Number 109:  May 16, 2007

Many people have asked me if this trip to India was life changing. My response has been no. It has been life enriching, but I would not call it life changing. I consider life changing decisions, good or bad, as ones that did just that -- change my life from one direction to another. When I got married, that was life changing! Having my first child, that was life changing. When I first heard the accuracy of God’s Word in a class called Power for Abundant Living, that was life changing. Accepting the challenge to come to Colorado Springs to stand on the Word of God, which later included being released from my ministerial duties, was life changing. Making the decision to stay with no visible means of financial support and expect God to back up what He promises in His Word, that was a decision that was life changing. But going to India, no, that was life enriching.

Going to a week long Bible camp in New Mexico and hearing Ken Petty and Edgar Ibarra teach was life changing in that it opened the door for other accurate Bible teachers to visit and share the Word of God in Colorado. That camp destroyed a major fear myth which would later open the door for others, like Sangat to visit and teach. 

I did see and hear about many signs miracles and wonders in India. However, I have witnessed them in the United States many times before throughout my early days of involvement in the things of God. Since Sangat’s first visit to Tucson three years ago, there have been many, many signs miracles and wonders that I have seen and heard of in Colorado and in other places that I have traveled to teach God’s Word.  

The many places, and the all too few places, that Sangat has traveled and taught about the great power of God in action has been a benefit to many. His work on the subject of healing and dealing with devil spirits has taken the spiritual fight back to where it was in the 70’s. Many are once again utilizing the full armor of God in their spiritual walk daily.

Some people have concluded that my trip to India was “fun.” I would never have classified it as fun! The journey itself even with the conveniences found on modern airplanes was grueling. I was thankful I didn’t have to spend months on the Queen Mary floating across the ocean, but still going to the complete other side of the globe in a cramped bus in the sky was not what I would call enjoyable. Sleeping where the water buffalo usually sleeps makes one thankful for a mat, but fun? Staying in the same clothes for three days, fun? I enjoy Indian food, but not every day. I lost 10 pounds on the trip; not that I didn’t need to. When fellow travelers, who had been to India before, said that a restaurant also served Chinese food, I now understand the depths of that statement. When Sangat visits, he never orders Indian food, I now understand why completely.

This trip was life enriching, the benefits far outweighed the distractions. Traveling to a distant land to spend quality time with God’s people, to observe the way the Word of God is moving was thrilling and encouraging. Being able to help by teaching, healing, exhorting, and sharing past spiritual successes, was priceless.