A final blog- Home again.

Because you prayed- the time of ministry in India and the Middle East was near perfect! It was by far the best time away for ministry ever! And I firmly believe it was because you prayed! In fact the roughest part of the entire time was on my final international flight back from Amman to Chicago. I still do not know how the adorable little 5 year old girl who sat behind me could kick the back of my seat for 13 consecutive hours!

At any rate, as I settled in for that Royal Jordanian flight for home out of Amman, I was overwhelmed with the events of the past several weeks of ministry. There was a rush of contradictory feelings- I was filled with joy and sadness; strength and weakness; and a fulfilling sense of accomplishment along with the foreboding sense of needing to do more! That’s what ministry does for you.

India was good to me. That has been the somewhat sardonic phrase that comes back to my heart over and over again. What makes it all a bit cynical is that in so many ways, India is not good to anyone. On the first take it can appear generally harsh, unforgiving, crude, blunt, and shocking. With it’s seemingly often lack of gentility and its common criminality, India can quickly turn the hardiest of heroes into the mightiest of mush. I will never forget the drive one day with Dr. Mark Buntain from Calcutta (now called Kolkata) on the way in from the airport. He looked at me and with all sincerity said, “Dean, you would be amazed how many big name preachers and pastors that I have had to take back to the airport on this ride to my apartment- because they couldn't stomach India- and they wanted to leave!”

My first visit to India was over 23 years ago- I will never forget my arrival into Bombay. After cramming into a taxi with three other riders (with all of our luggage), I was fortunate to get a window seat- I thought. As we sped off to our hotel, I remember looking at my watch- it was 3:00 a.m. Each one of my senses was assaulted over and over again.

Even all the years of preparing me for India by my mentor, David Grant, didn’t prepare me for what I was about to see. There in the triangle of light coming down from a street lamp; I saw the figure of a small child perched on top of a garbage heap sifting through it- foraging for food. With jet lag overwhelming me, the sight, smell, and sensation of it all nearly caused me to throw up. I could understand those words of Mark Buntain very well.

But now, over 23 years later, I don’t notice the dirt as much, the odors are not so strong, and I am not nearly as aware of the harshness of India as I used to be! But what I do know of is this- There are one billion plus people who are lost and on their way to a Christless eternity- and that haunts me whether I am in India or not. Indians are precious, genuine, and sincere; they have manners galore, kindness to kill you with, and love to laugh.

When you are with the believers, you will know right away they display an authentic and deep passion for serving God; as well as an absolute willingness to worship their savior. If you ever go to India and visit one of the churches, you will never be the same after you meet them. Your life will become all the richer because a huge part of their heart will go with you.


My burden and passion for the lost of India has been enlarging; I think that is what this time of ministry was all about. It was such a privilege to minister to the wonderful people of Global Christian Life Center; to the Bible College students at CBC in Delhi; to the pastors from South India at the General Council; and to the executive leadership of North India. God willing, I would like to spend much more time in North India and want to specifically focus on Delhi- teh capital city.

Finally, when I was in Amman, Jordan on the way home, there was sad news that overwhelmed us all. You may have heard of the two women in Baghdad (just several hundred miles away next door) who came too close to a military convoy and were shot and killed by an Australian security team. (http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-10-10-iraq-wednesday_N.htm?csp=34) Well, both of these women were from the New Life Assembly of God church in Baghdad. One of them, Geneva, was the main interpreter for the Bible College there. I believe the other, Marou, was also involved in the women’s ministry of the church.

The pastor of the church said, “The enemy doesn’t want to kill Geneva, he doesn’t want to kill me- he wants to kill the dream!” He said the church is very saddened by this tragedy but so very grateful to God for His faithfulness. We do not know what happened- but we must continue to pray for New Life Assembly there in Baghdad and the other 3 churches in Iraq.


There is a powerful church there in Amman with a beautiful congregation of about 250. The senior pastor, Dikran and his wife, Ani, are absolutely precious. Please pray for them as they continue to face persecution on a daily basis in this Muslim nation.


Thank you again, for going with me to India and the Middle East. How you say? As I have said many times, because you gave and prayed, darkness was destroyed and God was glorified! I would like to plan a trip in the future, perhaps in 2008 or 2009 and take you to India for ministry with me! So let me know if you would like to go on an Abounding Hope Mission to India!

Below are some pictures of the time in India and Jordan- Thank you again for your partnership in ministry with us!





























Oh yes, one final thing- Murphy, our dog, is still with us, and better now that the "big dog" is back. Thanks to those who prayed for our "entire" family during my absence!

Almost Home!

Greetings from Amman, Jordan. This is the first real opportunity I have had to get to a computer and work on a blog since my last entry! Sorry for the lack!

India was fabulous! There was a real move of God in so many ways it is most difficult to know what more to say. Let me just say two things for this entry.



First- while God is moving in mighty ways in the southern parts of India (as in Chennai), He is also moving in the north! I was so very blessed to be a special part of the 25th Silver Anniversary for Global Christian Life Center in Delhi. My friend Robert Jeyaraj (pictured to the left standing on the right with his wife Pat) has been the senior pastor there for 231/2 years of that time. I must say they pulled out all the stops and it was an incredible 4 day event. The special guest speakers included Pastor William (Willie) Soans and his wife Beverly from Mumbai(Bombay) in the picture above on the left ; a dear college friend and missionary David Stewart Jr.; and a special treat was having a famous Indian actor and evangelist- brother V.J. Benedict to minister as well. The special services and events went from Thursday through Sunday; I was the Sunday morning speaker.

While they certainly celebrated God's faithfulness and goodness of the past 25 years, the entire event was focused on looking ahead with winning the lost as their key motivator! They set up a beautiful outdoor fabric tent with seating for over 2000- it was filled for every service! To date, we have received over 250 decision cards thus far with more coming in! The pastor's goal is to start 1,000 new "home cell groups" over the next 5 years- they already have over one hundred started! from this special meeting- they will add another 20-30!

I believe it is God's day for Delhi and the north of India! The strongholds have been there for too long; the needs are too great; and God has too much invested for such a day as this!



Secondly, in the course of my time in Delhi- God has continued what I believe will become a special part of the coming revival for Delhi and the north. We will continue to pray and continue to seek God for His direction for ways that we can be "spent" for His glory. There is a strong burden for evangelism that continues to grow in my heart! Thank you for going with me to India!

Tonight, as I return home, I will be ministering in a Church in Amman. Sitting here in the Middle East I feel as though I am so close to the "epicenter" of all that is happening in the world right now. The feeling is hard to put into words.




While this little entrepreneurial beggar boy made me chuckle, the the sadness of their plight is most overwhelming. Even though he was certainly creative in his efforts, his life is on a one way road filled with despair and an eternity without the love of Christ.

Thank you for praying for me and our family- they are well and we are ready to be together again. There have been some difficult moments- but God has been so very faithful as He always is. Please keep praying and I'll keep going!

En agape',

Dean

He remains faithful!

God is faithful!

Yesterday I taught a class at Central Bible College here in Delhi. What a special group of students they are. God has called them from many places afar to Delhi to answer the call of God on their lives for ministry. There were several students from Burma- where currently all the upheaval is going on regarding democracy and human rights. They told me about their families are back home; and they believe this movement is from the Lord. Please pray for these dear brothers and sisters in this dark land.

Evangelism and church planting is the goal; souls are the prize. My time here in Delhi has been very important as God continues to shape and mold His direction for ministry in India. I am most interested in knowing what the needs are, what can be done about them, and how I can fit in as they relate to evangeliasm and church planting.

Stay tuned for upcoming details on the great 25th Celebration- Anniversary of Global Christian Life Center church here in Delhi with Pastor Robert Jeyaraj. The church is a true beacon of the gospel in the vast darkness of Delhi. Brother Robert has been the senior pastor for 23½ years.

Thanks for your continued prayers for my family; God’s faithfulness continues to stay true!

The Land of Paradox!

If you were to travel with me to India (a distinct possibility soon), upon arrival you would most likely be stunned by the richness of the land, by its lush beauty and exotic architecture, by its ability to overload the senses with the pure, concentrated intensity of its colors, smells, tastes, and sounds. Each of your senses would be defiantly assaulted!

It will be as if all your life you had been seeing the world in black and white and, when brought face-to-face with India, you would experience everything re-rendered in brilliant Technicolor! It is a land of curious paradox- the rich and the poor; the pristine and the soiled; the latest of technologies and the antiquated- all side by side, and functioning in a chaotic rhythm that you have to be truly Indian to understand! And undoubtedly you would be overwhelmed at times with the rush of it all.

But then there is the light and the darkness. At times the darkness tries to hide the light- but thank God, by its very nature- light always destroys darkness! Yesterday was a great day of ministry. I was privileged to speak to the Executive Committee of the General Council of North India. It was a real humbling experience to speak to these men of God and lead them in devotions.




To the left is a picture taken at the South India General Council. Early this morning I was privileged to speak to a group of students from Central Bible College here in Delhi, helping to prepare them for a special project of evangelism outreach. It involves going door to door to visit 1,000 homes in the area- light destroying darkness! And again I was asked to bring the morning devotional to the Executive leaders; once more it was a genuine honor. We are truly blessed with outstanding national leadership in India.

Thank you for your continued prayers for my family while I am away. Murphy seems to have "rallied" a bit and is doing better. Thank you so very much.



Here is a picture of a precious Indian princess and her King on their way! As the finely tuned commotion of India and the disheartening moments of life at home continue, we are so blessed to know that His hope, and love, and grace, and comfort still abounds.

Darkness Grieves

Good afternoon- from Chennai, India. The temperature is a balmy 87 degrees with about the same humidity.



Thank you for going with me to India; yesterday we made a difference. The first of three services began at 7:00 a.m. out on the new property of New Life Assembly of God church (pictured here). We had a service on the 40 acres where they are constructing a worship center to seat 55,000 people. Presently with over 35,000 people attending each weekend, they have already started over 200 other churches throughout the city; and God continues to bring in the lost in miraculous proportions!

On the property, they have built a pavilion that houses a satellite TV room (where they often beam the services live from the main campus in town), a prayer room, and seating for 2,000. They even had to extend the outside of the structure with a beautiful fabric tent allowing several hundred more to join each service. They currently have 3 Sunday morning services on site. These are such precious believers, intense in their passion to serve God unlike you have ever seen.

My second service of the day was in the afternoon at the current main campus of New Life for the English speaking congregation. There are nearly 2,000 in that group and we had a powerful service. Finally we concluded with the final service in the main auditorium for the evening Tamil service. God moved at the altars in wonderful ways as we prayed for dozens for special needs and believed for miracles of healing and anointing.

I have to say that after the tremendous day of ministry and weight loss (yes- that is a good thing) I was exhausted. So thank you for helping make a difference in India yesterday. The kingdom of darkness grieves all the more; while the kingdom of heaven glories in the cross.

I have been in country nearly a week now and all is well- no real issues to speak of; so if you would, please continue to pray. Today is a travel day- I will be departing for Delhi where I will spend the remaining time in ministry with my dear friend Robert Jeyaraj. Also if you would, please remember Brother David Grant in your prayers. He was taken to the hospital in Springfield, MO on Friday with chest pains. Tests revealed 2 blockages and he was to go in for an angioplasty procedure on Sunday.

Until next time we meet… may God continue to bless you in His abundance with His hope and blessings.
Dean