A trying Wedding Anniversary - Celebrating 28 years of God's faithfulness

My wife and I celebrated our 28th Wedding Anniversary on 11 Jan in the mission field. That morning Pst Nehemiah greeted us with a bouquet of flowers in our hotel room. Later we were pleasantly surprised when PEC pastors and members, during the church dedication in a village in Khammam, celebrated our anniversary. It was a moving event for both of us. Even when we were away from home, God still surprises us in very sentimental ways. But it was a wedding anniversary that tested our faith.

Ministering together on our wedding anniversary day

It was a very, very difficult day. As it was our anniversary, I tried to get the best hotel in town. At least Jeya can have some comfort. It was the best in Khammam town! Cost Sing $35. You can gauge its quality by the price. It was certainly better than many other places we had stayed before. Breakfast was "room service". The restaurant below does not serve breakfast and they had to get it from "somewhere else", God knows from where. We drove  more than 3 hrs to reach our destination. Church dedication in a remote village.No lunch as we were out in the village and our stomachs can't take the village food. We tried hard to get back to Hyderabad, at least for a good dinner but we had to drive 7 hours and were stuck on the road for another hour due to a strike on the road. "Its incredible India". Above all our daughter's domestic matter was haunting us. Secretly our host, Mohan's family had planned to take us out for an exotic dinner but by the time we reached their home it was past 10pm. Nevertheless they prepared us a great meal at home, for which we are eternally thankful. The Mohans' taught us what serving like Jesus meant. Great family and a great example.

If only they knew what was going through her heart and mind. Yet she spoke with such conviction and under a mighty anointing.

Just the day before, we received a desperate email from Jessica. Her bag containing her international passports, debit cards, driving, license, cell phone and other important documents were stolen in very strange circumstances. She asked me to come to the US to help her out. All her money was drawn out by the thieves. A really desperate situation. We still had another three more days of ministry in AP before we returned to Spore. Jeya was extremely quiet but composed. We had no way of talking to Jessica, except for a brief connection on skpye. Only parents would understand our emotions at that time. We had to leave in a short while for a church dedication. Had to make a hard decision. We decided to continue with remaining programs All we could do was to look up to Him. "God we are here on your business, please take care of ours". Trusting God at that point in time was not easy but that was the only option.  Its one thing to talk about trials but another to walk through them. We held our hands together and prayed and committed Jessica into His loving hands. That indeed was one of the most difficult moments in the mission field. But you know what, the peace of God just filled our hearts and we knew God was in control. 

We managed to pull through the remaining engagements by God's grace and power alone. What a journey but looking back, we saw the hand of God in those moments. It was indeed a journey with God and the helpmate He had provided. .

NB: By the way, Jessica is managing ok. With the help of friends and the Spore Embassy in New York, she is able to sort things out. Still not out of the woods yet though. Our sincere thanks to all who prayed and encouraged us. 

Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing to go on a mission trip during the wedding anniversary. This time I had no choice. Jeya was "loudly patient" and Jonathan was disappointed.

But this trip reenforced the fact that I could not have had a better person and I will not trade our children for anything. 

How time flies. I thank God for my wife. She stood by me through all the good times and the challenging times. There were moments of frustration and despair but yet she was there. A shoulder I can lean on, a friend I can talk to, a counselor I can go to for advise. Yes of course we have our share of "boxing matches" but those experiences have made us stronger, understand each other better and love her more today than when I first mt her. Jeya, thanks much from the bottom of my heart. I won't know what to do without you.

Above all, Praise and Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, for the privilege to serve Him together. 

He's our Rock and Fortress.

Picture taken in PEC Singapore during Christmas