More Baptsms

We held our second and final baptism on Jan 31st. We walked onto the Krishna River floodplain at the village of Chevitikallu. Lots of water buffalo here as well as a large water pumping station for the village. We took pictures and handed out new Bibles to new Adventists! 78 people from this village and S. Amaravaram were added to the fellowship of believers. It took one older lady with stiff legs 20 minutes to walk down using a plastic chair as a walker. A little crippled lady with crutches refused to be carried back up--she proudly, but slowly made her way up the hill. Another memorable day in India!

Still More on the Meetings

It's hard to believe there are only three meetings left! We have grown to love these folks, and are already dreading the good-byes. Attendance has held steady at about 400--a packed site every night. We love doing our songs with the crowd! It's so much fun!! They are so-o-o enthusiastic! We have had no power outages since the generator has been ready to roll--figures! Our brand new projector just quit working last night. The guys took it apart, and put it back together--no luck. Just before we really needed to use it for the Power Point presentations for the health talk and sermon, Josh Dayen decided to try it one more time, and it worked! God is good! The children bring us candy and flowers for the girl's hair. Our friend, Sunila, the South Andhra Section treasurer's wife has been making us Indian tea every day, and wrapping the girl's saris for the evening meetings! Leigh and Julianna look so lovely in them! Josh, Josh and Judy are continuing to help Harry with the sermons. I don't know who is receiving the bigger blessing--the villagers or us! It's just been great!

Baptism Day!

Sunday was a very special day for us! We walked from where the car could go no farther (washout on the dirt road) down onto the green flood plain of a tributary of the Krishna River. Water buffalo grazed nearby, we passed women doing their wash and birds were everywhere. We had the joy of watching while 67 people from our villages of Kothapeta, Damuluru and Chilukuru publicly gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized. Each one got a new Bible from us in their language of Telegu. (Those of our friends who donated $100 and $200--this is where your money went!) You can see the happiness on everyone's face!

How to Have Fun in India!

Get a shave with a straight razor

Feed lollipops to a monkey

Play in a field of drying red chilies

Pretend to win (or lose!) the Sport's Day

event at Ibrahimpatnam School

Cram into an autocab for an exciting ride

Visit the giant Hanuman (monkey god)

statue near the school

Ride on a bull cart

Dance in the street to a drum

band with a village elder

Hug an adorable baby

Get locked in a 14th century jail

Hang out on 14th century

fort palace ruins

Happy 18th Birthday, Leigh!

On January 27th, our Leigh turned 18! She wore a beautiful new sari to the meeting, and the whole congregation sang "Happy Birthday" to her!

Our guys bought balloons, a hat, a cake, a funky lotus candle that opens and plays a song, and a birthday poster. We toasted her with Appy Fizz (like sparkling cider). Welcome to adulthood, Leigh! God bless you!