Reaching the Un-reached & Eyes to Innocence Opened - S.P.E.A.R. Update
“We also had a lot of opportunities to share the Gospel and see many put their faith in Jesus. We ere also able to minister among the tribal people who have been un-reached with the Gospel… This is a war torn region, where the people have no peace in their hearts. It is our desire that we will be able to share the hope that is found in Jesus, and the true peace which he brings…”
MARK & JOY SCHNEIDER – THE S.P.E.A.R. LEADERS 2007
Dear family and friends,
We have reached the halfway point in our outreach to India. It has been a blessing to see everyone on our team grow in leadership, ourselves included, as each week we have been looking at different characteristics of Joshua's leadership from the Word of God, and providing opportunities to implement them into our lives.
We have had a wonderful time of ministry in southern India. We were able to come alongside the local believers and encourage them from the word of God. We also had a lot of opportunities to share the Gospel and see many put their faith in Jesus. We were also able to minister among the tribal people who have been un-reached with the Gospel.
After many days of travel we have finally arrived in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (Northern India). As we prepare to embark on our ministry here we rejoice in God's faithfulness in our lives, knowing that one day God would bring us back to this land. Being here is like being in a completely different country than Southern India. It is a very dark place. The people's hearts are full of fear. There is a lot of poverty and a lot of stress due to the conflict between Pakistan and India. This is a war torn region, where the people have no peace in their hearts. It is our desire that we will be able to share the hope that is found in Jesus, and the true peace which he brings, with the people that we meet while we are here, as we travel to each place praying for God to breakthrough the darkness.
Please continue to pray for us while we are here:
-That God's Spirit would protect us in this hostile environment
-That God would continue to protect our marriage
-For love and unity to be the foundation of our team
-For good health for us and our team
-For all financial needs to be met as we don't yet have all the funds require for our outreach
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. We love you and
miss you. May God richly bless you.
By His Grace Alone,
Mark & Joy Schneider
“As I shared a Bible story and the gospel the Lord really opened my eyes to the innocence and beauty of the children sitting before me. I felt such an excitement to be sharing the love of my Savior, Jesus with a new generation that could change the village forever! Each child raised their hand, and each one came forward for prayer with specific needs.”
DARLENE RODRIGUEZ – THE S.P.E.A.R. 2007
I cannot believe that a month has already past since I have been here in India! Reuniting with old brothers and sisters in the Lord, doing the awesome work that many Indians are open to out here, watching lives transformed for the glory of God…it is truly amazing and humbling that I get to witness all of it!
So far our team has been to 4 cities, and have been eye witnesses to the powerful hand of God. Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to spend a week in the jungle, in the city of Gudalore. Each night we traveled into the jungles of this city and ventured to villages that have yet to be reached. We got to bring bread and hand it to children who may have ever touched hands of a lighter skin color! One of the last nights we were in this city, we did children's ministry in one of the villages. We played some songs, did a drama, acted out a Bible story, shared a testimony of a changed life in Christ, and shared the gospel. As I shared a Bible story and the gospel the Lord really opened my eyes to the innocence and beauty of the children sitting before me. I felt such an excitement to be sharing the love of my Savior, Jesus with a new generation that could change the village forever! Each child raised their hand, and each one came forward for prayer with specific needs. I couldn't believe how God had touched them.
Traveling to each town we encountered monkey's invading our van, elephants close at our sides, snakes in the road, and believers praising God all the way their and back again! Being in a secluded area, with much quietness and rest, and watching all the wildlife around us, and the simplicity of how people live really reminded me of the simplicity of how God desires each of us and myself to live. I truly thank God for each of your prayers, as He is definitely answering them!
Last week we spent in Bangalore resting and preparing to head up to the North. We left for the North this past Thursday, made our home on the train until Sunday, with one stop over in Dehli for 4 hours. Sunday we arrived in the state Jammu. We are here until Monday unless weather tells us otherwise. A "freak snow storm" hit Kashmir, our next destination, and the roads are closed, as we are hearing. Please pray that they become open that we may continue on our journey.
Prayer Updates!!!
Many people, as I have said before are coming to the Lord, and getting Bibles
Geesa, Pastor Aaron's wife is doing well with her baby, they are expecting to have the baby by the time we arrive back in Bangalore, mid-April
Team unity is strengthening every day
Prayer Requests:
Team health - many of us, including myself are really sick
vision for ministry in the north
Pastor here in Jammu, his family, and the believers
Myself, and Pete as we lead the team for the next 3 weeks
I hope to send another update really soon.
Praying for you all that the joy of the Lord would be your strength!
Running after His glory,
Darlene