I. Executive Summary

1.1 Introduction

It is amazing how the work of the Holy Spirit surges through the hearts of people on a mission trip. People from different walks of life rally together and become one invincible team. All of a sudden, witnessing for God became a joy untold, characters got molded to be more like Christ and things of this earth did not matter as much any more.

All the events on our mission trip were not a matter of chance. Every step of the way, we felt the leading hand of God. Earnest, prevailing prayers by the home churches is what filled the hearts of the team. Commitment and dedication to the task ahead came naturally. The excitement and the joy was not short lived….it was different from any earthly joy. It is only when you experience it that you can enjoy its long lasting joy and pleasure.

Jesus said:

“You will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will become my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This verse took a new meaning in our lives; it is truly a humbling experience to know that you have become a part of this Gospel commission, His hand and His feet. It was a life changing experience for each one on the team. Everyone came back with a renewed spirit thanking God for the opportunity to serve Him.

1.2 Background:

The Moses family was approached by the Indian Local Mission in Hyderabad, India to build a church in their father’s memory. Bhagyam’s father, Pastor O.B. Jonathan was the pioneer worker in Hyderabad along with Pastor Dan Harris. Most of his service was in this area. The Moses family happily agreed to build the church. What they did not realize is that God had a bigger plan.

It just so happened, in October, 2002, Franklin and Bhagyam Moses were the guest speakers at the Beaverton Church single’s Retreat. In course of their presentations, they talked about their leap of faith to build this church and God’s leading hand. It was at this time, the singles asked the couple about doing a mission trip to India. The rest is history.

1.3 God’s hand reveals itself

Things started moving fast when we totally left the mission trip plans to the Lord. What was thought to be a road block became a stepping stone. This was clear when Franklin was suddenly was taken in for an open heart surgery. With a heart that was patched up with 5 by passes, we were not sure whether we will be able to make the mission trip. The team was formulating and was anxious to make the trip. There was so much to be done and so little time. Pastor Terry’s sermon on “Think how powerful God is not how powerful the storm is” came in at the right time. This became our slogan and we lived by it. The power of God kept moving us. People that we never knew started volunteering their services, their time and money. It was just so overwhelming to see the power of God working in our lives.

The fund raising was done, the plans for the trip came together and in a matter of three months we were at Portland airport ready to make the trip with 20 people and the ground team (church) cheering us and praying for us as we made the trip. The trip was a grand success. Every inch of the way, God’s leading hand was visible to us. Yes, our God was more powerful than the anti-Christian movement in Hyderabad, India; he was more powerful than the acute diseases in India. All 20 of us came back with no major issues – inspired by his power, with genuine compassion for the poor, enriched by the experience and finally to build our own personal relationships with God to meet him soon along with others that we labored for. We came back with the hope that the seeds we have sewn will blossom and grow through the work of the Holy Spirit. The beauty of this mission trip is that “it is not a one time deal”. We know that God has plans to continue and grow this effort. God willing, we plan to go every year and help grow the work to whatever heights the Lord wants to take it to.