Our team recently discovered that chocolate is an international language. One package of M&Ms produces squeals of joy. Thank you, Mr. Hershey, children love you.

The past two days we’ve had the joy of working with kids rescued out of brothels, who are now living under the care and guidance of Godly men and women who nurture, protect, and provide for their every need.  These girls are redeemed in every sense of the word.

To watch them worship Jesus is a beautiful sight to behold. I’ve always thought that our love for Jesus is in direct proportion to our perceived need for Him. That old formula holds true: these girls absolutely love Jesus!  We don’t need to understand Marathi to understand the praise spilling from their lips.  

After our visit with the children at Faith Home we drove several hours through the Indian countryside to our next destination, Grace Home. We will be here for several days. The team is doing extremely well. Thank you for your prayers. We are all healthy.  Although I am personally being tortured with the news that two cobras (9ft. long) were recently spotted where we’re staying. (P.S.  I hate snakes.) The team loves to entertain themselves by telling me this info. Good times.

We are now at Grace Home (aka Cobra nest… I’m just kidding. We are very comfortable and the food is amazing that the women prepare for us.)  Upon arriving here we’ve been given new Indian titles.  “Uncle” is the title reserved for elders. “Didi” means older sister. “Dada” means older brother.

Biff  “Uncle”—He is an amazing pastoral leader. Our team truly looks up to him and appreciates the gentle spirit that God has blessed us with in him. Not to mention that he’s just hysterical. Please pray for Biff as he is teaching the pastors for the next few days.

Adam “Dada” & Jennifer “Didi” Seals—we love our mighty duo. On a funny note, you can pray for them because India has a no P.D.A rule. And if you know these two at all, you’d know that they like each other…a lot! So asking them to not hold hands in public was a big deal. :)  Seriously, please pray for Adam as he is also teaching the pastors and  for Jennifer as she is leading all of our crafts and activities.

Susanna “Didi”—she is a prayer warrior and truly brings God’s heart for the oppressed to our team. Please pray for her as she  teaches about Esther to the girls…encouraging them to become the future leaders of this country.

Debi “Didi”—Debi did a great job teaching with me last night as we instructed the girls about God’s incredible love for them. She asks that you pray that she not get overwhelmed with emotion about what these girls have endured, but to see their future and to offer them hope in Christ.

Jenny G. “Didi” –Jenny is a great asset to our team and brings a wonderful gift of compassion. Please lift us Jenny as she prepares to teach the story of Ruth to the young girls. Pray also for her peace in the face of wickedness. She specifically asks that you would pray that she can forgive the men who are abusing and using these women.

Marian “Didi”—Please ask the Lord to fill me more and more with His Spirit—for apart from Him I can do nothing.  I will teach the staff women and the girls every day for the next three days.  Pray for God to move and that translation would not hinder the teaching of His word.

Also, please pray for Ralph, the leader of Charasia, as he seeks the Lord for vision for the road ahead for the children God has entrusted to them.