Chennai – Day 1

Yesterday we flew from Pune to Chennai. Stepping off the plane, we realized right away that Chennai is MUCH hotter than Pune. We got settled in the place we’re staying, and this morning had half a day to relax, shop & have a special lunch at “sparky’s diner”.

This afternoon we loaded up in the van and made our way to a service at a tiny church in the slums. What makes this church so unique is that it was started by a man named Joshua, a boy who grew up on the streets of Chennai.

When Joshua was a boy he was rescued by some wonderful people, Freddy & Daisy, and taken to their childrens’ home called Rescue & Restore. Through the years his life began to change. Today, after attending Bible college, Joshua is the pastor of this thriving church of 60 in the slum. He has a heart to reach out and help the people of the slum and offer them hope.

This evening as we sat in a narrow tin hut with a thatched roof, we were amazed at the joy in each persons’ face. The team asked each person to write down a prayer or a praise, and then hang them together to create a chain of prayer & praise. It wasn’t just the children who enjoyed the art project. The adults got right into it.

For each person living in the slum, life has been hard and painful. One by one people just came up to the team and asked, almost begged, them to pray for them and bless them. Many tears flowed tonight. I think many hearts were encouraged.

What a worthwhile time!