DEDICATING A NEW CHURCH

Today was another hot day - in the mid-90's at least. We traveled this morning to a new church in the city of Vijayawada where a dedication ceremony took place. This included a ribbon cutting, music, special meal, speeches and prayers. In the picture, Karen can be seen in a dark pink saree with Rick partially behind Dr. Chatla.

Rick preached a brief message encouraging the Christians to "Go Light Your World", which is the song that Karen sang. Three other pastors gave messages also.

Thank you for your prayers for safety: the Ambassador vehicle (looks a little like a small old fashioned taxi cab, only white) had two mechanical problems this week. Last night, it was a wheel or brake which was fixed this morning by a repairman as we were parked partially on the busy main street with huge lorries barrelling by. Speaking of traffic, here are some of the things you see on the streets: goats, huge water buffaloes, chickens, dogs, people, bicycles, motorcycles, bicycle rickshaws and autorickshaws, bicycles hauling merchandise (including live chickens). Here is a picture of the most unusual so far - a truckload of live goats.