Hard to stay serious!

We passed one more house and sent a "delegation" of three to extend our greetings since we didn't have time to visit. However, the man was extremely insistent and set out a blanket and had the chai put on anyway. We received clearance from our leaders and transportation and headed down for what turned out to be quite an interesting visit.

Indians keep their livestock tied directly to their house. This house was on a very steep slope of the mountain and there was quite a small space between the house and fence that divided the garden from the sitting area considering we had livestock and our blanket squeezed in. This meant that the rear end of the cow was inches from where we were sitting on the blanket. I so wish I had on film Jennifer's reaction as she turned around and saw how close she was to the swishing (and lifting) tail behind us! This started the first giggle fest. Thankfully the lifting tail was for flies and not something else!

While the gospel was being shared, someone was passing gas very loudly. The boys were accusing each other and I thought the poor baby inside had just exploded. After several repeat performances, we realized it was the big black goat sitting near us. With that and kids running around playing loudly, it was hard to stay focused on what was being shared and not become a distraction ourselves.

My prayers were divided between asking that the man be responsive to what he was hearing, that we could stop laughing and stay focused, and that I would be able to get my chai down (this was the home where a child had kicked my cup over and the man poured what he had been drinking into my cup). That last prayer was answered in my favor as my teammate Heath switched cups with me after his was empty...he automatically became a hero!

Please pray that this man will continue to process what was shared. He listened, but did not seem very open to what he heard. Pray that the children and daughter-in-law overheard what was being said and that their hearts would be fertile soil for the seeds of the gospel.

Pray that this family stays healthy. Dirt floors in the home and a dirt yard and livestock so close just seem like an invitation for germs.