Greetings from a town in South Asia that when translated into English is called “Gospel Town”. The word Gospel simply means “good news” and is a message of hope. It is the good news that Jesus Christ paid for our sins on the cross, was buried, and on the third day he rose again defeating death. Now through Jesus, we have access to heaven. This is good news for all the world, especially those who have yet to hear about our Risen Savior! We are excited to celebrate Jesus this Sunday with a Resurrection service in the newly completed sanctuary that was just finished today when the doors were installed.
1 Peter 1:3 says, “Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope.”
New Beginnings
This past month, construction for the first phase of the dorm building here at CCBC South Asia was completed. This is now the new home to students who have arrived from many different states who have come to learn the Word of God and be equipped for the work of the ministry. Bond along with the amazing staff the Lord brought to serve here, have all started teaching various classes from Inductive Bible Study and Old Testament Survey to Joshua and Genesis. Sathish who is a student and arrived this past month, traveled 30+ hours by train to get here and after a few days of class said, “I have never heard the Word taught like this”.
This is indeed a new beginning for many of the students, as the location, language, climate, and food are new (even though they are from this country). But, more importantly, this is a new start for the students who have committed two years of their lives to study God’s Word. It is exciting to be apart of this new season and invest in those who have left all to follow the call God has placed on each of their lives. Thank you to those who have been praying for the construction process, staff, students and for South Asia as this past month we have seen the fruit of much prayer. Please continue to pray for the completion of the classroom building, staff housing and for the power situation as we need favor with the government officials to get a permanent solution for power on campus.
Men In Skirts
In the South, it is common place to see men wearing a “lungi” (aka man skirt). As you walk down the street, go to the grocery store, see men driving motorcycles….many are wearing a lungi. The construction workers on the campus wear them daily to paint, weld and install flooring. Bond has spent much time with the workers who asked to take a picture with him a few weeks ago. We shared this photo on social media and posed the question, “If I (Heather) have to wear skirts in Uganda, Africa because that is what all the ladies wear…do you think Bond should wear a “lungi” here?” The large majority voted YES!
We wanted you to see for yourself, Bond wore the “lungi” for this special Easter weekend. There were many laughs, lots of high fives and thumbs up’s from the neighbors and of course the paparazzi came out in full force to capture the moment for all to see. Funny fact is, only one of the guys that joined in had ever worn a lungi before because they are only common in this area and not often worn in other parts of South Asia. We actually had to borrow from the neighbors as most of the guys didn’t own one of their own. Do a double take….Bond wore the man skirt and it was a memorable occasion!
With Love From South Asia,
Bond, Heather and Breanna Gaona
