Decorating the Nations with Gladness: An Update sent out about 10 days ago.... next one coming out shortly...

Well hello there!!!!

Where to start... First, thank you. Thank you for your prayers, for your responses for all your love. We could not be here without the body of Christ waging war and sending love to us. You encourage me in ways that i can't describe, but that speak SO MUCH to my heart and know that you are all SO appreciated.

A BRIEF overview:
I have now been in India since the 9th. Bishop and met us at the airport, and boy oh boy was his a sweet face to see. I had only met him once, but instantly i recognized him, and he me. We came in 2 groups so we have all been together now since the 10th. We stayed in Chennai, a bigger city about 3 hours outside of Thiruvannamalai (the city that is now our home). We bought fabrics to get our Indian clothes made, Sarees and Punjamees (i don't know how to spell that last one), spent much time sleeping and attempting to adjust to the 12 1/2 hour time change. We got to celebrate the first of 6 birthdays on the 12th.... Daniel's 24th as we traveled to Thiruvannamalai. The word for this outreach so far, is INTENSE. We have been here for about a week and the LORD has shifted what we thought would take place to things we NEVER expected to take place. For instance...Starting on Thursday, the day after we got home, one of our team members got super sick... fever, chills, her body tensing up out of control, numbness all over her body, she couldn't walk. It started small, and progressed to all that quickly, so the team prayed for her, but it was clear that we needed to take her to the hospital, so 4 of us were driven to the hospital by 2 of our friends here. We were nervous to see how the LORD would work out this situation. It was more intense than anything i've experienced. We got to the hospital, and things simmered down a bit, we came home for the night, she just felt tired and sore, but the fever had gone down with some meds and we just thought she needed rest....Well, Friday, the fever was back and with avengence. We then decided that we needed to take her to a more established hospital, the drive was 2 hours, but it felt like forever. I don't think i've EVER seen someone in so much pain, and knowing i couldn't physically do anything to help, but to PRAY!We were in the hospital for 2 nights, 3 days... tired, emotionally WORKED, and my heart still hurting seeing someone i love in SO much pain. Every movement was intensified and every noise was SO loud. As i sat there, just watching and praying, the LORD was showing me Jesus. How much pain He CHOSE to endure, was much more than what Jenaye was feeling, and i couldn't even fathom more pain.Through it all, Jenaye is good. Recovered. It was hard to be away from the rest of the team for what seemed like SO long. But i KNOW and TRUST and BELIEVE that what the LORD has been doing and allowing has been bringing us to the end of ourselves that we might be broken vessels to diffuse His fragrance to the people of India and to each other.We are slowly getting to start moving in "ministry", but we are all certain that THIS last 5 days of trails and seeming craziness has been just the ministry that God has wanted us to experience to prepare us for the next 4 months. He has been working DEEPLY in each one of us, and i am excited to continue moving in the LORD's will and direction and guiding of this team! Each person is mighty for the LORD and He desires to refine us and shape us more into His image, just as He desires for each one of you. We had orientation yesterday and Bishop (our beloved contact here) said, "The more we want to reach out the more we must be willing to let the LORD reach in and change us."That's my encouragement to you, be willing to let the LORD reach in as FAR as He can, so you may know Him more.I LOVE YOU ALL! Thank you SO much!Thank you for your prayers and your love.

PLEASE keep us in your prayers continually....Unity, love, finances... endurance, grace, and peace.

To you also!
Because He is worthy,

Liz

Here are some pics.....