"Namiste" is Marathi for "hello"

Ready with my first 3 Marathi phrases, I was eager to connect with people - my favorite part of any international trip. One of the highlights of Sunday, was attending the baptism of 19 Marathi Believers from one of Jithu's cell churches. Because of persecution, this event takes on a legal aspect as each person pays a fee and signs a document that is filed with the government to state that they were not coerced in their conversion. It is not a decision they have taken lightly so being a part of the service is very special to us. Jithu is a single young man of 27, but has really become a leader by serving and loving his church. While they thought it was nice that we were there and one of our team (Kurt, an elder at Bent Tree) was in the water too - they all wanted Jithu to be the one that baptized them.

And after each person was baptized, Jithu called for one of us to pray specifically for that person ... a humbling privilege.

I prayed for Sonali, whose parents host Jithu's cell church and were the first members.

This is just my observation, but it seems that India is a "charismatic" culture socially and spiritually. Because the Hindu religion has over 3000 (little "g") gods, the people are looking for somthing real. And what they find in Christianity shows the reality and love over the elephant-headed, multi-armed, carnival-like, gods they've been told about. I thought I was a pretty warm person, but felt kind of buttoned up compared to their warm, hand-holding, long-praying, touching nature. It was a short adjustment that I happily made. (Just remember that if I start playing with your hair or holding hands as we're talking) That warmth, was also evident as we split into groups to attend several cell churches that night.

After the service, it is the custom that we, as visitors, pray over anyone asking for prayer. Each of us stood separately at the front and people individually came by with prayer requests ... family problems, sickness, infertility, upcoming school tests ... and we were to pray over them. I soon figured out that a short prayer wasn't appropriate, the longer the better. So, whatever it took to honor their culture.

We were given flower garlands at this cell church. With Eric (Caring pastor at Bent Tree), Gina and Marganne. We girls are wearing punjabis, a tunic top/baggy pants Indian everyday outfit.

Next, we're ready to start teaching in the 5 day conference. Have I mentioned that I don't like standing up in front of people talking? What was I thinking?