I have been trying to get around to posting a blog, but with three of us trying to do the same thing, it is difficult.

However, I am here now, and I would like to say, before I say anything, I love it here in India. I woke up this morning thinking, "How do I begin my first blog? How do I describe what I am seeing, smelling, feeling, eating, trusting, praying, and believing?" As already mentioned, it is incredibly hot; my skin has already negatively reacted to the heat and has developed a pretty disgusting heat rash that moved from my arms and my legs to my forehead and, now, my upper lip. Steriods and Benedryl are on their way, and I dearly covet your prayers right now and so does my skin.
Our hosts are the Asirs--Augustine (the Father); Auntie (his wife); Sharron (His daughter); Jim Assir (a handicap son of Augustine, who is completly responsive, but cannot take care of himself or speak, oh yeah, and he never stops smiling and laughing); Sam (Sharron's Son--Augustine grandson); Benesh and Raju (my and Andrew's roomates). All of these people and more make up the ministry based in Chennai, India known as "Word for the World." I could take five pages and tell you how I learned joy from Jim's effectious smile; how I enjoyed a blend of Indian food(igglee and Chai tea) and American food (fried chicken and panckaes) from Sharron's cooking; how I learned to live like an Indian man from Benesh (who takes us to Chai tea every morning in Chennai) and Raju (who talks to me about Jesus Christ with a faith that surpasses my own); and how I learned to teach sermons as God's messages and not mine from Augustine Asir (after he preached and said, "This is the message God gave to me to give to you; I hope it has helped.").

The driving is crazy, my skin is killing me, the smells are not so bad, the food is great, and the people are of the best quality. I love it here. I have not even been here a week, and God is being more faithful than I had anticipated. Isn't this always the turth? Pray for my sister Kristen as she builds relationships with the women here, pray for Andrew as his love for his family and friends occassionaly surfaces in homesickness, and pray for me to be healed of my skin rash and to be healed of everything inside that is not of Christ. My most frequent prayer is that Christ and His gospel would tear down every wall that I have knowningly and unknowningly placed around my heart and mind. Your prayers are my miracles, and I looked forward to sharing them with you face to face.

In Christ Alone,
Seth