Good Connections

 Today has been good. After a hot shower (yes, hot!), we ate breakfast and actually had enough decent WiFi to call our wives.

We traveled to the home of an American YWAM missionary who has lived here many years and who, reportedly, works with college students from our target country. After finding her house, we found that she was out of the country. Bummer. But then we met Dorjee, a woman from our target country who is a Christian living with her family in Kalimpong. There is no doubt that God orchestrated this meeting. She invited us into her home. After introductions and tea, we told her what our hopes were for planting in her native country. She was guarded and dubious. She told us of the many outsiders who have come to start a mission to her people, who only wanted to take care of themselves. As we told her of our plans to plant a church-planting, disciple-making church, her demeanor began to change.

Madison asked her to tell us her testimony. Amazing. She had a very hard life growing up in the target country. She said that for many years that she wanted to get out of her country and never return. After leaving she came in contact with Christianity and in a medical crisis, told God that if he was real, heal her and get her home. He did...and she forgot God. But God didn't quit. He continued to bring Christians in her life and she was taught the truth and believed. She now has a passion for girls who have left the target country to pursue an education. She and her Indian husband let them live with them where they show them the Christ-centered life. Here's the kicker: she and other Christians from the target country have been praying for God to start a work there. The few churches and Christians that are there are not preaching the true gospel and making disciples. It is a sickly, competitive church in a spiritually dark country.
She said the two biggest problems there are idolatry and adultery. I told her America is not much different. We got lots of great information from her and by the time we left we were all praising God.

After lunch (we ate some great momos), our next meeting was to be with the headmaster of a business college where a lot of people from the target country attend (reminder: we are very near the border). The guy we wanted to meet wasn't there, but again (providentially!) we  met with a guy who's wife is a native of the target country, and who's family owns and runs the college! Madison was asking about finding a job as a professor. Before Madison mentioned the target country, the man did! He said the target country is wide open for jobs, in particular, coaches and teachers--and he has contacts. Long story short, God had prearranged both meetings!
We spent the afternoon in awe of God's grace and sovereignty. There is much more to tell but sensitivities will not allow. Just know that today was very productive.
Here are a few more pictures from the day:

Pretty, but don't touch.  This is the Himalayan version of stinging nettle. Only it is much more vicious than our East Tennessee variety. 

Harley dudes, your India counterparts love the Royal Enfield. These are pretty cool.

We think we're smart with our four-door Jeeps. What about this six-door?! I want one. We've even seen some eight-door Jeeps! Awesome.