Mission: INDIA!
Soon after returning from my January 2008 trip to India, a man (who must somehow fear that I can get long-winded!) asked me to describe the experience “in 25 words or less.” Talk about a challenge!
I started off by saying things like: “Intense .. Wonderful .. Exhausting .. Exciting .. Spiritual .. Challenging .. Beautiful .. Horrible .. Hopeful .. Appalling .. Uplifting …” That's eleven -- but the list literally could go on and on!
How can one possibly describe, in 25 words or less, a trip that spanned 13 days, 11 flights, 7 airports, 5 airlines, 3 continents, and 12 ½ time zones???
(Places we visited are marked with dots) 
The trip was sponsored by a group out of Michigan called MISSION INDIA . You can find them online at www.missionindia.org . This wonderful organization does just three things -- Church Planter Training, Adult Literacy Classes, and Children's Bible Groups -- but it does them in a way that is bringing many Indians to Christ. And does it efficiently and cost-effectively, to boot!
I have to tell you: When I went over there, I went as a skeptic. Before the trip was offered, India wasn't even on my radar. I wouldn't be surprised if you feel the same way.
But what a difference a trip makes! Let me tell you about it! Let me show you the people there and tell you their stories!
For example, here's the story of one person I met … See the young lady in the picture above? Her name is Diana. She is 17 years old and her dad is a pastor. She is teaching children about Jesus. She is leading little ones into a saving relationship with their Lord. Many of these children (who live in a small village with just a well for water and electricity for only a few hours a day), have never left their village. But they have learned that their Lord has come to them -- and this Good News has transformed their lives.
Over and over again, stories like Diana's are happening everyday in India . The fields are ripe for the harvest, and miracles are the norm. I even witnessed some wonderful miracles myself -- like seeing 75 people being reborn by water and Word through the new birth of Holy Baptism.
Open your hearts! Please … let me tell you more stories … and let me show you what an opportunity we have before us! What a chance we have to bring Christ to people who have never even heard that name before!
Your Servant in Christ,
Rev. Michael D. Pfingsten