Off to India!

So, it came up really fast on me, (both in hearing about the opportunity and also just how quickly it's already here), and I'm leaving for Hyderabad, India on Thursday.

Basically myself and another guy from my church (Dave Gross, pray for him too!) are going with a small team from a couple other churches that are part of our church's organization and will be going to some of the churches that have been planted in India by this organization. (http://www.pillar.org/missions_india.shtml Don't let the name scare you. :-)

Anyways, they needed a video guy, and without thinking, I quickly volunteered. (Note to self, it's probably a good idea to think about going to a country where you don't even know how to say 'hi' in their language...or even what language they speak there!) So before I knew it, I was signed up. It's amazing how God keeps throwing these mission trips at me! I'm not even looking for them, and BOOM! here comes another opportunity!

To be honest, after realizing what I was getting myself into, I kinda struggled with it a bit, wondering if I should really be going. But I prayed about it and asked God to shut the door (slam, if necessary) if it wasn't within His will.

So here I am, about to embark on a journey to a place I know nothing about, can't speak the language, and only know that my mission is to use my gifts to bring back a glimpse of the ministry that's happening in India (there have been churches planted in some 55 villages in India by the organization).

This is where you guys come in! Since I have no idea what to expect, these are some things I'm personally asking the Lord for help with, and if you could back me up on that, I'd appreciate it!

1. Phillipians 4:6-7 says: "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
   
   This verse has been on my mind the last few days. It was actually speaking to me more about being nervous about leading worship for church on Sunday, but I've come back to it over and over as I feel myself sometimes freaking out a little about what is ahead of me.
   
   Please pray that I will trust the Lord and PRAY constantly while I venture into the unknown.
   
   
2. I'm taking a VERY expensive video camera that I bought (and shot the Peru trip with this year), and I'm concerned about 2 things: 1) The worldly side of me that doesn't want it to get broken or stolen cuz it was expensive! and 2) (and more importantly) That everything works properly with it so that the stuff I record makes it back here so I can share with all of you and with the POF organization and their churches.
   
   Please pray for my camera equipment: that it stays safe and that everything works properly so I can share the ministries that are going on there.
   
   
3. Lastly, although I'm not worried about getting sick, and actually am at peace with the idea of getting sick again (when I got really sick the first time in Peru, I felt so miserable but it definitely drew me close to God), I do feel like I have an important responsibility with recording the stuff that's going on... so...
   
   Please pray that the Lord would give our team good health and that if we do get sick, we are drawn close to God and are also not completely incapacitated. :-)
   
   

Alright, if you made it all the way through my longwindedness, A+ for you! If not, I think there are going to be Cliff's notes released at some point. :-)

Thank you all so much for your prayers, and I encourage you all to "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon." (Phil 4:4-5)

Blessings to you all!
Jake

p.s. I don't think I'm going to have Internet access so you might not get another update till I get back. I will try though if I can get online!