The Leaving & The Going (Part 2)

I’m writing from Borivali, a suburb of Mumbai in India. This is my last day here and I’ll be boarding the plane for home in just a few more hours. I had planned to blog the day-to-day events here but there has been little internet access. I’ve never thought Facebook would be my pipeline home! I find myself again in that strange place of leaving to go, with similar pains in my heart but this time for different reasons. I’m leaving new friends and family in the Lord Jesus here in India. They have inspired me with their devotion to God and their tireless intercession. They have spurred me to do better at seeking the lost where I live and to persevere even when God doesn’t seem to be working. They have loved me very where, discipled me to follow Jesus better and shown me another wonderful example of how to love God and love others. It’s tough to leave them! Again, I’m grateful for Facebook to be able to keep in touch. Even though it’s hard to leave, my heart has been longing for home. There’s a face I want to see there, someone special that God has given me to walk through this life. I miss my Lori! Then there’s the gang at home that I call my sons and daughters. Waiting to feel their hugs and kiss their faces and be reunited is gnawing at my gut and praying for safe travel back. Then there’s this community of believers God is forming that has carried on in my absence. I’m really looking forward to being together with them again to worship and love each other and press on in the mission God has given us. I imagine this longing is a lot like our longing for heaven should be. We are aliens and strangers in a foreign land, this world is not our home. We are on a journey to get there and our time is short here compared to what it will be there. We long to see that someone special, to look on the face of Jesus and to hear the words, ‘Well done!’ We are looking forward to seeing family and friends that have gone before us, leaving us behind to carry on the work. Heaven is there waiting for us, Jesus has been preparing a place for us in His Father’s house, we will worship all the time and be free of sin. God will be our light and we’ll know His live like never before. Rev 21:3-7 (NLT), “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.​4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. AND Rev 22:3-5 (NLT), “³ No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. ⁴ And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. ⁵ And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.” I am longing for this to come to pass too but in the meantime, I will continue to follow my Jesus here, doing what He’s called me to do, sharing His word, introducing people to Him and praying for the Kingdom of God to grow in us and through us. Do you know Him!? Have you received the Son Of God in your life? If not, I’d love to talk about that with you! Blessings, Pastor Greg

The Leaving & The Going

Today is the day! Pastor Mecwan and I are flying out around 4p to Newark, then around 8:30p to Mumbia, India. By God's good grace we will land there around 9p on Tuesday (India time). I've got just a few moments here at home alone wondering about what God has in store for me on this adventure. I've been away on mission trips before and leaving home is always hard. I hug all my kids and tell them I love them, I hug Lori a couple times and a little longer and harder than normal. Leaving her is the hardest thing to do and seems to get harder every time. So why go?! Because of the going! My Jesus has invited me to this place called Gujarat, India. My steps are ordered by Him because I love Him. He left His Father's house to go on His mission, this is no sacrifice compared to that! I go to for people I have never met. There are so many in India that don't know the one true living God and it's my pleasure and privlidge to go and be His ambassador, His hands and mouth, His heart for them. Rom 12:1 comes to mind for me today, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice -- the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" It is not! This is my act of worship today! This is Lori's act and the kids. We worship You Jesus! So the leaving is hard but it's the going that calls us. Thank you LSCC for your gracious, generous gifts to support this trip. Thank you for your faithful prayers of faith. To God Be The Glory! Pastor Greg

India Mission Itinerary

Dear Streamers & Friends, the time is getting so close when we embark to Gujarat, India! Below is a list of towns we will be visiting and the different opportunities I'll have to share about Jesus and encourage believers there. Please pray that hearts would be encouraged in the faith and for people to put their trust in Jesus as the Son of God and the only way of salvation. I can't thank you enough for remembering me and Pastor Mecwan on this adventure with God. Look back here for updates as the trip progresses, I'm hoping to be able to journal this experience. Blessings, Pastor Greg

Apr8-9 Leaving Indy 4p - Arriving @ Mumbai, India, 9p      Pray for travel mercies!

Apr 10 Rest & Recover in Borivali, Mumbai                          Pray for refreshment, good health

Apr11 House Church Meeting in Borivali, New Believers     Pray 2 Peter 3:18

Apr12 Traveling to Ahmdabad, Gurjarat

Blind School Program – Sharing With Kids                Pray For Kids To Feel Love Of Jesus 

Apr13 Ahmdabad - New Believers Gathering                         Pray 2 Peter 3:18

            Home Visit With Hindu Families                                 Pray For Gospel Seeds To Bear Fruit

Apr14 Ahmdabad – AM: Preaching At Methodist Church     Pray For Holy Spirit To Challenge

Travel To Torana, Gujarat – PM: Open Air Gospel Preaching      Pray for New Life

Apr15-16 Visiting House Churches Around Ahmdabad – Fellowship    Pray 2 Peter 3:18

Apr17 South Gujarat – New Church Dedication In PM           Pray For God To Bless Dedication

            Open Air Gospel Preaching                                          Pray For New Life In Jesus

Apr18 Pastor’s Retreat – 2 Messages To Pastor’s AM/PM      Pray For Pastor's To Be Encouraged

            Open Air Gospel Preaching In Evening                       Pray For New Life In Jesus

            Travel To Bardoli, Gujarat

Apr19-20 Travel To Surat             

Meeting With House Churches – New Believers          Pray 2 Peter 3:18

PM: Travel To Mumbia  

April 21 Preaching AM/PM in Churches                                  Pray Holy Spirit Will Challenge

Apr22-23 Leave For Home, 11p - Arrive in Indy, 11a             Pray For Safe Return!

Post-Easter, Pre-India, Present Peace

The last month has been a whirlwind of activity. It always seems that way but the wind was whirling faster these past few weeks. There's too much to tell so I'll just start with Easter last Sunday. LSCC celebrated the resurrection of Jesus for the 5th time as a church. It is one of my favorite Sunday's of the year. Lucy woke me up at 4a and said, "It's Easter Day Daddy!" I told her to go back to bed and fell back to sleep with a great big smile on my face. The day didn't disappoint as we had our largest outreach to date as a church. This year I also celebrated my birthday, 46 years of life. I enjoyed being over-shadowed by the empty tomb and pray that's how I live everyday. He must increase and I must decrease, as John the Baptist said it. I am truly overwhelmed at the grace God continues to pour out in my life. The church is a miracle! The place, the people, the provision. Thank you God for LSCC! Make us a soul-winning, praying, obedient church for Your glory and our good.

Next week at this time (or 10.5 hours plus) I'll be doing something in India. Pastor Mecwan and I have been meeting weekly for a month or so, preparing and praying for the adventure that's ahead. It is hard for me to imagine what my eyes will be seeing next week but I am ready for the journey. Pastor Mecwan has us traveling around Gujarat, India to house churches, to homes, to churches and only God knows where else! But for the work here this weekend, I'm starting to look forward to seeing what God has in store for these 12 days. I'm hoping to post updates here and would so appreciate you following along and praying. I have 13 chances to share God's word and the gospel. What a privilege I have to make Jesus name known where it is not! What a responsibility to share God's word to those who are so hungry to know Him more! What a life God has given me! Pray that I will be faithful to speak, to serve and to love in Jesus name!

In the meantime, I'm praising the Lord for His presence in my life. Right now, as I think about the work ahead and the things I can't control, His peace floods my heart and I hear His voice saying, "Trust me." I'm preaching through Exodus right now at LSCC. I've been living so much of what I've been reading and preaching. I hear God say, "Go!" I hear myself say, "But I can't!.....how?.....what if!" In God's mercy and great love, He just asks me to take one step at time and to trust Him. I've got a lot to learn but even in all this preparation for India, He is teaching me. It's time to be strong and courageous, not afraid or discouraged, the Lord my God is with me, wherever I go! No more worry, just praying, and the peace of God which blows my understanding, calms my heart. Besides, nothing is impossible with God and at least I'll have beautiful feet (Rom 10:14-15). :) Stay tuned! Pastor greg