A Three Hour Service

Young children sitting and participating for three hours! It is hard to imagine from our cultures in the west. But this morning that was our experience. We had a great time with the Behtel BIC congregation of God's people here in Cuttack. It was a great privilege to worship and participate with them.

Singing, sharing reports, praying, two messages - each with full translation, announcements about the life of the church, and further opportunity to pray. It was a beautiful time with God's people.
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There still is a good amount of tension here in Orissa because of the animosity of the radical Hindus to the Christians. We have not experienced anything that would make us think we are in danger, but we are working hard not to call too much attention to the fact that we are here in town. The problem would likely be for our hosts rather than for us.

With these things in mind we were driven inside a little area where a gate could be closed behind us, before we got out of the car. Last time we were here we just got out from the car on the street in front of the worship center as in the picture below.


I noticed as well that a church sign that was on prominent display in November was missing today.


It gave me an opportunity, however, to encourage the people that although the church sign was not there, I was looking at the church. The church was and is still present.

Do pray for our brothers and sisters here in Orissa. They face severe threats for being faithful to our Lord. Even though we do not face the same threats in the west, I also asked them to pray for us that we may be found faithful in the midst of our daily walk as followers of Jesus.

We are home for a few hours. Then we ill head back for another time together with the church this evening. We are then invited to a family home from the congregation for our evening meal.