Father is Watching Over Us

Being in India has never been a personal goal of mine but wanting to be in God’s presence and living out his plan and purpose is too much fun to pass up. I think it was a hobbit who got caught up in an adventure against his own better judgement, who ended up being the hero in the story. Actually, we are all hero’s waiting to happen if you believe that a hero in a story is the person who faces challenges and finds grace to overcome.

This particular trip has had some interesting twists and turns in the preparation aspect. Two opportunities availed themselves in the same time frame. My brother Bill was happy to have me join him for the immersion trip to India for the third time and my friend, Kuk, from South Korea, asked me to help with some training with the Institute of Light Finders. Both opportunities seemed right but the timing conflicted. As it turned out, doing the first two weeks in India would be most helpful and than, I could fly to Seoul and join the ILF team for a couple of weeks. At the time of making this decision I was not aware of future events. As the Proverb says, “we make a plan, but God directs our steps.” As it turns out, Bill’s wife Debbie, would need to go for major surgery and Bill would need to miss the first ten days of the trip. He was able to send one of his staff being groomed to lead but appreciated having someone along with a little more gray hair.
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God is so happy to help show us we are on his path and my travel experience is one continuous example. On the way to the airport, Lynn, Amy and I stopped for lunch at Punch Pizza. Amy pointed out the nice Italian background music and a few minutes later, the new number sounded much more like Indian music. So nice to be serenaded by Indian music in an Italian restaurant on my way to India. Behind the counter at the airport, I was helped by a kind gentleman named George. I smiled inwardly, knowing that the name George has been important to me over the years. George has several meanings, including “tiller of the soil” and “God is my judge”. A number of people with the name George have been strategic blessings from God in very significant ways. They have prepared the soil in my life that brought great fruitfulness.

I was privileged to be seated on the plain next to a Canadian named Wayne. Wayne means “wagon” and implies someone who helps carry a burden. I have not known many with the name Wayne, but my favorite of all is my English friend Wayne Newbury who goes back to high school days, walked with me on our mutual adventure to Purdue University, was best man in our wedding and remains a dear friend and one who is a yoke fellow and dearly loved. My new wagon friend on the Delta flight is a truck driver from Calgary who also loves the Lord and clearly has a heart to help lift the burdens of others. What a blessing from God to encourage me along the way.

One of many challenges arriving in India after 20 hours of flight time is making connections to get to the hostel at 3:00 a.m.. Though my third time in India, it is necessary to brace ones self for the aromas, traffic, smog and crowded conditions. As I stepped out of the airport, my eyes begin to sting from the heavy smog and I start looking for someone holding a card with my name. Smyle Inn agreed to send a driver but one never knows for sure and I was prepared to get a taxi if necessary. I indeed find the desired sign with my perfectly spelled name and off we go on the streets of Delhi. I ask him his name. “My name is Michael.” Trust me, I have been praying for angels the whole trip so what a blessing to have the star angel driving me to Smyle Inn. I may have been tired but I was still smiling.

Greeting me at the door of the hostel room was one of two roommates that would become new Mexican friends. Of course, my greeter at the end of the long journey was George. Who else could it be. God reminded me, “I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.”

At breakfast the next morning, another New Mexican Friend, Ivonne, shared with me how the Lord was teaching her how much He loved her as a Father and wanted her to hear His voice. Hmm, sounds familiar.