Our ongoing partnership with Maranatha Baptist Bible College continues this year as we send a team to minister to future pastors studying at the college.  All of these students will be encouraged to plant a church upon their graduation, so this ministry could make an impact all across India, a country showing increasing openness to Christ.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2:

Timothy and Julie write:

We are thankfully able to e-mail again. Yahoo was not working for a few days in India and in the U.S., which could partly have to do with the screening of e-mails after the Bangalore bomb blasts. Thankfully, though a bomb was near our mom and dad's place (a mile away), they are safe and there were not many casualties or injuries (there were 8 bombs in Bangalore and 17 in Amedhebad, up north).

Thank you very much for your prayers and concern. Our Lord protected the people and thwarted the terrorists plans.

We finished our classes on Friday (we taught for 12 days) and we were encouraged by the students and their testimonies. One second year student was actually beaten by his family when he became a Christian and was kicked out of the house. So, he stays with a pastor's family near Bangalore. Also, another 3rd year girl was disowned by her Hindu family and she too stays near the college when school is not in session. When we listened to the testimonies, many of the students said they came to the Lord through pastors or Christians coming to their houses and sharing the Gospel. Thus, we still need to be taking every opportunity to share the Gospel with everyone we meet because the Lord might use that to cause them to turn to Him.

Karnataka, the state where the city of Bangalore is, is ruled by the BJP government which is Hindu and they are trying to pass an anti-conversion law. Please pray that this would not happen as there is already opposition to Christians and witnessing.

We are thankful that Daniel was with us and that the students were greatly blessed by his teaching and ministry here. He arrived safely to Chicago where he is at an Awana conference till the end of this week.

Right now, we have traveled about 14 hours by train (a sleeper train) to Kerela (our dad's place) to visit our grandparents, especially our grandfather who is still very ill. Please pray for his recovery and the salvation of the rest of the family. We will do our best to e-mail you again, barring any other complications.

Again, thank you for your prayers and love.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30:

Timothy reports:

The team's internet service has not been accessible for the last several days, so they send their apologies for no updates for the website.

The team is continuing the training and teaching at Maranatha Bible College and the students are learning well.  Relationships with the students continue to be built and God is being glorified in their lives.

Continue to pray for the team and the ministry in Bangalore.

SUNDAY, JULY 27:

Mike Gaston reports:

There have been reports of several bombings in India over the weekend, but the Grace team is safe and sound. They are reporting that they are continuing their ministry as planned at the college.  There is a higher presence of security in India and the team is feeling safe being there.

SATURDAY, JULY 19:

Daniel writes:

Hello everyone and greetings from Bangalore!

It's hard to believe but it is already Saturday evening here in Bangalore and the sun is setting on another great day!

 Today we toured parts of the city and did a little shopping after spending time praying with the students at the college. 

After a few late flights and an unexpectedly long delay in Delhi, arrive in Bangalore on Wednesday afternoon tired, but ready for what the Lord had planned.

We slept in on Thursday and began teaching our classes on Thursday afternoon.  I am teaching two sessions of the same course at MBC, focusing on Children's Ministries and teaching methods.   All of the students are extremely respectful and considerate, although the level of interaction between them  and us is limited because of their shyness, but we are trying hard to break the barrier.  On Monday after classes are over, I plan to play some sport games with the students and then eat dinner with them, 

Although the weather is relatively hot and humid, mid to upper eighties with humidity, the greatest annoyance has been the on again off again electrical current, which continues to plague us.  There also, sorry for the lack of email updates, there is no internet access at the college or at the home across the street from the college where we are staying Today we are at the home of Tim's parents as we await the arrival of Mike Gaston who is flying down from Delhi to visit the college and speak tomorrow at service before leaving Sunday evening. 

Tim and Julie are having a great time here catching up with family and friends.  Their vision and heart for India and the men and women of the college is so apparent.  Please continue to pray for them as they plan to come here full time next year.

Please pray specifically for ne in the next few days as I prepare to speak three times from the book of Colossians.  He is scheduled to speak in chapel on Tuesday and Thursday of next week and then finally on Sunday during service before he leaves for Chicago on Monday.  

I am enjoying the food and the people.  It’s great to have mango and papaya again, just like in Brazil!  I am also getting used to eating with my hands...although here they eat with their right hand and I am left handed, so it has been a bit of a stretch, also the food has been a bit spicy, but it has been very good!  I also have a new appreciation for the traffic on the 5 freeway in LA after experiencing a few trips in and around Bangalore.  Wow...what craziness!  So many pedestrians, cars and motorcycles and autoricshaws going every direction...its a busy place!  (Julie said I'll get the chance to ride in one before I leave!)

Thanks for your ongoing prayers.  I am so thankful for each of you and your care for us.  We are truly enjoying out time here and the many experiences and praises of what God is up to here.  We are reminded again of how faithful He is and how active His work is throughout the world.  The men and women training here are at the front lines, training to bring truth to parts of the world that are very dark indeed. 

May we be ever more thankful for what we have and also ever more diligent to support His work around the globe.

TUESDAY, JULY 15:

Timothy reports:

Team India Bangalore has arrived in Bangalore and are preparing to begin their ministry there.  They are tired and in need of rest, but arrived safe and sound.