In a few short hours, 7 of the 9 team members will leave India to return home to the US. As we pack, trying to remember every souvenir and personal item, we start to sigh at the thought of leaving.
The last few weeks seem like no time at all - as if we had only arrived yesterday at Covenant Bible Presbyterian Church. We've accomplished much, and yet there are still many more things that we could stay and do.
By God's grace and strength, we've organized and ran a 5 day VBS, taken part in a college age youth retreat, held four teaching sessions on the basic disciplines of the Christian life, and put on a musical presentation for the congregation. That only lists the organized and formal activities - not the impromptu ones.
As a team, we've been amazed at the ways in which God is working here in India. We've seen an unexpected growth in the presence of the Reformed faith, and we are excited to imagine in what ways God might use that presence.
The 2011 Second RPC Missions team to Bangalore, India, would like to thank each of you for thinking of us and praying for us. Knowing that many are lifting us up to God in prayer is an encouragement and comfort.
This may be the last formal post for the blog, but each team member has been invited to post their last thoughts and perspective on the trip. If you desire to hear more about a particular part of the trip, please leave a comment and we'll try to get back to you.
Some of you may have the opportunity to hear the team (or part of it) present on the trip in a few weeks. If you have that chance, I encourage you to take advantage of it and learn about what God is doing in His Church globally.
In Christ and for the Team,
Joel
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Youth Retreat May 20-22
A young couple from the church we are staying at organized the first ever youth retreat for the congregation. It was held at a nearby Christian center. The facilities were wonderful and about 20 people were there in all. 9 people from our team (including Uncle Ram and Auntie Asha), and several guys from the Bible study group led by the young couple (Venky and Shammi).
Uncle Ram led our three 1.5 hour teaching sessions on an introduction to the Bible. The material he used was designed to teach unbelievers the basic story and claims the Bible makes. Although it was basic concepts, it was a great help to remember all the truths of the Bible. It was nice to see the big picture portrayed again. It was also a necessary topic because we were not sure of what biblical background everyone was coming from from.
The other planned topic was a discussion on the Sabbath. We had a three person panel (made up of the youth, including Joel Wallace) talk about what the Sabbath means. I think the entire team will agree that it was a very fruitful discussion. The seriousness of the Sabbath was brought out, and how special it was for us. We talked about how God ordained this day for us to drop what we are doing and worship him. I was personally convicted about various shopping activities on the Sabbath.
We also had a great time of fellowship with Venky's team. We played games ranging from cricket to Samson and Delilah (a variation of Rock, Paper, Scissors). I know I had a great time talking to a lot of the guys here. It is so amazing to see God's work all the way on the other side of the world.
The retreat was an excellent time of relaxation for us all after VBS. I was strengthening my foundation in the Lord just taking in all the truths of his word that we went over . I thank the Lord for this retreat, and pray that the rest of the trip may be just as spiritually refreshing.
Uncle Ram led our three 1.5 hour teaching sessions on an introduction to the Bible. The material he used was designed to teach unbelievers the basic story and claims the Bible makes. Although it was basic concepts, it was a great help to remember all the truths of the Bible. It was nice to see the big picture portrayed again. It was also a necessary topic because we were not sure of what biblical background everyone was coming from from.
The other planned topic was a discussion on the Sabbath. We had a three person panel (made up of the youth, including Joel Wallace) talk about what the Sabbath means. I think the entire team will agree that it was a very fruitful discussion. The seriousness of the Sabbath was brought out, and how special it was for us. We talked about how God ordained this day for us to drop what we are doing and worship him. I was personally convicted about various shopping activities on the Sabbath.
We also had a great time of fellowship with Venky's team. We played games ranging from cricket to Samson and Delilah (a variation of Rock, Paper, Scissors). I know I had a great time talking to a lot of the guys here. It is so amazing to see God's work all the way on the other side of the world.
The retreat was an excellent time of relaxation for us all after VBS. I was strengthening my foundation in the Lord just taking in all the truths of his word that we went over . I thank the Lord for this retreat, and pray that the rest of the trip may be just as spiritually refreshing.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The Covenant Road
VBS is finished; after five days of discussing how each of the major covenants of the Bible point to Christ, today we wrapped it all up by talking about Jesus. The concept of a covenant was new to most of the kids, and yet they seemed to grasp it quite well.
The first day we discussed God’s covenant with Adam; how Adam’s sin affects us all, and how God promised Adam a Savior, one who would crush Satan.
The second day we learned about the covenants with Noah and Abraham. God promised Noah that He would not send a worldwide flood ever again, and the rainbow is a sign of God’s promise. The kids learned how God would save His people – with Noah, it was an ark. That pointed us to Jesus, saving us from judgment. With Abraham, we learned that despite being childless, God still promised to make his descendants as numerous as the stars – and make them into a great nation. God sealed this covenant by saying that if the covenant was broken, He would take the punishment and die.
The third day, we talked about Moses and the giving of the law. The law shows our sin, and no mere man can keep it perfectly. We then learned that Jesus was the only one who kept the law perfectly because He was God and man.
The fourth day, we focused on David, and God’s covenant with him. God promised David that his line would be on the throne forever. Although Israel’s throne ended, Jesus is fulfilling that covenant – by reigning in Heaven.
Today, the fifth day, we showed the kids how each covenant pointed to and was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We presented the gospel to them, and told them how Christ can save us.
Each of the kids that came showed up with a smile on their faces, and excitement to be here. One of the kids that smiled the most was a four-year old named Samuel; he loved to run and jump into anyone’s arms and hug away! It was a rare occasion that he didn’t have a big smile on his face!
Though this VBS, God was sowing the seeds of His gospel, and working out His eternal plan. The team would ask that you pray with us, and claim the promise that God’s Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Please pray earnestly with us for the salvation of the kids that came, as many of them were from Hindu backgrounds. Also pray that God would use what the kids have learned to reach their parents, and bring them to a saving faith in Christ Jesus.
In a couple of hours, our team will leave again for the weekend, for a college youth retreat. Please pray for energy, strength, and wisdom as we encourage and minister to the youth at the retreat.
For the team,
Joel Wallace
The first day we discussed God’s covenant with Adam; how Adam’s sin affects us all, and how God promised Adam a Savior, one who would crush Satan.
The second day we learned about the covenants with Noah and Abraham. God promised Noah that He would not send a worldwide flood ever again, and the rainbow is a sign of God’s promise. The kids learned how God would save His people – with Noah, it was an ark. That pointed us to Jesus, saving us from judgment. With Abraham, we learned that despite being childless, God still promised to make his descendants as numerous as the stars – and make them into a great nation. God sealed this covenant by saying that if the covenant was broken, He would take the punishment and die.
The third day, we talked about Moses and the giving of the law. The law shows our sin, and no mere man can keep it perfectly. We then learned that Jesus was the only one who kept the law perfectly because He was God and man.
The fourth day, we focused on David, and God’s covenant with him. God promised David that his line would be on the throne forever. Although Israel’s throne ended, Jesus is fulfilling that covenant – by reigning in Heaven.
Today, the fifth day, we showed the kids how each covenant pointed to and was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We presented the gospel to them, and told them how Christ can save us.
Each of the kids that came showed up with a smile on their faces, and excitement to be here. One of the kids that smiled the most was a four-year old named Samuel; he loved to run and jump into anyone’s arms and hug away! It was a rare occasion that he didn’t have a big smile on his face!
Though this VBS, God was sowing the seeds of His gospel, and working out His eternal plan. The team would ask that you pray with us, and claim the promise that God’s Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Please pray earnestly with us for the salvation of the kids that came, as many of them were from Hindu backgrounds. Also pray that God would use what the kids have learned to reach their parents, and bring them to a saving faith in Christ Jesus.
In a couple of hours, our team will leave again for the weekend, for a college youth retreat. Please pray for energy, strength, and wisdom as we encourage and minister to the youth at the retreat.
For the team,
Joel Wallace
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