Out in wonderful rural West Bengal

We started the day reading the Bible together, with the birds and the Kolkata traffic singing away. Creation making a joyful noise to the Lord!

We headed up to the north near the airport having amazing conversations in the car. Brother Benjamin was sharing about the closeness and faithfulness of his team - want to go fast go alone; want to go far, go together. But how do you find, sustain and keep a team over 10 years? He shared passionately about modelling his team around Jesus' and his lifestyle. Jesus prioritised being relational, always seeking to honour the person in front of them; Jesus was intentional, he had purpose and intent everywhere he went; and lastly Jesus was missional, his team had an aim and together they brought God's kingdom. We want to build teams like this!

We paused at the side of the road waiting for our local motorbike guide to find us and help us locate the village. It looked like a jungle when we got out but quickly we were led to a home and welcomed into the community. The medical team set up the table of drugs, loads of packets of tablets, the blood pressure machines - it reminded me of working in a pharmacy! This is another of the team's entry strategies, helping rural communities access healthcare while also offering prayer, entertainment for the children and practical prizes, like buckets and jugs for the winners.

Some of us stayed to be on the prayer team next to the medics while I went on a prayer walk around the area with Jane, Claudette, Ani and a local Christian. We met a lady who seemed quite reserved but Jane shared her story of coming to know Jesus' peace in her life. Ani encouraged me to share a story with the gathering group of curious children so I did a rendition of the lost sheep, lavishly loving my little sheep, washing them and looking for the lost one behind the trees! Jane graciously became the found sheep and the children were laughing as she bleeted her relief at our happy reunion! I was like the lost sheep too once and was found by Jesus, the greatest shepherd. The family were moved and the matriach said she wanted to know this Jesus. As Claudette prayed with her, I was amazed at the openness of her heart and the immediacy of her response. It's like we're living in Acts!

Back at the medical camp we shared the gospel and gave out some new testament bibles. Ashenafi told us his story of how he came to know Jesus. He asked if someone could read John 3:16, the verse that led him to the Lord. One boy, around 8 years old, opened up his brand new Bible, found the verse and read it aloud. This was the first time he'd ever read the Bible! What a privilege to facilitate this! He said he was so encouraged and wanted to underline this verse. It really touched our hearts seeing the joy on his face and the power of people accessing God's word.

We had such a special day sharing our stories and God's story with the people we met, grinning at the children, smiling at the women (one of whom helped tie up my trousers which kept falling down!), laughing with the locals and learning little bits of Bengali - it has been such a joy connecting with people we met and being on mission together as the family of God. The joy of the Lord really was our strength today... (and my 5 pieces of toast at breakfast!)