Saturday update

Posted on October 24, 2009 by Carl

Today we travelled to Dindigul and led a pastor’s conference. I was feeling a bit sluggish this morning as the pace of the past two weeks is starting to catch up to me. To help me compensate, I made the afternoon session a question and answer session. The pastors had great questions and kept mme on my toes.

This evening, I packed my bags will catch a train to Chennai with Paul at 8 PM. Tomorrow I will be preaching in his brother’s church in the morning and his brother in law’s church in the evening. This will be my second opportunity to speak in both churches.

Monday morning I will do one more conference and then I have to be at the airport around 3PM to catch my 6PM flight.

Carol and I are glad my return home is drawing near.

Final day in Madurai

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Carl

I started my day with a visit to a local colony of lepers. I had preached in an adjacent village last year and had encountered of few of the lepers then. This colony houses about 200-300 lepers. Many are missing toes, fingers and various facial features. For many of them they have other serious mental and physical challenges as well.

Benjamin and Elishba have adopted this colony as their ministry focus. Benjamin brings food out weekly and shares songs and Bible stories with them. Many of the lepers believe in Jesus, but they doubt His power to heal them.

For the past two days, I had found myself praying for the miraculous healing of 7 lepers within this community. My understanding is that God is going to do some miraculous healings within this colony as building blocks of belief. There was one woman in particular that caught my attention and I found myself praying over her quite extensively. I believe she will be one of the 7.

After distributing food to the colony we headed back to town and I spent the afternoon resting. I am beginning to feel the physical drain from nearly two weeks of multiple speaking engagements and long hours of ministry.

Tonight I spoke in our final open air meeting in Madurai. I told the crowd that I wasn’t feeling very strong, so I knew it would be a great meeting. I emphasized that in our weakness, God’s strength is revealed.

Several testimonies were given during the service including a testimony of a man who was healed from being very sick after I had prayed for him on Wednesday. I used these testimonies to talk about why God heals in the first place. I explained that He wants us to see His power to save and deliver us from sin. The miracles are simply the building blocks of our faith. I told the crowd that ultimately we all must decide who Jesus truly is.

When I was finished approximately 30 people came and gave their lives to Jesus. I was also asked to pray for another 100 or so for healing, family problems, etc…

It was a great ending to another wonderful visit to Madurai.

Tirchy

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Carl

Today I made my second visit to Tirchy. I visited Tirchy in 2006 on my first visit to India. Today, I spoke at a meeting for local pastors. I spent the morning speaking on personal discipleship.

As I was wrapping up, Pastor Paul began to get very weak due to the heat. I prayed for him and decided that I would make the afternoon session a question and answer time. The Q & A session was very good and the pastors had some challenging questions for me.

When the conference was over we went to the home of Pastor K (I can’t spell his last name) for lunch. I had been a guest in Pastor K’s home in 2006 and it was good renew my relationship with his family.

This evening I have the night off. I will be going to the leper colony tomorrow with Benjamin and Elishba.

Lunchbags, luggage and layovers

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Carl

This past week we were blessed by a family from another local church. Their pastor is one of my overseers and he had shared our story with his congregation. They were so moved that they decided to help support our ministry efforts with something we had been seeking for some time…vienna sausages, fruit cups and crackers. They even supplied the lunch sacks for us to put together ready made meals for the homeless who come across our path. We had no sooner put them togetherand prayed over them, when a young man walked in. He asked if we had work and we told him that we did not. I asked him if we could pray for him or feed him, but he walked out the door. I prayed for him as he walked away and almost as soon as I had said “amen”, he reappeared in the door asking if the lunch sacks had food. This contact allowed us to meet and further minister to Jamyron.

I’m writing this blog post from the international terminal at Chicago O’hare. Last night’s flight was uneventful, but my hope to get a decent night’s sleep was not so grand. My room was on the end of the hall near the motel entrance. I was serenaded by traffic noise, people entering and exiting, and a very amorous couple in the adjacent room. That’s ok, it should allow me to sleep more on the two overseas flights. I have a 7 hour layover in Chicago before catching my 4PM flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Fortunately, this is the longest of my layovers.

God is already doing miraculous work in this trip. Pastor Santhosh had great difficulty in getting the conferences together in Delhi and Kerala, prompting him to cancel them yesterday. After an email session that included some options for a more “intimate gathering”, the conferences are back on again and Pastor Santhosh seems to have gotten his second wind.

I will try to post as I have internet access.

Just enough

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Carl

I have had my upcoming trip to India planned since last year. The dates were discussed and bantered back and forth…schedules were coordinated. The only thing that was left was to raise money for airfare and incidental expenses. This shouldn’t be hard….should it?

I have been watching the airfare slowly creep up as the date drew closer and closer. Last week I only had $150 towards my airfare and I was at less than 2 weeks until departure. Yesterday evening (1 week to go, I was still over $200 short).

We had some friends over for dinner last night. As they left, they slipped some cash into my hand. $200!!!! Of course I couldn’t get into the bank until this morning. I had been watching a series of flights that left Chicago and routed through Germany. Over the last week those had climbed into the $1,800 range. Another flight through the UAE had been at $979 for a while, but it didn’t arrive until a day after the other flights and over the weekend it had gone to $3,800.

This morning I awoke and ran to the computer, the money was in the bank. I had $1,190 to work with. I jumped on Vayama and boom…the flights through Germany I had been watching, were $1068 round trip. I booked them and they were confirmed within an hour. I next booked my round trip from Corpus Christi to Houston. I had 20,457 frequent flier miles with Continental. The round trip was 20,000 frequent flier miles and $80 in fees. I had just enough.

God is good all the time!!!

That’s too easy

Posted on October 5, 2009 by Carl

This week has been a great time of seeing God work. Every day, I have had at least one person stop by the church to visit with me. Some were looking for prayer, others are just trying to figure out who…or what we are.

Today was joyous, as we were getting ready to begin, I saw a woman pushing a stroller coming across the street towards the church. I recognized this woman as someone we had met at the bus transfer station a few weeks back as we were handing out water. During that first interaction, Mike had spoken with this woman for nearly 20 minutes.

She entered the door with her 3 year old daughter and we began to interact and I learned that her name was Nellie. Nellie has been watching us to see if we were going to stay put. She decided that today was the day she would come to see what we are all about. Nellie is a hodge podge of religious thought. She has been influenced by a Pentecostal grandfather, Jehovah’s Witness friend and a myriad of other voices that have generated a great deal of fogginess in her mind about things pertaining to God. Nellie asked one question that stood out: “Why is Jesus called the Lamb of God?” This allowed me to to talk about the perfect sacrifice that was made for all mankind when Jesus gave up His life on the cross. When I was done explaining this to her, she was so excited, because “she could finally understand.” Before the morning was over, I gave her a Bible. She told me this was the first Bible she had ever owned, with the exception of a small Precious Moments Bible she had once had as a little girl.

As we were finishing up today, a man walked in, burdened by some things that were causing him to question whether he was truly ready when this life is over. This man carries a piece of baggage with him that has weighed him down for 50 years. Mike shared the message of salvation and forgiveness that is found in Jesus. This man declared, “that’s too easy!” Sadly, he could not accept that God would extend grace so freely. We are praying that God will show Him grace in a powerful and unmistakable way.

I am currently about $300 short of having my India airfare with one week to go.

Setting off explosions

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Carl

Over the last few months, the Lord has been speaking to us about the importance of praise in bringing down the spiritual walls of the Simplicity – Corpus Christi neighborhood. So when the opportunity to host The Burn 24/7 was extended, it was a “no-brainer.”

This past weekend, people from a variety of denominational backgrounds came together at 805 S. Staples and for 24 hours, they worshiped, prayed, danced, painted, played and glorified God. During this time, we had several people come in off of the streets and were able to minister to them. It was truly a nuclear event in the spiritual environment of this neighborhood. One of my intercessors said it best: “Foundations were shaken.” This weekend was also strategic, because it was exactly 1 year ago that my church voted to release the staff and ministry, so they could afford to keep the church property. It was that set of events that led to the implementation of the Simplicity vision that God had been birthing in me for a number of months.

Sunday was in my mind, the best worship experience we’ve had at Simplicity since we began in November of last year. We shared how God had touched our lives throughout the week and during that time I began to look at the banner that had been given to us by one of the worshipers over the weekend. The Lord prompted me to hand the banner to Brooke and I gave her permission to move throughout the room with that banner to praise Jesus to the best of her 3 year old ability. The Lord then took me to a song that I had not sang since I was a child…His Banner Over Me is Love. We sang that song and then the Lord began to write the verses. Before our time together was done, the Lord had given us 6 or 7 new verses to this song that we sang with great joy. Our service ended up lasting nearly 2 1/2 hours and yet no one seemed to notice or care.

Yesterday, Mike and I attended a pastor’s prayer retreat in Banquete. This retreat has become a highlight of my year each year and this year was no different. The morning speaker came out of the worship time with a word for nearly each one of us. To Mike and I, he said this: “Sit in the saddle.” “All that you are going through is by God’s design, don’t rush the process.” Throughout the day, God reminded me of the need to be a conduit, not just a cup. The day ended with 2 intercessors praying over each of us. The words spoken over me included: “Courage; a willingness to go where no one else will; the opening of multiple harvest fields unto me; the need for me to have wisdom to manage the resources that God is releasing into my hands; and a prayer of thanksgiving for the resources being released that are not only sufficient, but exceedingly abundant.”

I ended my day by speaking via phone with Pastor Santhosh about our upcoming ministry in Delhi and Kerala. Pastor Santhosh has been unable to raise the $2,000 necessary to put on the conference he had intended in Delhi, so I had suggested that we invite a handful of leaders for a few days of private meetings. Santhosh had been praying and fasting over that suggestion and is being led to invite 15 pastors to join us. We talked about my lack of air travel and fiances, but I assured him that God was going to provide. It is now 13 days until I leave and the airfare is beginning to creep up, so I know that we are not far from the provision, but this is an exercise in faith and trust.

If you would like to contribute to the India ministry effort, please visit the donation link

Rain and renewal

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Carl

Yesterday afternoon it was raining pretty heavily. When I am at 805, I always have the front door propped open with a brick, inviting people to come in.

During the rain a man walked in who I have become somewhat familiar with, because I see him walk by almost every day. This man is easily recognized, because he always has a bandanna on.

He said “I need you to pray for me, I’m a crack addict.” He went on to tell me that he had woken up yesterday morning and something was different. He knew he needed to leave the drugs alone and he was asking me to pray for him, because he needed extra strength.

Robert, as I learned his name to be, shared with me his story. He had once been very active in church. He played guitar in worship, served as a deacon and seemed to have it all together until crack cocaine entered his life. Robert has been looking for companionship with the local prostitutes, but he finds it empty and meaningless. He recently became a grandfather and his daughter told him that he would not see the grandbaby as long as crack was a part of his life.

I also learned that Robert wears the bandanna, because it makes him look tougher, so no one will mess with him.

I placed my hands on Robert and began to speak to Jesus about his life. Robert left with a new look of peace on his face. He made me write down our service times and he told me to look for him in the coming days.

God is awakening righteousness in the hearts of the people in this neighborhood. Continue to pray for Robert and so many who are like him.

A testimony that just keeps getting better.

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Carl

Ugandan man coming to faith in Christ

During my time in Uganda, this past May, I had the privilege of preaching in the PCM Church in Kapchesoy.

One afternoon as I had finished preaching and was sitting down, the whole church erupted in celebration. I learned that they were celebrating, because a man (pictured) who was the village drunkard and troublemaker was giving his life to Christ.

In the days that followed, I learned his story. He was cooking beer a mile and half from the church. He had been drinking all day and was already drunk. As he explained he heard a voice telling him that he needed to run as fast as he could to the church and give his life to Jesus. He had arrived, just as I sat down and he went forward and gave his life to Jesus.

The next day, his closest friend was at the front of the church giving his life to Jesus, because of what he had witnessed the day before. Now if that was the story, that would be absolutely amazing in itself, but it gets even better. I received this update from Pastor Adams today:

The lord is still working great things and fire as never ceased!
The man you prayed for him during the conference in Kapchesoy church who came smelling alcohol is still firm. The lord has used him to win 12 other drunkards to Christ and many are coming to get saved because of his salvation.
We have enrolled him in our Bible College and taking certificate. I was with him and told me to send you his personal greetings.

He has a hunger and passion to reaching the lost. He told me he will resign soon from teaching to start preaching the Gospel but I told him first he should seek the lord before taking any step.

One transformed life, transforming the lives of others. The power of God is truly amazing to watch.

Sunday recap

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Carl

We were joined yesterday by two representatives from Burn 24/7. We are hosting September’s Burn this weekend, so they were here to scope out building and neighborhood. This was a very moving experience for both of them. I wanted to share with your Rachel’s thoughts to her email list:

Good evening CC Burning Ones!

This morning I visited Simplicity Church- where we will be holding Burn CC this month. I was left utterly broken. Last month someone told me, “your feet will go to dark places” I never imagined that would mean I’d be taking the Burn too!

Simplicity Church is located right across the street from a gay bar where the rainbow flag hangs proudly, its down the street from the abortion clinic and its passed by many lonely travelers- all walking alone- all holding baggage (physically and spiritually). With an open door and a bright orange water cooler with the words “compliments of Jesus Christ” boldly written these few hold church every Sunday morning. Oftentimes people wander in- stare and leave or ask for prayer. Inside little kids sing along their parents and even ask questions and pray for prayer requests during the service. While we read I watched a Dad give his son a bottle and let the little boy fall asleep on his chest.

And the entire time the Lord was speaking to me-

His banner will hang higher than any of the enemy’s flags.

AND His banner over us- over everyone is LOVE!

Hearing the simple prayers and the sweet off-key voices of children made me cry with sweet happiness and I was reminded why the Lord loves these “little ones” who wisdom and faith and trust is SSSOOO much greater than mine!

I believe its pivotal that’s we’re here.

That we are lifting up praises and going to impact the atmosphere!

That our praises will tear down this wall that this church has been coming up against.

That we will raise the banner of Jesus Christ over that area and light a lamp in the darkness- and see His people saved and set free- He will “see the reward for which He was slain.”

Please everyone be in prayer.

“Gird yourselves- consecrate yourselves… for tomorrow the Lord will do increasingly wonderful things!!”

Worshipers- soak up His oil in your secret place- because it will be lit on fire this weekend.

And remember in our intimacy we have victory- it is in this place that we are given our boldness- our words- our strategies- our battle orders.

Also please be cautious-

this is not a safe neighborhood- no one walk anywhere alone- please watch your surroundings. Use caution and be wise.

And please be in prayer for this church-

pray for fiances, for co-laborers and “arm- holders” to share the load, for strength and endurance to keep plowing this land, for walls to be broken, and for the Lord to provide for all of their needs.

And if anyone would like to donate nonperishable food and bottles of water or articles of clothing, shower supplies, etc. (they pass these gifts out to many of the people that visit their church) I know it would bless them tremendously

During the morning and afternoon we met and prayed with Charlie, Everett (our first time to meet him), David and his friend (both believers in Christ), and Richard (I see him walking by almost daily). Some of these men allowed us to pray with them. Others shared lunch with us, since we were cooking out in the parking lot. Each one was a reminder of how God wants to move in this neighborhood.

I am still struggling to get airfare together for India, even though I leave 3 weeks from today. If you would like to help by contributing financially or even donating frequent flier miles, please let us know.

Journey To Simplicity