Valentine's Day

As a family, you may know, there are only a few occasions in a year when you invite new people over to celebrate something. More often than not that occasion in church, is Christmas. This year, coincidentally, Valentine’s day fell on a Sunday. Thus, it seemed liked the perfect opportunity to encourage all the newcomers and general congregation about true love in a fun and interesting way.

So in keeping with this theme, In the Hindi service it was a pleasure to have Benny Prasad, a talented musician who’s credited with the joy of being the first person ever to create a guitar with drums in it. Benny shared his testimony with the congregation about how he came out of several crisis in his life and how God was sovereign in every situation. His struggle through rejection in his early years and the love of God that brought him back on his feet was moving. And as he finished, he played a wonderful solo on “My Jesus, My Savior” that he had played in the Olympic games in Athens, Greece.

The hall having being decorated with heart-shaped balloons and drapes, we began our Sunday with lively worship and praise. Halfway through the meeting, some youth @TLC presented a short musical play on a girl torn between the attractions of the world and Jesus. The play conveyed the message quite simply and it was touching indeed!

Hearts were distributed to couples to put their partner’s photographs on it and keep it as a memento. Franco towards the end of the meeting prayed a prayer of blessing and well being on all the couples in the church.

And at last Franco taught us on the true reason for celebrating Valentine’s day. Download the message from here. Lots of humor and practical examples kept us all wanting more of a long, but happening Sunday!

A Different and exciting Sunday at TLC

Dear Tree of Life Church,

We have learned so much from you in our short time here. Thank you for being a faithful people who are committed to prayer! We were not here a week and Franco and his family came to pray for Destiny while she was sick! And we have watched you care for one another – and even unbelievers – in this way. Your prayer lives have challenged us and helped to increase our faith.

Thank you for making relationships a top priority. Your hospitality has been such a means of grace for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you for having us over for meals and for helping us to get to know the area!

Your church has invested so much in us though you knew we would only be here a short time. You have helped to equip us for the next season of our lives. We have learned so much from your knowledge and the way you live your lives.

When people in America ask us what our favorite part of India is, we always say – without hesitation – Tree of Life Church! We are forever grateful to you.

We have grown to love and care for you and look forward to hearing the ways God uses this church for His glory. May the gospel go forth!

Much Love,

Michael & Destiny Bell,
Bethany Babb

P.S. – Destiny and Bethany have GREATLY enjoying helping with the Karuna work and the children’s center in Chembur. Thank you for this opportunity!

Michael, Destiny & Bethany with TLC while in India