The village of Mahabalipuram is reeling from an accident here yesterday.  A building under construction collapsed around 2pm. 14 men are hospitalized, some with head injuries, and 1 man died in the accident.  Our prayer is that Jesus will come and heal the injured and comfort the family and friends of those affected. If you are willing to join us in this prayer, please post your name in the comments below, along with your city and/or state.  Our teachers here would be very moved to know that people, on the other side of the world, whom they don't even know, are praying for the people of this village. We invite you to share this prayer request with others and let us know so that we may pass along this support to our dear friends here. 
 
Two years ago, while we were here, 2 of our teachers experienced the death of the husband of a close friend and we were all moved by the plight of the widow.  Her husband lost consciousness and died of unknown causes at this job site in a hotel restaurant. His co-workers brought his body home, where his wife found a friend with a car and they took him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead of unknown causes. The police were called and the widow was accused of murder, because she had delivered the body to the hospital. She left Mahab that day, to escape persecution and never returned, not even for her husband's funeral. The story is heart-wrenching but an example of the treatment of women, and especially the horrendous persecution of widows that goes every day in this culture. Surely, it breaks God's heart. We know it breaks ours.

We are constantly reminded that India is a very dark place with many evil spirits. These people need Jesus so desperately. While we are here, we are also constantly reminded that the most important work we do here is to pray. Hindu and Christian teachers here with us are praying side-by-side - with us and for us.  We believe that if you are following our story, God has called you to participate as well, even if from half a world away. Last time, many of you took this prayer request to your prayer groups, forwarded the story in emails, and asked others to pray too.  That day, we received the highest number of readers to this blog in a single day - 192, many of whom even Jim and I don't even know. Our teachers were moved to tears and prayer. It was a powerful example of the expansive and deep love of Jesus around the world. This, alone, causes many to want to "drink from this water", as well. Won't you please join us?  Please feel free to copy this URL and/or story and post it on your Facebook pages, take to your prayer groups, or forward in emails. Please let us know, in the comments, below, as you hear of others praying for this village.  The impact of this simple networking may make the different in the lives of these teachers and their friends in their acceptance of Jesus as the Great Healer and Comforter for all people - Christians, non-believers, Hindus, and more. 

We are praying for all readers of this blog and asking God to bless your faithfulness. 
Jim, Susan, and Charlie

"Susie Mam!  Really?  For me???"  I remember the joy on the faces of the teachers last summer as they squealed in delight over our gifts of contact paper and pocket charts, among other educational items.Somthing so simple to us, something so rare and treasured to them. What a whirlwind the past few days have been as we try to squeeze every discount out of each store and stretch every dollar in order to deliver the most valuable treasures to the children and teachers of Achiever Academy. I want it all for them. I want them to have the opportunities to learn just as my children had. I want them to know Jesus as I do. I know God wants that too. Patience, Susan. All in God's time, not yours.

Jim spent the weekend with family while I have been in Houston, visiting my children and grandson. Even with the busyness, I’ve enjoyed the blessing of sharing it all with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. Each have contributed in various ways and I’m feeling very blessed to be sharing this experience with them.  Today, I took Colton (now 16 months old) on a 7 hr. shopping trip for India necessities!  In and out of the Texas heat, up and down so many aisles, and still Colton kept the smiles and hugs coming.  What a blessing to have this special time with him today.  I shall take all his smiles and kisses along in my heart and look forward to more upon my return.  

 I’ll also be taking along plenty of medicine. The past 2 weeks, I’ve experienced renewed attacks of allergic reactions to insect bites, especially mosquitoes. Last summer in India, I developed a new allergy to insect bites & stings which left me with hives much of the time and even swollen lips one day. I struggled with the allergies throughout this past year but the reactions gradually weakened and I thought this challenge was behind me.  Apparently not.  Two weeks ago, a mosquito bite caused my entire forearm to swell and turn red and just a few days ago, a single mosquito bite caused a large knot on my forehead that turned bright red and looked like I had been hit with a golf ball! So, just as I prepare to leave, I am once again reminded of the weakness of our bodies and the strength of our Great Protector and Great Healer.  I am armed with a suitcase full of creams and ointments, sprays and chemicals.  After hearing a number of home remedies from friends, I even made room in the suitcase for Bounce and Windex!  If nothing else, I should smell good while I scratch. But all the remedies in the world are pointless without the healing touch of the Father.  Jim has a special prayer request for rest while in India and our 2 day journey half around the world will be difficult in this regard.  So I humbly ask for your prayers for our health in India. It is our Heavenly Father who has called us to India and it is He who will lead us safely home again.  Thank you, in advance, for your prayers.

Susan