SERVE India

Hello dear praying friends!Thank you so much for your faithful prayers for us, & especially for the past few months when we have not been as able to pray for ourselves, we really counted on your prayer for us & the ministries of SERVE India. Please continue to pray for our family, especially my mom, as we continue to adjust to life without my dad. He had a very active role in our lives so it will take some time for that adjusting. We are so grateful that someday we will be with him again, forever!
We are so thankful for a great trip with the team and again so grateful for your prayer! We have included thoughts from one of our team members below… (Thoughts from Rick…)

As I write this it is about 24 hours since pulling in to Hudson. Everything still so fresh in my mind, and at the same time still in a daze from the travel and lack of sleep and anticipation of coming home to loved ones from being gone for 17 days. Unpacking, there it is in my clothes, the smell, India. How quickly it takes me back. Visak, we arrive 2 1/2 days after leaving Mpls. Oh yea, the traffic, rickshaws, cars, motorcycles, trucks, the honking, the cows, dogs, the water buffalo, the busyness, all the people, and oh did I mention the smells. My 10th year to make this trip. Who would have ever thought that? People back here ask what were some highlights of the trip? There are a lot, but I will touch on a few. #1) The people. We get the stares and glares, the looks of confusion in their eyes. Who are these people why are they here? Most of the time we have to make the first move, either wave, put your hand out to shake, or say ‘hi’. Once we do that, there’s a big smile, a wave back, they may ask ‘where you from’? Most of the time it’s a short conversation, but sometimes longer if they know English. They don’t seem to understand my Telugu. #2) The Leper Colony ” Jeeva Jalem” which means “living waters” in Telegu, is always a highlight. To shake the hand or give a hug to these people is hard to put into words. But imagine going through your whole life being told you have bad karma, you’re hated and rejected from society and put out in the outskirts of town in a colony, the outcasts. The scene is pretty special pulling in there. We all just love them for who they are, spend some time with them, get them food, give them some new clothes, worship with them, and pray with them. It’ a great and special relationship we have with them. #3) The Pastors, just to hear their stories and testimonies of how God is using them. They are so excited for us to be there. John always tells us what an encouragement we are to them by coming to their church and to worship with them, and spend time with them. They always want us to pray over and for them, which is an awesome privilege. #4) Personally, a special moment for me was to do a new church dedication. John asked if I would cut the ribbon and dedicate the church for Pastor Eliya. He had wanted us to be there and be part of that ceremony. It was such an honor to be part of that. This is just a small part of what we did there, but it gives you a little idea of what we do. One last thing for everyone who supports or knows the Nanda’s, thank you for that support and all the prayers for the SERVE India ministry. It is such an encouragement for me to serve the Pastors and people of India alongside John and Terri. I see firsthand the love and commitment they have for these people. We have seen God do mighty things there because of the power of prayer. I have been blessed to see the effects of those prayers first hand, so please continue to do so. The Pastors always ask us when we leave, ‘please keep us in your prayers’. So I ask you to do so, on their behalf. Thank you also for your prayers for the team while we were there. John is still busy in India, & will be making another visit to Sierra Leone later this month. Please continue to pray for the land deal to be finished up & for the Lord’s direction for just how He would like us to be involved with helping with the development of projects in S.L. We are trusting in His perfect plan & His perfect timing!!
We are so grateful for you!
In His joy & great love, The Nanda’s