India Mission Trip
Eddie Lofton

REPORT FROM TRIP TO INDIA
October 30, 2006
Eddie R. Lofton  

Our recent trip to South India has provided a great opportunity to re-evaluate my out look on the world. India is a land in the midst of change even though it was only two years ago, since we were there. There have been many changes physically, spiritually and financially, physical there are many changes in the clothes which people wear especially in the cities. There seems to be a desire to dress more western, even though the dress in the villages still remains traditional. Spiritually the people seem to be turning to the Christian faith at a younger age; however there are some older people who are becoming more open to faith in Jesus Christ. Since our travel was primarily in the Southern four States of India, I can not comment on any other area other that Delhi where we spent an evening going to Bangalore . We also came back through Delhi and arrived during the afternoon, it is a very large and busy city, I am told of 25 million people. My grandson and the daughter of a good friend of ours were my traveling partners for the trip and were amazed at the traffic and the population.

We departed O’Hare Field, Chicago aboard American Airlines 777 on the evening of October 11^th and arrived at Bangalore Airport in India on October 13^th at 9:45 AM, with the stop over in Delhi . The 15 plus hour flight took us north over the North Pole, Greenland and across Russia , the flight was good and we were well taken care of. The stop in Delhi was with our arrival was late at night so we arranged for a hotel since we had almost eight hours layover. The ride through Delhi at that time of night was a real adventure and the young people observed a country completely different from the United States .

Upon our arrival we were met by a staff member from SAC-CCC, who had made arrangements for us to have some rest before we were taken to the office for an afternoon orientation. At the office we were all introduced to one another and thus our trip began to take shape. Since it was already Friday afternoon we had an easy schedule, however, on Saturday morning we rose early and traveled to Mysore to visit the Palace, we were accompanied by our pastor and wife who had already been in India for two weeks. The Guide book opens with this statement,” The Palace in the Garden City of Mysore attracts thousands of tourist everyday.”  We enjoyed our day at Mysore and were even treated to Pizza as we began our trip back to Bangalore ; however the pizza was not the pizza which we eat in the United States .

Sunday Morning found us up and dressed for eight o’clock services at the Full Gospel Church of India, Dr. Michael Brown preached the early morning service and we were blessed by eleven new converts. I was given the opportunity to preach the second service at ten o’clock; the church has just begun an English speaking service and is reaching out to young adults. The service went very well and it was a blessing to be able to preach there in India .

We were given a real treat after the church service when the Associate Pastor and one of their staff members invited us to lunch. We were taken to the only place in Bangalore where beef is served, “My Own Place” really have a very good steak and several to choose from.   Sunday evening we were aboard the sleeper car of a southbound train headed for Madurai .

Monday morning we arrived early and went to our hotel before we made our visit to our Sivakasi Home for Girls. On Tuesday we visited Tirupoovanam Home for Girls and prepared for our return trip by train to Bangalore , another overnight sleeper car ride.

The parents of their girls in this home almost all work in the brick plants and receive very low pay, therefore the reason for many of their girls being in the homes. Aids/HIV is also a problem in this area as in many other area of India .

After a day of rest we head for Kollagunta where many of us have been sponsoring a girl for years. As we arrived at the gate the girls began to line up to receive us, what a joy to see these girls again. Throughout the afternoon and the evening more and more of the girls arrived home from school. We were able to present all the girls with at least one gift and for many their sponsors had sent a special gift and what a joy to deliver those gifts directly to each girl. For many, these gifts represented delayed birthday and Christmas gifts not sent earlier because of shipping cost.

Saturday “Children’s Festival at Chittoor” what and event it was with over 400 of our children coming together from 5 different homes to celebrate and share talent and skills.   We again were able to provide a gift for each and every one of the children, for this we are thankful to those people who contributed.

Additional events in which we were able to take part are, visiting the Cow Project, visiting the rural hospital, what a blessing to see the progress which has taken place during the last two years. The hospital, open and operational, was wonderful, to see people being treated and cared for with Christian love. There will be more reports regarding the hospital later, along with plans for expansion.

We were able to worship with two different congregations on Sunday Morning while we were in Chittoor, it was great and the word was well received in both churches.

The balance of our time was spent in teaching and training class with our students at SAC-CCC headquarters in Bangalore .   October 25^th came very quickly and once again we find ourselves aboard at Sahara Airlines flight to Delhi to connect with American Airlines for our return flight to the United States .

We have so much to share, hope we will get the opportunity to get together in the next future.

(Cow was purchased and delivered for a needy family).

Eddie Lofton
New Creations Ministry
www.sufferingchurch.com