How to pray for one of God's kids who lives in India

Bruce's personal blog (At the end of this blog :)

First, for the record: I was wrong about some of the details regarding the 8 year old from India who stole water from a well of a higher caste. The "Water boy" doesn't have cancer and I don't know his age. It was another little boy that Dr. Kumar had emailed me about earlier that was sick (Wow, am I mixed up or what? Don't answer that question, please.) So, here's the story:

This little boy, who is from a lower caste, drank from a village well that belonged to "higher caste" people. He got caught and was kicked out of the village, along with his family. I'm uncertain what all of this means except that these people are at such poverty levels to begin with that to lose what they have is very devastating.

Dr. Kumar sent me a picture of another little boy pumping water at the same well. Sometimes when someone from an "Untouchable Caste," again, the lowest caste in India, gets caught the results can be very deadly -murder!

Here's where we can help. Dr. Kumar sent a picture of a rain water pond that the Untouchables must walk about 6 Kilometers to for drinking water. The water is very polluted. In a couple of months the summer heat will begin to dry out these ponds (it sometimes reaches 118 degrees in the summer). The people often get sick from this water and many get so dehydrated that they die. When I preach during their Summer they have to distribute fluids while I preach so they don't faint or die during the service.

Pastor Kumar has 50 churches in villages that have no well available for the Untouchables. Each well drilled costs approximately $500.

Pastor John's words have long been one of my motivators -We can't do EVERYTHING, but we have to do SOMETHING. Pray about it and then share with friends and co-workers the possibilities. None of these churches belong to any denomination. People can specify what they want their investments to go towards (wells, orphans, teachers, pastors) and Only God International will send them a record for their tax deductions and also a picture and details of the well they sponsored. Think about this; show this picture (I can send you more) and decide with a group of people to adopt a village - drill a well, pay the $30 a month for a teacher, and $75 for a pastor for the Palm Hut Church. That's about $1,760 for one year. You will save the lives of hundreds of people every year for years by drilling this well. Even better, you will be raising up a generation of girls and boys who can transform their village because they will know their value, they will feel empowered, and some will move on to jobs that can save the lives of half the untouchables in their village. The pastors will lead people out of religions that are fear-based and keep the people enslaved. If even 10 people took on such a project (some are less or more), their daily investment would be 49 cents per day (Perhaps indulge in one less latte every third day).

I will ask Dr. Kumar for updates regarding this little boy. I've personally reached out and touched little boys like this one kid and watched their eyes come alive with hope. They deserve life just as much as me. I didn't choose my parents. I've had so many hundreds of people invest freely in my life (and many are still doing it)! I'm so in love with Jesus. Laura and I are so excited to keep dreaming about more ways to continue to BE the light of the world. The book of James is becoming even more alive in our hearts. Ask me about some of the "world loaning" opportunities for the poorest women in the world - it's a fantastic way to re-give over and over with an investment of less than $50.

Pray, follow your convictions, share with others! Repeat to yourself over and over, "We can't do everything, but we all can do something."

Feel free to email me with questions and ideas (Bruce.lhceast@gmail.com).

Bruce's blog: What to snowshoe with us, climb a tall Mountain, or go cycling, even a movie (we're going this week) - then check in on my personal blog (HERE)

This week UPDATE - Sun Feb. 21 -27

Mark 10:17ff has a story of a "Rich Young Upwardly Mobile" man meeting Jesus and asking him how one makes sure heaven is a "for sure" deal!

The first thing we see is that this young man "runs" to Jesus and kneels before Him:

Run = A Greek word which means "to run quickly." Used to illustrate an "all out effort;" so it's normal that Paul uses it to talk about "running in a race." Hebrews 12:1-2 and I Corinthians 9:24-25 are very cool passages that speak of this race. The word used for describing the man kneelling is "to fall onto one's knees." All through the Eastern world this is a sign of extreme respect.

"What must I do?" This is the normal question for someone who is desperate to have God in their life. Romans 4:4-5 (NLT) puts it this way, "When people work, their wages

are not a gift, but something they have earned. ⁵ But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners."

Jesus often answers us in the way we "expect Him to" - but the longer we listen, the more likely He will speak to us of "strange" things we never imagined. We can choose to "barter" or demand a "business deal." But relationships with God are never for sale!

"Sell everything and give it to the homeless - Then walk with me." Catch this, Jesus knows that when I've got nothing to "add" to His ministry, no reserves which I can use to "do something with" - then I'm a beggar dependent on His grace alone. What makes me wealthy? Family, security in religious knowledge? My safe, "Calculating" lifestyle? Jesus' question is, "What makes you most self-reliant?" Give it up and walk down "My road." Matthew 5 is a snapshot of the kind of people who best serve in God's Kingdom (a re-read is a must).

In this state, all we can say is, "Freely I've received, so freely I'

m going to give." Mark 10:8.

Finally - The words of Solomon so raced through my mind as Pastor John spoke this past weekend; Proverbs 11:24-25 - Read them, then pray through the following questions:

1. What makes me wealthy? My friendships? My family stability? My strong faith because of trials I've endured? My church?

2. How will I share this wealth to someone in need this week?

3. Have I been stingy with my resources (financial and other)?

4. How often will I ask God to show me where HE wants me to invest this wealth I have?

Check back later this week for the story of the eight year old from India

This Week - Sun Feb. 21 -27

Check out Bruce's personal Valentines Report card for 2010 (HERE)! The picture to the right is Laura wearing her new (1.5 hrs old) earrings!

Later this week: The pictures and the story of the little eight year old from India who has cancer and just got exiled from his village this last week (some amazing ways we can make a difference)!

Also, a behind the scenes dig into the Bible - Mark 10 (The Rich Young Ruler).

Here are a couple pictures from Bruce

& Laura's Valentines Get-away

Feb. 14 - "From India with Love" special story

I cried, had goosebumps, in fact I'm still in shock . . . the email I opened from Dr. Kumar this morning has really messed with my head . . . It blows me away! God is up to some "unreal", amazing stuff! Really!

So, here's the deal, we have been planning to show some video clips and tell stories regarding our trip to India (we're two weeks back from our trip). Little did I know how this story of God's mighty power would play with my mind and become front and center of what I will share this Sunday for our Valentine Special.

The story is a modern day "Saul to Paul" event and I still can't believe God used our team to be a small part of it.

No, I'm not going to tell you the story in this blog, but the picture I uploaded is a good hint (I will be telling this amazing story this Sunday). Please join us Feb. 14, this Sunday, for a special 30 min. Valentine love story and video special! Check out the details below, then call, text, and Facebook your friends -invite them to join you for this amazing story.

Date: February 14 (Valentine's Day guys!)

Place: East Vancouver Campus

Times: 8 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. (before the 9 a.m. service and following the 11)

Stuff: Food treats, incredible love stories from India, and a chance to be fantastically inspired by what God is doing!

This Sunday (our services are 9am & 11am) is the 2nd week in our Love Pirates Series - It's a good one! Come at 8 a.m. or 11 and enjoy the Valentine's Special AND the Pirates sermon. This will be one Valentine's weekend you won't forget!

Contrast makes better pictures - Post India

When there's little contrast, it's difficult to capture beauty. There are several roads my mind wants to wander down right now, but I'll try to turn around quickly when I start down one.

This weekend at Living Hope is Baptism weekend! We will be sharing stories that I believe will bring so much renewal, hope, and encouragement to all of us. Laura and I look forward to seeing you at the 9 or 11 a.m. service.

The contrast of India to Dubai to Portland/Vancouver was so drastic. But what does remain the same all over the world is the need for genuine friendship. With Jesus alive and living out of us we do became light, salt, and a wonderful smell.

A week ago, five us stood next to a little church built of Palm. The children, some 35 yards away, had never seen a "White person" before. The pastor road his bicycle to this little village (2,000) and preached in the church he built with his hands. Dr. Kumar has planted hundreds of little churches like this and he currently oversees 900 pastors. None of these belong to a denomination. Living Hope is one of many who contribute to this mission work. Less than 48 hours ago Laura, Gordon and I were eating in a wonderful little Italian restaurant in Dubai (one of the wealthiest cities in the world). We were seated outside, looking up at the worlds tallest building, while watching a beautiful water show. The choreographed music, shining moon, and warm wealth made it easy to forget the poverty of India. And then we met our server, a young lady from India. Contrast can keep us living in reality.

I can only say that every prayer, every dollar, and all your hard work at our campus while we were gone did much to further God's kingdom. The harvest is so ripe, and it seems like there will never be enough resources or willing hands; but that must never stop us from working together to take the love of Jesus to everyone, everywhere - Dubai, Haiti, and India.

This weekend we will see many more baptized into Jesus. Hope to see you Sunday. When I'm more rested I'll post more stories here. I also hope to post pictures on my Facebook soon.

Jan 24 - India

The instant Starbucks I brought tastes like heaven this morning (it's crazy how tired you can be). I got to be at 12:50 last night (new record) and was able to sleep a little past 6:30 (being old sucks)! Anyway I'm still filled with awe about yesterday.

From the snake charmer rubbing an herb on the head of a cobra and then being able to rub his hand on it's head for a few minutes to the level of security around you at all times - It's like living in another world. When your seated on the makeshift stages you are brought a pop. It was Sprite until I mentioned to Dr. Kumar that Coke or Pepsi would be better (Everyone else is now drinking Pepsi with me - ha). The respect given is beyond what I've seen in the Far East. I explain the Believers that we are ONE but they are filled with such expressions on their faces when we lay our hands on them, touch them, smile and look into their eyes.

When we arrived in the village (Dr. Kumar corrected me that it is NOT a city) of 40,000 we came to two churches Dr. Kumar planted. They are just small building that will hold about 100 people or so (50 American size). They had put up bamboo in the narrow street between the houses and illigally used electricity from the church (If they are reported to the goverment they are in big trouble - that is why they usually use generators when Missionary's preach).

Dr. Kumar had told me that perhaps the 300 believers would bring 200 Hindus. The street was so narrow that they could only seat about 10 chairs accross. As far as I could see down the street there were people. They Hindus will not come to the front. The children sang, they had two drum players and the power of their singing was more moving than a Gordon Avenue concert :). The smiles from the people was amazing. These people are very simple and my joke about my parrot at home had fallen flat every time. I was determined. This time (by the power of God . . . or bruce) it worked - So much fun. The people laughed and raised their hands when I asked them if they aggreed with me that Laura is the most beautiful woman in all the world. Dr. Kumar then told me that many men were now in trouble with their wives (He got me - I was concerned until I realized he now know how to joke. It was great fun.). When we left we discoverd that they had sat out 1,000 chairs and everyone was full, and a large croud was still standing (people were watching out the windows of their homes too).

I spoke on the man from the high caste of kings/rulers - he was rich, young and had kept many rules; still his heart said, "There must be one more rule to have Eternal Life." For the people to hear of Jesus asking him to give everything to the poor and become a Gypse is very shocking. I then explained that this man then had no sacrafices or gifts he would be able to offer - only his heart receiving the Creator God's true Son. To see every hand go up as I explained how they can say yes and become God's children not ceased to amaze me. I read to them the "Holy word of the Creator God of all people and all gods; It is easier for a Waterbuffalow to crawl through the eye of a needle than for someone who have much wealth in sacrifices to enter Eternal life."

Our service to God does not bring more of His love; I'm so sad that I've often worshipped serving more than the devotion and friendship to my forever friend Jesus. It is so clear that there is NOTHING we have to offer.

I ended with the story of defeated, beat down disciples saying, "Then it is impossible to be saved." BUT, BUT . . . "What is impossible for humans, is ALWAYS possible with God!" They had tables set up that the people had to weave through so the crouds wouldn't press to hard on us. We prayed over 80-90% of the people. As the Hindus came up from the back, many of them peeled the red dot from their forhead. Some of them were perhaps beat last night when they returned home with a fire of Jesus Christ in their life.

Today we are off to a mission post by the sea that is owned by Dr. Kumar - it has 6 acres and we will eat fresh fish, take pictures of what we can do with the foundation that has already been poured. Dr. Kumar wants it to become an Living Hope Church to serve the 40 churches he has raise up around it. There are so many Untouchable caste people in this place. Tomorrow we do more baptizms and then Laura and I fly back to Chennai to help Caleb before we leave. I so look forward to mentoring this young, yet experienced, pastor and his wife. They are beautiful people. I would also say, that next to my own father, I've never met a more humble man, who loves people will all his heart, than Dr. Kumar. He is truly amazing.

Love you and again thank you so much for your prayers and forever investment! The Baptism this Sunday at our East Vancouver Campus will be so Only God! See you soon.

P.S. "Super bowl at our home" - I've no idea who's playing :)

India - January 22-23

Thursday was a "Mars Hill" (the original :) experience. I was speaking to about 300 pastors (there were another 600 that wanted to come but these are the poorest of poor people in the world), including several women who serve women here in Rajahmundry. A group, perhaps 6 or 7, 0f Hindu priests had filed in and sat in the front row. After a few minutes, the security reseated them in the back (they usually disturb the meetings - I've had this happen several times in my cell-phone preaching). The priests are the highest caste in India. The word Brahmin means "children of the gods." For thousands of years the people have believed everyone is born into one of four divisions (Castes). The head is the Brahman (priests), then the chest is the Kings (leaders, presidents, governors, etc.) and the thigh are the business class. The feet are the Untouchables. Like in Thailand, the feet are considered the worst part of the body (I told of Jesus washing Judas' feet -wow, it blew them away).

Most of the pastors in India are from the lowest Caste, the Untouchables. Dr. Kumar and his brother escaped the worst conditions, as untouchables, through education. Meeting Jesus changed their lives and now they are leading thousands to a forever friendship with Jesus. Dr. Kumar's brother lives in Finland and is an engineer. He supports the work here a great deal. So back to my story . . . the priests in the back row are very rich, and very powerful. Dr. Kumar was suffering from a Hypoglycemia attach while I was speaking (the Coke he was drinking was his way of making it through the translation - I didn't know this was happening). At the end of my pastors' training period I had the young pastors who want to remain in the cities and not go out into the villages come forward and dedicate their one and only life to serving the poorest of the poor (Matt. 25 - "You fed me, clothed me, when you did it to the lowest Caste in all the world" . . . I'm crying as I write this too you - you cannot believe what it is like to place your hands on the ancient, tired faces, of old men and pray for them to receive God's peace). The young pastors struggle with purity, materialism, and fear - many came forward. We then laid our hands on all the men and women there.

I then spoke for about 10 minutes to the priests. I spoke of the God who created all gods and loves them even though they don't know Him or love Him. I asked if they would like to come forward and let me bless them in the name of the Eternal God who created all and is above all. To the shock of Dr. Kumar and the pastors (they have great fear, and often hatred for these men - they abuse many children and are very dangerous).

The security didn't want me to come down off the stage but I felt the most magnet drawing I've ever felt - I prayed and looked deeply into all their eyes - One woman priest and one "very scary" priest wouldn't look in my eyes, but when I laid my hands on the head of the "top dog" we had a major "stare down." The priest put his hands together in honor and I will never forget the prayer I prayed for this man (I thought of Saul - Paul, and the extremely wicked king Agrippa). I may never see the miracles God will work in these priests' lives, but I was told that the pastors received so much encouragement from this experience they are pleading for me to return and train them some more. I feel so weak in terms of speaking, but the pastors say that I speak to their heart in such a way that they want me to return over and over.

The second night of our pastors training the crowds doubled (from 1,200 to perhaps 2,500). Pastor Kumar tells me that if I will return and do a three-day pastors training and three night crusade that about 70,000 people will attend. These people have almost no hope, they are all so hungry for God's love. The response was a miracle (almost every Hindu accepted Jesus).

The security is so weird; we go nowhere without them. As more than 2,000 people came forward for us to lay our hands on them the security would grab the hands of some men who had their hands inside their coats (this is winter season and it was very cold for them - ll:30 p.m. and about 79 degrees). The security was afraid of an extremist who might be concealing a knife. I did shudder a couple of times but God's protection has been very strong.

We did a small baptism before Jim, Diana, and Dan left to return to the states (yesterday - Sat.). There were 60 people who had waited a long time for a missionary to baptize them. The Untouchables are so encouraged by having an "American" baptize them - they tell us they will never forget our touch for the rest of their lives - having security pull away little grandmas who have fallen to our feet to kiss them is very disturbing; I know that it will make them feel so blessed by God, but I want so much to explain that they are God's Holy, Chosen Children as much as we are. I've touched the faces of so many pastors - they are not controlled by the religious customs, the stupid rules we are often burdened with - Last night they played to a small village we were playing in (10,000 people in this village) and had Don Taylor dance a wild dance (this too was very disturbing - ha). They told the people that God's King David had danced before the Lord - Don did his very best at swinging his hips and attempting to impersonate Michael Jackson. I about died - but the pastors loved it and used the opportunity to attract so many Hindus. I love the simple, unhindered devotion of these pastors. Like us there are many dead churches in India. They do have pastors who do not want to go out to the lowest, the lost. They do have traditions in the cities that hinder the simple message of Jesus. But Dr. Kumar is amazing at teaching and leading these 900 pastors who belong to NO denomination, but simply suffer for Jesus.

So I'm rambling - Last night Echo laid her hands on a woman's stomach that was swollen and had a huge hard lump. As she finished praying for healing her eyes suddenly exploded into giant balloons of surprise, as did the woman asking for healing (she had just accepted Jesus into her life). The stomach had immediately gone down and the lump had disappeared.

As we raced through the night (11 p.m. + we cried and prayed for God's incredible power and love) I had our Monkey King (the strongest of all Indian gods) Darrell share about his wife leaving him and choosing not to love him. He cried and the Indian pastors came and prayed over him. Everyone was very touched. I spoke of the Lost Coin last night and how our Creator God will look and seek to find the 1 Rupee person (who is more valuable than 1,000 R.) The children's eyes were large as I threw the rupee on the ground. But when I dropped a 10 R. bill they were totally with me - I spoke of how silly it would be to search for the One Rupee. It was truly an amazing night (I slept so little last night - we are all very physically tired).

Our Son Gordon was left in Chennai with pastor Caleb and they got connected with one of the biggest rock music producers in Southern India. The connections to bring back his band and play are huge. His desire is to then do concerts for the poorest of the poor. The youth in Rajahmundry have heard a couple of his songs - via my cell phone preaching - and Dr. Kumar would love to do a large gathering to use Gordon's music and then have him preach. Gordon is very loved by the children and youth. Several girls were giggling and flirting with him (to his horror he discovered that some of these young Gypsy girls were married - the team teased him a lot. We go nowhere alone). To my wife's horror she discovered that one of the pastors took Gordon through Chennai traffic on a motorcycle. You should read his blog. http://feeds.feedburner.com/wordpress/gordonavenue

All of us are so excited to be together now in Rajahmundry (except for Gordon, who is in Chennai). Last night we stopped on a very lonely road and the guys christened the one side of the road while the ladies giggled behind a haystack (After the guards checked for Cobras). Life is so, so different here - we are on one incredible adventure - this culture reminds Laura and I of being in the remote parts of Korea 31 years ago.

The level of honor shown to us is so humbling (very difficult to accept - we feel so unworthy). We toured the second most holy river in India (the one we did the baptism in yesterday). The priests were not happy. We saw bodies being unloaded and others being cremated. This river has had 70 million people, from outside of India, come and dip into it to receive some sort of holy blessing. It's so sad. I am determined to do whatever I can, be it in India, Africa, or Clark County to be God's light and to be a sweet smell (Stumptown coffee) that will lead, if possible, every person to a forever friendship with Jesus.

Thank you for sharing your resources. I'll be bringing back so many pictures and so much video. We can share how you can sponsor a village (we have six acres that Dr. Kumar owns that he has a foundation on and wants to have us build a Living Hope Church on). The well is drilled (they still need $1,600 for electricity hookup and a pump) and they have a small clinic. They also have one acre of teak trees planted (they are six years old and will be harvested in 10 more years for half a million dollars). We are wanting to plant another acre of teak and also plant some trees for paper - these can be harvested in a much shorter period of time. If we build but one floor on the current foundation we could be able to seat 500 people at a time. They have raised up 40 churches in the village nearby and there are a thousand more seeking to follow Jesus. This is just one example of the investment you could be a part of. We visited a small hut that was perhaps 100 sq. feet, built by hand from Coconut trees. The pastor is very poor but so dedicated. If we drill a well ($300 - $600) the Untouchables could come for free water (the upper classes won't let them now). They will use this hut to open a school as well. The people who live around this hut had never seen a foreigner before. . .

I've got to go, but thank you for your prayers . . . did you really read all of this? I'm trying to chat on Facebook and checking what you write there. I hope to Skype to our East Vancouver Campus on Sunday -we'll see. Love you and so appreciate your Facebook responses.

I'm hoping Elizabeth edited this blog :) Laura just slipped in and started editing (I got perhaps one hour sleep last night . . . I did bring Starbucks coffee with me :)

If I don't return home it's all Pastor John's fault. If I start traveling overseas every couple months it will also be Pastor John's fault (and the Holy Spirit's). God bless - the Internet connection is so slow . . . love :)