pastor-and-families gathering.

Today we had the first annual gathering with pastor’s families in our presbytery.  About fifty of us met at a local church from 10:30 to 2:30 today for fellowship, worship, games and lunch.  This was the first time most of us had met as families.

I think it was one of the highlights of my year.

I am so, so grateful that we are settling in and my health is better so that I can start being more involved in David’s job.  Really what this looks like is visiting churches together as a family, getting to know the pastors we work with, sometimes hosting them in our home.

It’s hard to put into words how much I love this.  These men and their families are heroes of the faith in my eyes, and I have been a little in awe of what they sacrifice for the gospel.  It is amazing to now start getting to know them as real people–interesting, funny, and unique.  And their wives and children are a delight.

They come from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, from middle class city-dwellers to lower class villagers.  The levels of English vary, so it is difficult to communicate with some of them.  But we can still exchange smiles, hand-shakes, and laughs, and sit and watch our children cause mischief.

The pastor’s wife whose church we visited Friday night told me all her neighbors just couldn’t get over the foreign ladies dressed in saris.  She said it meant so, so much to them that we wore traditional South Asian dress.  So … needless to say I’m now ready to give my sari another try.

I am so thankful for a chance to spend time with these dear brothers and sisters today and break the ice with conversation, fun games and laughter.  And I pray that this year brings many more chances to build our friendships.

This boy lives at the street children’s home I’ve mentioned in an earlier blog post

The ladies played “the name game”

Musical chairs for the kids

A party isn’t a party without chicken biryani.  I can’t remember how many times we’ve eaten it this holiday season.  Judah won’t touch the stuff (too spicy), but Amie eats it by the handful.