Stotram

I can’t quite believe it but lectures are over already. Three months have passed by in the blink of an eye. It feels as though time has suddenly accelerated exponentially, just crazy. To say that time flies when you’re having fun is an understatement, is in itself an understatement. Spending entire weeks getting to know our loving, heavenly Father, creator of heaven and earth, better and better, seems to make time pass like never before. Not a bad thing to know that this is what we have to look forward to for all eternity. Not to say that as disciples of Christ we no longer have difficulties in life, quite the opposite, however in those difficulties we walk with our Lord holding our hand (Isa 42:6).

Last weekend Sanchia and I had some alone time, it was such a blessing. We spent the day at a beach resort just south of Chennai. It was such a cool day lounging by the pool, swimming in the ocean and not eating rice hahaha. Really thankful to have had some quality time together. Our Fathers blessings are great. 

We have seen the Holy Spirit moving so powerfully this week, in so many ways. Richie, the director of our YWAM base, somehow contracted malaria and suspected dengue fever simultaneously which lead to jaundice too. He was admitted to hospital being unable to walk. Miraculously he was discharged five days later after much prayer. Doctors initially said he would likely spend up to three weeks in the hospital. God is good.  

There was a time of repentance this week for staff and students alike. Confessing to one another and turning away from areas of sin in our lives that had not been dealt with previously. The pouring out of His Holy Spirit is hard to explain. His compassion and forgiveness truly is indescribable. There is nothing He does not know about us, no sin He cannot forgive. It’s a matter of believing He has forgiven our sins, accepting that forgiveness and embracing his Love. The apostle Paul held the coats of the men that killed Stephen, while looking on with approval. Our gracious Lord Jesus not only redeemed him but also used him powerfully, not least to write most of the New Testament. Prostitutes and thieves were the people who followed Jesus, not the priests who were supposedly the “mediators” between God and the people. He says “Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding.” (Jeremiah 3:6). Amazing grace indeed!

His provision also came through for every student trusting Him for their fees and all outstanding staff debt was cleared. Earlier in the year leadership at the base asked the Lord why many of the staff (missionaries depending on God’s provision) struggled to make ends meet (They pay a monthly fee to cover accommodation and food). The Lord showed that the missionaries, were reluctant to ask people for financial support. The reluctance came from a sense of pride within the missionaries in some part. If those who are sent, do not include those at home, they exclude them from the privilege of being part of God’s purpose. Reaching the nations is central to His purpose for all of us. “Go and make disciples of all nations”. Those who are who do not go, fulfil their part of His purpose for the nations by praying, giving and supporting missionaries in many other ways. The missionaries were obedient to The Lords answer and immediately He began to pour out His abundance. All their debt is now cleared and some have paid fees in advance. It’s funny how He uses money or lack thereof to get our attention.

Sanchia is returning to SA next week (I’m going to miss her like mad) but it is really good for her and the baby. Outreach is far too physically demanding for Sanchia to come along, as some days we will walk between 12km to 16km to and from outlying villages. There is also a heightened risk in contracting viruses and bacteria, with no hospitals nearby it wouldn’t be a great idea. It’s getting HOT and will only get HOTTER over the next few weeks. Average temperature is about 35 degrees but it has hit 40 once or twice already I’m sure. Don’t forget the humidity makes it feel a little like a sauna (Humidity ranges between 80% to 100%). Take a shower and as soon as you are dry, you are sticky. Let’s not even go into the details of what the shower water smells like hahaha.

 I’m quite comfortable eating with my hand now, so we will have to see how that goes down next time we have dinner with my mom. I can just picture the backhander coming through like a bolt of lightning hahaha (Just kidding love you mom).

We leave for outreach in one week which I’m really excited about. We have a few stops over the following weeks. It will be a combination of ministering with pastors who have planted churches in more rural areas, working with orphanages and finally working within a leper colony. Expecting our Father to do the unexpected as usual.

What a journey

Jared