Wow...Time flys I cant believe its been three weeks already. It has been great hearing all the awesome stories told by each and every one of you. You all have made such a great contribution to the lord and humanity. Autumn, grandpa is doing amazingly well. He is driving and getting out daily. His cancer has not spread, it remains only in his lungs which is a blessing since he is receiving no treatment. Dont feel guilty you are doing so much good over there, feel proud. When you get a free weekend we would love to have you and see all your pictures and hear all your stories. I know you have a busy summer (you always do) but maybe you can carve out a day or two for us. Have a safe trip home. We love you and thank you for keeping in touch. Love, Kim
Can't wait to see you all! Hi Audy, Hi team,
Wow! It's hard to believe you'll be home in a couple days. I can't wait to see you all! You have been touched by God. I pray your love, joy and enthusiasm be contagious ! I can't wait for everyone here to share in your stories. May your zeal inspire us all, to fan into flame what God has instilled in each of us . I pray you'll continue to inspire the missionaries here, and that every heart is convicted and grateful to God for the great commission he has given us all. Thanks so much for your amazing hearts, and great faith. Thanks for taking such good care of Autumn, and teaching her so much. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints and the lost. Your love has given us great joy and encouragement, thank you so much!
Lve, Deb (Audy's mom)
Jesus' Command Fulfilled I'm sorry, my family, that I have not kept up with the blog like I'd hoped I would. I plan to go back and read the stories and look forward to hearing many a tail and seeing the multitude of pictures I'm sure currently reside on Ben's camera. It was such an inspiring thought, when we studied out discipleship for the first time, to think of making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded of those whom we reach. To think that you have all experienced that scripture, not just reaching out to locals who are of various ethnicities, but actually going to preach the word of God in a another land where you are strangers and foreigners like so many heroes of the faith before you is truly a blessing that should never be allowed to fade from your hearts. The Lord be with you with all of his mighty strength and precious love.
Godspeed,
Y.B.I.C Ramayan <3
Doureen I would not miss picking you up. You know 5 will fit in the car so we will make room for anyone that has a need. Love you and be safe. Give my love to all. see you soon,
Hal
What an amazing impact! Hey everyone! I hope you are all having a great time. It is truly amazing the work that you are doing for God. The encouragement you are giving to the disciples in India and truly seeking to make disciples of all nations! I hope that the time you are spending with one another is encouraging for you as well. I have been praying for safe travels and inspirations for you all. Cindy - all of us here miss you much, and can't wait to have you back! I also can't wait to hear first-hand the stories that will stick with you forever. Stories of Faith, Courage, and just plain seeing God work in your lives while you are working for Him. As a side note (yet with all the importance of the main note) I'll be picking you up from the airport! That's exciting - I get you all to myself (yeah I know it's selfish!) I got your flight info from Jen G., who is doing well by the way. Looking forward to seeing you and going to service in Detroit!
Love ya,
Jen S
Cindy's ride home Hey, Cindy, you don't have to post this but we're trying to figure out your return plan. Were you going to join any of the Detroit-ers for service on sunday or were you still planning on Jen S. coming to pick you up when your plain gets in? As of now she's still coming, but I know we'd briefly mentioned you going up there for service but hadn't heard what you'd decided. Take care and post when you get a moment. -- Brett
Bring the Heat Metaphorically, not literally, please. It has been amazing to read your posts and to hear all the work being done, but also to hear how our very own Cindy is letting her voice ring and her convictions heard. Kudos to all of you, may God bless your last few days and your return state-side. I pray that you bring the 24/7 evangelistic mentality back to us and that we will be a ready and willing people. Cindy I'm excited to hear and see how your life has changed, and thank you so much for wishing me a happy birthday. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. And as for that cheeseburger I ate, I'll eat a few more for all of you. And maybe some fries. Mmmm. Take care. -- Brett "I don't know much about Cricket, but I'll whoop you in Croquet" Hibbler
Goosebumps.... Hey Team...I got goosebumps reading your story. I will be ready to hear your stories and lessons when you come back home.
Hugs all around!
Thanks I think it's so great that you are keeping in touch with all of us through your blogs. They are exciting to read. Cindy we can't wait for you to get back. We Miss You. Love, the Kelsch's 2
Happy Independence Day! Hi Autumn and mission group! Wishing you all a Happy 4th of July! We are so blessed to live in a country that gives us the freedom to gather for church and worship God! I introduced myself to a soldier here at the airport that was being re-deployed back to Iraq. I thanked him for his service to our country and told him that I will be praying for him and his troops. He was very touched and thanked me. His name is Dan Ringlekay and is from Hastings, MI. We are all praying for you all as well every day and just wanted to wish you a Happy Independence Day! Love you all!
I'll see you soon Audy! I miss you! Pickup trucks full of love, Tony xoxo
Hi Team Phil and I want to thank you for being so diligent with the blogs. We've enjoyed them so much and we're just so excited things have gone well and brothers and sisters in India have been encouraged soooo much. We pray for you a safe and good trip home. I hear you might be there for services in Detroit, awesome! Doureen we have so much work for you to do when you get home. Maybe we should let you rest a few days first:)
Our love to everyone of you. Pat and Phil
Happy 4th of July I just wanted to wish all of you a Happy 4th of July. Today we will spend time with family and probably go to midweek. Who would have thought we would have midweek on the 4th of July.
Pearl
4 more days I remember being there and having only a few days to go. It seemed like I had been in India forever, and I certainly did not want to come home! I hope you all have similar feelings, and an eagerness to maintain your relationships with the Indian Churches. Believe me, raising money for Special will never be so easy as when you get home! I had a garage sale right away and made $200, some of which were just donations! (Ben can tell you about it). Cindy- that is so awesome that you shared with Cochin and TVM. I wish I could have been there to hear you!! Please tell Lucy I said hi-- you know she had just had her baby when I last saw her. Now he is 2 years old! Wow. One last suggestion to the group...I know after a couple weeks you get tired of giving (well at least I did). You only have a few more days to go, so stay strong! Soon enough you will have a 15 hour plane ride on which you can get your rest! Give your hearts fully to Trivandrum, and enjoy your last moments in India (I tear up thinking about it!). Ben- I love you and can't wait to see you! Ev has been pointing at things and saying Dada. I tell him you are coming home soon!
Love, Jen
Soak up your last few days! Hi Autumn! I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying the church and the disciples there in Cochin. You all are truely great ambassadors for Jesus. When you get home mom can give you a haircut and I can give you a facial and massage and we'll get you all set for camp. I was wondering if you can get me one of those cool lightweight white Indian shirts that the men wear? I think they're really nice. And something for mom also, maybe a sari? My new job is great and I'm really enjoying it. Can't wait to see you and hear all of your cool adventures! I love you!!!! Tony xoxo
Damon (Boo-Bear) Hey Honey, I miss you so much I have been praying for you all. I know God has given you so many blessings things that you never dreamed of I can't wait to hear your experiences and see how God has allowed you to grow spiritually. I look forward to being apart of the change as the Holy Spirit leads us. We are doing well Eric keeps calling your name daddy or sometimes Damon the he says," miss " He is starting to phrase things like go in car and basement wash. Taylor stayed overnight with the Mason's I am working on lots of thing around the house and I will get the grass cut I read your message to Pearl. I have nothing planned for the 4th of July. If you get a chance call me let me know what time you are flying into Detroit also, Taylor is leaving for camp on Sat., July 7th. Love you Iam on my lunch break I have to go now.
Even More Good Stuff! Wow, it's been so encouraging to read all your blogging! I didn't get to check email at all over the weekend, so this morning at work it was great to see several blogs from you guys with good news from the other side of the world! Cindy - I'm so proud to read that you shared in front of the church and "projected your voice" and being out of yourself! I look forward to you coming back to Toledo and sharing the great things about your trip and "projecting your voice" here as well!
LybiC,
Robert Segovia
HELLO FROM INDIA hello dear friend
nice to see ur jopurney in inida
i m ajay from north inida n i welcome u to at my home here n a cup of tea with all of u
i hope wen ever u came in this side in inida u came at my home
i suggest u to please once visit dharmsala, himachal pradesh its really so nice n peaceful place.
hoping with a reply
ajay
radheykrishna.ak@gmail.com
To Say Hello Hello Damon, I truly miss U bro.. I pray things are well,I know it's a great experience living over there. Please bring back something that will last a life time.Also I think Uare doing a awesome thing by aiding our brothers and sisters there.Say hello to everyone,and God Bless!!! Rex
Hi Guys Greeting from Michigan, Hello to Ericka, Doureen, Damon, Autumn, Ben and Cindy, You won't believe the weather we are having here in Michigan. It is perfect, not to hot and not to cold. Today we had a churchwide service at Belle Isle and once again Damon, the Masons, the Smith, Monica and a few others were the last to leave the park. By the way Damon, I know that Stephanie doesn't have access to the internet so I gave her your message of love and to kiss the kids. By the way the River Walk is awesome. Rex and I stolled along the river yesterday and it was beautiful. Anyway I miss you guys and I look forward to hearing all your exciting testimonies when you get back. Damon Alfonzo says Hi. Kamillia of course is spending her summer working at Cedar Point. Lea is walking now she totally skipped crawling and she has two teeth. She can also say Uncle. Rex also has grown an afro. How amazing that would be if all that were truth. :)
fight the fight Guys, it is great to hear about what is going on there, not what you are doing but what God is doing through you. It is always hard to know who gets more out of the mission trip, you or the people you visit. I look forward to hearing more great things. Right now it is time to go to Belle Isle for church.
Love Bruce and Annabel
Great to catch up with you guys Well, you're in the home stretch. Starting to get anxious for home, yet not wanting to leave at the same time and maybe even thinking how can you possibly leave. I can just picture some of the events and conversations.
Keep up the great work guys.
Tell all our brothers and sisters hi from Tim and Wendy and we miss them all. We still think and talk of the regularly and pray for them as well.
Not sure if you got my prior messages.... I don't see them. I think they went into some private portal and hyper space eh?
Damon Banks Damon, I am so glad that you have had the oppurtunity of a lifetime. This increases my faith and reminds me what being a missionary for Christ is all about. I had forgotten. Anyway try not to get to much of a sun tan, I want to be able to see you clearly when you come back to Michigan. By the way what are we suppose to do on the Fourth of July? Will Stephanie have BBQ and a movie on the garage. I am lost for ideas for this upcoming holiday. By the way when will you guys get back? Until me meet again continue to glorify God in all that you do whether it is in India or Michigan. Your mom would be so proud of you.
Pearl
Mission:India 2007 is the group of Christians from the Detroit Church of Christ along with Lansing, Grand Rapids and Toledo going to serve the local Indian churches in Southern India.
Pictured (L to R): Ben Weatherston, Cynthia Garcia, Doureen Morse, Autumn Cussen, Ericka Sailor, and Damon Banks.... full info
Kim Cussen
non-member comment
Wow...Time flys
I cant believe its been three weeks already. It has been great hearing all the awesome stories told by each and every one of you. You all have made such a great contribution to the lord and humanity. Autumn, grandpa is doing amazingly well. He is driving and getting out daily. His cancer has not spread, it remains only in his lungs which is a blessing since he is receiving no treatment. Dont feel guilty you are doing so much good over there, feel proud. When you get a free weekend we would love to have you and see all your pictures and hear all your stories. I know you have a busy summer (you always do) but maybe you can carve out a day or two for us. Have a safe trip home. We love you and thank you for keeping in touch. Love, Kim