Reports from the Field: Bangalore, India

Greetings from India! All 13 of us arrived safely on 3 different flights, including all of our luggage. Everyone is in great health, and everyone is even enjoying the food!

We spent time together talking, laughing, planning, and praying. There is a great spirit of unity on this team, with gratitude and joy. Michelle led us in devotions from John 14-15 and reminded us that God has chosen us and hears and answers our prayers.

We walked and rode the metro through the Bangalore city streets, as we took in the sights, sounds, and smells of India. We are enjoying the diversity, rich culture, and religious history dating back to AD 52 when the Apostle Thomas ("doubting Thomas") first brought the Gospel to India!

Prem James, our South Asia Area Director, taught us about the various sects of Hinduism and Buddhism, all of which originated here in India. More than 330 million gods and goddesses are included in their pantheon of deities. However, more than 80% of those who call themselves Hindu may not realize that young girls are "married" to idols, and in certain cases, even animals, in the name of their religion. Christians are living a life of authenticity as they bear witness that Jesus Christ really is a God of love, and the One true God.

Please pray for us! We hit the ground running tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.

• Dr. David Carson will be leading the plenary presentation at Christ University's International Psychotherapy Conference.
   
• Kim was asked to lead morning devotions for the staff of Asha Kiran Special Needs School and she asks for your prayers! Asha Kiran is an excellent school and the only special needs school in India at the level of competence with the entire 12 years of education (12th standard)! Only 6 of the 30 staff members are Christ followers, but all of them are open to knowing more about Christ. Our entire team of ladies from Idaho and Florida will interact with the staff and the students as we rotate through the various classrooms and student/teacher activities for the remainder of the day. Please pray that we will have just the right words for public and private encounters that will impact our friends here with Christ's love and saving truth.

• On Thursday, we will lead a Women in the Window seminar for the Indian Evangelical Mission women leaders and our entire team. Please pray for us as we prepare our hearts and our lessons, too!
   
• We will try to email daily as long as we have energy and electricity. Please pray for both, along with endurance and enthusiasm to continue.
   
• And, of course, please pray for all of our families!

Thank you for your prayers! They are our sustenance. You are an ESSENTIAL part of our team, and have been divinely chosen by God: "You didn't choose me, but I chose you. I have appointed you to go, to produce fruit that will last, and to ask the Father in my name to give you whatever you ask for. Love each other. This is what I'm commanding you to do" (John 15:16-17).

With love,
Kim and the PIW team