Thanks for the prayers for God's protection and strength. Despite the places I've been in India and the things I've seen, God has definitely protected me. He has given me strength since I am finally adjusting to the time difference. Continue to pray as I travel to Orissa Thurs. and Fri. Persecution of Christians is still pretty high in this predominantly Hindu area. Pray for the country during this time, especially Sept. 19-28th. It is the time of Khali Puja (worship of the gods). Schools and offices are closed so the entire country can worship their gods. Idols are beginning to be placed all over. I watched as an idol of a woman with several hands was being carried in carts throughout the streets. During this week, the people will go to a center field and worship. The Christians say that this is the darkest time and when the most evil and oppression is felt. It's like the devil rises up and takes over the country. Strange insects come out of the ground and strange things happen. During this time, Christians try to have revivals and camps for the kids, but it is a struggle. Yet, God is more powerful than all the demons and devils in the world. Pray that the Christians will stand up under the pressure. Pray for me as I will be here at the beginning of that festival.

Pray also for the lay leaders who are doing house churches in East India. They are encouraged after our training but they need God's protection and intervention. Pray for a young lady I met tonight, Sanjata who has started a house church in Kolkata. She has the only Christian home in her compound and she is surrounded by Hindus and Muslims. There are two shrines right across from her house. While we visited her house tonight, the people started worshipping their gods as we were praying in her house. The devil wasn't happy, but we serve a mighty God. I prayed a prayer of protection over her home and for her ministry. Continue to lift up Sanjata in prayer that God would continue to use her in her prayer ministry in her home. Several healings have already taken place including in her life. God healed her miraculously from a tumor. This is the condition of the saints here. They are real champions for the Gospel. As I hugged the children in her home, they all followed me wanting more hugs. What a difference a hug makes in a child’s life!