It's Labor Day weekend in the USA, now at 7:42 PM, the East Coast USA is mid-morning. Here it is a regular Monday.
The last week has been very exhausting for all the workers and family. Last Thursday we traveled about 100 km. to a huge wedding. This is approximately 75 miles over roads that are really unparalleled even in rural America. The trips took about 3 hours each way. We were packed in the car together and had a happy time.
This marriage was a breakthrough marriage. The bride is a Dalit (outcaste) and the groom from a prominent high-caste family. Both are devoutly Christian families. The groom's family owns an export business and is very wealthy. You can't describe an Indian wedding. I hope to post some pictures when they are available from the professional photographer. Everything was on a lavish scale by any standard in the world. The church is an independent Pentecostal church in Machilipatnam, which is, as I said 75 miles south near the Bay of Bengal.
We began with a Betrothal Service on Wednesday at the bride's home here in Razole. It is an all day affair, with large attendance and food. The elders from her church come and present presents, as did the servant of Abraham to Rebecca. Scriptures, preaching, singing and eating. The groom stays at his home far away as did Isaac.
The wedding. Enough said. Then Friday evening back to the bride's home (here) for the Reception. Now the groom appears with his bride and they sit on a throne together. Fireworks, more singing, more praying, more Scripture, more preaching. I was honored to be asked to make remarks at all these events, through an interpreter.
Saturday -- a fasting prayer service in a remote village church as guest speakers (4 hours in the mid-day), a one and a half hour pastors' support gathering, and back to the evening fasting and prayer service again. Then I spoke Sunday morning at Peniel Prayer House while Pastor Sharath went back again to the village church for baptisms. Three Hindu converts were baptized. This causes great rejoicing and great conflict. Usually the family is opposed and it is a difficult time for the new believer. They truly are choosing Jesus over their family, with great opposition and anger.
Pastor Sharath then went back to the fasting and prayer in the evening. I stayed home. I was exhausted. There were several miraculous and instantaneous healings over the weekend. One during my time of speaking on Saturday noonday, one at the pastor's meeting (a pastor whose shoulder had been frozen and very painful for three months was instantly healed. His arm was loosed and he could swing it all around without pain. He was really happy.) Then Sunday night there were deliverances, and healing testimonies were coming in from the people.
You understand that these are all Hindu villagers who have worshipped idols until they are saved. They have known only demonic forces. Jesus' power to heal is very dramatic for them.
With love on behalf of a tired team and family,
Steve
The last week has been very exhausting for all the workers and family. Last Thursday we traveled about 100 km. to a huge wedding. This is approximately 75 miles over roads that are really unparalleled even in rural America. The trips took about 3 hours each way. We were packed in the car together and had a happy time.
This marriage was a breakthrough marriage. The bride is a Dalit (outcaste) and the groom from a prominent high-caste family. Both are devoutly Christian families. The groom's family owns an export business and is very wealthy. You can't describe an Indian wedding. I hope to post some pictures when they are available from the professional photographer. Everything was on a lavish scale by any standard in the world. The church is an independent Pentecostal church in Machilipatnam, which is, as I said 75 miles south near the Bay of Bengal.
We began with a Betrothal Service on Wednesday at the bride's home here in Razole. It is an all day affair, with large attendance and food. The elders from her church come and present presents, as did the servant of Abraham to Rebecca. Scriptures, preaching, singing and eating. The groom stays at his home far away as did Isaac.
The wedding. Enough said. Then Friday evening back to the bride's home (here) for the Reception. Now the groom appears with his bride and they sit on a throne together. Fireworks, more singing, more praying, more Scripture, more preaching. I was honored to be asked to make remarks at all these events, through an interpreter.
Saturday -- a fasting prayer service in a remote village church as guest speakers (4 hours in the mid-day), a one and a half hour pastors' support gathering, and back to the evening fasting and prayer service again. Then I spoke Sunday morning at Peniel Prayer House while Pastor Sharath went back again to the village church for baptisms. Three Hindu converts were baptized. This causes great rejoicing and great conflict. Usually the family is opposed and it is a difficult time for the new believer. They truly are choosing Jesus over their family, with great opposition and anger.
Pastor Sharath then went back to the fasting and prayer in the evening. I stayed home. I was exhausted. There were several miraculous and instantaneous healings over the weekend. One during my time of speaking on Saturday noonday, one at the pastor's meeting (a pastor whose shoulder had been frozen and very painful for three months was instantly healed. His arm was loosed and he could swing it all around without pain. He was really happy.) Then Sunday night there were deliverances, and healing testimonies were coming in from the people.
You understand that these are all Hindu villagers who have worshipped idols until they are saved. They have known only demonic forces. Jesus' power to heal is very dramatic for them.
With love on behalf of a tired team and family,
Steve
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