It's been a couple of days since we sent post, but TISI (This is India)! Thursday we had a medical camp at the "Friendly" School. Deb stayed at the Mission (with “GI upsets” - 'nuff said!). I helped Dr Murthy. He taught me to diagnose some problems! Nopea = pain. The people would say "nopea nopea" & point at their heads or legs or arms. There is lots of pain. India is hard on the body. They would say "montha" & rub their stomach or point at their feet. This could possibly be gastric reflux. If feet were a concern, then we would check blood sugar for Diabetes. We saw many people & gave many medicines.

After the medical camp we rested, Linda & I then went to the second VBS church. We worshipped mightily! We prayed for many children, elders of the church and for the success of the church!

On Friday, we shopped at the Steel Store & the Fancy Shop. Debbie was amazed at the traffic, the noise & the monkeys! TISI. The electrical current was out for several hours. We are then so thankful when it comes back on & we praise God! We worked on our Bible Study for a while; Beth Moore provides a good study. We got new clothes from the tailor. Linda's & my chudeedahs (tunic and pants outfit) fit nicely & we looked good (even if we say so ourselves)! Deb was wrapped by Mary in her first ever Sari! She looked like a beautiful Indian woman! Then we preached the Word at the Good Shepherd Ashram. It was a great evening! Many of our old friends were there. Vajeya Grace & Winnie & Minnie all were there. After the service, we all sat in the yard by the porch & laughed & talked. Everyone had to see Debbie's electronic Kindle Bible. Henry & Praveen really like it. Vajeya Grace sat with Linda & me and asked about all her friends in Missouri...Pastor Scott, Sis Jeanette & Bro Dean and the children, Sis Susie, Sara & Bro Thom. We have made many friends here at Good Shepherd Mission. We have strong prayer partners reaching around the world.

Finally, it is Saturday. We started slowly again with Bible Study, lots of good discussion. We will have to finish when we get home! We shopped at the Silver Shop for anklets & toe rings. You never get enough toe rings. Anitha told us how to wear the toe rings if you are married or unmarried, so we are good to go! The current was off when we returned to the mission & was off for at least 2 hours. Just when we thought we could not stand it anymore, God sent the rain & cool wind to care for us until the current returned. Please know that as we have tried to explain what we have been doing & even a little of how it has affected us, we are sure we are where we are supposed to be, doing what we are supposed to do! God is richly blessing us!

Isaiah 40:31
…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength
They will soar on wings like eagles
They will run & not grow weary
They will walk & not be faint.

As we sit here today thinking about what we have seen and done, it is hard to believe that we have been here almost a week. I have seen more of God in these last few days than I expected. Brother Henry wanted us to go to Tirumala this morning to see the largest Hindu Temple in India. He had to arrange another driver with a bigger car because Bala doesn't speak English very well so Praveen and Paul went with us. It was a lovely drive up the mountain to the temple. It was so serene and peaceful, little did I know what was at the top. When we got out of the car and walked to the temple, it reminded all of us of an amusement park, lots of chaos going on. At one point when I was walking down the stairs and the people were selling their 'wares' everywhere, all I could think of was how Jesus had overturned the tables in the temple where the people were doing their selling. We all talked about that and realized that our religion and their religion are sooooooooooooo different. I am so glad that our God is a loving and caring God and not one we have to bribe with 'things' to make him happy with us. We need to live the life that he taught us. We had a lovely lunch at the Hotel Bliss and returned back to Puttur for rest. I think we are going to rest this evening before doing a medical camp tomorrow.
Your Sister in Christ,
Deb Sherard

.....Freely you have received, freely give...... Mathew 10:8

Message from Sister Debbie

Greeting to all from Puttur,

As we sit here today thinking about what we have seen and done, it is hard to believe that we have been here almost a week. I have seen more of God in these last few days than I expected. Brother Henry wanted us to go to Tirumala this morning to see the largest Hindu Temple in India. He had to arrange another driver with a bigger car because Bala doesn't speak English very well so Praveen and Paul went with us. It was a lovely drive up the mountain to the temple. It was so serene and peaceful, little did I know what was at the top. When we got out of the car and walked to the temple, it reminded all of us of an amusement park, lots of chaos going on. At one point when I was walking down the stairs and the people were sellint their 'wares' everywhere, all I could think of was how Jesus had overturned the tables in the temple where the people were doing their selling.We all talked about that and realized that our religion and their religion are sooooooooooooo different. I am so glad that our God is a loving and caring God and not one we have to bribe with 'things' to make him happy with us. We need to live the life that he taught us. We had a lovely lunch at the Hotel Bliss and returned back to Puttur for rest. I think we are going to rest this evening before doing a medical camp tomorrow.

Your Sister in Christ,

Deb Sherard

Monday Activities in Pictures

Yesterday was jammed packed full of experiences.We started the day at the Good Shepherd Mission HIV/AIDS Support & Care Center. Here are some pictures to share.

In the afternoon, we "took rest, Sisters." We are really liking the afternoon rest! In the evening, we went to the Hospital to see the patients who had been selected at the Medical Cilinic on Sunday. They will have cataract surgery about 11:00PM. There are about 25 patients. We got a lovely surprise at the hospital as a baby had been born in afternoon. A beautiful girl baby was loved on by Linda & Debbie! The mother was somewhat disapointed that she did not have a boy baby. The baby & mom made 5 generations of women present at the hospital!

We then went to Brother Daniel's village to worship. We were greeted by rows of children with candles lighting our way to the church. We were given large leis of flowers & then we adjourned to an outside praise worship. There was much music! Ahnand's son Andrew is growing into a handsome young man with a voice of an angel! It truely is like watching your nephews & nieces grow up when you come back to the Mission. They are a precious generation of believers who are not afraid to proclaim their love for Jesus Christ! We all shared the message and drove back to the Mission.

Our final "new experience" for the day was a heavy rain storm. Usually it is hot & dry when we visit, but this time hot & wet! We sat on the porch & watched children & adults hurry through the rain & puddles. God Bless the young girl who ran to Praveens house (twice) to get Chai for us! Heavy rain brings many visitors to the porch. We have had many Gypsies around the mission this time. The "civilized" Gypsies sleep in a group of blue tarp tents. They were here last week, but one afternoon...gone without a trace (except the trash). Now the "uncivilized" Gypsies who sleep anywhere they put out their mat are here. Henry & his family care for the Gypsies. Viola (Henry's late wife) used to wander through the Gypsy camp to see if there were any babies who needed blankets or clothing. Henry allows them to sleep on their porch when it rains, even though their chattering late into the night often keeps him awake. Henry & our friends at Good Shepherd are truly the hands & feet of God, providing for those who do not have anything.

We are having many exciting experiences and will have many exciting stories to tell, so when we get back, please be patient with us as we will want to share! We are preparing to go to Kolladom today & spend the night, so we will post sometime tomorrow.

Sister Vicki Gentzell

The following pictures: Mother and son aids patients; Prayer garden in front of HIV/Aids Center

Group in front of the HIV/Aids cottages; Linda loves the new little girl

Monday at HIV/Aids Center

We just received word from Sister Vicki:

Just a quick note. We spent the morning at GSM HIV care & support center. Our hearts are humbled and stolen by the people we saw. A 3 year old boy and his mother who reside there greeted us as we arrived. They are both HIV positive. Linda & Deb collected the stories and pictures of residents and families. There is much to be done, but there is much going on at the present time. Much more to come!!!

It rained hard this afternoon, so the porch is full of Gypsies! India is full of all kinds of people. We are waiting to go to worship at a nearby village. It maybe very short visit, depending on the rain. We will keep you posted!

Your Sisters in Christ
Vic

Isaiah 40:31~
"..but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength
They will soar on wings like eagles
They will run & not grow weary
They will walk & not be faint."

Word from Good Shepherd

Though no pictures are attached I spoke with Sister Vicki this morning via cell phone. They are all doing very well. They had just returned from a medical camp in a small village by Tiriputi and Vicki was able to help identify 25 people for free surgery at the hospital tomorrow. They have toured several schools and spent time with the children. The medical camps are very busy...much need. They have many stories to share and hope to be able to send pictures and more information tomorrow. "Internet is unreliable" was a direct quote and they spent several hours without "current" for the last few days. They are enjoying their service time with the Good Shepherd staff. We will update, whether we have photos or not!

Stateside reporter - Sister Jeanette