.  There was an election and people were celebrating the winner.  Consequently, we were able to enjoy some fireworks on the 4^th. 

God is so good and He continues to reveal Himself to us.  We hit our one-month mark—we are now less than a month here in Nidubrolu.  How I pray that God may use us in a mighty way over the next 30 days.  Our mission field primarily are the nursing students and we are making good strides as we minister to them.  There are many students that have taken a sincere interest in us and want to learn more about building their relationship with God. 

On Wednesday evening, Deborah and I had an opportunity to observe a C-Section in the Operation Theater (Room).  This was my first time not being the patient in the OR.  Deb was concerned that I was going to pass out but I did just fine.  The mother had a healthy baby-boy and all is well. 

Tomorrow is the first day of the Territorial Nutrition & Cooking Seminar.  Deb has been asked to join and she will learn how to cook Indian foods!!!  I am excited.  The food in India is so good and very healthy too.  Although we are eating a lot of food, we still have lost about 10-pounds each.

Visitations continue and we love meeting other families.  The majority of Indians associate white people with Christian missionaries; therefore, it is surprising how welcoming people are for us to pray with them and share the Gospel message.  Today I had an opportunity to talk with a man in his 30s who is an alcoholic and often goes on binges—today was one of those days.  He knew that this was not the life that he wanted and he asked for prayer.  His mother and wife were there and you could see the pain in everyone’s eyes.   He desperately needed someone to help him and I did my best to point him to Jesus. 

Continue to pray for us as we stand bold for Christ.  God continues to bless us and all is going well.

Having great joy in His service,

D&J

When traveling to the other side of the world, one wonders what life is like.  Sometimes the unknown intimidates us but when the moment comes there is a refreshing reality of the moment.  So the million dollar question is: what is it like in India?  How can one put such a vast culture in words that would give adequate justice to the multiple facets of life in India?  Though the typical response may include something about the hot sticky weather in southern India, the spicy curry dishes or even the smell in the air, I lean towards more of the personable qualities of what I see in the Indian people.

With the communities that we have seen, we generally see India as a county where most people live day to day without any provisions for tomorrow.  There are hardly any able-bodied people who are not working.  If one does not have a business or regular employment, they are doing odds and ends jobs such as collecting hay for water-buffalo or fallen tree limbs for fire wood.  I cannot explain the number of business here.  It appears that one can build a hut on the side of the road, live in the hut and produce something productive outside of the hut as a means for survival.  The streets are filled with literally thousands of small business.  One family may weld vehicle parts; another reupholsters car seats; another makes baskets and hand held fans out of shaved palm tree branches; another sells a variety of convenient products such as water, soda, mints, candies, soap, eggs and milk-bread; another fixes tires—and this is all just outside of our compound between a brick wall that surrounds the hospital and the busy 4-lane street.  Don’t even think about a 40-hour work week.  We have visited many families that have to walk very long distances (some up to 3 miles one-way) just for water.  The people work endless hours.

Though there is a struggle for survival, there is also a great sense of life and community.  Neighbors take care of neighbors.  People genuinely care about others and there is a great sense of pride within these relationships.  But could it be just our experience as foreigners that we see such an enthralled community while others make us feel welcomed—I firmly say no.  We have witnessed with our own eyes and ears how families bond with one another and share what they have for the overall success of the whole society. 

So what is life like in India?  I say that it is a great leap towards what I would call home.  Not the home that most people in America would relate to (the 4+ walls and roof that stores all of our prized earthly possessions), but the home where comfort and security is found in the loving arms of neighbors, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters—where people close the blinds of empty facades and openly share their vulnerabilities, struggles and pain.  Home is where people take time and resources investing in others not for personal gain but for the betterment of humanity and common brotherly love.  Although India is not perfect and our experience has been limited, I firmly believe that there is something very special that we have found in India:  life in it’s fullest.

May God continue to use us as we open ourselves and give all that we have for the glory of His work that is eternal.

D&J