Hey hey from over the way!
Last night we mission helpers visited the CLCI compound, which houses the orphanage and seminary school, for a welcome ceremony. Everything was beautiful, and Pastor Benjamin, his family, and his congregation's love for the Lord was inspiring. The buildings were lit with Christmas lights, but the light from everyone's smiles was even brighter. God's word was shared in Telugu and English, some of the children sang a welcome song, and we all shared the gift of fellowship. After the welcome ceremony, there was a feast in our honour. And the food was delicious! It was amazing that though our culture and language and lives are vastly different, what we all shared was the Lord, and His Word.
Today our groups separated and we drove back towards Chennai, and visited our first village. We were fortunate to meet people with such a love for life and Christ.
Preparing for today, we were nervous about teaching in front of so many kids and with an added language barrier. Nothing went quite as we planned. However, God's Word was shared and His Spirit was definitely with us. Going into today, we found a verse from 1 Corinthians that really helped to encourage us. Paul writes, "When I came to you brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Christ crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith, might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
We found that even though we may not feel fully prepared to share God's message, we are only the mouth piece. What matters is that God's words were taught and those who were present learned of His love, sacrifice, and forgiveness for them.
*Mackenna, Steffie, Lindsey*
