February 2025
Dear Friends,
Below is a short day by day walk with Becky and I as we experienced ministry in Chennai, India. God was with us everywhere we went. The Holy Spirit blessed our every move. Such delightful people! Down the road, we will compile all the pictures taken and present a program for you to enjoy!
Sincerely, Pastor Jean
INDIA “MISSION’S TRIP”
JANUARY 7TH – 24TH, 2025
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7TH: CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT → GREENLAND, NORWAY, EAST OF BERLIN, SOUTH THROUGH RUSSIA, NEW DELHI - INDIA, CHENNAI -INDIA
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9TH: LITTLE FLOWER CONVENT FOR DEAF AND BLIND
- LATER, MET PASTOR RAJ AND HIS ASSISTANT FROM EMMANUEL METHODIST CHURCH
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10TH: VISITED ST. THOMAS MOUNT (UNDER RENOVATION), ST. THOMAS CAVE, AND THE ST. THOMAS BASILICA
- VISITED MARINA BEACH, 3.7 MILES LONG (2ND LARGEST BEACH IN THE WORLD). COX’S BAZAR BEACH IN BANGLADESH IS LONGEST BEACH.
- SAW MANY GOVERNMENT APARTMENTS RIGHT ON THE BEACH THAT HOUSED THE FISHERMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES
- COME EVENING, PASTOR DAVID SAMUEL FROM THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF INDIA HAD A LIGHT DINNER WITH BECKY AND I.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11TH: LAID LOW TODAY AND RESTED. WENT OVER SERMON THAT I WOULD PREACH AT THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF INDIA (7 CHURCHES IN REVELATION). THE GOVERNMENT HADN’T CLEARED ME YET TO PREACH AT THE EMMANUEL METHODIST CHURCH.
- BECKY AND I WRAPPED ALL THE GIFTS THAT WE BOUGHT FOR THE PASTORS, FAMILIES AND ALSO FOR THE BISHOP
- GAVE RUPEES TO THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH TO HELP WITH A MUCH NEEDED ELEVATOR TO HELP THEIR ELDERLY GET INTO CHURCH (PART FROM ALTOONA AND CHAPEL HEIGHTS UMC, THE REST FROM BECKY AND I)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12TH: CHURCH CAR PICKED BECKY AND I UP. TRAVELED TO THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH. RECEIVED A RED ROSE, BEAUTIFUL BEADED NECKLACE, SILK SCARF AND 2 BRACELETS. OVER 120 IN ATTENDANCE. WOMEN SAT ON LEFT SIDE WHEN ENTERING, MEN ON RIGHT SIDE. BECKY SPOKE AND GAVE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT HERSELF. PASTOR DAVID INTERPRETED MY SERMON ON THE 7 CHURCHES IN REVELATION TO THE TAMIL LANGUAGE. TOOK OVER 1 HOUR AND 40 MINUTES. IT WAS JUST GREAT AND WELL RECEIVED. AFTER THE SERVICE, WE WERE SERVED PUNGAL SWEET (RICE PUDDING WITH SUGARCANE). GROUP PICTURES WERE TAKEN. MANY HUGS TOO! WENT DOWN STAIRS TO CHURCH HOUSE FOR LUNCH.
MONDAY, JANUARY 13TH: PASTOR RAJ PICKED BECKY AND I UP. WE TRAVELED TO BISHOP DR. E.D. YESURATHNAM’S OFFICE. WE ENJOYED LITTLE COOKIES AND TEA WITH BISHOP. HE WOULD LIKE ME TO LOOK INTO ARRANGING FOR HIM AND A FEW OTHERS TO TRAVEL TO WISCONSIN FOR A VISIT.
- TRAVELED TO PASTOR RAJ’S PARSONAGE. MET WIFE MALATHI AND DAUGHTER JEMIMA. HAD SOME CHICKEN AND DRINK. TALKED ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN IN A HINDU COUNTRY. MET HARVEY, THEIR FEMALE BLONDE LAB.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14TH: PASTOR RAJ PICKED BECKY AND I UP. WE TRAVELED, ALONG WITH JACOB THE SECRETARY TO THE “AGED HOME” WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 20 MILES SOUTH OF CHENNAI IN THE COUNTRY. MET THE WORKERS, HAD A MORNING SNACK. NEXT, WE GATHERED 21 OF THE 24 RESIDENCE FOR A SERVICE. WAS ASKED TO SPEAK. THEN WE SANG A SONG AND I ANOINTED EVERYONE WITH OIL. I WAS ABLE TO VISIT WITH THE 3 RESIDENCE THAT COULDN’T COME TO CHURCH. PAUL, WHO WAS 94, HAS BEEN A CHRISTIAN SINCE HE WAS 8 YEARS OLD. HE WROTE 2 LITTLE BOOKS. I HAD HIM AUTOGRAPH THE BOOKS. TOOK HIS PICTURE, ALONG WITH SON AND GRANDSON. LUNCH FOLLOWED AND THEN WE RETURNED TO HOTEL.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15TH: PASTOR RAJ, MALATHI AND THEIR DAUGHTER, JEMIMA CAME TO HOTEL. WE ALL TRAVELED TO MAHABALIPURIM, SOUTH OF CHENNAI, TO VISIT SHORE TEMPLE AND STONE CARVINGS. WE ATE AT MARMORIS, A RESTAURANT RIGHT ON THE BEACH, JUST NORTH OF THE SHORE TEMPLE. PLAYED IN THE OCEAN WITH BECKY AND JEMIMA. WHEN WE RETURNED TO HOTEL, WE ALL ENJOYED COFFEE AND COOKIES TOGETHER. SPENT OVER 7 HOURS TOGETHER.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16TH: BECKY AND I TOURED THE KAPALEESHWARAR TEMPLE IN CHENNAI FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. YOU HAD TO REMOVE YOUR SHOES. THE CEMENT AND BRICK SIDEWALK WAS VERY, VERY CLEAN. AFTERWARDS, WE TRAVELED TO A VERY HUGE MALL CALLED “PHOENIX MALL” AT MARKET CITY. WALKED AROUND, BOUGHT A FEW SOUVENIRS. BEAUTIFUL AND VERY MODERN MALL. HAD CHEESECAKE AND COFFEE.
- AT 4 PM, PASTOR KALVIN, AN ASSOCIATE PASTOR FROM EMC AND HIS MISSION CHAIR, MR. ROBINSON, CAME TO THE HOTEL. WE TRAVELED BACK WITH THEM TO PASTOR RAJ’S OFFICE. MET EMC STAFF PLUS WE GOT TO VISIT WITH PASTOR KALVIN AND THE OTHER ASSOCIATE PASTOR LUCAS. AFTER A NICE VISIT, PASTOR KALVIN, MALATHI, MR. ROBINSON, BECKY AND MYSELF TRAVELED TO A “VILLAGE CHURCH” 20 MILES NORTH OF CHENNAI.
- MET UP WITH THE VILLAGE CHURCH PASTOR, WIFE AND CONGREGATION. WE SAT IN THE FRONT AND A SMALL SERVICE WAS PUT TOGETHER WITH MALATHI’S HELP. ALL THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE WERE FIRST GENERATION CHRISTIANS. ALL AGES WERE PRESENT, MORE THAN 70 IN ATTENDANCE. THEY SANG SONGS, THE GIRLS DANCED AND ENTERTAINED US (YOU COULD TELL THEY WERE VERY PROUD TO DANCE FOR US), THE BOYS SANG. THEY ALL WORE BEAUTIFUL COLORFUL OUTFITS. THE KIDS RECITED MEMORY BIBLE VERSES.
- I SPOKE ON I JOHN 4, PASTOR KALVIN INTERPRETED TO THE PEOPLE IN TAMIL. BECKY AND I WERE GIVEN SANDALWOOD NECKLACES. AFTER SERVICE, PRAYED FOR MANY PEOPLE AND THEN TOOK PICTURES. THE VILLAGE PEOPLE SUFFER FROM AIR POLUTION, FOOD AND WATER POLUTION.
- ON OUR WAY BACK TO THE HOTEL, WE STOPPED AT A MUGHAL RESTAURANT IN CHENNAI. DIDN’T ARRIVE BACK TO THE HOTEL TIL AROUND MIDNIGHT.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17TH: AFTER BREAKFAST, MALATHI CAME TO TAKE US SHOPPING. ENDED UP AT NALLI’S SILK STORE. AFTER NALLI’S, WE WALKED AROUND DOWNTOWN AND EXPERIENCED MANY “SIDEWALK SHOPS” AND PEOPLE. ATE AT A NICE DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT WITH FOOD SERVED ON BANANA LEAFS. DID A LITTLE MORE SHOPPING, PRETTY WARM OUTSIDE. ENDED UP BACK AT THE MALL WHERE IT WAS COOLER. HAD A NICE TIME WITH MALATHI.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH: AFTER BREAKFAST, WE WAITED FOR PASTOR SAMUEL TO ARRIVE FROM USA. ONCE HE ARRIVED, WE WENT TO THE DINING SO HE COULD EAT AND VISIT. LATER ON, WE RENTED AN UBER AND TRAVELED TO NALLI ONCE AGAIN.
RESTED THE REST OF THE DAY IN PREPARATION FOR SUNDAY.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19TH: MORNING SERVICE AT EMC. I SAT UP FROM WITH PASTOR RAJ, KALVIN, LUCAS AND BISHOP. BISHOP PREACHED AS IT WAS CONFIRMATION AND NEW MEMBER SUNDAY. I HELPED SERVICE HOLY COMMUNION TO THE CONFIRMANDS AND NEW MEMBERS.
- AFTER CHURCH, MET WITH M.Y.F. DR. SAMUEL AND I GAVE A TESTIMONY, BECKY PRAYED FOR THEM.
- EVENING SERVICE. I HAD THE CHOICE OF PREACHING OR SAYING “THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION” OVER HOLY COMMUNION. SINCE THERE ARE ONLY 3 FEMALE PASTORS OUT OF 110 PASTORS IN THE CHENNAI REGION, I CHOSE HOLY COMMUNION. IT WAS VERY POWERFUL FOR ME AND ALSO SUCH A GIFT. THE LOCAL PEOPLE WERE SO APPRECIATIVE.
MONDAY, JANUARY 20TH: TOOK UBER TO PASTOR RAJ’S OFFICE. PASTOR RAJ DROVE US TO BISHOP’S OFFICE. WE VISITED WITH THE BISHOP. HE GAVE US A TOUR OF THE EXTRA GUESTS ROOMS THAT ARE LOCATED ON THE EPISCOPAL PROPERTY. ALSO, WE VISITED A VERY MODERN MEETING OFFICE. WENT DOWNSTAIRS TO VISIT ALL 3 SCHOOLS THAT ARE LOCATED ON THE SAME PROPERTY. CHILDREN WERE PLAYING OUTSIDE ON THE PLAYGROUND. ONE OF THE SCHOOLS WAS FOR THE MENTALLY CHALLENGED KIDS. WAS GIVEN A NICE CLOTH BAGGED MADE BY THE KIDS.
- FROM THE SCHOOL, WE ALL TRAVELED TO THE NORTH WEST SIDE OF CHENNAI TO A NEW “CHURCH START” IN CONSTRUCTION. THIS WILL BE A METHODIST AFFILIATED “TAMIL CHURCH” . BECKY, DR. SAMUEL AND I WERE PART OF THE DEDICATION SERVICE THAT BISHOP LEAD. HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. ENJOYED SOME REFRESHMENTS. WAS GIVEN A SHAWL AND A PEN HOLDER. I WAS ASKED TO GIVE THE CLOSING PRAYER. DR. SAMUEL RAN INTO AN OLD STUDENT OF HIS SO HE WAS THRILLED. TOOK OVER AN HOUR TO GET BACK TO HOTEL.
- SADLY, BY NOW I WAS GETTING HOT AND COLD, AND RUN DOWN. WENT STRAIGHT TO BED. BECKY AND DR. SAMUEL WATCHED THE INAUGURATION.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21ST: AFTER BREAKFAST, DR. SAMUEL AND I WENT TO MEDMART, TO LITTLE FLOWER CONVENT AS HE HAD MONEY TO GIVE THEM FROM HIS CHURCH, AND WENT TO EXCHANGE MONEY. CAME BACK AND RESTED.
- AFTER 3 PM, TRAVELED TO PASTOR RAJ’S PARSONAGE. GAVE RUPEES TO THE “SEWING LADIES” MINISTRY AND 1 LAHK FOR THE NEW CHURCH START, TAMIL CHURCH. FROM THERE, WE TRAVELED NORTH OF CHENNAI OUT IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THERE WERE MANY COWS (SO CUTE) TO AN ORPHANAGE THAT HOUSED OVER 39 KIDS LITTLE TO TEENAGE, THAT HAD HIV. THEY WELCOMED US, DANCED FOR US, GAVE EACH OF US A BEAUTIFUL LEI. WATCHED MORE DANCING. EVENTUALLY, BECKY AND I GOT UP AND DANCED WITH THEM. ONE OF THE CHILDREN RECITED PSALM 91. ANOTHER RECITED ALL THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE. I SPOKE AND REMINDED THEM HOW MUCH GOD LOVED THEM AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM. THEY JUST KEPT THEIR EYES GLUED TO BECKY AND I; DR. SAMUEL DIDN’T ATTEND.
- AFTERWARDS, WE WENT UPSTAIRS FOR A MEAL.
- RETURNED TO HOTEL, NOW NOT DOING WELL.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22ND: BECKY AND DR. SAMUEL WENT DOWN FOR BREAKFAST. KNOWING WE WOULD BE FLYING OUT THURSDAY, I CHOSE TO STAY IN MY ROOM AND REST.
- AROUND 7:30 PM, PASTOR RAJ, MALATHI AND JEMIMA ARRIVED AT THE HOTEL AND ATE SUPPER WITH BECKY AND DR. SAMUEL. I WAS NOT FEELING WELL, SO STAYED IN MY ROOM. SURE DID MISS OUT ON A GREAT TIME WITH ALL OF THEM.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23RD: FELT A LITTLE BETTER, BUT WEAK. WALKED AROUND CHILDREN’S ZOO AFTER WE WERE ALL PACKED. VERY HOT DAY. LEFT FOR AIRPORT AROUND 4 PM. CHENNAI -INDIA, DOMESTIC AIRPORT → NEW DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, NORTH THROUGH RUSSIA, FLEW ABOVE NORWAY, SOUTHERN AREA OF GREENLAND TO CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24TH: ARRIVED AT 6:50 AM AT CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
SPECIAL “THANK YOU” TO DALE AND HIS FRIEND, DOUG, FOR TAKING US AND PICKING US UP!!
IT WAS A WONDERFUL TRIP, OVERALL. WAS ABLE TO TAP INTO A LOT OF MINISTRIES. CAN’T STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERY BELIEVER ATTENDING CHURCH AND DOING THEIR PART IN MINISTRY. EVERYONE IN THE “BODY OF CHRIST” IS IMPORTANT AND NEEDED TO ADVANCE GOD’S GREAT KINGDOM!! PASTOR JEAN
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Children's christmas Program Dec. 15th, 2024 10 am was a great success!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS! An invitation to Christmas You are cordially invited to A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!! Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25 but He's always around, so the date is flexible... Time: Whenever you're ready. (Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!) Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there. (You'll hear Him knock.)Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay. He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last. Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone... (He says you wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway... it cost Him everything He had. But you do need to accept the ticket!! Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls "Living Water," followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world! Gift Suggestions: ; Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything else. (He's very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!) Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more! (All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.) R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life." Party being given by His Kids (that's us!!)! Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will see at the party 
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