Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Today is Kartik Purnima

This seems to be a major Hindu festival for my neighbors in my new neighborhood in Delhi. Here is information about it. 
The Purnima on the day of Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month is known as Kartik Purnima. Kartik Purnima is also known as Tripuri Purnima and Ganga Snan. Kartik Poornima will observed on Wednesday, 28th November 2012. Lord Mahadev killed a demon named Tripuri on this day and hence, it is known as Tripuri Purnima. Kartik Purnima has immense religious value according to the Hindu mythology. There is a tradition of taking a bath in Ganga and donating lamps on this day. It is believed that Kartik Purnima provides Dharma, Artha, Kama and Salvation.

Kartik Purnima is considered as an auspicious day according to Hindu mythology. It is considered to be day of Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Angira and Lord Sun. A person involving in baths, charity, donation etc on this day receives fruitful results. Shri Satyanarayana story is read on this day and lamps are lit on intersections, under Peepal trees, in temples etc. Prayers offered on each Purnima beginning from Kartik Purnima give positive results.

Importance of Kartik Purnima Snan

Taking baths in different religious rivers has been a very old tradition in India. On the occasion of Kartik Purnima, a huge crowd can be seen taking baths on these different rivers. This day is considered auspicious according to various Vedas and Puranas. It is believed that taking a bath in a river, lake or any other place and remembering Lord Vishnu gives fruitful benefits.

Taking a bath according to a specific religious procedure in a sacred river helps in attaining salvation. No other month is considered to be more sacred than the Kartik month. Kartik month also has a scientific value. Kartik month ca be related to a seasonal change and taking a bath in the morning provides a person with immense energy. This also keeps a person healthy.

Importance of Kartik Purnima worship

It is believed that charities on this day is equal to a hundred Ashvamedh Yagyas. It is also believed that charities, donations etc in this month help in attaining salvation. All these things keep great importance on this auspicious day. Donations, charities etc. on this day, help in getting closer to Lord Shiva and keeps a person healthy and content. Kartik Purnima is one of the most important Purnimas of the year.

Importance of Kartik Poornima

Taking baths in river Ganga, donations, charities etc. relieves a person from all sorts of problems and helps in attaining salvation. All these things done on this day give extra beneficial results. According to a belief, these things help a person in going to heaven. It is believed that taking baths in sacred rivers or sacred places gives fruitful results. A lot of people take baths in river Ganga etc. on this day. Some of these places and rivers are Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Godavari, Kurukshetra, Ayodhya, Kashi etc.

According to Shastras, this day is the beginning of Lord Vishnu’s sleep. Kartik month begins when Sun enters Libra sign. People offer prayers and perform different religious practices during this month. Fasting in the Kartik month is considered to be the road to salvation in Kalyug.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

MONDAY

Monday, the ladies on the team traveled to Sanjauli, and hiked a treacherous trail to get to a room crowded with 40 MORE children than expected! PTL! MP translated for Susan and Virginia, as they quickly had to adjust their plans. The children in this area mostly do not go to school. MP has a vision for starting a mission school here. Meanwhile, Sylvia finds here way through 30 women all crammed into a small room, anxiously awaiting her story of the woman with the alabaster jar of perfume.
Sylvia gave them each two vials of perfume and encouraged them to share one along with the story she taught. She rewarded correct comprehension questions with gifts.





Nancy translating for Virginia, and teaching a song in Hindi.

SUNDAY

Sorry I am delayed in posting these photos from the volunteer team's recent trip! These are from the Bible Club event at the Grace Home for Children. The team brought race shirts for the children and staff, as well as other items that help share the gospel message. The kids performed several songs for the team as a thank you. Sister Prabha prepared a delicious meal (without Indian spices) for the team!









 When righted, Anju took them off and out them back on this way, her preference!
Diviya loving on Marley.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

The last Big Girls Bible Club met together on Saturday afternoon. Many of these girls have been learning from the Bible for over two years. We pray they will choose Jesus. They know enough to make a good decision. Today they heard the story of the Samaritan Woman. They learned how she went immediately to share the Good News with her village. We pray these girls will share the Good News with their village.
 Painting white Tee shirts



 Painting bread with colored milk, then toasting!






Easy and fun painted bread. Sylvia shows their finished products.























  

SATURDAY

Floyd went off with Tyler to the local Catholic Church to lead a men's meeting. Due to some confusion, many ladies showed up as well. Floyd handled it well.
The ladies went to the YWAM church in my neighborhood and conducted the Pearls of Great Price Breast Cancer Awareness Program to 25 ladies. 
 Rani (left) came from the Children's Home to help with the little children. Nancy interpreted for us.
 The view



Thirty-five women learned how to share the gospel through the breast cancer awareness program.




 Distributing gifts and literature. 
Saturday afternoon, 14 neighborhood girls came for Big Girls Bible Club.

Friday, September 21, 2012

FRIDAY








Tonight, we met with over 30 youth (ages 15-25) at Pastor MP's church. After singing, praying, and introductions, we divided into groups by gender. Virginia and Sylvia taught the girls, and Floyd taught the guys. All gave rapt attention to the speakers. All wanted to hear more. All were thrilled with gifts of home baked cookies and coke, necklaces, bracelets, and pens. Pray that these young people grow into godly young men and women making a positive difference for Christ in their communities.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

VOLUNTEERS FROM DAYTONA BEACH ARRIVE SAFELY


Praise the Lord, Virginia, Floyd, Susan and Sylvia all made it safely WITH all their luggage! Thank you to all our PW's! Check back here for more photos of their time in the mountains! Please lift up our opportunities to share the love of our Lord:
WEDNESDAY: Travel by train and taxi to the mountains
THURSDAY: Prayer, planning, and rest
FRIDAY: Floyd with local pastor; Youth meeting
SATURDAY: Men's Meeting with Floyd; Ladies meeting; Big Girls' Bible Club
SUNDAY: Church, baptism; Children's Home
MONDAY: SJ Children's Ministry
TUESDAY: Mom's and Friends Bible Club; Floyd home visits with local pastor; dinner in home of local Pastor
WEDNESDAY: Ladies meeting; Floyd with local pastor
THURSDAY: Floyd men's meeting in SJ
FRIDAY: Ladies' meeting in SJ; Floyd with local pastor
SATURDAY: Local Trip; pack; my good-bye party
SUNDAY: Return to Delhi -Help me say good-bye to this area and my almost three years here
MONDAY: Delhi
TUESDAY: Team flies out to the US; I fly to Malaysia

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

RECENT BIBLE CLUBS PICS

Recently, we've been learning lessons from wicked women including Athalia and Herodias. The moms especially, had lively discussions about the examples of these women.
 Thanks for the kits, Greg! The girls loved making the crosses.


 Oreo ice cream pie!
 Friday night girls youth group.

Lots of learning from God's Word, and lots of fun, too.

                       OREO ICE CREAM PIE
3 packages (single row) of Oreos
1 liter vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar

To prepare the crust, crush one package of Oreos and add the butter and sugar.
Press the cookie mixture into a greased pie dish. Bake for about 5 minutes at 375 F, or microwave for 1 minute. Let cool.
Crush another package of Oreos, and stir into the softened ice cream.
Spoon into the cooled pie crust.
Decorate the outer edge of the dish with 1/2 Oreos.
Garnish with chocolate bits or chocolate syrup. Return to freezer until serving time.
Soften the carton of ice cream while you crush another package of Oreos.