Day Five.

Today we managed to finish up two houses by laying the last two rows of block on top of the ring. One of the houses will be going to a women named Carmen and her two children. Carmen currently lives with her mom and her stepdad. (The situation between her mom and stepdad is not very good.) And she is excited after two years to finally receive a home for her family. First Presbyterian dedicated the two homes to the families during a church service yesterday afternoon in which Dentyne attended. (The founder of Ministerio de Fe.) I will add the service was very nice and there was a big turn out. We said goodbye to First Presbyterian Church from Richmond, VA this afternoon as they headed to South Padre, TX for the weekend. So far the first week has been great! I am really enjoying my stay, and I am looking foward to the arrival of WPBC on sunday! Talk to you soon! Love Brandy
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Days one through four!

Well since I have been in mexico two houses have been built and three roofs have been poured. I have been working with a group from Richmond Virginia (about 35 teens and adults and 7 longterm volunteers) The houses that are being built are going to two families that have been working with the ministry for over two years waiting for a home. So far Faith Ministy has built over 1800 homes including 3 clinics and three churches. There is a new clinic under construction in the community Los Presidentes. Not much has been done as far as working on the clinic since last year when I was here but the group had the opportunity to further the project yesterday by pouring some of the foundation. (The clinic is kind of like a bonus project. Groups come down to build houses and if more money is donated the clinic gets worked on too.) I have seen a lot of old friends as well as meeting new ones. The other long term volunteers are awesome as well. I am awaiting the arival of Winter Park on Sunday and am excited to work with the team. Its getting late but I will post more tomorrow. I love you guys and thanks for all your support and prayers!!!
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catching up part 2

Ok, ok next blog about the trip (a week late...sorry!)

Our last day at the primary school in Eldoret ended in a special treat for Laura Gay and myself. There is a pool located near the school and for the last year, our students have been able to take swimming lessons from one of the teachers. Laura and I got to teach the swimming lesson to the fifth grade class! Last year there were two girls from England who were staying in Kenya for a year and taught lessons. While in Kenya, they also taught one of the teachers at the school, Mr. Siegel. Siegel is hilarious on his own, and watching him teach the kids to dive and swim was one of the funniest things I think i've ever seen! He would have them bend completely over, push their knees straight, arch their backs completely..so that they were dangling over the water and he was the only thing holding them on the side.....and then push. They would belly-flop into the water and climb out to do it again! It was very exciting to see them kids recieve that gift of learning to swim. Being one who loves the water and is really ministered to by the water, it was great to see Kenyan children splashing around and trying to swim. Our goal was to teach them to breathe while swimming, as it's clear that they have not mastered this art yet. We would see them flailing around trying to practice their different strokes with their heads out in front of them like dogs swimming. After emerging from under water they would come up spitting and snotting all over the place! That morning at their assembly we gave them many supplies and gifts and they sang to us and welcomed us to return to Kenya. Some of my kids, the one's i've known and loved for three years now, cried when we left. After that My heart was a bit broken leaving the kids, so adventures in swimming lessons was a great note to end on.

The next day we all squeezed back onto a bus and headed down the rock cliffs to Kerio Valley. We stopped in Kapsowar for lunch. I have heard of this place many times but have never been able to visit. Kapsowar is absolutely the land flowing with milk and honey! It was the perfect climate and the most wonderful people. It is a village that overlooks the rift valley...a view that puts the grand canyon to shame. We toured the hospital (the only one for miles) and an amazing medical training center for Kenyans that blew my mind. Kapsowar provides training and experience for nurses and doctors, while equipping them to share the love of Christ, and then sends them out all over Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. We got a fun surprise while in Kapsowar...we met a couple from good ole Boone NC! They were working on the training center (the building is still under construction) and they were sent by Samaritan's Purse! The coolest part is that Dr. Elolia and Durl made a presentation to them prequesting aid for this area several months ago and never heard back. What a delight and a blessing to see that they had sent people, equipment, funding and a big boost of encouragement to make sure this vision is fulfilled. We left Kapsowar refreshed and filled with the joy of the Lord!

The next few days were spent in Kerio Valley. We packed a lot of visiting and encouraging into very little time. We stayed in Tot, a tiny village in the midst of the land of the Marakwet tribe. We were able to visit four schools in one day, bringing school supplies, encouragement and the gospel to each one. The first school was a boy's secondary school and they greeted us with a very theatrical musical performance. I was amazed at their gifted choir and we later found out that these kids had won the national title for music AND for soccer! Imagine sitting smack in the middle of what looks like a lion king set, no eletricity at this school and hearing of how these children work so hard and excel. I am amazed each time i meet Kenyan children and see their potential, if only given the resources!

Next we visited the girl's school where many of the girls I met with last year go to school. I cannot describe how I felt when they shared how our words and experience last year encouraged them throughout the year. They have perservered through yet another season of circumcision and terrible political danger and turmoil. They were overwhelmed with joy when they heard that the notes they wrote about themselves and their dreams had been distributed in the U.S. and that followers of Christ were praying for them by name. I am amazed by God's faithfulness to keep them in school, provide for their school fees and protect them from danger.

While the rest of the group went to another school, mom and I traveled to Liter (pronounced Lee-terre) where she spoke to the women's fellowship that I spoke to last year. Liter is an amazing village where the birds never stop singing and the women cannot stop dancing. Mom shared a messge of hope. She shared some of her testimony about her relationship with dad over the years and of how God brought her through their marriage, his unfaithfulness and illness and then through his death. She also shared about the difficulty of her recent health problems over the last year and how God has been faithful to bring her through that. So faithful, in fact, that she was even able to come to Kenya. Her story united our hearts with the beautiful women of Liter. They marveled and cried over her story and several shared that they had no idea that women in America struggled just like women in Kenya.
After the special time with the women..it was time to dance! wohoo!! Some of the women began to dance, others tied homemade bells around their ankles and we all danced around in a circle to beautiful traditional Marakwete songs. Their voices filled my heart with gladness and we were united as God's children in dance.

Our last stop for the day was at a boys secondary school, this time on the Pokot side of the valley. The Pokot and Marakwete tribes have a long history of war and fighting. One war lasted many years, ending in many deaths and great tragedy a few years ago when the Pokot slipped up the hilllside early one morning and went through burning huts and killing everyone who could not run away fast enough, mainly children, the disabled and the elderly. As we traveled, we saw the evidence of this heartbreaking story in what was left behind of that village. The war has been over for several years but it was clear that a bit of tension remained. They did welcome us, however and we shared many gifts and stories. Durl shared the story of Jesus with them and several boys decided to walk with Jesus as their savior from now on. It was a testament to me that our God is a God of reconciliation and that He is bigger than tribal or political or racial differences. It reminded me that God's love for us is greater and deeper than human hatred or anger torward one another.

The last stories will come tomorrow. It is too much to share at once. I am now back in Wilmington and starting at Winter Park as the Interim Youth Pastor! Many thanks for the prayers as we traveled. As I am processing our experience now from home, I am more and more aware of how great our group was, how well things went and how faithful God is to answer our prayers!

blessings,
Laura

So much for blogging!

Well...so much for blogging!

Haha many apologies for the lack of blogging this trip! Such is life in Kenya...sometimes you have internet access....sometimes you just don't! What a week and a half it's been! Phew! I am really unsure of where to begin!

The trip has been absolutely amazing! Many of you knew I left with a bit of anxiety about leading a group of 15 wazungu Americans (Wazungu is the kiSwahili word for white man) but my anxiety was put to ease very quickly as I discovered that the Lord hand picked these 15 people. Our trip began with a bit of excitement as we accidentally left one suitcase at the church when we left! Preston, who's luggage was left in banner elk had an amazing attitude, totally unconcerned about living in Kenya for two weeks with no clothes. This truly set the tone for the trip. (I, however, knowing Kenya and knowing what its like to live here without any clothes for two weeks knew better...and we were able to arrange for some clothes to come afew days later with some friends also coming to Kenya). The attitudes and work ethic of the group have been indescribable. They truly worked hard and also constantly sought opportunities to develop personal relationships with Kenyans.

Our travel was exhausting. Between flights, a fourteen hour layover in London and a 6 hour busride to Eldoret....we began to wonder if we would ever make it to Kao La Amani (place of peace, our home in Eldoret) We finally arrived and were welcomed with open arms by Mr. Kimeli and the rest of the staff at Kao La Amani. What a relief! It was so good to see everyone and hugs and rejoicing were shared all around.

We spent the first several days in Eldoret, working on a couple of different projects. At Kao La Amani, a Bible college and evangelistic-training center for lay church leaders, several members of our team worked together to turn an empty building into a working library, building two large desks and some bookshelves. They were also able to build some beautiful stairs (out of mahogony...the cheapest wood in Kenya..wow!) that made the second level of the building easily and safely accessable. They worked tirelessly and relentlessly, stopping only for lunch (no tea breaks...which is very rare in Kenya) and the product was wonderful. Everyone was very blessed by their fervor for finishing the project and creating a space for the students to study. This library will be used for students from all over Kenya who are gaining training in skills to be good leaders in their churches, reach their communities and villages for Christ and minister to those in need. It also creates a much needed space for the Bible college students studying there to become pastors. We were all ministered to by their endless efforts and their amazing attitudes.

While they were working hard at the bottom of the hill....the rest of us were able to make that great hike up the hill to cornerstone primary school. (As we walked, again I found myself being passed by Kenyan runners training and running up and down). What a wonderful sight to see my dear friends, the teachers at the primary school! I was blessed to be welcomed again by the wonderful staff there and amazed to see my class (now class 3 or third grade) and how they have grown and matured! They have learned so much! our days at Cornerstone and Kao La Amani seemed very short this year but were such a blessing. My group really connected with the teachers they worked with and worked hard to serve and bless the staff and students. I was blessed to see my friends from one of my churches in the US drinking Kenyan chai with my friends in Kenya!

There is much more to tell but I will save it for another day. We traveled to Kerio Valley last thursday and returned to eldoret on Saturday. But I will tell those stories in a day or two. (I find myself too impatient to read long blogs..even moreso to write...so it seems unfair to overwhelm you with an entire trip's experience!) Today we left Eldoret for a few days of touring in Nairobi. It is always hard to leave there...but today was much harder than anytime before. I am finding myself torn between the two worlds that I so dearly love. I cannot imagine leaving the US and all that God is doing there when I am at my home in the US...and I cannot imagine leaving Kenya when I am at home here. This week our devotions have been about seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.....the question I am asking myself..and I guess now all of you...is how does one seek first his Kingdom? I am praying and journaling and trying to take steps in seeking Him first and putting my hope and trust in Him and nothing else. Hard lessons my friends, hard lessons.

We are touring in Nairobi for three day....then we fly back to good ole US of A on wednesday night. Much love, we have been carrying our friends and families in prayer as we have been here Be blessed dear ones.

love,
Laura

Off to Africa....once again!

Greetings dear family!

Well, I am off to Africa again! This Thursday at 3 pm I will be flying away with 15 friends from Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Banner Elk to Kenya! This year we will be there for two weeks, staying in the same locations that I have been the past two yeras. Our main time will be spent in Edldoret, Kenya's 4th largest city. We will also spend a few days in Kerio Valley, where I had the chance to speak to the girls about female genital mutilation last year.

Our main goals this year will be to:

*Further develop the partnership that has been formed in the past two years with Christ-followers in Kenya
*Take advantage of many opportunities to share Christ's gospel of love with people we meet
*Do a construction project- dividing a large room into three rooms, one for a library, one for a study room and one for a computer room for the Evangelistic Training Center
*We will also have opportunities to teach in a primary school (where I always teach), run some soccer camps (where I will not be permitted to teach....due to my severe lack in soccer skills) and speak to girls and women in Kerio Valley again, in efforts to end the terrible practice of Female Genital Mutilation, and of course share the gospel.

I thank you all for your prayer support, any who followed my trip last year know that we truly must rely on prayer to sustain us while we are there.

Here are a few specific things to pray about as we prepare and travel there:

* Pray for safe travels to Nairobi and then into Eldoret.
* Pray for our group, that the Holy Spirit will unite us, that we will get a long and that we will actively surender to whatever lessons God has to teach us.
*Pray specifically for my mom, who has faithfully decided to go on this trip despite some serious physical ailments that are keeping her in great pain.
*************************PRAY FOR HEALING***************** I truly believe that God WILL heal her while in Kenya. I believe that a cloud of witnesses will surround her and will lay hands on her and God WILL heal her. We must pray and believe and when we struggle to believe, we must pray, "help our unbelief."

*pray for me as I am learning to lead in new ways. Pray that I will pay close attention to the group and their needs.
*Pray that I will help them connect on an individual basis with Kenyans and that I will not be overwhelmed as I try to help 15 people prepare to experience the culture that I love and cherish.
*Pray that I won't waste my last two days at home with my family and friends....pray i won't be ancy and anxious to get there but that i will BE HERE NOW.

Nakupendo....I love you all.

Laura

I Think I'm Going to Kathmandu.... (Bob Seager)

(think David Letterman….)
Live, From Kathmandu . . . it’s Mike Womble.
Well, then the power goes out and the feed gets cut. That's Nepal for you :-)

Ok, so as promised here’s a special report from Kathmandu, Nepal.

In 1987 my family was expelled from Nepal for being Jesus-Followers and I have always wanted to return to this beautiful place. After 23 long years the circumstances were just right and I believe God made a path for this journey to occur.

While my visit has been short (3 days) it has been fulfilling. The best part of being here is visiting friends who work at Nepal Leprosy Trust, the organization our family volunteered with for almost 3 years. Some of the same leprosy workers are still there. They said I looked old, and I reminded them that they did too- and we had a great laugh. As I walked into the workshop one of the workers shouted, “Womble, Womble!” He had no idea I was coming, but he recognized me- gray hair, goatee and all.

Here is the outcast. The forgotten ones. I stood amazed as I did as a child to see these people who have legs, hand and other body parts amputated because of leprosy as they make handbags and other goods to sell for a living. What determination! What passion! What Hope! Could I have that sense of hope if all had be taken from me as did with Job? These workers have been tossed out to live in the open sewer streets and allies and forced to survive off of nothing, yet they are laughing, playing, and proud of their labor because of this haven called NLT, because someone cared. For them, it’s not a job it’s survival. If it were not for Nepal Leprosy Trust, God only knows where they would be.

My ministry began in this valley called Kathmandu while sitting on a rooftop playing John Denver tunes (now that dates me huh?). As I sat there with guitar in hand gazing at the Himalayan range during sunset I heard God speaking to me. Some say I was hallucinating, but it was real as there is water in the sea. A lot has happened since then- wonderful wife, great kids, college, seminary, careers, hobbies, etc. But this place. This place is the birth of it all.

Yesterday I took a Mt. Everest scenic flight. As I sat in awe of God’s creation I felt like the Grinch at the end of the movie, "How The Grinch that Stole Christmas." Remember when Jim Carey wipes off his check and says, “I’m Leaking”? That was me in that tiny plane. The tears were unpreventable. God spoke again. It was the holiest moment in my life besides seeing the birth of my children. You can see the images from this holy moment using the links at the bottom of this post.

When one goes on a mission trip or a retreat one expects to return home with a mountain top experience (no pun intended). However, this is more than that for me. Being connected to the lepers, the land and the mountains is more than a flash in the pan for me spiritually. It’s something that has been driving me for the last 23 years. This visit is more than just visiting old friends and neighbors; it’s more than taking a spiritual journey. It truly is a moment in life that has created a pivotal point for me.

Yesterday I was reading the Matthew 7:7-12, where Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened…” Something I realized from a previous posting is that too often I think "seeking" means sitting on my knees and praying asking God to send a bolt of lightening with a message on it. While prayer is powerful and necessary, I have come to realize that seeking calls for action. Doing something. While I sit and wait for some sort of divine revelation millions have died from starvation, millions more have been tossed out as rubbage because of their illnesses, thousands of children have been trafficked in sex-trades, and countless others have given up and just want to die due to hopelessness and absolute despair. I have seen all of this. And it’s not in God’s plan. That’s a picture of Hell and it’s everywhere- in Asia, Europe, and the US.

Personally, I’d rather be praying with my feet in action and looking for ways to share Hope to a hopeless world. Will God honor that? I think so. Action is better that stagnation. Jesus has celled us to go, not to sit. That may mean one thing for me and maybe something different for you. That’s ok.

Sorry, I’ve gone into preaching. It’s a new day for me and the message is too good not to share. If you made it this far in this post, may I ask you something? Will you hold me accountable to this? Whether you follow Jesus or not, please will you press me on this one? In 20 more years my vision is to look back and see that I lived a legacy, and not left one.

Related links:
http://www.horizonsites.com/hs115/everest_flight_2008http://horizonsites.com/hs115/kathmandu_2008
Nepal Leprosy Trust

A Few Images of Nepal

Friend from LONG ago, said "Womble, Womble!" (read blog to get it)



Dimpsy, always a joy. Love that smile!!!!


Due to political problems, huge influx of people have moved to Kathmandu. This tent city is along the Bagmatti River which is horribly polluted.


Boys will be boys...


Ricksaw Driver on a break



View from cockpit of Buddha Air.


Mt. Everest! God is incredible!!!!!

Farewell Dear India

As I write this entry, I am sitting in a coffee shop in Kathmandu (more on that later) reflecting on our time in Bangalore. Each of the team members, Joseph Jones, Linda Jones, Heather Webb, David Webb, Denise Scarce and myself, Mike Womble had different visions and callings to India. While our calls here varied, they were unified through the Christ’s purposes and we were able to be a part of the incredible God story in Bangalore.

C.S. Lewis spoke of God’s movement in his novel, The Chronicles of Narnia. In that great book all the creatures begin to hear the news that Alsan is on the move and they are filled with hope and expectation as they await the return of their kingdom again. As we spoke with coffee shop staff, the friends we now call the Bull people, beggars, merchants, church members, pastors, and hundreds of others there seemed to be this prevailing sense that Aslan is sincerely on the move in Bangalore. God has called countless volunteers to that city to serve the poor, the dieing and the outcasts, yet it seems like a drop in the bucket compared to the overwhelming need. But the word on the street is, God is indeed on the move. There is a high expectation of the Hope in Jesus as Indians, Americans, Europeans, and others share the love of Christ both physically and spiritually.

It was an honor to serve along side such passionate friends, Jay and Cokie Westfall. They are building wonderful networks and partnerships that will certainly pave the way for God’s love and message of salvation to be preached through word and deed. In a city that’s filled with hopelessness and a culture that has such contrasts to the Gospel (with respect to loving your neighbor as your self and the cast system) the friendships, partnerships and networks Jay and Cokie are building are as precious as gold, even more so because they have a direct impact on the millions of people who call Bangalore home.

While our journey is almost over from this particular mission experience, the impact will be live-long not only for each of the team members, but also for the people for whom we were able to express Christ’s hope to in the medical camps, VBS, and in the Borman Enclave neighborhood where the Westfalls live. Loving your neighbor can and should be done in Wilmington, NC as well as Bangalore, India. Jesus calls us to go no matter what we do or where we are. We can do that in Pearlington, MS, New Hanover County, and even in Money Junction.

Thank all of you have taken time to read, listen, look and pray for us while on their journey. Paul says that we are all one body and have different parts. Your prayers made you a part of this journey. Please continue to pray for the Westfalls and their ministry in India. Make it a point to read their blog, send them notes of encouragement and even take a week to visit them. Most anyone could make this journey whether it’s using the Internet or jumping on a plane.

Nameste!- Mike Womble

Stay tuned for a special update from Kathmandu, Nepal…

India 2008 #6

Gabcast! India 2008 #6

Mosquito Sunset

Yes, if you look really close on the left side of the image above the trees, you will see a mosquito so large that it can be seen 10 miles away in the this image. Ok, maybe not 10 miles, more like 10 feet maybe. You get the idea... (hint: click on the image to enlarge it).

Calling in a Blog?

Since so many people have asked about how we posted audio to our blog here ya go. Simple really, all we did is call Gabcast.com from a satellite phone, punched in a few codes, left a message and hung up. It was that simple. Sure, there's geeky technical stuff to get it all synched up, but that's the general idea.

Brought to you by TravelGeek. If you need tech support while on the road (or riding an elephant) just Skype us 24/7.

Thoughts from Denise

Hello Everyone!

As we approach the end of our mission here in Bangalore India, I was quite honored by the opportunity to utilize my skills in counseling. My first thought was how I would be able to communicate with these people but during our time at the medical camps, there was a lovely 19 year old college student named Krupah who interpreted some of the problems these people told me.

In two days I say 32 people, in all of the people I counseled they all wanted prayer about poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence. Many of these Indian people suffer from body pain, the effects of polio, leprosy, rickets, and anemia. Socially they expressed worry about financial debt and a desire to be educated hoping for the opportunity to leave behind the hopelessness and desperation they feel.

One particular person who deeply affected my heart was a 26 year old woman named Pushpa. She came to the medical camp completely paralyzed and was carried in by her husband Ravana and her 3 year old son. Pushpa told us she was not able to walk, do chores, get herself dressed or take care of her son. She told us she had an abortion one year ago, a decision she made with no regrets because they could not take care of another child. Pushpa and her husband reported she was walking after her abortion but three months later was not able to walk or function to take care of herself or her son.

The doctor referred Pushpa to speak to me because she assessed her problems to be more psychological rather than physical. Dr. Krupa also told Pushpa and her husband to come back the following day and that a social worker she worked with previously would talk to her in more detail. Pushpa was tearful and expressed to me that she had no family repeating her parents died when she was a little girl

The following day Pushpa returned back to the medical camp. I was pleased to work with my counterpart, another MSW named Malathi. We spoke with Pushpa again, this time alone and without her husband. Pushpa revealed she was not married to Ravana and that she wanted to get out of the relationship. She told us Ravana was promised to another woman and he did not want to take care of her or her son. Pushpa then in tears expressed the reality that she could not take care of herself and she must go to a hostile to live. She also knew her son would also be placed in an orphanage.

It seems this would be the final sacrifice that this poor woman would have to make and yet she needed in my view to be loved as well as given some way to get out of her desperate situation. This is only one particular situation where prayer was the only resource I could use. I felt her helplessness and hopelessness and so much for her to give up in order for her child to be in a better situation. Please pray for Pushpa and her son. Although she feels despair and shame, my prayer is she will find courage and trust God to meet her needs.

By Denise Scearce

Preschool Chior Instruments

Thanks to all the preschoolers at Winter Park Baptist for their donations of instruments. We used them during VBS and gave them away as prizes.

Sing unto me...

Just a little sing along before the party.

God's Call- Our Choice or God's

The “Call” of God

R.L. is a young man who is from Burma and now lives across the street from the Westfalls in Bangalore. His father was a Buddhist priest and was well respected for his powers of healing and answered prayers. R.L. was being trained by his father to be the next generation of priests in his village. Before joining the priesthood he heard the Gospel message and became a follower of Christ. You can imagine what that did to his family.

After studying the Bible for a while he began preaching the word of Jesus in his country. However, the village leaders and sometimes the government did not allow him to do so. Eventually, he was expelled from his country for his religious beliefs and practices. At first he was mad at God and wondered what was he to do now that his calling to preach the Gospel in his homeland had been stopped dead in its tracks. What happened next is only something that God can do.

R.L. was in his early 20’s at the time and decided that he would be a better leader if he replicated his ministry into the lives of others who were still allowed in Burma. So R.L. began is work as a mentor and teacher for dozens of young aspiring preachers who sensed God’s call to ministry but had no one to teach them. As a result, he now operates a seminary in Bangalore for new pastors in order for them to start new churches in the villages and jungles in Burma.

There are enormous holes in this story that are wonderful tales, like running from tigers, and escaping violent village mobs, but they are all evidence of R.L. determination of fulfilling God’s call in his life. As he shared with me this story of defeat and later of successful leadership he reminded me of the importance of 1 Corinthians 12 and God’s amazing love. Is it any wonder that 1 Corinthians 12 speaks of giftedness and being one body with many parts just before the “love chapter” in 13?

God has wired us all for something incredible. Many of us, myself included, look self-reflectively as to what God may be calling us to. In R.L.’s story I hear a man who experienced God’s love in such an incredible way that he was willing to do anything to share that love, even if it meant running from tigers (really, he said that!) and going to prison.

What is this thing we label as a “call from God?” Is it that God calls us to specific tasks? Is it that God calls us to specific jobs? Or is it God calls us to live the Great Commandment (Mark 12:28-34) and fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) and really doesn’t get caught up in the details of when, where and how but rather just calls us to do it? In R.L.’s case he sensed God’s call and took action to fulfill that call. For me, sometimes I pray, read my Bible, talk with friends, and even daydream about God’s call in my life. Is it to India or Nepal, is it to be a pastor in staff at a great church like Winter Park (which I love by the way!), or is it my choice to determine the where and how, but just to do it?

Where has God called you? Or maybe I should say, what are you doing to live out your call?

Medical Camp with the Bull People

To hear more about the Bull People, listen the the audio posting below.

India 2008 #5

Gabcast! India 2008 #5

India 2008 #4

Gabcast! India 2008 #4

Neighbors and Friends

For the past year or so we have hear d a lot about connecting with neighbors and building friendships. Tonight I’ve was blessed able to see that in action. For Jay’s Birthday (May 5) we had a huge party. It was a good excuse to get friends together, plus it also was a way for our team to mingle with the various ministry partners the Westfalls have been developing- about 125 or more in all. Yet, it was more than a dinner and a time to meet new friends. It became a place of worship- there in the sand and misquotes standing under the coconut trees.

The moment I walked out of the Westfalls door I was greeted by child after child how said, “Uncle, we have been praying for you for so long. It is good to finally see you. God has called you to this place, and we are grateful.” I began to cry. And went back in side. Not to be disrespectful, but I cannot remember the last time a 6 year old walked up to me and touched my soul so deeply. They were not coached to say those words; it flowed from their mouths as if they were speaking directly from God. It’s so hard to explain in words, yet its something that I will capture in my heart for the rest of my life.

In know this blog should be about the team and all of our stories, but I cannot speak for them. Today I ran into the question I feared the most on this trip. A question that I still cannot completely answer, but it’s in the unknowing that God has been speaking into me. While visiting ProVision Asia, a ministry providing free physical therapy to the physically challenged and deformed, the current director asked me this dreaded question in front of the entire team, “So what brought you to India.”

At first my answer was the standard churchize response, something to the effect of “Representing the church from which the Westfalls attend in the States, etc, etc.” But in a way that only Cokie could do, she cut me off and said for me to just speak from the heart. I was stunned. She was right! All the insulation of our culture and even being a Christian in America has indeed built up a thick insulator around my heart.

As I pondered her question I just stared at her and finally said, “I have no theological answer for you. I’m just supposed to be here because God asked me to come. Plain and simple.” Yep, after 8 years of theological training and 12 years of fulltime ministry I had no complex answer other than God said to do it. I felt like a real moron and wanted to hide. I still do as I reflect on it, but I suspect I’m not the only one.

There was a song a few years back that played on Christian radio (of which I am not a fan, but my kids like it so I indulge them) that went something like, “When you say go, I will go. When you say pray, I will pray…” I probably messed those lyrics up, but you get the idea. Those are simple words, but maybe the most difficult for us to follow. Just go. Nothing fancy, nothing to think about or toil with, just go.

Ok God, I’m here…now what?

India 2008 #3

Gabcast! India 2008 #3

Party Time

Ride Through the City

Coffee Time

Yes, we found the coffee shop.  Cokie knows all the coffee shops around the globe.  It's not Port City Java, but it was yummy.

We're in India!

Most of us have arrived in India. Heather and David Webb are

still on their way and should arrive this evening. Jet-lag is taking its toll though. So this blog entry is short so I can go to sleep. :-) - Mike Womble

Joseph Sleeping wherever he can....

Fwd: Air India...should be interesting

-----Original Message-----

From: Mike@winterparkbaptist.org
Subj: Air India...should be interesting
Date: Sat May 3, 2008 6:12 pm
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To: Mike.wpbc.winterparkbaptist@blogger.com

Mike Womble
(sent via Palm Treo)