Toby Lewis’ Trip
September 01, 2019 to September 14, 2019
India
Hi! Thank you for visiting our profile for the 2019 Team India Mission Tip. Below you'll find two letters, one from Toby and one from Louise. Together, we're going to leave our comfort zone fulfill God's will. Read on to learn more, if you have any questions, give us a shout! We'd love to meet you.
Toby's Letter:
It is an honor to announce that I will be going to India on a mission trip with my church, Christ’s Church of the Valley. The mission trip will be taking place from August 30 to September 14 this year.
In an instantaneous decision, my heart was changed. I have never, in my life, dreamt of going out of my comfort zone to spread the word of God. I’ve always left that up to the “khaki wearing, bible thumpers” and went along my own selfish ways of trying to glorify myself. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learm, and in this never-ending cycle, I always came out wanting more. In my seemingly endless search for peace, God showed me just that. I was finally set free from the burdens of society and how I wish that those I loved around me, felt the same peace, grace and love that I am experiencing now.
It was put on my heart to also do medical research during my time in India so that I can further grow the kingdom of God through a prospective medical outreach and do my best to show a small fraction of how God’s love and grace works through medical supplies/equipment and education.
The total cost of this mission trip is $7,000, including my sister, which not only covers my travel expenses, but also contributes to the those we are working with and programs we are participating in such as: a mission hospital, a leper colony, local churches, youth ministry and much more!
This task is large, intimidating, and quite frankly, terrifying; I cannot do this alone. I am asking you to aid me and my team in prayer. Spiritual warfare is the number one enemy that I cannot combat without the guiding hand of God and prayer team. Whether it be me spirit being dampened by unforeseeable obstacles or whether it be the government persecuting Christianity, prayer will guide us in ways we cannot see, but will look back and see the aid of God and prayer.
Another way to aid in this mission is financially. The more resources we have, the more people we can reach and the more good news we can spread. This is a beautiful thing we are striving towards and many people will be touched. Please, be a part of building God’s kingdom, and together we can go far.
Louise's Letter:
It took everything out of me to get this letter to you as it’s not in my nature to “fundraise” or ask for “support.” But here I am, humbling myself, making myself completely vulnerable and sharing something incredible with you.
On August 30th, I will join Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) on a mission trip to India. (WHAT, WHOA)
Here are the details:
During this trip, we will be partnered with Central India Christian Mission in Damoh, a small town in India, a few hours from New Delhi. During our stay we will be assisting Central India Christian Mission (CICM) with their various ministries. We’ll be serving in orphanages, organizing Vacation Bible Schools, visiting with persecuted believers and their families and assisting the pastors as they need. The key word here is partner and we’re not trying to influence their work in any way. We simply want to come along side of them and provide extra help in putting on events and any other programs they offer children in the community or helping with local ministries.
India has a population of 1.3 billion people and growing. Less than 6% identify themselves as Christian. Believers in the northern states are going through severe persecution. One of CICM’s ministries is to train pastors to go into the unreached areas and sadly, many do not return. Yet, they continue to ask us for prayer, not for persecution to end but for the strength to endure to share the Good News. As I’m writing this with tears welling up in my eyes, I can only hope I can reach a slice of the conviction that these people have.
The above is only a fraction of what I’d like to share with you but I hope it gives you an idea of the who, what, where and why of this trip. I invite you to partner with us as I prepare...asking your support through prayer and a lot of it.
Second, I invite you to contribute to this mission through financial means if you feel like it’s something you’re led to. Over the next 3 months, our group will be raising money to fund the projects that CICM is working on to help make it all happen. These funds will be used for supplies, food, lodging and transportation.
THANK YOU for your presence in our lives, for taking the time to read this, for your support through thoughts, prayers, likes, comments, shares and for just hearing me out. I’m terrified but ready to step out of my comfort zone so I can only help to heal those who need it most.
Love,
Toby & Louise