Thursday Update from Bangalore

My apologies for the time since our last post. There is major construction in this area of Bangalore and they cut the main phone and internet line. So, we have not had internet access since Monday. Several of us finally rode into town and are at a cybercafe. I'll try to give a quick update by person at this point since we now have only one day remaining in the conference.

Arnold had the opportunity to perform a naming ceremony for one of the pastors' newest baby, so he led the way charting new territory right from the start. Arnold had trouble sleeping the first few nights and that, coupled with the heat in the conference center when the power goes out (which is often), had him not feeling well for the first two days. However, he slept well Tuesday night and had his heaviest teaching day on Wednesday. By that point, he had hit his stride and was connecting well with the pastors, just like last time. They are always very interested in what Arnold has to say, especially during the series he is teaching from 1 Corinthians.

Jamey has also settled in well. These pastors' bias for evangelism obviously suits him well and he quickly learned how to engage them in discussions. In fact, he has opened up some very antimated discussions on topics as diverse and multi-caste congregations verses single caste, and even an intriguing discussion about abortion which came out of the Q&A time after his lesson on marriage. His cajun background is also serving him well here with regard to food...he has loved everything.

Eric and Kelly have had a great week at the children's home (K Homes), interacting with the children, encouraging the founder who is their good friend from seminary, and investigating ways we might be able to partner with them longer-term. Eric's three sessions at the pastor's conference were also well received and he joined us for a tour into one of the slum areas this morning where we visited a church, school, women's training program, and a clinic.

Christopher has taken many great photos and on Tuesday he spent the day with Eric and Kelly at K Homes. It was a national holiday for Gandhi's birthday, so all of the kids were home for the day. He arrived with two new soccer balls and a hand pump, so he was an instant hit. They taught him to play cricket along with the usual fare of volleyball and even video games...they couldn't understand why he could beat them at the video games!

As for me (Matthew), it has been a joy to reconnect with many pastors who are now becoming personal friends. I also enjoy seeing our teachers grow in their comfort leading each session, and I of course enjoy my own opportunities to teach. My health is also holding up well, although I'm waking up early than I usually do here, so that's just provided some great extra time to read my bible, pray, and take a few dawn walks around the bible college adjacent to our accommodations.

So, all is well and we thank you for your prayers. Eric and Kelly Angel leave at 2 AM on Friday morning, Arnold and Jamey leave at 3 AM on Saturday morning, and then Christopher and I will continue on through Singapore to Beijing on Saturday evening. Tommorrow we will have two more teaching sessions, and then the final commissioning and communion service.

Please pray for these pastors. They are boldly proclaiming the Gospel, loving and serving their congregations, and fighting for the rights of the Dalits. It is a privilege to be serving them.