News From the North...

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Greetings from the Snowy North,

 I know, I know it’s April. Yet we’ve been experiencing the *cough* joys of a “late Spring snow” the last two days. Hopefully, this April shower will not only bring May flowers, but a long stretch of sun in the Summer as well.

Mark has arrived in India and enjoyed a much needed day of rest, recouping from a looooong 2 day trip just to get there – 22 1/2 hours in the air. The ministry activities this year were kicked off on Saturday, April 27th with a one day Youth Conference. This is a new thing. Mark and Balchandra have been talking about doing this for several years, and this year marks our first of what will hopefully become a natural companion venue to the annual Leadership Conference.

On Sunday, Mark ministered in 2 churches and then the Leadership Conference began on Monday. The Leadership Conferences have a new name as of this year – “Ignite Conference” 2013. We are truly excited about the Conference in a way that’s different from previous years. Each Conference has it’s own flavor, and each year the Lord does amazing things. This year, however, has had a special excitement in the atmosphere around the preparations.

Part of the excitement centers around the faith walk this trip has been. There are things we’ve relied on in years past when pulling trips together that have not been available to us for this trip. From changes in our support base to the travel agent and agency we’ve used for years, to the passport renewal process, and even the online application for Mark’s visa. At every turn, we have absolutely and completely had to rely on the Lord to make it happen. And He has! He’s met us in so many small ways, it’s impossible NOT to believe that He is planning big things for the people of India in and through this year’s Conference.

Another reason for the excitement for me personally, is the sense in the Spirit that there is a “ripeness” to this year’s conference. As we were praying for the trip, I heard the Lord say that Mark was going in and he would reap a harvest that he did not work for. At the same time, I saw a picture of Mark being held in a hand and being inserted into a wheat field that was thick with tall stalks ready to be harvested.

What an honor and a privilege it is to follow in the footsteps of people like Charles & Lorell Anderson, as well as my own parents’, into this area and this vision; to see what it is that they risked life, health, family and fortune for; to continue building upon the foundation they have laid, so that the harvest may increase.
Of course, I don’t how this will play out exactly, but I know in my knower that this trip represents a tipping point, and I can’t wait to hear the report when Mark returns.

Your continued prayers are appreciated more than we can ever adequately express in words.

Yours for the Kingdom,


Mark and Julie

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