December 24th - 26th

Christmas is over already, and I can't believe it!

I would like to, at this time, let you know what our team was up to over our Christmas holidays. Let us begin...

We left our apartments Thursday afternoon and headed off to the beach. Some of us got there by rickshaw and boat, and others of us drove there with RJ. It's not too long of a trip, compared to how long we've traveled to get to some schools before...

Once we arrived at the beach, we all took it easy and just relaxed, enjoying God's marvelous nature and calming our hearts from the hustle and bustle of school ministry. After a wonderful football (AKA soccer) game on the beach where the guys narrowly beat out the girls by one point (3-2), we enjoyed a very enlightening Christmas Eve devotional/reflection time. Alex read both renditions of the Christmas story, RJ shared a very wise devotional with us, we all shared what we were thankful for, and we prayed. God's Spirit was with us that evening so strongly, and I sincerely believe we all were very challenged and encouraged as a result that evening. A part of the devotional referred to how Jesus had given up His divine attributes to come to earth; He left His comfortable place in Heaven in order to come to a very uncomfortable earth. Our team can relate in a VERY small way, seeing as we've all left family, friends, and country in order to come to India. I do believe that we all experienced Christmas in a very new, very real way this year.

We had a surprise guest arrive that evening after we got to our hotel. Any guesses? If you can tell from the picture, it was Santa Clause himself! He delivered "Canadian" gifts to all of us (generously provided by Mark and Cheryl before they left us... THANK-YOU!!!), threw some candy around the room, then left us very gracefully through the window (he broke the door knob). We all enjoyed his performance and our gifts thoroughly.

Christmas morning was a time to sleep in and relax. We ventured to the beach after opening our Christmas box gifts, and we all enjoyed swimming in the ocean. A few of us cut our feet on the rocks, but it was nothing too serious. That evening we enjoyed another epic soccer game and then a devotional in the evening once again. God has definitely been good to us this Christmas season!

We relaxed on the beach for the last time this morning. Sadly our Christmas break is over, but it does mean that ministry can once again begin. After all, God called us here for each of us to know Him better personally through different trials and struggles, but even more so to make Him known in India! It is our prayer that we plant the seed of the truth of His salvation in many, many hearts in this beautiful country! Amen.

Prayer Requests:
~That God would restore the health of some of the team members who have been feeling unwell for a while
~That our team would enthusiastically jump back into ministry after a relaxing and refreshing break
~That God would open doors in regards to the ministries HE wishes for us to pursue
~For the hearts of those who hear the gospel proclaimed through our team

Praise Items:
~For the ministries we have had the privilege of being a part of
~For all the souls who have come to know Christ as a result of our ministries
~For the amazing Christmas break we just experienced!

Blessings on you all as you pray,
Cayla

December 21st - 23rd

Greetings from the hot and humid India!

Over the past few days we have been doing multiple Christmas programs at a few of the schools here in Mumbai. On Monday, December 21st, we did three programs in one day. We had to be completely ready to leave the apartments by 6:30am, so that made for quite a short sleep seeing as we got home late Sunday night (the church we went to was very hospitable and fed us very well… it took a while to eat all the food they so graciously prepared for us).

The first program we did was for jr. high students, and I had the privilege of giving the invitation for them to accept Jesus Christ into their lives. At least a few of them responded to the invitation, so we just pray that they continue to seek Christ in their daily lives. The second program we did was for preschool students, so we kept it basic and fun. An interesting thing about programs here in India is that we are sometimes surrounded on three or even ALL sides by students while we share our programs! The third program we did was for middle school students. The students here really enjoy the action songs and the dramas, so it’s a joy to see their smiling faces from the stage.

On Tuesday, we had another three programs scheduled. This time we had to leave the apartments by 5:30am. We did two programs with middle school and jr. high students combined, and one program for 4th grade (or 4th standard, as they say here) students. During our last program of the day our last fuse for the transformer blew, so we were left to pray that God would provide us with a fuse or else the show would not go on! One of the very helpful people at the school offered to go search for one, so the the team members were just praying that he would find one before the program needed to begin. I'm happy to say that God provided a fuse at exactly the right time. We've been learning here in India that God provides according to His will in every circumstance, whether it be the energy to last another long day, the patience to deal with difficulties, or a fuse for a program.

Today we were fortunate enough to watch a program (as honored guests) at one of the schools we had performed at twice before. We then did our own program at the same school for students of a different school system. This is another interesting fact: some schools here have two school organizations in the same building, and they each teach according to their own curriculums. Huh.

Tomorrow morning we plan on heading to the beach for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Our team is doing “Secret Santa” or “Christmas Box” (whatever you wish to call it), so the spirit of giving will be in full force. If I may speak on behalf of the whole team now, I would like to say (I hope the following statement is true): We all do miss our families this Christmas, but God has been providing strength and encouragement during this time. For me personally, my team and the various Christmas programs we’ve been performing and watching have helped to bring me into the spirit of Christmas, which is focused on the hope and grace that God so richly extended to all of us by sending Jesus Christ to the earth.

“We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Good tidings to you, wherever you are. Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

Till after the Christmas break, in Christ,
Cayla Renae

Dec 13th to Dec 19th

Christmas is just around the corner! No the team has not gone MIA the internet has just been a little hard to come by this week..so finally, here are last weeks events!

Time has been going by so quickly but you can just feel God’s presence here in India. It is so incredible! Sunday started off with an early morning and we headed down to southern Mumbai on the train to a Methodist church where we got to do bits and pieces of our Grace Like Rain GA Program. It was the first time us ladies had been on the train, but according to the guys we still haven’t really experienced the train, someday I guess. But the service was great, It started out with the pastor saying a few words then they led us in worship. It is so amazing how even though you really have no clue what some of the songs mean you can still just feel their passion for God, you get the occasional tune you know and you feel so out of place singing English when they are singing Hindi because it sounds so much more beautiful in a different language than just plain old English. The message that day was translated by the pastor and after the service was over we were invited for tea and biscuits, everyone here in India is very hospitable and it is the hardest thing to say no to their beautiful faces serving you over and over again! Later that day we went to a nice tourist restaurant and some of us had the chance to share our testimony with some of the local people in the area. This time we a real eye opener for me and it was hard seeing some of the poverty but I think it gave all of us a realization of why God would want us here in India.

Monday was a day spent with Mark and Cheryl doing team interviews and working on some Preaching/Teaching and Chalk Art. We all appreciate every bit of encouragement and advice Mark and Cheryl have put into our lives and God was so good to our team sending them with us and helping us get settled!

Tuesday was another early morning with lots of coffee and chai! We headed to another local school for a program at 7am. This program was the first one we were able to set up full equipment, but being here time is not a huge factor. We have a large team so not all of us could make it on the first trip so 7 of us were setting up while about 800 students were staring us down, sitting waiting patiently and 7am was long gone by 7:15 the remaining 4 team members arrived and we still were not done a sound check. Finally by the grace of God our sound started to work and we were all raring to go guitars on, microphones in hand, and ready at the sound board when one of the teachers comes up to us and says go sit down and have some tea. We all looked at each other and gave each other a few smiles, put down the sound equipment and headed over to a seating area where tea was about to be served. Meanwhile, these 800 students are still sitting waiting patiently. We came to the conclusion that Indian people really know how to take the stress off of a person! So we drank our tea while the kids did their morning songs and away we went with our Children’s program. We had two programs at that school one in the morning and one in the heat of the day. It was a great day and we learnt a lot about how much God is in control of everything and how he can take the stress off you anytime! How great is that!

Tuesday evening came soon after and we said goodbye to Mark and Cheryl who had an early flight back to crisp cold Canada on Wednesday morning. We wish them a very Merry Christmas and an amazing new year! May God bless you as you spend time with your families this Christmas season, your presence here will be missed!

Wednesday was our scheduled day off this week and we were able to re energize ourselves by just relaxing, since being here transportation has been a little confusing but a few of the boys headed south to do some shopping and made it back home safely, slowly but surely we are becoming familiar with the area and our host RJ is letting us do more and more normal Indian things, Riding in Richetes and taking the train, etc. It was a great day of re-energizing.

The day off was followed by another early morning. Thursday, we were blessed to be able to do 4 programs in the morning at another local school. One was a full band on a stage and the other three we used acoustic and some mics. We were not able to get a sound check in before starting the program because the school was presenting RJ and Alex with different gifts of thanks, but praise God the equipment and sound was working perfect when the band started playing. This was yet another reminder that God is in control all the time and we can’t do it on our own strength or power at all. Only the God of the Universe can make everything sound perfect without a sound check! We were able to preach the Gospel during all four of our programs that day and many children heard that Jesus loves them and he wants to be with us forever. God is so good and I know I am so excited to see what else God has up his sleeve for us these next 4 months!

Friday we went to another local school and had a blast doing another children’s program. The kids are so energetic and they loved the singing and the dramas we were able to do for them.

Saturday was a day full of practicing and getting our Christmas Program ready to go for this week. We had a lot of fun spicing up Christmas songs, and reviewing our Christmas dramas. We also had time for Teaching/Preaching and Chalk Art.

This past week was action packed but it is great to be here in India serving God. His provision has been incredible and everyday he is just blowing us away!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May God Bless you all this Holiday season!

-Carmen

Namasté ~ Greetings

Well we left Calgary on a very snowy, Monday evening (Nov. 30th), and after spending 2 long days in travel we arrived safely to a very hot/humid Mumbai, India. It was definitely an answer to prayer that our flights went smoothly and all our luggage arrived safely. We were even able to spend a bit of time in London during our 9hr layover, seeing some sights, such as Big Ben, Westminster Abby, the London eye, and numerous double decker buses, which was quite exciting!
Anyway back to Mumbai, after a warm welcome from our host RJ, we all piled into vehicles for the very squishy/sticky, eye opening drive to our apartments. Our first glimpse of India...and our first experience with the Indian way of driving...all I can call it is organized kaos! :p

We were quickly caught up in the sights, sounds, and mass of people. Mumbai is home to approximately 25 million people so there is always something happening.

The couple days were spent resting up, learning about the culture, and exploring nearby. Us girls were able to by Indian clothing. Women's clothing here is beautiful and very colourful!

Saturday(Dec. 5), we helped RJ with a program he does promoting character development at a college here in Mumbai (school goes from gr. 1-10 and college = gr. 11-12+). Although we weren't able to preach God's word from the stage, we were able to share a bit about our faith during the discussion time as well as get to know the youth, who welcomed us warmly. Following the program we smiled for many a camera aka cell phone. We are hoping to stay in contact with as many of the youth via. facebook.

Sunday we did a small children's program at a nearby church. The children loved learning the songs we sang and even sang a couple songs for us in their own language. During the program a number of the children responded to our invitation. The afternoon was spent in fellowship with friends of RJ's, who graciously took us out for an authentic Indian meal. The food was delicious and plentiful! In the evening we hosted a bible study at our apartment. Good fellowship.

Monday, the guys were able to do a program at a nearby orphanage. The guys have a great opportunity to play soccer with a number of neighborhood guys on a regular basis. It is an awesome way for them to connect with the youth here.

We got a brief chance to spend some time at the beach playing soccer and dipping our feet into the water.


Prayer Requests:
For the guys as they build relationships with the neighborhood guys.
Also that God would give us gals good connections with neighborhood ladies, who tend to be withdrawn (building relationships...etc)
That each of us would handle the culture shock in Godly ways
Continued health and for good night sleep
Internet connections with the youth we have met (wisdom in talking/counseling them)
Praise:
We have got the Ok to do programs in numerous schools across Mumbai, even being able to share our faith
For God's provision of very generous hosts as well as for good accommodations.
That none of us have been seriously ill and have been adjusting to the food fairly well
For safe travels both to India and around Mumbai

Thank you!

Well this is our first post on our F & F Blog... :)

The plan for this site is to keep in touch with you and to share with you our day-to-day experiences, ministry opportunities, photos, praises, and prayer requests. It is so encouraging to know that we have family and friends, as well as fellow believer lifting us up in prayer.
Your prayers and support are critical to our ministry!!!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Phil 1:3