From Carly Meyer

Well we've been back in the U.S. for almost a week now. The Lord gave us safe travels while we were in London, and on both our flights. It still surprises me that we're back already! I want to go over there again so badly. While I understand that this is unrealistic, at the same time, I will definitely be encouraging others to go. I really hope to see this program continue, and ask that we all keep it in our prayers. There are so many blessings that come from it, for the people that go over, and for our Indian brothers and sisters. I hope that I can share my experiences with my brothers and sisters in Christ here at home in a way that they will benefit from.

I'm kind of struggling with that right now, because people come up to me and ask, "How was your trip to India?" and I just don't know how to answer that question adequately without spending an hour talking! There are just so many things to say about it, I really can't sum it all up in a sentence or two. One thing I try to tell people is how eye-opening it is to see first-hand the culture, and to actually meet the people we are working with. It's encouraging to think that, even though we're on opposite sides of the globe, we are all working together towards one goal!

It was difficult saying goodbye to the pastors, not knowing if we would ever see them again. I miss them all very much! But we can be encouraged knowing that soon we will all be together in heaven! Praise the Lord for this assurance!!! May He keep us all in the faith, regardless of where we may be on this earth, until that blessed day when He comes back.

Pictures

Pictures from the Mission Helpers can be seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com/MHTrip2009

and here: http://picasaweb.google.com/petersroadtohealth/

Check back often as more pictures will be posted soon.

From Jackie Schwersinske

It was an awesome trip and I wouldn't trade it for anything it was a pleasure to serve the Lord with you. It was so up lifting to see that I had brothers and sisters that far away from home. I have been so excited to tell any and everyone that I come in contact with that it was the most wonderful and God led mission I have ever been on. Nothing beats spreading and sharing the word of God. Those little faces in India are something I'll never forget. Not to mention that it was wonderful to meet everyone that went with us to serve the Lord. I'll never forget you all.

There was a hymn that I ran across before we left to go to India that I was going to ask Pastor to read it as the trip came to a end but I forgot. This is how it goes:

The time has come, O Lord,
for us to leave this place
Guide us and protect us
and lead us in Thy grace.

Where-ever life may take us
as we go are separate ways
Help us to share with others
the Word we shared today.

May the peace of God the Father
and the love of Christ His Son
Guide us in the days ahead
and strengthen us each one.

May the blessings of the spirit
fill us from within
God bless us and return us
to this fellowship once again. Amen

Your Christian Sister always,
Jackie Schwersinske

From Joey Reim

I had expected that at some point in the trip I would have had some kind of life changing moment where I felt overwhelmed with the power of the Spirit working, or seeing extreme poverty, or seeing all the evil that sin has caused. I experienced all of this while in India, but it never struck me all at once.

It is easier now that i am home to reflect back on the trip and recognize everything the Lord was revealing to me. I saw the Spirit working in the children as they listened in wonder to the messages we had for them in our stories, and i saw it in the many seminary students who were, out of a deep love for their Savior, preparing to spread His Word throughout their country. I saw it in the leaders of the BELC as they continually thanked us in their words and actions for taking the time to share God's message of salvation with their members. And I saw it in our own group as we worshiped and prayed together daily, and encouraged each other as we taught our lessons. I also saw the poverty of the country when people would beg desperately for food or money. The shabby clothes, tiny huts and churches with no air conditioning or fans that people crowded into to hear the Word of God showed me that most of those people could not possibly imagine the luxury we enjoy and sometimes take for granted. I saw the evil which darkens the country in the huge, elaborate Hindu temples surrounded by people waiting for a chance to enter with gifts for their worthless idols. One of the most frightening places we visited was the town of Tirumala, an entire city dedicated to the Hindu temple built up on a hill. The "Disney Land" of the Hindus. Satan had used the misleading religion to disguise the city to look like fun and excitement, attracting devastating amounts of worshipers and pilgrims. All of these things were not overlooked on the trip, and certainly will not be forgotten.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you." ~ Matthew 28:19-20

These are the words Jesus left His disciples with before He ascended into heaven, one of the greatest of His commandments. I can remember back years ago when I was much younger, memorizing this passage and wondering how I would ever be able to do this. I prayed for the strength to spread His word and not be afraid, and the opportunity came while I was in India. With the support of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, we were able to evangelize to hundreds of God's children these past two weeks. It is my prayer that our message not only strengthened the faith of those who are already believers, but that it also reached the ears of many unbelievers for the first time. I pray that those who heard us were moved by the Spirit, that those who lack the comforts and necessities of life find comfort and hope in the news of their salvation, and that those who may be easily lead astray were brought closer to their Savior. I thanks God for the opportunity He gave to me to plant the seed of faith in their hearts and I pray that the Spirit will continue to grow and nourish it.

"And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:20

The first part of the passage motivated me throughout the trip, but the second part comforts me now that I am home again. I felt the Lord's presence close to me while in India. Being around others with such solid faith helped me to strengthen my own faith during the trip. But now that we've gone our separate ways and another year of college is looming ahead I will be missing the close companionship of those who believe the same things that I do. It is easy to be distracted and lead astray with sinful temptations surrounding me, but this passage reminds me that I am not alone. I am assured that the Lord is on my side and will guide me wherever He wants me to go. I pray that after these weeks in India my faith is strong enough that I can be secure in my beliefs and be open about it with the people I meet this year. I have seen how powerful God's Word is in the Hindu stricken nation of India, and I trust that it will guide my thoughts, words, and actions as I grow spiritually and emotionally in the coming years.

From Stephen Eichstadt

We made it back home! It feels pretty good to be back home, however, I do miss the people that I got to know in India. It was a trip which I will not be forgetting, and very worthwhile. We were blessed to be able to proclaim the Gospel message to many people.

There is a lot of work to be done in India, and the need for people to do this work became very evident in this trip. We all became aware of the need, and I wondered at times if I could do more. It is something which I will be keeping in my prayers, and I ask that everyone else also keep this work, and those who do the work in their prayers.

It took a little time to get used to the culture, and to get into a rhythm. Once this was accomplished, it turned into a very enjoyable trip! It is also amazing to see the contrast between India and the U.S. It was something which was noticeable when we first got to India, but as we stayed there, I became used to it. When we got to London and then back to the U.S. it became very obvious again. We are truly blessed to be living in a wonderful nation, even if at times we don't like the politics that take place. There is never any major problems when it comes to preaching the message of Christ's salvation, this is something which cannot be said about India.

I would like to thank everyone who supported us with their prayers. They were very much appreciated, and the results are evident in that we had a very smooth trip, and God's Word reached many people. I would ask that everyone keep the foreign mission fields in mind, and pray that the work will continue to flourish.

Luke 10:2-"He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.""

In Christ's Saving Grace,
Stephen