Open meetings will be happening each night during the IREF 2012 trip. Once again, many thousands of people came to hear the Word of God preached.
There was a call at the end of the meeting, to which many responded.
Please pray for those who went forward to commit their lives to Christ, and for those who remained where they were but heard the Gospel.
Clinics have continued today in earnest. As well as medical and dental check ups, there is also an on-site eye clinic. One of IREF’s evangelists snagged himself a new pair of specs which will certainly help him and his work in India.
Elsewhere, the girls of Class 7 got to sample the delights of the Post-Op recovery area, with 45 having been assessed.
There was also the opportunity for Nursing students to put their studies into practice as they ably assisted in taking height and weight measurements.
All in all, a busy couple of days.
Today it’s Class 7’s turn for check ups. The class consists of 45 girls – 13 down, 32 to go…
Today it’s Class 7’s turn for check ups. The class consists of 45 girls – 13 down, 32 to go…
Dear All
Greetings from Repalle.
We arrived in Repalle on Tuesday morning at 7.30am following a unique train experience for most people. Let’s just say it’s not Scotrail though trains do tend to be on time.
We were met by children from IREF and welcomed with fireworks and garlands.
Following breakfast we headed to the school to set up the clinic and, no slacking allowed, saw classes 1 and 2 – 60 kids in total who were fairly healthy but with quite a few skin and dental problems.
No sooner had the clinic finish than we left for the 30 minute drive to Ullipalem. It was the 10th anniversary of ground breaking to build a church there.
The church, pastor and bible lady are supported by Airdrie Baptist Church and the child development centre is supported through sponsorship by people across the UK. It was good to be part of that service of celebration.
It was a very long couple of days with a lot of things achieved; we were glad of a good nights sleep.
There are 28 in the team (8 from the UK – all medical – and a doctor and 3 other nurses / health professionals from USA. There are also 4 Pastors and a few others who will be preaching and teaching children during meetings, as well as a painting group who are painting the boys dorm.
Wednesday saw us see 120 kids in the clinic, with a few issues that we’re trying to get advice on from medical staff in the USA courtesy of internet.
Tonight saw the start of the evangelistic meetings where around 3,000+ attended with more over the rest of the week. There were also several thousand insects!!! But hey that’s rural India for you…
Meetings started about 7pm, and we arrived around 8pm. Three sermons followed in English (then translated into Telegu) – these are not short sermons or meetings. Emmanuel made an appeal to see 300-400 people go forward. That was a real answer to prayer. Many people were prayed for and there was a real moving of God’s spirit in the meeting. We finished around 11pm.
Earlier in the day there had been visits from the police with a real concern that the pastors may not be allowed to preach on a tourist visa. Through a process things were sorted out but we are mindful of tightening procedures and Satan’s opposition in this country.
So far now on Thursday we have seen around 250 kids in the clinic and it is going well.
The plan is to finish seeing the children, then see evangelists, pastors and college students this week on Saturday.
Liz
The first Gospel meeting since the group’s arrival was last night. Thousands of people attended and hundreds came forward for prayer. The evening consisted of three sermons.
The local police also popped along to one of the clinics to find out more.
Clinics are now underway. During session one, some 61 children were seen, with 67 extractions required.
The first group were from classes 1-3 (equivalent of P1-P3).
A couple of the boys let curiosity get the better of them and sneaked a peak…bet they wish they hadn’t!
Clinics will continue throughout the day.
The clinic is now set up and ready for (pro-bono) business. Tuition has also been provided for non-medically trained personnel. Clinics will start shortly.
There was also a chance to visit the Church in Ullipalem. 10 years on from ground-breaking, the church is now full and a new Pastor is in place.
Our intrepid travellers have now arrived in Repalle. Having survived a journey on the train, with all the facilities it offered, they arrived at 6am to a hearty welcome at IREF.
The team were presented with colourful flowers garlands / malas (it remains to be seen if Jim Leitch will bring his to church on his return) and Emmanuel prayed for them as they arrived.
The children of IREF were also there to greet the volunteers. They will all receive medical and dental check ups over the coming weeks…let the work commence!
Travelling on the Hownah Mail train from Chennai Central to Tenali. The train departed at 5.15am.
The entire team is now together. Here they are atop St Thomas Mount. Thomas is credited with taking Christianity to India 2000 years ago.
The USA contingent of volunteers has now arrived and the group of 25 have been spending some time in Chennai before heading for Repalle.
They spent time at the Indian Ocean and viewing some local Hindu Temples, Hinduism being the largest religion in India.
Pray for the volunteers as they travel the 480km to Repalle and as they prepare to start their work.
Dear all
Arrived safely after good flights via Dubai to get here at 8.30am. Praise God all our baggage arrived safely which, as ever, was no mean feat.
Dee, Christie and Jonny had travelled down fom Repalle to meet us and it was lovely to catch up with them again.
Hot and sunny at a pleasant 30C, it was an easy ride from the airport to the YMCA as the roads were just a little quieter being a Sunday – it made it just a little easier to get around.
After a couple of hours we headed via yellow toot toot to visit the ever faithful Spencer Mall – not surprisingly we were very tight on what we could bring in way of food and a few essentials were required to keep a couple of people going.
The USA team arrive in at 11.30pm tonight (17 of them taking us to a team of 25 in total). The bus with 4 of the IREF boys will take all the luggage and drive overnight to Repalle over about 6 hours – please remember them tonight.
We have the day in Chennai on Monday – enough time to do a little sightseeing, maybe up to St Thomas mount or more shopping.
We take the overnight train to Repalle on Monday night, so please pray for that element of the journey. We should reach Repalle around 9am on Tuesday.
I’ll let Jim Leitch, on his first trip, sum up his first impression: the sultry heat, friendliness of the team and the warmth in the welcome fom Dee, Christie and Jonny and, surprise surprise, Jason’s organisation…
Night night from us all and a scotch pie wouldn’t go amiss!
Best wishes
From us all India 2012 UK team.
Not content with his “Clinician of the Year” title, Jason Leitch has now added “Tuk Tuk driver” to his CV.
On the way back to the guest house following a tour, their Rickshaw ran out of petrol. Being a trustworthy bunch, the owner left them in charge while he went to “find” some more.
All in all, an interesting first day!
The volunteers heading for IREF left from Glasgow this morning. Please continue to pray for those who are going, and for those who they leave behind.
A few of our members are heading to India this week to provide medical care at IREF.
Jason Leitch, Liz Callendar and Jim Leitch will be in India for three weeks and will be sending regular updates which will be added to this site.
Please pray for them and the rest of the volunteer group as they provide practical help and a Christian witness in Repalle.
A few of our members are heading to India this week to provide medical care at IREF.
Jason Leitch, Liz Callendar and Jim Leitch will be in India for three weeks and will be sending regular updates which will be added to this site.
Please pray for them and the rest of the volunteer group as they provide practical help and a Christian witness in Repalle.
The Youth Fellowship (YF) are having a sponsored overnight in the Church on Friday 28 October 2011. This is to raise money for IREF.
From 7.30pm and through the night there will be a game played at all times. There will be a variety of games and activities and it promises to be lots of fun.
The doors will open from 7.30pm – 10pm for anyone who wants to come and support out young people and play some games with them.
For more information, please speak to Carol Foy, Dawn Arnott or Sandy McCracken.
A group of medics, dentists and other allied health professionals, including some members of Airdrie Baptist Church, will once again be venturing to India in the new year. The trip is planned for 27 January – 11 February 2012 and they will be going out to further support the work of IREF with whom Airdrie Baptist Church has a long standing association and financial commitment.
The group hope to raise £30k which will cover the practical costs of getting to India and will also provide a sizeable donation to the ongoing work there.
Some of our members are raising money by taking part in sponsored events. Jason and Lynn Leitch are taking part in the Great Scottish Run on Sunday 4 September, while James Anderson will be taking part in Pedal for Scotland on Sunday 11 September.
If you would like to support Jason, Lynn or James, details of how you can donate can be found below. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct donation to the work of IREF, details of how to do this can be found on the IREF website or by speaking to Jason Leitch or Liz Callander.
Each fundraiser has set up their own JustGiving page where you can donate. You can also donate up to £10 via text.
Jason Leitch
www.justgiving.com/jasonleitchhalfmarathon
Text “£(amount) QNIV52” to 70070
Lynn Leitch
www.justgiving.com/lynnleitchhalfmarathon
Text “£(amount) QHYQ82” to 70070
James Anderson
www.justgiving.com/jamesandersonpedal
Text “£(amount) IPWA72” to 70070
