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- Siliguri Celebration Sign Feb 2010
Music filled the air as we praised the Lord in songs being sung in several languages, with the young and old alike enjoying the praises being lifted to the Lord. This was an exciting time, as brothers and sisters filled the worship center that had traveled from all over representing various cultures, to praise the Lord with each people group expressing their praise in their own distinct way! We had gathered in Siliguri, India to celebrate 50 years of ministry with the local Church of God congregation. In spite of strikes that had been instituted, causing severe transportation issues, around 300 people had come to commemorate this historical time in the life of the Siliguri Church of God.
The celebration was to start on Friday morning at 9AM, but because of the strikes and people having difficulty getting to Siliguri, we didn’t get started until 11AM. There were to be three services on Friday where John Boedeker, Ken Merrifield and I would be preaching. John and I were asked to preach on the history and beliefs of the Church of God, Ken was going to speak on mission.
Each service had a time of Praise and Worship, where expressions of culture dance were presented. It is so exciting to experience worship with our Brothers and Sisters of various cultures as they would spontaneously gather and worship the Lord in dance and song.
With the day starting late, and breaks and meals in between the services, it was late in the evening before Ken spoke. He shared a little on missions, then shared that he felt like the Lord was leading for us to have a time of praying for the sick and inflicted. Many came forward for anointing and prayer, with many receiving a touch from the Lord. Our Heavenly Father is so awesome!
Another strike had been called on Saturday from 6AM until 6PM, causing even more difficulties with people coming and going to the Celebration. Saturday morning SudiptaNada from National Fellowship led us in worship then preached on
following the Lord as He leads. We
[caption id="attachment_335" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Worship Team Feb 2010"]
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had lunch, spent time in fellowship with several Pastors and Leaders before the evening service. Local Pastors had been invited for the evening celebration service of another great time of praise and worship, and then Susanta Patra, from National Fellowship, challenged everyone that we need to be reaching the lost for Jesus Christ.
Praise God there were no strikes on Sunday, the morning service started at 9:30 AM, and the Siliguri Church building was packed out! Susanta Patra led us in worship, with Amos Moore from Nepal preaching on “Looking Ahead at the Next 50 Years” from Isaiah 6:1-8 with the challenge of: “Who will go for the Lord?” with our response: “Send Me”. After this powerfully challenging service it was, of course, followed by one last time of food and fellowship, before we ended the weekend of celebrating this momentous time in the life of the Siliguri Church of God!
This week we have been and will be traveling to several churches and the two Child Development Centers in this area. Please pray for our travels and our times at these
[caption id="attachment_336" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Tribal Cultural Dance Feb 2010"]
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various ministries! Ken also got to experience an elephant ride for the very first time! John and I have ridden before, but on this ride, we did get to see a lot of animals – which is always very nice.
Now back to work and sharing Jesus! Make sure you take a moment and look at the
pictures.
[caption id="attachment_337" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Richard & John receiving Award Feb 2010"]
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[caption id="attachment_338" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Nepalese Cultural Dance Feb 2010"]
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[caption id="attachment_339" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Dancing during Praise and Worship Feb 2010"]
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[caption id="attachment_340" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Rajbongshi Tribal Dance Feb 2010"]
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[caption id="attachment_341" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Youth Tribal Dance Feb 2010"]
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[caption id="attachment_342" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Sunday service in the Siliguri Church of God Feb 2010"]
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