A World of Hurt

Tears

Pastor Steve Williams

May 15 & 16, 2010

A World of Hurt from NorthPointe Church on Vimeo.

That We Might Have Life

The Life You Were Meant To Live

Easter Weekend-That We Might Have life from NorthPointe Church on Vimeo.

Living in the Light of Eternity

Keeping Score

Pastor Steve Williams

March 27 & 28, 2010

Choosing Character Over Image

Keeping Score

Pastor Steve Williams

March 20 & 21, 2010

Choosing Character Over Image from NorthPointe Church on Vimeo.

Adding it Up All Wrong

Keeping Score

Pastor Steve Williams

March 13-14, 2010

Adding it Up All Wrong from NorthPointe Church on Vimeo.

The Holy Spirit & Your Salvation

March 6 & 7, 2010

The Uniqueness Of Jesus

Pastors Ronnie McDougall and Shane Ham

February 27 & 28, 2010

The Uniquenes of Jesus from NorthPointe Church on Vimeo.

The first two days we were in the slums (you read about these things in
earlier posts) and that was just an amazing time.  To see how these
people live life day to day and to see all the work that is happening
there with schooling for the children.  They welcomed us with open arms
and had obviously been preparing for our arrival for quite some time.
One of my favorite memories of these days was spending time with Shaji
and his family and getting to know them.  They are doing some amazing
things and their children are going to grow and be great men of God.  The
people here, because they have very little, rely on God so much more than
I think most people do back home.  It is really something you just have
to experience, it’s so awesome.  At the end of our time with Shaji, Todd
(or Toddy-the nickname they have given him) gave Shaji’s son, who is 9,
his guitar.  His guitar had broke and he had been asking his dad to get
it fixed for him but his dad told him to pray to God and He would
provide.  To hear this story after Todd had given the guitar to him; was
one of my many highlights.  Todd made his day and God DID provide.  The
next day was spent doing the conference for the pastor’s wives.  Melanie
did a great job speaking about the beauty of a woman, Stace gave her
moving testimony, and Kim did a wonderful job speaking to them about
women in ministry.  You could tell they were all touched so deeply.
Afterwards we went to Mother Teresa’s home which was something many only
dream about seeing and then did some shopping at the street market.  This
was quite a fun time where we could all hang out as a group and just have
some fun.  Sunday we spent the day at three church services which were
all different but all rewarding in their own way.  These people really
know how to worship and worship freely, without reservation.  They really
love God.  These last two days, like I said at dinner tonight, were my
favorite.  We spent them at Soumen’s Children’s Home with 34 adorable
little children who’s parents, for some reason, could not care for them.
These children are so full of life and have such joy.  They are very
smart and you could really tell they are very well taken care of.  Each
child has their own story.  We were told about a boy (he became my buddy
pretty quickly) who came to them very sick and malnourished, his mom was
dying of cancer.  They took him to the doctor and the doctor said he
would not make it through the night.  They took him in, fed and took care
of him, and he is so alive and well today-and very, very smart.  He wrote
me a letter in Bengali that I was able to bring home-so sweet!  Another
little girl, they call Baby, could not walk or talk when they took her
in.  One day he said they were driving and she all of the sudden shouted
“Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!”  She was just the cutest little thing, so
full of energy and her smile lit up the room.  Another little girl had
severe burns on her body that you could see.  We learned that she lived
in the slums and one day fell out of her bed which was over the stove.
These children, different stories, but all came with broken hearts are
now loving Jesus (Jasu is what they call him) and are so full of joy and
love.  They welcomed us with throwing of flower petals and songs and
dances. We taught them English, Dental Hygiene, Sanitation, Nutrition,
and they absolutely loved the Hokey Pokey and making “rain” with their
hands and feet.  They called us “Auntie” and “Uncle” which was so cute
and they loved for you to take their picture and show them how it came
out.  Today I was able to talk with Soumen’s wife and daughter about
their needs, which I am so glad I was able to do.  She said they are
really struggling to have enough money each month for their needs.  They
pay for their schooling, books, uniforms, and transportation to and from
school.  They said that in April all the children will need brand new
uniforms for school because the school changed all the uniforms.  I asked
what that would cost and she said 1000 rupees per child which is about
$20.  She was also saying that because the children are getting older, it
is getting harder because their books are more expensive and they are
learning to use computers at school but they don’t have a computer at the
home so they cannot do their school work.  She said they would be able to
hook up a computer there in the home but they don’t have the money to
purchase one.  They really focus on their education because it is their
only way to a better life.  It was quickly time to leave the home and it
was so sad to go.  We taught the children “I love you” in sign language
and they hung out the windows as we drove off doing the sign and saying
goodbye.

I leave this trip really humbled and realizing all the things we have,
all the luxuries, opportunities, all the things we complain about, are
all things these people WISH they had.  So when I go back home and want
to complain about work, I’m going to remember the rickshaw people who
pull people bare-footed day in and day out.  Or when I am tired of
waiting at the doctor’s office, I’m going to be reminded about the poor
care these people receive.  Or when I get a drink of water, I will be
reminded about the uncleanness of the water here.  I also leave this trip
with 7 new friendships (Chenecua and I were already good friends before
coming so she doesn’t count!) that may or may not have happened if it
wasn’t for this trip.  My team has been truly amazing and I am so glad I
got to experience this with them!  Blessings to you all back home!

Hugs,
Tina

The God Who Communicates

Foundations

Pastor Shane Ham

February 21, 2010

The God Who Communicates from NorthPointe Church on Vimeo.

Eating Like a Champion

Pastor Steve Williams

January 9 & 10, 2010