Surely Michael Jackson's death is a reminder that death happens to everyone - even if untimely and that money solves nothing - in fact it often creates problems! Following on from the GFC you would have thought that the lesson of 'you can't take it with you' had been spelt out for all the world to see. If the circus surrounding the Oz Lotto draw is anything to go on - we don't seem to have learnt much at all.

I am not suggesting going in the draw was sinful or that having a little bit more money wouldn't be welcomed. Rather I am suggesting that these two events highlight the same thing - we want control of our lives so that we are not answerable to anyone - but death undercuts that 'fantasy' with the reality that we will one day have to face up to God for an account of our lives - whether we have lived with wealth or without it.

The Christian hope which is freely available to us all rests in the finished work of Jesus Christ. We can't add to it - we can't take anything from it - all we can do take hold of it as the most precious gift of all - the offer of forgiveness and eternal life.

The fantasy that Michael Jackson tried to live at Neverland evaporated and ended with his untimely death and the fantasy of a care free life which big lotto draws hold out to us are mythical. The life we all long for is yet to come - the best we can do is get ready for it - the only way we can - by faith and trust in Christ. If we do that - then whenever death claims us - as it surely will - their will be a higher claim registered over our life - and it will be Jesus saying, 'He/she is mine, come into the kingdom I have prepared for you!'

If we have learnt anything from this week - surely it is that life is short - and that no amount of money quench our deepest desires - only Jesus can do that!

'Where O death is your victory, where O death is your sting....thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord'
1 Cor.15 55-56

India is as colourful & chaotic as the last time I visited. There is much evidence of the economic growth in this country but very little has reached the poor people of rural India where the India Gospel League does most of its work. The needs for people to hear the gospel and for Pastors to be trained continues to be great. IGL now supports over 6000 pastors!! They provide training support and care.  I have been speaking to groups of Pastors of between 50 & 100 as they gather for their monthly Pastors Conferences. It is always challenging knowing what message to bring them. The biggest challenge is being able to speak as long as they want. They expect me to give Bible teaching ie a sermon and for me to speak for up to an hour including translation! The stress. I can't speak that long - especially when it is without notes - with the delay due to translation and my brain!

Any way - they have responded well to my teaching so far. I will be visiting our Adopted Village in a couple of days and expect this will be a highlight.

There is another Aussie team over here from Northmead Aglican teaching a unit of the Moore Colleges PTC called 'Promise to Fulfillment'. They are first timers and enjoying the experince.

Thank you for you prayers. I am enjoying many a good curry. I am in good health. The accommodation is excellent. I only wish all of you could have this experience as well. I plan to bring a team over next time - so get ready for the pressure to come!

I will be on the road - travelling long distance for the next 5 days. Please continue to pray for good health, safety, that I will not stress if I can't speak for an hour and that God will be glorified in all that I am doing here.

God Bless. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Michael

Having just returned from India after a two week trip in which I visited various christian groups and spoke at many Pastor's Conferences one thing is clear - India is a country on the move and undergoing enormous transformation!
Economically, India is becoming a superpower. You probably already knew that - but the changes that have taken place in the four years since my last visit have been substantial. For example, a huge freeway/highway network is being built the length and breadth of the country. This is major infrastructure and is delivering significant employment way down the employment tree to the most basic worker. The government guarantees 100 days work to anyone who turns up! The effect of this is to put more money in the system which in turn seems to be fuelling the development of all sorts of businesses. There a lots of new hotels - although you often need a discerning eye to find them in rural India, new trendy shops like Reebock and Hero Honda which seems to be the motorcycle of choice, and many others. Despite the GFC it is difficult to see the economic development slowing down in India for too long.

Politically, India is also becoming a superpower. World leaders are giving India far more attention that they have in previous decades - largely for economic reasons but this is still a big change. The recently re-elected Congress Party is giving India the freedom to embrace change and develop in ways that the restrictive BJP Hindu Party never would.

This government is also allowing various religious faiths the opportunity to prosper and grow without government interference including Christianity. This is a great blessing for the Christian Church in India and it is growing at a fast rate in rural India. Having said that, the State Governments in India don't always agree with the Federal and many still seek to oppress Christianity and do not stop persecution of Christians in many places.

The ministry of the India Gospel League which I witnessed on this recent trip was truly inspiring. Christian pastors are bringing life and hope to rural India which is often overlooked by the modern world. They enter communities bringing nothing but the love of Jesus and people are responding. They offer to care for the children of these communities by setting up Child Care Centres, Schools & skills training centres for the women. These are offered 'no strings attached' to any who would like to participate but it is all clearly offered in the name of Christ. The love of Christ is demonstrated, the gospel is preached unashamedly and people are responding! Maybe this has something to teach us about how to reach people for Christ.

These Pastor's are willing to count the cost, pay a significant personal price but they believe God will honour their endeavours and he doers. It is hard, difficult work often experienced through persecution but God is building his Kingdom in India daily.

It was a humbling privilege for me - to share with these pastor's and hear of their jouney and what God is doing. The highlight was visiting the village St Alban's has adopted and is supporting. It is in a very remote area - with some extremely poor people but the Pastor there has brought the love of Christ to that community in a tangible way. He now runs and oversees a child care centre, a school, a womens skills training vacility and 7 womens transformation groups, as well as an Evening Study Centre for children to study after school. The Pastor doesn't teach at all of these, he has trained and employed locals to do this - but he has untimate oversight in co-ordination with IGL. He has also established a small church of 32 baptised believers. He lives in a tin shed which also doubles as the church for worship on Sundays. Due to persecution he has had to move the church 4 times because people haven't wanted a worshipping Christian community in the village - but he has persevered and God is building his church.

Through the support of St Alban's it is hoped that some land can be purchased soon and a Life Centre can be built. This would have a major impact in a community such as this. Next year I am hoping to return to India - hopefully in July for an eye-witness trip in which I hope to take some members of St Alban's to visit the village and witness first hand the amazing things that God is doing in India through faithful pastors and IGL.

I have also brought back the profiles of 50 children from our adopted village which can be sponsored for $30 a month or $360 a year. Please contact the Church office (9416-1703) if you would like to be involved in this way.

To sum up - it was an exhausting, stimulating, challenging and encouraging trip. Which ever way you look at it - India is a country in massive transformation. May it be that in 50 years from now - history will show that the greatest transformation has been for Christ. May God make it so!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Michael