Ericka Hi Ericka,
I will be your personal blogger, if you like! It sounds like you are being challenged and encouraged. Keep the faith and bring back lots of faith building stories for the rest of us! In my conversations with you in the past, I have seen incredible caring and compassion, and I know that the people you are serving are blessed to have you there!
I'm so jealous that you got to ride an elephant! The most exciting thing I did here this week was plant some shrubs under my kitchen window--kinda boring, I have to admit! Maybe someday I'll get to go there too!
Just think how this experience is changing you and will affect you the rest of your life--you will always see things through the eyes of someone who has seen the poverty, but also incredible joy of the disciples in a third world country! WOW! What an amazing privelege!
WIth your background in social work, I know there must be many things running through your mind as you go from city to city and meet people with so many needs. I hope you're keeping a journal--I see a "book" in your future! (maybe?) :)
I'm about to go to a young teen devo/barbecue that Chad has organized at the DAngelo's house. So I'd better run! Give a hug to everyone for us, and continue to persevere. I will try to email more consistently. Keep up the great work and God bless you and the rest of the team!
Love YSIC,
Luanne Berk
Keep up the good work I am so inspired to hear about all the people you have met and the different ways you helped them. I thought of you all when Alex told me he had to do a speech for a summer class he is taking--the assignment was to share about a personal experience that changed his life, so, of course, he shared about his trip to India 2 years ago!
By the way, Ben, did you get the photos that I emailed you of Alex, that you requested? I am sure no one would recognize him now!
Keep up the good work, guys! I am sure you will be full of amazing stories when you return. Keep writing--we enjoy hearing about all your adventures.
Love YSIC,
Luanne B.
Ahhh, crazy!!! Just wanted to send a quick note thanking all of you for writing such detailed messages about India....it helps those like me who've never been to share in your wonderful experiences! I read your blog constantly, and I can't wait until you all return safely and share some great curry/naan recipes;) On a side note, love you, Ericka! Would love to hear more from you in the blogs.
Take care, much love!
Stacey
audy I hope you got my last message entitled F.R.O.G. the computer was being weird. God is with you. He will give you the words to speak. The Holy spirit will guide you in a powerful way. Ask and you will receive his guidance. Remember, when we are grateful we are not complaining.
I love you! You'll do great! Can't wait to hear more.
Love,
Mom
Keep up the good work in the Lord.. Hey Mission Team India,
I just want to say it's great reading about all your experiences and I look forward to your return. Ben, Erika and Damon, I'm glad that you guys are doing great things for the Lord over there. Doureen, you are truly an inspiration for what you've been through and what you're doing. Have a good day...
YBIC,
Walter R.
SWEET! Autumn,That sounded so AWESOME. You sound like you are having a great time. We were so suprised to hear that you saw Die Hard 4. We are off to se it on Sunday. Spencer wants to say something.....
HELLO!!!You are so lucky that you got to ride on a elephant. Did you name it bob? Hope you are injoying yourself. I love you and hope to see you soon.I almost forgot,
SWEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!
We Love You and Can't wait to see you and hear all about it. Love The Cussens
Hello Mission India! Hi Autumn! Mom and I have sent three messages so far and we're wondering if you've received them. We pray that your travels are protected by God and that you spread God's love everywhere. Coach wants you to start doing sit-ups and push-ups while you're there. When are you going to camp. We need to set up a ride. We love you!
Mom and Tony xoxo
Keep on truckin'! Hi Autumn and everyone! The entries are amazing! What an adventure! I miss you Autumn and can't wait until we can go for a bike ride! I love you and miss you! Tony xoxo
Hey Autumn! It's Lindsay, I was just thinking about you yesterday at church. I hope you're doing great and learning so much and seeing really awesome things while you're there. Stay safe and I can't wait to hear about everything when you return. You are in all of our prayers and we're all thinking about you! :) - Lindsay ( Russ says hello too!)
Doureen Hi Honey.. I read the blogs everyday and am so glad that God is working through you. All is well here and the GRCOC sends their love. We are all following your and the mission teams work for God.
Be well.. Love you
Your loving Husband
Miles for Missions I just totaled up the miles walked for the first two weeks, 150 miles for week one and 233 miles for week two = 383 miles. Hopefully some others from Lansing will write - but I know that several are following your activities. Have a safe trip to Cochi...Can't find my journal with all my names, but say hi to everyone for me. By listening to all your experiences, I am re-living one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Thank you to the team for sharing. Thank you to the Indian Brothers and Sisters for continuing to serve and modelling a true conviction of disciples making disciples. Damon, I too went to the government hospital, as a nurse it was unbelievable. Your story tears at my heart one more time about how women are treated. Hopefully in Cochi you will be able to see the home for the elderly women run by HOPE...they are some incredible women. Enjoy your trip...many prayers for everyone.
I'm so proud of you all Wow, I'm so encouraged by how God is using each one of you in special ways. How exciting, that God chose you to make a special impact on our brothers and sisters in India. I can't wait to hear more inspirational stories of how God is using you to love, and serve everyone there. Keep up the good work, make the most of every opportunity. Autumn I pray your keeping a journal of this amazing trip. It will be so inspiring for everyone back here. It wonderful how God is helping you to appreciate him, your brothers and sisters, the kingdom, and all he does for you even more. A real life, pay it forward opportunity. Autumn,I love you
so much . I'm so proud of your sacrifice and your heart. You are a true disciple, and I am grateful God chose me to be your mom. Amber called today. I only got to talk to her for a minute before we got disconnected, but she's enjoying China. She says school there is even harder than here. Please keep praying for her too. This is getting long so I'll go for now.
I love you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Mom XXOO
Lou Who?! Hey, Cindy! I am so encouraged to hear from you and know that you are making an impact on the other side of the world. I will put together a list of job places for you to visit when you get home to encourage women to return to God. It is inspiring to know the lengths the disciples in India go to to fight for the lost. I hope you are truly enjoying your trip. We pray for you daily and look forward to hearing all about it when you get back home. Much love, Karin
Autumn I had been checking the site to see if you had written and hadn't seen anything by anyone. Started to get worried. Glad to hear just some techno difficulties. I wanted to tell you that your dad really liked your fathers day card! Those are the things he likes most, and of course cookies always work too! He is a simple guy with few wants but has ALOT of love in his heart for you and all his family. Continue all your good work we look forward to hearing more. I check daily if not 3-4 times daily! Have fun and God bless you, Kim
Hi Cindy Hi Cindy,
Don't know if you will get this or not, but I just got the blog site from Rob. I hope that you are having an incredible experience in India and I hope that this is a trip you will never forget! Safe travels back home to Toledo. Love and Prayers,
YSIC,
Monica H.
You Rock! Dear brothers and sisters,
You are inspiring all of the churches by your love, sacrificial heart and good deeds. We pray that God gives you the strength to keep fighting the good fights in amidst all that you see. Continue to give more. Continue to love more. And continue to pray more. We love and miss you all.
rs
Wonderful experience I can't tell all of you how encouraging it is to be able to take this journey with you, not in body but in spirit. I hope to be able to go on a journey like that in the not too distant future when the kids get a little older. Make special note of all that you see and do there, we want to hear all of it when you return.
To our brothers and sisters in India:
I regret that I may not have the opportunity to meet some or all of you this side of heaven, but know that I am with you in spirit. Your love for our friends is truly inspiring, and your acts of service and perseverance are very convicting. We have heard such wonderful stories of your generosity and kindness. Our mission team has come to encourage you, but it is you that have encouraged them. That is so like God, isn't it? You give a little of your time and money to honor God, and he blesses you ten times as much in return. Thank you all for the experiences you have shared with our missionaries. We will treasure the stories we hear when they return. I pray that one day I will be able to thank you in person for the ways which you have inspired me. May Christ's love surround you and keep you.
Your brother in Christ,
Brian
Wish I were there again Reading all the comments on the blog is bringing back so many wonderful memories. Please say hi to Rosario, Helen, Jhancy, Xavier, Suresh, Smiley, Felix...and everyone else in Coimbatore from 2 years ago. I am sorry I have not been better about writing, but I think of everyone many times. I would like to tell everyone there about what the Lansing Church is doing. I have organized a walking program for the summer called Miles for Missions, Kerala Walkabout 2007 - Walking with God. I calculated the mileage from Chennai to Coimbatore to Cochi to Trivandrum back to Chennai, which came out to 857 miles. As a church we are trying to collectively walk that distance over the summer. Each week members give me a card with the miles they walked during the week and I add them up. After the second week we have already walked over 200 miles. During poor contribution each Sunday, Joel or I get up and talk about our experiences in India. Some members are also getting pledges for their miles to raise money for special contribution which will be sent to the churches in India. So we are walking in spirit with all of you there.
When I think about the Coimbatore Church I immediately remember your hearts to serve us while we were there. I think it was Helen and a couple of other sisters who came over to the hotel on Sunday and helped all the sisters put on their sari's. I have actually worn my sari and I didn't do to bad of a job with all the folds and pleats. I was also blown away by your zeal for evangalism and sharing your faith. I remember thinking that if most Americans were a quarter as zealous...our churches would be growing by leaps and bounds.
On a personal note...please share a couple of updates for me. I went back to school and finished my nursing degree and passed my examination to be a Registered Nurse. I became a grandmother for the first time last year and have a beautiful 9 month old grandson, Sullivan Michael. And, last but not least...I learned to ride a motorcycle - actually a Honda Reflux scooter.
Love to everyone on the team and all my brothers and sisters in India - Mary
OOooo Felix and Smiley! It's so good to hear from Felix and Smiley!! Yay! It sounds like God is really working in your part of the world!
Ben- We are home from the UP. I'm a bit lonely, but Mom is coming on Thurs so it'll be OK. Ev went in Stella Lake "swimming" for the 1st time yesterday. He just sat in the sand (shallow water) and tried to eat the rocks! Have fun at the Riviera Suites!! (Remember how our bedroom window would shake in the wind??) Love you!
Jen
Hi to all in India It's inspiring and convicting to hear how hard you're working. The Indian brothers and sisters do set a great example, and are super-loving. Felix and Smiley are a great couple, as are the rest of the staff there. Keep up the great work. Greg Moots
Hi Autumn Hi Autumn,
It sounds like you are having a great time and doing so much good. we are so happy to hear from you. We will be checking in and reading all about your AWESOME experience. We love you, Dad, Kim, Cameron and Spencer.
Cutting Hearts Hey, how goes it? Hopefully this finds you well, inspired, and maybe taking a moment to relax. Thank you all so much for your posts and please send our love, prayers, and support to our brothers and sisters abroad. It has been incredible to follow your journey and to hear the amazing feats being done for God by the "average joe". Walking 2k for a service at 72? I can't even do that at 24... Please let them know how much they inspire us, and thank you all for having the strength, conviction, and heart to travel so far. -- Cindy, you're missed and we eagerly await your return and to hear the details of how God is changing the face the world. Praying for you all. -- Brett "I"m eating this cheese burger for you" Hibbler
We're Cheering for You Team What a thrill to read about all the incredible things you all are experiencing over there. We pray your energy holds up. I know you get exhausted at times. So you had 160 visitors yesterday. How many attended altogether? We're just so excited you are there and we pray for you constantly. The church here in Grand Rapids is just buzzing about you guys. Our bulletin was all blog today. We would all like to personally meet all our brothers and sisters in India. Doureen we miss you sooo much. God bless all of you.
from Pat and Phil
GOtta love those Coimbatorians Hey again- Ben, don't forget, Derin has been baptized too! That makes 3. I love how Cindy was met by that entire family. I remember how often that happened to us in 2005. It's so exciting to have people excited to meet you! (Not in a proud way, but just that it's the Kingdom). Please tell Smiley that I have thought of her often and our shopping excursion! That's really cool about the 160 visitors and 3 baptisms. I bet the service was super energized! Ben, Ev is saying HI right now! love, Jen ps. DOn't forget to see that family in Cochin-- Rajan, his wife Lalitha, his daughters (one was Poornima, I forget the other name).
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
Luanne Berk
non-member comment
Ericka
Hi Ericka, I will be your personal blogger, if you like! It sounds like you are being challenged and encouraged. Keep the faith and bring back lots of faith building stories for the rest of us! In my conversations with you in the past, I have seen incredible caring and compassion, and I know that the people you are serving are blessed to have you there! I'm so jealous that you got to ride an elephant! The most exciting thing I did here this week was plant some shrubs under my kitchen window--kinda boring, I have to admit! Maybe someday I'll get to go there too! Just think how this experience is changing you and will affect you the rest of your life--you will always see things through the eyes of someone who has seen the poverty, but also incredible joy of the disciples in a third world country! WOW! What an amazing privelege! WIth your background in social work, I know there must be many things running through your mind as you go from city to city and meet people with so many needs. I hope you're keeping a journal--I see a "book" in your future! (maybe?) :) I'm about to go to a young teen devo/barbecue that Chad has organized at the DAngelo's house. So I'd better run! Give a hug to everyone for us, and continue to persevere. I will try to email more consistently. Keep up the great work and God bless you and the rest of the team! Love YSIC, Luanne Berk