Art’s February 2019 Trip to India

Art’s February 2019 Trip to India

The main purpose of my trip is to encourage our brothers on the front lines who have given up family, jobs and often suffer physical persecution to hold up the banner for our Lord in India. Unfortunately, in this part of rural, impoverished  Karnataka there are a few outsiders who come to offer help and encouragement on any regular basis.  So it means a lot to them when someone comes year in and year out and they know that person represents a whole group of people halfway around the world are praying for them!

The way Bobby and I encourage the pastors and missionaries is by visiting as many of them as possible in their own villages to worship and pray with them and to  listen:

• to their stories of blessings and struggles,
• to their opportunities for spreading the Gospel, and
• to their needs in order to take advantage of those opportunities.

Another way we do this is by bring all 30 of them together at our conference center in Byndoor for prayer, fellowship, sharing and strategizing.

The other reason I go is admittedly selfish – to spend time with my Indian family.  Bobby, Rekha, their children and I are much more than ministry partners. We‘re family. I’ve watched them grow up as they have watched  me age.  I had the awesome privilege of baptizing their two oldest children and the joy of watching them grow into the godly young lady and godly young man they’ve become.  And I’ve shared in the joy of the births of their two younger daughters and being a part of their growing up years from birth to teenager and near teenager. Bobby and Rekha see me as a father figure and all four kids call me granddaddy (both biological grandfathers died before they were born).  What a blessing!

The total trip expense is $3,750 itemized as follows:

    Travel
        Plane Fare                                                                                               $1,750
        Other Travel Expenses                                                                                 150

    In-country personal expenses
        Food – 4 weeks                                                                                            350
        Utility exp reimbursement                                                                              75
        Travel to 5 mission stations (3-4 of us)                                                         300

    Mission Conference (3 days, 30 pastors & missionaries)
        Food & other expenses for housing                                                             450
        Travel expense reimbursement for attendees                                              225
        Gifts for the men                                                                                           450

Thanks for your prayers for the Lords provisions to make my trip possible.