Our final day… It went by quickly. We packed-up what seemed like mountains of luggage that the bell hops expertly fit into the back of our car and headed out to Albert’s home for a birthday lunch for Carla (the Big 4-0) and me (the slightly smaller 3-5). Dena, Carla and I decided to wear sarees for our big day which was an adventure in and of itself. I think it only took four tries and several deconstructions of Carla’s to get Dena’s right. From there, mine was a bit easier, though the front desk staff did make a comment and have to make a few adjustments.  Even though this is my seventh trip, I’m not quite an Indian woman yet!

Throughout the day, we experienced the fire of the Holy Spirit – first in numerous candles on four birthday cakes – two joint cakes for Carla and me and one for each of us from the local team. From there, we headed out in the pouring rain and floods for a delectable lunch where the fire continued to fall in the form habanero peppers in our soup. They made my favorite dish chili chicken look tame by comparison. Thankfully, the rest of the lunch accompanied by fresh lime soda and sweet lassi quenched the fire in our mouths.

We finished the day wrapping up a few things at Albert’s and then progressively making our way to the airport through the flooded streets. Sean and Carla off to Cape Town, Dena off to San Francisco and Suma, Robin and I off to Jakarta, Indonesia for the next rēp Venture!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. God is moving in India, His Kingdom is coming and His will is being done. We were so excited that we (and you!) could be a part of it.

Kim Wilson

Ahhh! We all agreed  that today was the perfect way to end our final full day on our “Thunder Bolt” aka Blitz in Chennai.

It was a privledge to pray with three consultants / clients from the first Venture. We started the morning with Alex and Susan Mathew.  Alex was our first training lead for the first two cycles in Chennai. We then went to Prem and Shelina’s home. Prem was also a Venture 1 consultant and led the next three cycles of training.  We finished the day with Natchi and Tina – clients from the first Venture who have since been married and just moved into a fabulous [with a “God is so abundantly amazing” testimony] home. So for me, it was like a homecoming! It’s amazing to see God’s faithfulness in each family’s life and pray, encourage and bless each with all that God has for them. Illnesses were healed, feet were washed, tears were shed, truth was spoken and we stood together in agreement and unity of Spirit before the throne of our King. What a privilege to approach him in prayer together on behalf of our wonderful family through Christ Jesus.

Aside from Homecoming, we also had a chance to visit Ruth and pray for her and Sumithra (the lead intercessor) at World Vision India. They shared with us testimony of a recent fire that broke out in their 3^rd floor prayer room. It was contained to that room alone and all were safe. We rejoiced with them at the grace of the Father’s plans to contain the fire (scaffolding already up for a building next door to access the room from the outside, insurance man in the lobby to write up the paperwork…). And we also rejoiced with them for the Holy Spirit’s fire that has come to their organization to refine, bring truth and power in greater measure of Christ-likeness throughout the organization.

We finished the night with a scrumptious team dinner at the Taj Hotel.  We haven’t laughed so hard the whole trip. It started with the drive up to the Taj. 6 of us were stuffed into Natchi & Tina’s car. So, when security checked the boot of the car and found Tina crammed in there – the look of shock on his face was priceless.  Even the guard was laughing at his own reaction! And thus began a raucous evening. The night was full of recounting cultural faux pas, misunderstood gestures, embarrassing moments, and the famous Indian “bobble head.” Joy has been a major theme of this Venture, so may the joy continue in greater and greater measure!!

Tomorrow is our last official day in Chennai – with a Birthday Lunch for me and Carla, an afternoon local leadership meeting, dinner and then airport!  I am excited to take 5 Indians with me to Jakarta -  three are travelling from Chennai and two from Kerala!

Kim Wilson

Rental car – check.  Driver – check. Four team members – check.  Suma as navigator – check.  Umbrellas – oops.

Off to VGP for prayer first thing, then errands in the middle of the biggest rainstorm I have ever experienced! And I am a native Seattleite! 

Streets flooded, cars stalled, knee high pedestrian wading across streets, autos creating wakes worthy of wakeboarding; ceilings leaking, creating storms inside of buildings – waterfall worthy in some places…in the words of Sean the bouncer turned rose, now shepherd, it was HECTIC!  And he earned a new tag-name – gallant.  The guy stood in the pouring rain to hail the car, THEN opened and held the car doors for the ladies; while the driver remained ensconced in the mini-van!  Soaked to the skin he entered the vehicle and promptly caused every window to fog.  We are so thankful for Sean.

Back at the hotel we continued prayer meetings - Carla met with Helen for several hours and Sean, Kim and I prayed for Francis.

Tomorrow is our last full day meeting with clients; we check out of the hotel on Friday and head off to Jakarta, Cape Town and San Francisco that night.  It is bittersweet knowing that we only have a few more hours in the intense, hospitable, and currently soaking wet, land of India.

Dena Andrews

During the priviledge of sleeping in (on my birthday) Dena and Kim went off to World Vision to meet with the CEO and shared a bit about what rep does. Janet, Sean and I enjoyed the late breakfast before an incredible time of devotion and prayer for each other.  I was blown away at God’s faithfulness and the amazing encouraging words during this time of ministrering to each other. I believe that the healing and revelation received set the tone for the years ahead.

Moving on to a birthday lunch at Zameendar we had a feast of great food & company in a gorgeously decorated atmosphere just before Janet had to jet set off to Hyderabad for work.  After a luxuorious afternoon break from all the activities of the past 10 days we joined in worship at Apostolic Fellowship Tabernacle (AFT) which seats about 2500 people; and really very much like any other big chruch.  Suma introduced the rep team to the senior pastor, Sam Chelladurai, and I received a birthday blessing from him.  It was wonderful to see and experience a Bible-based church in India.

What an awesome relaxing day for me as the birthday girl.

Carla Olivier  

Our day started like most days with a good breakfast and even better company at the table.  Lots of discussion makes breakfast interesting so much so my coffee got cold!

Two of the local team, Albert and Joseph transported us to Mahabalipuram.  We are sooo grateful for their driving expertise because traffic is dangerous - at times I closed my eyes so my foot wasn’t tempted to find the imaginary passenger side brake; I was afraid my exhuberent stopping strategy would cause my leg to go through the floor panel!

We stopped for lunch at Ideal Beach Resort and Margie Cook joined us.  We toured the beach (breathtaking) and the grounds.  Kim reminised about the fist venture which was held at this location.  As usual, the food was fabulous, spicy, and flavor-filled, and it was enhanced by the depth of conversation and the people around the table.

After lunch we made four stops - first, to an almost completed house in a small village; second to the factory where all the roofing and side panels are produced; third to see houses #3,4,and 5 and meet the families inhabiting them, and fourth to Don & Margies house to have tea, biskets, and pray for them and their project.  It was amazing to see what they are doing for India.  Widows in India are regarded as forgettable and seeing the Cook’s compassion changing and challenging societal mindsets was imactful.

Back into the cars, and off we went to Sudhir and Aruna’s - once again, hospitality was above bar and we were wonderfully received by them and their family.  While waiting for them to arrive we went to see some shops across the road - and felt like we were playing a real live video game dodging the cars, autos, motorbikes and cycles as we crossed the road!  It was more of an adrenalin rush than riding anything Disney World can offer!

Aruna provided a lovely dinner of baked chicken, chicken nuggets (Indian style) and rice.  My lips were burning but it was great food! 

Back into the cars once again and off to the hotel.  It was a long day but the impact was incredible - to see what the Cooks do despite mindsets, heat, humidity, financial constraint, and language barriers was humbling.  Please pray for them and their ministry www.equipfoundation.org. 

Off to sleep we go…to prepare for Tuesday - it’s my wife’s birthday!

Sean Olivier