Second-Hand News

This news from India comes second hand.

Andrew's grandparents, Art and Joann Gay, keep in close contact with their friends at IREF -- VTeam's current host ministry. Through their phone calls with Dee and Emmanuel Reba, we receive this news about Evan, Christian, and Andrew, and their work with India Rural Evangelical Fellowship..

(Images -- Left: IREF School Boys Below : IREF Evangelist. Below Left: Small example of crowd).

IREF One-on-One. According to their website, the central and most vital ministry of IREF is spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They make a mission of spreading the gospel to those who have never heard the "Good News". Over 200 sponsored Evangelists and Bible Ladies travel by by bicycle or foot to the remote villages around Repelle tell people the life-changing story or Jesus. Telegu Bibles are distributed and villagers are invited to further investigate by attending open air evangelistic and ultimately plant churches. But, twice a year, they speak the Gospel on an enourmous scale...

IREF and the MULTITUDES. This organization hosts two huge annual Evangelistic, or Revival-type, public events; one, for youth; and one, for adults.

V-Team arrived just in time to catch the last days of the 2009 Youth Event. Over 5,ooo teens were in attendance. Immediately after they arrived in Repalle, Christian and Andrew led worship, and Evan gave his testimony for the mass of young Indians. They also briefly crossed paths and spent a little time with an American support team for the Youth Event, from Trinity Seminary, in Deerfield, IL.

Since then, a new team has arrived at the compound, from Michigan. Approximately 15 people make up this team of Medical and Pastoral personnel. They will be serving the people of AndraPradesh, and aiding with the upcoming Adult Revival Event. This event has formerly been held on public land in the rural town, and has had 25 to 30 thousand people in attendance. However, this year, there has been Hindu opposition to public Christian meetings. So, the big event will meet on private grounds and expects a "smaller crowd" of around, 15 to 20,000 people.

The Event. People walk miles and miles from surrounding areas to get to this annual event, and they arrive en masse. The Team has been doing whatever is necessary to get things ready. For the past few days, Christian, Andrew, and Evan have been working to set up the massive facility area for the Revival crowds. Apparently most of their work hours have been spent moving bricks, building platforms, and setting up chairs.

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And, this just in ... from an email to IREF Board Members:

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"All members of the USA team arrived safely. Last night was the first Crusade meeting in Repalle ... no problems with neighbors ... crowds were large. Lots of work to setup for the meetings which are being held behind the school.

Meeting tonight will feature a testimony by the daughter of a high cast Hindu family ... pray for God to touch lives. Emmanuel, Dee, and the staff are very tired ... so many details to attend to ... pray for strength and endurance. "

Hopefully, first-hand news from V-Team will follow ... stay tuned.

"If you don't stand for anything, you'll fall for everything. We take a stand on God's word."

~IREF motto

http://www.irefusa.org/

~KjL

(Repalle countryside)

Sheer Numbers

Yesterday, I talked to Andrew at length on the phone. The Team is now settled in Repalle and learning about their new home and the ways of its people. The compound is an organized and secure place and the guys were welcomed warmly. His most profound 'first impression' of India was simply the sheer numbers of people. Here are some randomly arranged details of V-Team's current experience in India.
~KJL

Travel from Uganda to India meant 3 total days of travel with only 5 total hours of sleep.

Arrival. When the team arrived at IREF, they walked through the front gates of the compound to find a professionally made banner stretched over the street which had words in Telugu (indian) and english to welcome the Team. "Evan Stookey, Andrew Leigh, and Christian Outlaw" were spelled out on the huge welcome sign.

Also, as a welcome, all of the IREF children were lining both sides of road. Hundreds upon hundreds of children were waving as the 3 guys walked down the length of about a city block.

Youth. Upon arrival, they moved into a Youth Conference with another throng of 5,000. Evan spoke, Christian and Andrew led so music/worship. Then... they slept.

Girls. The IREF compound houses over 2,500 students from early grade-school up through Nursing School. A majority of the students are girls. The guys are surrounded and feel, a little awkwardly, like 'rock stars.' Evan has fore sworn his physical appearance since Africa and wasn't worried about being surrounded by girls. Apparently, he has grown his bushy hair out, parted it down the middle, and combs it down straight and nerdy. This new look is combined with a ridiculously long beard, and the fact that he has started buttoning his shirts all the way up to his chin. For all intents and purposes, he should be quite 'safe' from female attention. But, Andrew laughs as he explains that this has had quite the opposite affect on the school girls of India. Instead, they have taken to standing right in front of Evan to say, "You are so beautiful!" He is mystified by this.

Food. Andrew observed that IREF is a highly organized ministry that is a well-oiled machine at feeding thousands of people in a day. And they are adept and gifted at hosting Americans. Their hostess, Dee Reba, has given them the option of eating either American or Indian food. And the Team has made it clear that they don't want any special provision. They are eating what everybody else is eating.

Serving. And, they are watching and praying about where God wants to uniquely use them in this new place. They are looking for ways to serve the children and leaders of this School/Church/Orphanage over the next 3-4 weeks.

Upcoming for the Team @ IREF: Another Conference. This one will be for adults. And is expected to draw an estimated 15,000 people from all around the region, to experience worship, and hear the message of Jesus.

There is only limited internet connection in Repalle, so the guys will not be able to post many pictures or video until they get to Thailand, in February. But, keep checking back for written updates!

More later ...

Arrived Safe in India

Quick Update:

After two straight days of travel, by plane and train, V-Team has arrived in Repalle, India. Evan's backpack is trailing them by a day from Dubai, but should arrive tomorrow.

The guys did not have time to rest. Upon their arrival, a large Youth Conference was already under way. So, they set down their stuff, had breakfast and were immediately involved in the event. They were quickly given the opportunity to get on stage, speak their testimonies of faith, and do worship ... for over 5,000 people.

Today, they have had dinner with their hosts (Dee and Emanuel Reba) and are taking an opportunity to rest in their new home -- a dorm at the IREF Compound.

All is well in India. Watch for more updates.

www.irefusa.org

On the Road Again

V-Team is on the road. This next stretch of travel as the crow flies from Uganda to Repalle, India would be 3,421 miles. However, the actual flights will take them to Dubai, in United Arab Emerites, then to Chennai (also known as Madras), India. After two long flights, the Team will add 8 hours of train travel from airport to IREF headquarters. It will be a long day of travel for Christian, Andrew, and Evan.

From the Team:

"india is dangerous and we want to share our faith but be smart in our ministry. please pray God will show us how to do this exactly. please pray for our travels as well- this one may be very intense! and last, good health -- it would be a blessing if we could be energized and ready, with eyes and ears to hear what all God has done and shown us in Jinja, and what He has for us in india!"

Godspeed!

Destination -- The new V-Team homebase @ IREF in Repalle, India.

Check out the details of this important ministry:

http://www.irefusa.org/

Last Dispatch from Africa

"We loved you so much that we shared with you

not only God's Good News

but our own lives, too."

1 Thes. 1:8

I regret to tell you... this may be the last blog entry for Uganda!

But we are excited to move forward into tomorrow and into India to seewhat the plan is there. Thank you for bearing through this with us with minimal internet availability. We have a few videos that we are eager to post, but the opportunity has not come up yet.

In Jinja. First and foremost: we went bungee jumping. This was a growing and spiritual experience for us three and our host philip. There is something inside all of us that is a deep yearning to jump off a cliffhead first. And we found the freedom that comes with it. Andrew wrotea compelling piece of literature that accurately described what all took place. But i don't think that anything could do it justice- you are just going to have to do it yourself!

The past few days in this week have been very laid back and relationship oriented. Our time has been spent with our room mates and ladies that work for the house. Last night we spent the night justlaughing. It was Christian, Evan, Andrew, Philip, Hanifa, Betty,Rachel, and Jacob. And really- we didn't watch the movie. It was a Nigerian soap-opera that we twisted to become so comical we ended uprolling on the ground. Lines like, "I will give you millions of money...." and "my name is macy, spelled "M-A-R-C-Y" are so funny at late night especially when english isn't their first language.

There is something happening in our house that is so special. Things are beginning to liven up. There is joy and laughter and serving. It is funny how a lot of our time and energy has been spent on our roommates. Digging in with them, listening, learning and serving. One of our themed verses for this time is 1 Thes. 1:8, "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too." And through time and relationship we are able to dig deeper and pray for them. A new guy named Jacob has become our great friend whomwe are focusing on Proverbs 27:17, "as iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend." we have got to walk side by side with him as hehas become a great friend and encouragement. A few new people have been walking into our lives as well which has been amazing. as we meet new room mates that come out of no where (well, Atlanta, Georgia and other places) they are speaking to us.

We are getting wisdom about the future: what to do next. We are beginning that process of what life will look like when we get home. "Now that we have been to Africa- aren't we responsible?" Now our eyes have been opened and it has been so cool to learn from all of these missionaries we've met so far here in Jinja what life and mission work might looklike going back to the states. From much wise counsel and prayer weare excited to go home and utilize what God has given us so we canagain come back more and serve HIM even more with our talents and gifts. And talking to them has helped us to further our adventure infinding our identities and how we can use all of this to serve andglorify God. To give to God what He has given us.

So tomorrow it is very possible we leave for a two-over-nighter camp/minstry thing. we are not totally sure what it involves yet, but Philip is going to have us partner with another organization in a town 60 km away. there we will be joining their HIV/AIDS outreach to offerthem education of prevention and the hope in Jesus.

UP UP AND AWAY!!!!!!

~Evan

"As iron sharpens iron,

a friend sharpens a friend."

Proverbs 27:17

Postcards from the Edge

Pictures from Bungee Jumping on the Nile

The platform.

Can you see Andrew, Christian or Evan, dangling down below, or by the boat?

The jump platform, at night.

On the Edge

The Jump.

There is something about standing on the edge. This past saturday we had the opportunity to go bungee jumping. All i really have to say is that whoever decided that taking a rubber band, tying it to your ankles, and jumping off a cliff was a good idea must have been a very special person. Ever since we arrived in Jinja the prospect of jumping has loomed over us like some kind of giant anvil that you are sure can't stay up there much longer. On January 3rd we all piled into the small black mini van, and drove about ten minutes to the Nile. When we pulled into the small resort that hosted this particular jump, it became painfully clear what was going to happen.

The resort had erected what appeared to be a giant siege tower like something out of 'Lord of the Rings.' It was a 45 foot tower with thirty five foot arm, and a little gazebo looking thing on the end of that arm. This whole contraption was perched on on a 100 foot cliff. For those of you doing the math thats about 145 feet give or take. To give you some frame of reference thats about a ten story building. So here we are, starring up at this contraption from the the restaurant. We paid at the bar in the restaurant, and started the hike up to the tower.

I was the first one to go. The guys had been kind enough to let me have my desired spot. The walk out to the arm felt like something out of a movie. Two kiwi guys stood out at the end waving reassuring me to keep walking. I made the full length of the arm, and was doing my best to act relaxed. Asking questions like "is that climbing webbing" and "how many times have you jumped", And then saying thing like "Oh yah i climb i know its safe... its good stuff." However at that moment my confidence in the equipment was fading at an astonishing rate. After some more small talk the smaller of the two men said " See the restaurant? after you stand up you are going to hop to the edge and jump to the restaurant." After closer examination it was clear that some one had painted a big arrow on the top of that building, as if saying "if you have forgotten it's this way, stupid." So there I was standing on the edge. I don't know how to describe the feeling of standing there. It was some where between euphoria and utter loathing of whoever suggested jumping.

Then behind me somebody was saying something. It took me have way through "two" to realize that those where numbers, and that something had to happen when he said "one." He said "one" and with all the strength in my legs i jumped for that big arrow. I was hurling towards the earth at a astonishing rate. It all happened in what felt like slow motion. Then suddenly the rope around my ankles tightened, And every drop of blood in my body wanted to be in my face -- my eye balls to be specific. And then i was headed back to where i had just came from. This process repeated about ten times. When i had stopped bouncing they lowered me down to a waiting raft.

The edge is a place that is never a fun place to be, i have decided. This experience was probably one of the most amazing things i have ever had the opportunity to do. i would do it again in a heart beat. But there is something about standing on the edge. It sucks, and it is terrifying, and it is necessary.

~Andrew