Second Day in India

Its hard to convey what India is like to the Western mind. Someone aptly put it like this, "India is an assault on all of your senses." That pretty accurate. Every sense (what you hear, see, taste and feel) is so different that it must be experienced. I write this on Friday morning, March 6th while it is still Thursday in the West. I am getting ready to teach at the GFA headquarters in Delhi before flying southward to Cochin. The staff workers here are so sweet and so devoted to their calling and this is always a privilege for me. Since I first came to this country back in 1983, I have had a love for the people here, especially those who serve the Lord in these difficult circumstances. Yesterday was a long day of traveling and filming for a couple of different projects. A few photographs tell part of the story.

A Day Spent in Delhi

There's a twelve and a half hour time difference between where I live and where I am right now(where the half hour comes in I have no idea). I am feeling the time shift and jet lag right about now as I conclude this first day spent in and around the environs of Delhi, the seat of government for India. It was here the Mogul Kings fought and it was here the British Empire retained its grip of control over the commonwealth of India. But more exciting than it's history is the vibrant present day work among believers in this land. Our team woke up to a bright day filled with car horns beeping, bicycles and rickshaws dancing, cows meandering and trucks bullying there way through the same crowded streets of this town of 14 million people. We traveled about an hour from GFA offices to the Bible college to speak to over 200 students as well as missionaries that work with Gospel for Asia. When we arrived, they made a procession complete with dancing and singing a song of welcome. (See picture above). They all sat perfectly still for a few straight hours and seemed to not to just endure but enjoy the teachings. The school sits on 32 acres and includes a few acres of farmland. Afterward we visited two schools where children are rescued from off the streets and slums of India (usually from an abusive situation by drug pimps) and cared for, educated and taught the gospel. Its quite impressive to think that a total of 53,000 of these children so far have been removed from the streets and brought into these havens. A great work and a great day!

Just Landed...in Delhi!

After a 3 hour flight to Chicago and another 15.5 hour flight to Delhi, we're safely on Indian soil. A moderate drive from the airport brought us safely to GFA headquarters. It's midnight here and we'll be up pretty early to go the the bible school to teach the 200 students about leadership and being sustained in ministry. I've got help (Gino Geraci and Chip Lusko) so they'll be teaching as well. Going to try to get some rest now and if the connection works tomorrow, I'll post with some pictures of the day.

Ouch! Ministry Can Hurt!

I'm at the airport traveling with Chip Lusko to India (Chip is in the
photo getting his shots for travel--he had to get four injections to prevent a host of diseases). We'll be going to Delhi for a few
days and then down south to teach at GFA's seminary. KP Yohannan began Gospel for Asia just about a year before we began Calvary of Albuquerque and we have partnered together for many years. I am privileged to serve on the Board of GFA and every few years I travel to India to speak to leaders, pastors and students at the bible schools there. This year will be a particular honor as The Biblical Seminary in south India will be conferring a doctorate to me. This will be alot of fun. We will also be filming while we are there for an upcoming documentary that I will tell you more about later.

Don't Let Darwin Make a Monkey Out of You!

Tonight for the Bible From 30K we looked at 1 and 2 Peter. Before looking at the falsehood of Uniformitarianism, we interviewed a monkey (Ken Riley dressed as a monkey) as he informed is that Darwin had it all wrong and would today have re-instated prayer in school.. Just in time for Darwin's birthday!

Ancient Treasure--FOUND!

A few of us just finished a very cool project. Its a documentary we worked last time we were in Israel about The Jesus Boat. Ever heard of it? It was one of the funnest film projects I had the privilege of doing. The documentary (to be released shortly) was featured this past weekend where I spoke at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California.

But this was way more than a documentary about an ancient boat. It’s really a testimony to the faithfulness of God. Through the film we paralleled the story of a lost boat and a lost nation (Israel) both of which were "resurrected" after two thousand years. Its the story about a boat that wouldn't stay buried in a land that couldn't stay buried!

Just like the boat was under the shores for 2,000 years, the land of Israel was submerged – virtually not a nation – a dispersed people group. And, against all odds, they re-emerged in 1948. Just like Ezekiel predicted, there would be a re-gathering of Jews from the four corners of the world into that ancient piece of Real Estate. It would seem as impossible as dried bones, bleached and parched under the Middle Eastern sun coming to life again(Ezekiel 36-37).

And yet it happened – 1948, the re-establishment of the nation. And why? Because God made promises to Abraham: ‘I’ll bless you, I’ll make you a great nation, your name will be great, I’ll bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you."(Gen 12:1-3)

The video below will give you a good taste of the actual documentary. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Enjoy

Its About Time!

Amazing! Unexpected! Shocking! Most never thought it would happen, but it did. Jean Luc Lajoie finally got married! Jean Luc was the lead singer from the band "The Kry" that was very popular in the 1990s in Christian music. I remember the night the he walked forward at Calvary of Albuquerque and prayed to receive Jesus Christ. As a young musician traveling around the states and the world, there were always young Christian girls who were certain it was God's will for them to marry him. But Jean Luc wouldn't be deterred. The girl who finally stole his heart was Jacque Garcia, a beautiful princess from Ontario, California. Jean Luc called my in November and asked me to perform the Ceremony. "Skip, you were the one who led me to Christ," he said, "and I always thought that when I got married, you would do the service." Yesterday at 5PM (more like 5:45Pm due to a late start) it was done at the North Chapel at Liberty Station in San Diego. Jean Luc is 44 and he has gotten a package deal, not only acquiring a beautiful young wife, but a handsome 4 y/o son named Tyler! Congratulations buddy boy!