The Dennis Life

Monday. Day 8.

Well, once again, Matt, Alison, Cheri, Buddy, and I were rushed through the night. It took us almost an hour and a half to reach the airport from the Metro church. By the time we reached the airport and said our goodbyes to Aazoo and unloaded our bags, it was after Midnight. Buddy’s plane left earlier and from a different terminal, so we dropped him off first, leaving the rest of us as traveling companions for the first half of our trip home. Our long, loooong, journey lay out ahead of us.

We were all so fatigued; we just kept putting one foot in front of the other until we reached our boarding gate. We got duped into paying some guys next to the curb twenty US dollars for taking our bags to the front of the line. Once we got to the front of the check-in line, the ring leader informed Matt that it was $20 per person and there were three of them! We were all so tired and didn’t want any arguments, so Matt, good guy that he is, coughed up $50 and told them, “That’s it!!” They accepted it and we moved on; waiting in line to have our bags screened; waiting in line to fill out the Immigration declaration form; waiting in line to go through Immigration; waiting in line to go through the security screening; waiting in the chairs at the gate; waiting…

We finally boarded the plane at 2am. The airplane was packed full and everyone was trying to get settled for the nine hour journey to London Heathrow. I have to tell a funny story here (well, it wasn’t funny at the time, in fact it was quite horrifying. But, it seems hysterical in the re-telling and I’ve guffawed over it several times, I guess I just have a sick sense of humor or something; it was kind of like a scene out of a bizarre Monty Python skit)…

So…, the cabin lights are still up full and the airline steward comes over the loud speaker, in his perfect English accent, and announces in a calm, rational voice that we might want to cover our faces and noses as they are going to spray the cabin with a pesticide that kills bugs but is not harmful to humans! Cheri was located across the aisle from me and we turned to each other and both mouthed the words at the same time, “Spray for BUGS!!??!!” I thought it was a joke, but no, he came back on the overhead and announced that they would begin spraying momentarily.

It got really, really quiet on the plane; no one made a sound. Of course I’m replaying his announcement in my head and wondering if it’s possible that a pesticide (being an inanimate, unintelligent chemical without reasoning ability) could determine the difference between insects and humans. I was still pondering that possibility when the spraying began…

I heard it first (and I wish I could put sound effects on this site right now) as a soft “pssssssssst” sound growing louder as the steward walked down the opposite aisle toward our seats with the spray can pointed toward the ceiling, and growing softer as he retreated toward the back of the plane, and then the same thing as he came up our aisle. Of course, once he came into view, I put the pillow over my face and stayed that way, not just for 30 seconds as he had initially suggested, but for 2 minutes after the spraying had stopped!! He didn’t just go up and down the aisle once, but THREE times!!! I braved the atmosphere and looked up at one point and the cabin was filled with a  heavy, white mist; back into the pillow! I have never heard a plane full of people so silent. It was like something from the Twilight Zone…

Lights out, dinner served and over with, everyone tried to relax and grab some sleep. Some were successful and some were not, choosing instead to watch movies, and/or read, and snooze when possible. It was so crowded and close that I felt stifled and unable to rest into sleep. I remember sitting for hours, too tired to do anything, and too wonder- and Spirit-filled from all of our experiences, and so I sat staring at the little T.V. screen in front of me. Kind of shell-shocked.

I watched as it showed a real-time path of the plane across a world map, charting its journey from Mumbai to London; first a birds eye view and then a closer look at bodies of water and cities as we crossed over them, then back to a listing of cruising altitude, miles/kilometers travelled, hours to destination, outside temperature, tailwind; all in several languages and script. We crossed the Indian ocean, the Baltic sea, the Caspian sea, the Black sea, and whatever sea it is between the Nordic countries and Britain; across Arabia, Russia, and Europe. All familiar names from taking geography in school, but still just outlines on a map with no real association or seeming reality.

I found myself wondering what life was like for those below us, unaware of their fellow humans so high above them in the air. Millions and billions of people, all individual in God’s eyes, all part of His creation, no matter how well we all get along or not! All of us with a purpose and plan in His Heart. He’s a big, compassionate, understanding, loving, Father, and in His Infinite Patience alone, He’s worthy of our unending praise!!

We stumbled off the plane and made the long walk from Terminal 4 to our next points of departure. I said my goodbyes and wished safe travel to Matt, Cheri and Alison with promises that we would all see each other again, and made my way to the tram to get to Terminal 1. It seemed impossible, but coming back this way, we would make the journey on the same day, making 30 hours of travel seem like only 9 hours later. Settled in Terminal 1 in plenty of time to board the plane, I visited the duty free store and bought lots of yummy English chocolates and goodies to bring back to my very British family (I was born in England to British-raised parents). I was sure they’d appreciate, and maybe even expect, the surprise!

Upgraded to British Airways World Traveler Plus, I stretched out, with plenty of room having two seats to myself, took a Tylenol PM, and a long nap. Hours later (maybe 3 or 4) and refreshed after a nice, long nap, I felt compelled to write down things to remember to write about and things to remember to do when I got home. The memories flowed and ideas came to me quickly as I jotted down what I would need to attend to next. I realized that with so much that had happened and so full of God’s Blessing, it would take me weeks to process and integrate it all. Nearly there now and touchdown in Los Angeles. A leisurely walk to the next terminal and onto the plane headed to Yosemite International Airport (Fresno Air Terminal to the locals). Almost home.

Michael meets me first and then we wait as Spencer departs his Portland plane from his visit with his Oregon cousins. We rejoice to be together again and chat happily while trying to speak at once and share what has happened in our time apart. Into the car as we journey home toward the mountains. They look so beautiful, majestic, and welcoming in the distance.

As we near home, being whisked into the night in silence once again, I peer out the window into the darkness as the familiar landscape passes by, watching while India retreats further and further from my mind. Like a dream now, only the memory, depth, breadth, and wonder of experience will live on. I am home and with my family at last where I belong, and yet, the locale has lost some of its luster. God has expanded my vistas and views, and blessed me with a new family of friends on the other side of the world to whom I will belong as well, and will always tug on my heart…

Saturday. Day 6.

We truly had a day off today and everyone sort of decided to do their own thing. Buddy, Cheri, Alison, and I met for a late breakfast at the hotel and shared some wonderful conversation. Buddy was going to hang out with the guys and hopefully Matt would feel well enough to join them. Matt suffered from a very severe case of Deli Beli and luckily, with some medication he’d brought with him and a day of complete bed rest, he was starting to come around. We all suffered a little but not like Matt. He bore the brunt of it for the group.

Diana from Shannon’s church was making a trek across town to spend some time with Cheri, so Alison and I, with one of the cars at our disposal, decided to make another trip over to the Bandhra shopping district to pick up a few more things. Of course, when everyone heard we were going, a few items got added to our lists!! We didn’t mind. Before we left, I had a chance to spend some quality time with Reverend Buddy and was on the receiving end of his wise and caring counsel. We talked about leadership, what God expects of us and about looking ahead in Christ. We talked about leading worship, worship teams, church leadership, and all that goes with that.

I listened intently as he shared his sage experience and something in our sharing moved deeply within me and freed me to go home and address some unfinished spiritual business. He prophesied over what God would do for me personally in the future, and I hold it dear to my heart. If anyone’s interested, I’ll be glad to share it one-one-one. God definitely multi-tasks; all of my experiences were so rich and so deep and happened on so many levels, it seems impossible to convey it all here. Let’s just say that with a few dreams and visions God blessed me with during my stay in India and talking with my new friends, I came home a changed person and resolute in my efforts to walk a higher path and endeavor to live in the Throne Room. I have a new and revelatory understanding of the command that Christ gave us when He said we must love our neighbors. He didn’t say it would be nice if we did, or would we please, He commands us.

Buddy shared with us that he, Dwayne, Pastor Jobe and a few others had decided it was important to attend the New Life Fellowship teen challenge church over in another Mumbai district. It’s delicate subject matter, but let’s suffice it to say that this church is dedicated to rescuing teens off of some of Mumbai’s roughest streets, including the “red light” district. Cheri, Alison, and I decided we needed to go since a majority of the church attendees are women, and young women at that; who come to the service and then go back out on the steets! We delighted in the opportunity to minister to and pray with our sisters in Christ!!

So late breakfasts, and wonderful talks over with, Alison and I set off to Bandhra. Let me take a minute here to speak about our wonderful driver, Aazoo (pronounced ahzoo, never was sure if there was an ‘l’ on the end of his name). He spoke English very well and when he spoke slowly enough, we were able to understand him. Throughout the week, we had many wonderful talks about his spiritual beliefs and ours and their similarities. Aazoo is Muslim. We got to know that he has a wife, a two-year old daughter, and a baby on the way. He shared info about everywhere we went and when Alison and I were shopping alone, he even followed along for awhile. We felt very protected and cared for. At one point, he and one of the street vendors got into a bit of a tussle and their arms were waving and their voices were raised. We waited until our quiet trip back to the hotel to find out what happened. Apparently, when we asked Aazoo a question about some of the goods, the vendor thought he was teaching us how to haggle-down the price and they had words over it. Phew! Sure glad I didn’t understand what they were saying. It was a little tense, but he definitely held his own!!

Alison met up with Dwayne and Pastor Jobe at Amar Gems and Crafts in Bandhra and decided to go with them straight to the church for the evening meeting, and I decided to head back to the hotel to freshen up before our evening event. Aazoo took me over to the church where New Life Fellowship rents the hall on Saturday nights for their weekly meeting from CNI, the Church of Northern India which from what I understand is an offshoot of the Church of England (Episcopalian). The church was over 200 years old, still standing and in very good shape. It seemed odd to see such a “traditional” structure amidst the usual Indian architecture, but evidence of British influence was seen in various structures throughout the city. Mumbai, or Bombay as it was called until recently, was built by the British.

As always, with my experience of worshipping with our Hindi brothers and sisters, the place was jumping. I took mostly video clips of the young people at this church because of their enthusiasm and joy in worship (I have put in stills of the shots, but hope to have the videos up soon). I would say they ranged from five to twenty-five, with some more mature members. But mostly, it was a young people’s church. The pastor is one of the most joyful people I think I’ve ever met, and fearless too (I’ll share why in a minute). He was right there worshipping with the rest of them, jumping up and down, and leading the choruses. I knew I was hearing another voice leading the worship but couldn’t quite see who it was. I finally noticed that the worship leader at this church led worship from a wheelchair. I have such respect and reverence for these very sincere people, and yet everywhere we went, we were treated like royalty and with the utmost respect, reverence, and appreciation. It was humbling.

More humbling still, at the end of the service, a little girl of five prophesied over the church first as a prayer to God in Spirit language, then in Hindu, and then she turned toward the congregation and spoke in the first person as though God were answering the prayer she’d just prayed. The ever-present interpreter shared what she was saying. What impressed me the most about this child of God, is that during the entire worship time, she stood mostly still with her left hand over her heart, her right hand raised in the air, and a countenance that bore peace and tranquility and love. How many five year old children do you see in the stillness of God’s Presence? Very humbling…

Still more humbling, and I would like to share a story with you here… I felt the great privilege of being part of a spiritual moment in time. I share it with you now because there is no question that God is real and that He’s bigger and more All-knowing than we are or could ever hope to be. At the end of the service, we were invited to pray with and over the congregation. We all kind of stood there looking at each other, those of us up front, facing the people, and the people facing us. We were all shy at first, and then gained courage. God kept pointing out a lovely Indian woman to me sitting about two-thirds of the way back on the left side of the hall. I kept hearing Him say to go to her. Of course I argued with Him, giving Him all the reasons why that was ridiculous and what use could I possibly be. I stood there defiant for a few heavenly conversations and He kept saying to just go to her. And I kept saying what should I say and He’d tell me to go. Finally, I heard the words so loudly in my heart that I could not disobey, “NOW!” was what I heard.

So I went…

I went all the way around the outside of the hall, around to the back, and snuck up the row until I was standing next to her. I hesitated, wondering how to do this, and then simply asked her if I might pray with her. She leaned against me and began to weep and asked if I would pray for her baby, and then I could see that she was very pregnant. You have to understand that most of the women in India come up to my chest and I feel like the Jolly Green Giant next to them! Well, being the tremendous sop that I am, I began to weep too, and through our shared tears, I heard myself praying a blessing of peace and health over her son, and that he was a Child of God and that He would go out in God’s name and gather His People, and other words I simply don’t remember now. So we just rocked there companionably for a little while and then I went back up front. Yes, I was shaken, didn’t completely understand it all, but at peace all the same, and feeling somewhat useful just in maybe sharing a moment where girl-tears could be released. It doesn’t matter what continent you’re on, girls have this unspoken comradeship through shared tears__aaahhh yes, a little cry always does wonders for the soul.

So once the ice was broken, each of us had streams of these lovely people waiting in line to be prayed for and over. We must have been there for an hour ministering. They are loving and open and affectionate and it was disarming. I don’t remember everything that was said, but it was definitely a ‘happening’ and something I’ve never experienced before in connecting with humanity on that vulnerable a level. It changes something deep inside your DNA…

Toward the end, I walked over to the worship leader to thank him for the praise and worship he’d led us in and how much I enjoyed his sensitivity in worship. To my complete surprise and shock, he thanked me for praying over his wife and pointed out who she was. Yes, it was the lovely pregnant lady. He shared with me that she’d come and told him afterwards about what we’d prayed about. He let me know that he felt the prayer was a confirmation from God. He’d been in a wheelchair all of his life and his legs were withered from about mid-thigh to his feet. His heart’s desire had always been to walk out among the people and gather his nation for Christ. He said that God had spoken in his heart and revealed that he would give him a son who would be his legs in this land. I kept my composure while I spoke with him, but later that night, I wept with tears of joy, wonder, and awe…

So as if all of this weren’t enough, those of us going back to the hotel piled into Aazoo’s car with the church pastor and Pastor Jobe from LaMar’s Gateway church in Fort Worth. We were informed that the pastor wanted to drive us through the ‘red light’ district. More contrasts, from the heights of prayer and peace, to the darkness of the streets! He informed us that he’d be getting out of the car at one point and that some of the young men from the church go out into the district ahead of him and act as body guards. And sure enough, he got out of the car; the young men surrounded him, and he went into one of the buildings to do whatever it is he does there. Fearless. He jumped back into the car and carried on conversation with his usual bounce, enthusiasm, and joy, as though this were just another everyday occurrence, and for him, it is…amazing!!!

You can imagine why I’d return to the hotel every night, overwhelmed, and exhausted in a strange kind of way. There’s only so much of this you can take in and then you just have to veg it out…!!

As if all of this weren’t enough, Aazoo struck up a conversation (at this point, he was the one bringing up the discussion about Christianity and Islam) and Pastor Jobe was sitting in the front seat. Well I witnessed true witnessing, bolder than I had ever dared to go… We all listened very quietly and intensely as they conversed. In the end, as we pulled up to the hotel, Alison reached up to Aazoo and asked if there was anything we could pray for him about as a group. He answered immediately and without hesitation. He asked if we would pray for his wife and daughter as they’d been sick all week. He shared that his wife was pregnant and feeling very sick. So we all put our hands on him and prayed sincerely and earnestly with the love of our hearts for his and their blessings and health for everyone. Amen. So be it…

Thursday. Day 4. 

We had a little time this morning which was nice because I was up so late last night journaling from last night’s experience. We were scheduled to leave for our afternoon venue around 10am so had time to sleep in a little and leisurely breakfast. So, OK, since this whole trip has been true confession time, like not having my luggage and vanity issues, and other little Mrs. Magoo things that happened, last night I left my wallet downstairs in the area where I was typing on my laptop and really panicked this morning when I realized what I had done. I calmly told the girls I couldn’t find my wallet (which had over $400 in various kinds of currency), and then flew downstairs to see if by some chance the hotel had picked it up last night. Well, this is my walk of faith time; everyone kept telling me that my luggage would arrive safely and that my wallet would be found and in one piece, and that God is good and good for His Promises. He is! To my great surprise and pleasure, one of the hotel hosts had turned in the wallet to Lost and Found and everything was there! I guess my head’s in the clouds and God’s Head is taking care of business…

Before I share about our afternoon event I want to tell you about our Hindi praise team friends.

Shannon was the IWI Ascend 07 Hindi worship leader on rhythm guitar and was joined by Samuel on the drums, Benny on lead guitar and a female and male vocalist (I realize now I never did know their names). They all came together from different New Life Fellowship churches around Mumbai. Buddy and Sion eventually joined the Hindi team to round out the instruments and eventually, we all ended up on the platform because it was just so much fun and we just wanted to be a part of it. During the IWI worship team songs, Shannon and Benny would join us on guitar, so we truly had an international worship team (I video taped some Hindi worship with my camera and some day I hope to put the video clip here).

Benny, http://bennyprasad.com/, has an amazing testimony that he shared with us during the Ascend conference and played his rendition of ‘Shout to the Lord.’ God gave him an idea for a guitar and bongos and he designed a guitar that has two bongos built into the top part of the guitar. He has a burn to reach all of India for Christ, so he recorded background music to be used for T.V. and radio commercials and now he’s proud to say that all over India, ‘Shout to the Lord’ ‘Shout to the Lord’ arr. by Benny Prasad‘ (from “When The Music Fades” by Benny Prasad) is playing for the general populace. He definitely had a big twinkle in his eye when he shared that and was very thrilled about it! He follows wherever God tells him to go and now has an international ministry. Later this year he will be joining Darlene Zschech (the songwriter) in Australia for more ministry and to play with her group. The interesting thing about Benny is that when you just talk to him one-on-one, he is very light hearted, playful and fun loving, and when he starts talking about His walk with God, he becomes very focused, serious and emanates the Power of God in His life and speaking.

So wonderful to meet and get to know our Hindi friends!

And so, our week continues…on to our afternoon venue with an intensive training session with the pastors and worship leaders, and then a high tea in our honor. It’s all so fun!!  Really this just ended up being one big worship session that was a continuation of the Power and outpouring from last night’s event. We must have worshipped for an hour and finally LaMar called up all the worship leaders to come to the front and prayed anointing and impartation over them. Again, the Power of God filled the room and we were all moved deeply, some to tears and audible weeping. Suddenly, I noticed that Sion was ministering over one of the worship leaders out front and I wondered why I still heard the keyboard. I looked over, and Cheri later explained that he had motioned her over and had her hold down the sustain pedal and one of the keys on the keyboard. Just had to keep a little earthly perspective there (and didn’t want my imagination to run away with me that I was hearing heavenly keyboards - not that your keyboards weren’t heavenly Sion, just checking to make sure an earthly being was at the keys!!). Man! Wow, this signs and wonders stuff really gets you going…!!

OK, I’m going to preach again for a minute…I wish I could convey to you the Power in the moment of these experiences. I hope they never become commonplace or a mere memory, and that I might keep them uppermost in my mind and heart to revisit so that my soul stays satisfied with the knowledge that God is real and palpable in the world and that we can all have a Direct, Life-giving experience of Him!! I believe He wants us to know Him in that way, to have direct and life-changing contact with Him and to receive everything that He has for us. One of the most important things I have learned on this trip is that He is the Creator, and He can definitely dream bigger and knows better than me, and can and does orchestrate events that I would never even imagine or dream. And, that when I “get out of the way” and let Him in and through, things happen that are beyond my scope of understanding or knowing. He goes beyond where I can even think! And all this happens and grows when we worship Him, proclaiming the attributes of His Might, Majesty, Omnipotence, and Power!!

At one point, Sion invited Shannon up on the platform and prophesied over him and spoke out that Shannon would be fundamental and initial in leading out the other Hindi worship leaders. Shannon was moved to tears and received all the love and support we all had to offer. There were lots of female worship leaders up front as well and afterwards I sought some of them out and really encouraged them to step up and step out in their roles. I spoke with Diana who is being raised up in Shannon’s church. Here is a miracle testimony of faith. Diana’s fellows at her church prophesied over her that she should be involved in praise and worship. She had never sung before, has never had music lessons, or played the keyboards. She still has not had music lessons but sings like a bird and plays the keyboards well; she said YES! to God and just started playing and singing. Amazing, yet true…

LaMar gave a very wise talk on the importance of worship leaders and pastors coming together, so they’re on the same page, and can work together to minister to and grow their congregations in their walk with God. He explained the importance of the leaders having a shared and common vision of the foundational importance and magnitude of True worship and doing it together. He had the pastors come down front and stand next to their worship leader and pray and worship together while Shannon led us in a couple of Hindu worship songs. Boy we started dancin and jumpin again. Worship is so fun in India!!

Afterwards, we spent time talking to everyone there and were free to walk into the adjoining room where a beautiful high tea was set up buffet style. There was every kind of food imaginable; Indian, British type finger sandwiches, European type foods, tea, coffee, punch, desserts galore. It was beautifully presented and very tasty.

We left from there and were whisked through the night, out of the serene surroundings of the Taj Lands End hotel, back onto the honking, chaotic traffic congested streets of Mumbai (I have a clip of that too I hope to share one day soon). We shared a meal with our friends from the Sower of Seeds Ministries, Dwayne and Leslie and their children, and local pastor Shelton and his wife Melissa, Shannon, Benny, and the rest of the IWI team. Leslie said the food at Caravan Serai was the best and nicest Indian food she’d had in Mumbai, and she was right.

I had Indian food every chance I had and have to tell you that, yes, even I who love Indian food and eat it whenever possible, had my fill while I was there. I think I will go awhile now without curry and be OK!!! All the Nan bread was freshly baked and hot out of the oven, and we were given many appetizers and humus and lentil dips to go with our hot bread. The smell of fresh bread and Indian spices filled the room. And the waiters just kept bringing out dish after dish of delicious Indian cuisine. I usually eat Vegetarian and had so much Gobi, every kind you can imagine, but that night, my favorite, Aloo Gobi — YUM (it is in a rich curry sauce with cauliflower, peas, and potatoes)!!!

Dinner over, and back into the night, on a dare, Matt decided to take a ride in a Rickshaw. Rickshaws are open, three-wheeled vehicles and not much bigger than a golf cart. We saw many close calls between taxis, Rickshaws and trucks, and thought he was taking his life into his hands on this bet. Benny went with him and they returned gleeful and energized. Matt said it was definitely a ride to remember; probably something like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride!!! The horns were honking, the foot and vehicle traffic were doing their harmonious, chaotic dance, people were out and about, it was balmy, and the smell of India was in the air…

Out of the sounds and smells of the night, back into the silence of our cars, full and satisfied, back to the hotel we go, a goodnight acknowledgement to our uniformly dressed doorman, up the elevator, and a sigh into bed. We’re off for the next two days and get to go shopping!!! Need I say more…

Tuesday. Day 2.

OK, so I completely forgot about this part yesterday, but my luggage hadn’t arrived, and luckily from a bad flying experience a couple of years ago when I landed in Washington D.C. and my luggage ended up in Missouri for two days, I purposely packed a change of clothes (very casual) and some shoes in my carry on bag, so I at least had a change of clothes for Monday, but remember, no toiletries at all, no curling iron and no makeup. Um, not good. No time to shop because they don’t have Wal-Marts and Targets and malls, etc. They have small boutique stores for everything and street vendors, that’s it. And, we had no time to stop anywhere yesterday. So I began and ended that day and went on the platform with the only clothes I had on my back, bad hair, bad makeup and smelling good only because the hotel gave me a couple of items and my roomies were kind enough to let me use a little eye makeup and hairspray. Now you all know me and I’m very particular. Talking about having to “die” to yourself, or let go of vanity and my own will to “look good.” No one was saying, “You look maaaahvelous!” (Said with the famous Billy Crystal accent.) I was mortified…for about three seconds…and then realized where I was and what I was doing and that we come into this world naked and leave that way, without makeup or toiletries or perfumes, or clothes, and I realized it didn’t really matter in the big scheme of things, so worshipped I did, and with all my heart!!!!

So I’m downstairs before our 8AM breakfast meeting (LaMar is very focused and the team meeting time is one of the most important times of the day together, and don’t be late, it’s not acceptable - I love it!! Yes! Intentional, purposeful leadership!!!). I’m at the concierge’s desk (more hotel pictures) asking if my luggage arrived from British Airways, nothing yet. They ask me for the form I was given by the airlines and get my room number and a local cell phone number from one of our hosts and tell me they’ll stay on top of it and take care of it. The hope is that my luggage came in on the Midnight flight and would be delivered to the hotel some time later this morning. With vanity aside, OK, it’s hard, but I’m managing, I wear the pants I traveled in, not exactly platform garb (and very crumpled from 30 hours of travel), and I borrow Alison’s dark green tea shirt, with a big, bold Veggie Tales cartoon character looming as large as life on the front. Not a shirt I’d usually wear on the platform, humbled, definitely humbled. It’s OK though, I’m calm and really, it doesn’t matter, so putting that aside, it’s time to start the day and I know either way I’m good, my luggage will either arrive, or I’ll get to go shopping some time today and buy some new clothes - oh darn!!

At the breakfast meeting, we set our game plan for the day, admin, sound, song list, line up of teaching (of course we have a schedule, but that’s all subject to change and the move of God’s Spirit in the room and in the hearts of the leaders). We’re a team man, a real team, and as LaMar calls it, a POWER team. Some of you know how much that phrase means to me. Confirmation, confirmation and more confirmation. I’m definitely in the right place. I’ve been begging God for three years now, begging, to put me with a worship team of musicians who are seasoned in modern worship, sold out for Christ, humbled to work together and honor each other’s walk without complaint or resistance, and somewhere I can learn and grow and be stretched. This is it, this is the beginning and I want more of that…

LaMar asks Shannon if there is something we might do differently or if there is a need in the house and he humbly suggests that because the Hindis are not familiar with the American worship songs yet, that perhaps a couple more Hindi songs can be used so we don’t “lose” them. LaMar thanks him and decides to end each set with a couple of Hindi worship songs, and let me tell you, the crowd goes wild at the downbeat of each song. They love their songs, just like we love our songs, and they’re engaged and fully participating.

So we leave the hotel at 8:30AM and our day begins at 9AM with a sound check and off we go to the races. Sound check complete, the journey continues. We worship, we minister to the people, they minister to us, we’re ministered to by the teachings. The Indian people are kind and loving and grateful, oh so grateful, and they are hungry…so hungry and desperate for God. Desperation brings the need for hope, and He represents that hope. The momentum continues, the Power is building, you can see it and feel it.

On the platform Tuesday night right in the middle of our worship time, God spoke in my heart and He reminded me that He had promised me an acceleration and an answer to my prayers to be with a worship team of like mind and in that moment He said, this is it, this is what I was promising, and this is only the beginning. I have more and more for you, this is just the beginning. I broke down and wept, right there on the platform in front of God and 2,000 people. I didn’t care. I threw my hands into the air and praised the Living God!! You need to understand something here. Some of you aren’t familiar with the Christian worship “world.” LaMar and the Worship Institute would be akin to someone like Steven Spielberg and his production company. That’s the caliber of this event. This is where God has catapulted me. This is what He has blessed me with.

Speechless once again…

OK, I’m going to preach here for a minute. We are spoiled. Americans are spoiled rotten. We live in palaces compared to these lovely people. We have running water and too much food and too many shopping centers and too many conveniences. It has dulled us and walled us off from the need for a relationship with God. We don’t need God; we’re self-sufficient; we can do it on our own; we don’t need anything; we can do it all; we can have it all; we’re selfish; we’re isolated in our materialistic pursuits and numbed by our abundance and affluence. We have no need to look outside ourselves because we have it all and it has made us dead inside spiritually!

People live in desperation; they are desperate for better living conditions and better food and more conveniences, and water!! They have no flowing water. Water is the most precious resource in India. A man and his family will travel four to five miles every day with big, five or ten gallon iron pots on their heads or huge plastic jugs. Four or five miles! Every day!!

So where there is desperation, there is a need for hope, and that hope is God, or at least a hope that He is real and there for them; a supernatural power that will deliver them and give them reason and a place they can look for help. And they are getting that here in the Christian community. Some Westerners believe God is a crutch and an excuse for not doing it yourself or “Gittin her done!” God is, and that’s the long and short of it. And, I know He loves me and He showed me that night that He loves everyone; He showed me that He’s there and present with all nations and all tribes and all people. We can’t see Him, we can’t see the Spirit, but we can feel Him and He’s real. I’ve witnessed it and felt it and heard it and seen evidence of The Power, in my own life for sure, but now as witness with these people and what they are doing here.

We spent the entire day in the hall, with lunch breaks and tea breaks, well taken care of by our hosts. Oh, and checks back with the hotel brought the news of no luggage, not yet — argh!! So, I’m whisked away by Michelle (in the bottom, right-hand corner of the picture), an American girl who lives in India and knows their ways, to a nice shopping boutique where I can buy a few outfits and some shoes, but no time for toiletries; have to get back. As it was I missed the afternoon worship and that was a personal sacrifice, believe me. I don’t want to miss one moment of this event. So I bought a few items, just in case, rushed back, changed, primped a little. But, none of it mattered.

What mattered was being part of the venue, getting back out there and leading the people to worship through our own earnest search after personal relationship with God, the Almighty. Another powerful evening, more joy, more jumping (one day I’ll have a video clip here), more sound, the sound is deafening, but WHO CARES!!! I’ll still be able to hear in the morning.

We drove home in silence. Silenced by the experience, trying to take it all in, being filled to overflowing with God’s Presence.Stillness, I need stillness now, and time to think. I can’t think. I need to sleep.