Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
This week, I've asked our very own missionaries, Gary & Pat Richards, to bring the devotional for this week's musing.
Gary & Pat have been doing the Lord's work in India since January, and are scheduled to come back to Las Vegas in late May -- praise God!
Check out their update on how they've been doing in India. Enjoy!
This week, I've asked our very own missionaries, Gary & Pat Richards, to bring the devotional for this week's musing.
Gary & Pat have been doing the Lord's work in India since January, and are scheduled to come back to Las Vegas in late May -- praise God!
Check out their update on how they've been doing in India. Enjoy!
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Jai Mashai! (Praise the Lord) from India, our second home. It's been three years since our last trip, yet we truly feel comfortable and 'at home'. Yes, it's vastly different than life in America, but if we wanted comfort and convenience, we could have just stayed home.
Western, or developed nations, have no frame of reference for the chaotic layout of Indian towns and cities. There is no zoning, no building codes, no rhyme or reason to the layout.
Our neighborhood is a conglomeration of medium-sized villages shot through with veins of modernism. While many people carry a cell phone and browse the internet; families still carry water home from water spigots (faucets) on the street corner, do their laundry in buckets, and hang it to dry wherever there is space.
The neighborhood below our kitchen window consists of humble one-story concrete houses with corrugated tin roofs. It is home to several cows and calves, chickens, goats and friendly neighbors. It can be a little aromatic at times. The undeveloped lot next door is home to tropical birds that raucously call throughout the day and night. Every day is an adventure.
The tea garden village of Baginbari is not far away in distance, but a world away in culture and social economic standing. Master's Touch Church has been reaching out to the village children for several years, through tutoring, songs and Bible teaching, Christmas programs and basic medical care. Last week we held an eye camp (clinic) for the adults to experience the love of Jesus, hear the Gospel, and receive practical help; through a simple eye exam, and free glasses.
Our primary mission this trip is to come alongside local churches to strengthen and encourage the Pastors, leaders and believers. We are enjoying rich times of fellowship as we worship, study God's Word, and pray together.
We gather with believers from many different ethnic groups. All are citizens of India, yet within one church congregation there are members that are Nepali, Hindi, Bengali and South Indian. Some are dressed in traditional salwar suits, or beautiful silk saris, others wear casual western style clothing.
What draws them together is their love for Jesus. Hearts are lifted in songs of praise in English, Nepali and Hindi. I know that God is pleased. Messages are translated from English into either Hindi, India's national language; or Nepali. Most people speak 3 - 4 different languages.
This must be what heaven is like. People of all nations and tongues - praising the Lord with one voice that He somehow understands and delights in. "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb...." Revelation 7:9a
As our time in India draws to a close, our hearts are full, and a little sad. We might have to pay an extra weight charge for our return trip, as we have enjoyed so much delicious food!
Thank you, Meadows' Family! Your loving prayers and support are so important to us. Our hearts are grateful as we feel encouraged and safely 'bubble-wrapped' in the prayers of God's people.
It is an awesome opportunity and privilege to represent our Lord Jesus. Until we see you again, our prayer is that you will find joy in your journey, as you represent Jesus in your mission field.
Check out our Blog and see Photos at www.JourneysWithGod.com
Western, or developed nations, have no frame of reference for the chaotic layout of Indian towns and cities. There is no zoning, no building codes, no rhyme or reason to the layout.
Our neighborhood is a conglomeration of medium-sized villages shot through with veins of modernism. While many people carry a cell phone and browse the internet; families still carry water home from water spigots (faucets) on the street corner, do their laundry in buckets, and hang it to dry wherever there is space.
The neighborhood below our kitchen window consists of humble one-story concrete houses with corrugated tin roofs. It is home to several cows and calves, chickens, goats and friendly neighbors. It can be a little aromatic at times. The undeveloped lot next door is home to tropical birds that raucously call throughout the day and night. Every day is an adventure.
The tea garden village of Baginbari is not far away in distance, but a world away in culture and social economic standing. Master's Touch Church has been reaching out to the village children for several years, through tutoring, songs and Bible teaching, Christmas programs and basic medical care. Last week we held an eye camp (clinic) for the adults to experience the love of Jesus, hear the Gospel, and receive practical help; through a simple eye exam, and free glasses.
Our primary mission this trip is to come alongside local churches to strengthen and encourage the Pastors, leaders and believers. We are enjoying rich times of fellowship as we worship, study God's Word, and pray together.
We gather with believers from many different ethnic groups. All are citizens of India, yet within one church congregation there are members that are Nepali, Hindi, Bengali and South Indian. Some are dressed in traditional salwar suits, or beautiful silk saris, others wear casual western style clothing.
What draws them together is their love for Jesus. Hearts are lifted in songs of praise in English, Nepali and Hindi. I know that God is pleased. Messages are translated from English into either Hindi, India's national language; or Nepali. Most people speak 3 - 4 different languages.
This must be what heaven is like. People of all nations and tongues - praising the Lord with one voice that He somehow understands and delights in. "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb...." Revelation 7:9a
As our time in India draws to a close, our hearts are full, and a little sad. We might have to pay an extra weight charge for our return trip, as we have enjoyed so much delicious food!
Thank you, Meadows' Family! Your loving prayers and support are so important to us. Our hearts are grateful as we feel encouraged and safely 'bubble-wrapped' in the prayers of God's people.
It is an awesome opportunity and privilege to represent our Lord Jesus. Until we see you again, our prayer is that you will find joy in your journey, as you represent Jesus in your mission field.
Check out our Blog and see Photos at www.JourneysWithGod.com
___________________________________________________________
Sunday, May 21: BINGO NIGHT!
MYG is heading up to Summer Camp, so you know what that means: BINGO! For only $25, you get an hour-and-a-half of Bingo, coffee, snacks, and child-care. What a deal! All prizes are donated (no gambling here!), and every penny goes to getting teens up to Camp. Starts at 6 PM.
MYG is heading up to Summer Camp, so you know what that means: BINGO! For only $25, you get an hour-and-a-half of Bingo, coffee, snacks, and child-care. What a deal! All prizes are donated (no gambling here!), and every penny goes to getting teens up to Camp. Starts at 6 PM.
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Interested in joining our Fall session of ROOTED? Click HERE to get put on the email list to receive updates, links, dates, instruction, all the things you'll want to know about our upcoming small group discipleship experience that starts in September.
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I missed you all on Sunday, but I was SUPER appreciative of the chance to be in the dugout for my son's playoff game. We lost a heart-breaker, 2-1, but it was such a fun day and overall season.
I watched the video of last Sunday: WOW! "Practicing the Presence" looked awesome, and might be something we implement periodically as a regular church practice!
I watched the video of last Sunday: WOW! "Practicing the Presence" looked awesome, and might be something we implement periodically as a regular church practice!
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This Sunday, we'll continue our series: APPRENTICE.
Disciples of Jesus, talmidim, are invited to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. This week we'll take a close look at that second call: becoming a person who, over time, begins to take on the character of our rabbi, Jesus Christ.
It's a life-long endeavor, and we never actually fully get there. But Jesus invites us all the same, and what a journey it can be!
Join us this Sunday for Part 5 - Become Like Jesus.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ron
Disciples of Jesus, talmidim, are invited to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did. This week we'll take a close look at that second call: becoming a person who, over time, begins to take on the character of our rabbi, Jesus Christ.
It's a life-long endeavor, and we never actually fully get there. But Jesus invites us all the same, and what a journey it can be!
Join us this Sunday for Part 5 - Become Like Jesus.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ron
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