September 10th, 2010

Hey Everybody!

Everything is going great here! It's been raining a lot which is good because the past 8 years have been very dry for India. Today is "Teacher's Day" at Emmanuel (like teacher appreciation week) so we are putting together a meal for them and Veer has asked me to sing/play them a song on my ukulele. I only know one song, the one that is on facebook, so that's the one I will be singing.

For those of you who know the legendary "Beardsley" I got to see him last night AND not only did I successfully say no to him when he offered me more biscuits, I made HIM have more!!! For those of you who don’t know of him, he is Veer's good friend who is very, very persuasive (aka forceful) with what you eat.

Anyway, I have heard some troubling news from the U.S. I heard there was a tornado near Love Field... I also heard there is flooding in the US. I hope it isn't as bad as the flooding here. Regardless, it will be in my prayers.

Even more troubling, I heard the news of this pastor who wishes to burn a Qur’an tomorrow, on the anniversary of September 11th. This saddens me greatly... Whatever happened to turning the other cheek? Or forgive them Father for they know not what they do? Tomorrow is also one of the biggest Muslim festivals of the year (not because of 9-11 but because of the moon). I know from word of mouth that the retaliation the Muslims will take if their holy book is burned, is not good... "A babbling fool will come to ruin" and so will this pastor. "The mouth of the wicked conceals violence" and so does this pastors words and actions (Proverbs 10). Christians, our command is to LOVE, not to be vengeful. This foolish pastor is only damaging our faith, and our image to the Muslims. Now, the idea the Muslims will have of Christians is that we are vengeful, hateful, and disrespectful people. I know I am rambling but I want to express how this is NOT good. This is NOT of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, I ask for prayer, not for myself, but for this pastor to not do this foolish act... for the safety of the U.S. soldiers in Muslims countries from violent retaliation... and for this act to not be viewed as all Christians... Pray today, and ALL throughout tomorrow.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen."
1 Corinthians 16:24


In Him,

Ethan