They will know His LOVE

“You are the light in this dark world and sometimes you are the only light there is.” “As I heard the Lord whisper theses words into my soul, I was looking out at the mountains of Nilgiris, India where I could see hundreds of tea workers from the Badaga villages.  At that moment my heart was full of sorrow and all I could do was cry out for these people who do not know the love of God.  Ever since that day my heart has been burdened for the Badaga people, who are from the mountain villages that I see around our home.

One day while we went to visit my friend Archna, we decided to take a different route to the top of the hill. As we walked, we had no idea where we were going.  All around us were hundreds of trees and dirt paths.  We stopped to ask each other which path we should take. I stopped and said, “Lets ask the Lord where he wants to take us.” At that moment, I heard, “Straight.”  As we started walking straight, we saw about two hundred Badaga women laboring in the tea fields. I stopped and asked the Lord, “Do you really want us to walk through all of these women?”  I heard a solid “yes” from the Holy Spirit.  Step by step, I started shaking their hands and hugging them.  A few of the ladies started dancing with us in their traditional dances. I felt the LOVE of God dive down into that place.

As we kept going, we found ourselves hiking up steep hills and before we realized it, we ended up at a school.  Through the windows of the school building, I heard children saying “hello” with excitement in their voices. As I started giving the kids high fives, one of the teachers approached us.  For a moment, I thought I must be a nuisance to him because I was the source of the children’s distraction. Then he asked me, “Where are you from?” As we started a conversation with him, I asked where the kids were from. He pointed to the village at the top of the hill. I felt eagerness in my heart because this was the Badaga village that we’ve been praying for. He asked if we would like to come and teach at the school. As we left the school all I could do was cry and rejoice that God is so GOOD to us. 

As we walked to my friend Archna’s place to love on her, I realized that there are many doors being opened for some of us to reach the Badaga people. We may have the opportunity to reach the children from the Badaga villages, and as we approached the shop where Archna works, I remembered that she is also Badaga.  I have been visiting her and her family every week to show her the love of Christ.  The Lord has given me a heart for her and her family. Although I know that only He has opened this door, God has been impressing in my heart that it will not be easy for her to come to know Him.  It is only by the power of His Holy Spirit that she will be saved, so I must regularly be on my knees praying for her and her family. As I’ve prayed for her, she has become more open with me when I talk about God. As I once told her that I pray for her every day, she replied in gratitude, “Thank you, I really need that.” God is softening her heart. I know that He is going to do something amazing through this relationship. Please keep praying for her and her family.

(Archna and Family)

One day, I know that no longer will a temple stand at the top of the hill where the Badaga village rests, but a cross and a reflection of God’s grace and love. I also know that Archna will also know who her true God is and will finally know the grace and love of God.

Please continue to pray for the ministry here in India and that God will continue to soften hearts. Also pray for funds to continue to come in for this ministry. I am in need of $1000 for living costs. I also need to raise an additional $4000 in order to purchase transportation to reach the people of the Nilgiris.

 If you would like to give to this ministry and support me in this go to: www.mogiv.com/rockmissions/ruthcontreras

This is India

India so far has been interesting. Learning to be in a new culture and learning the language. When we first arrived there was so much excitement in my heart to be here that all I could do is smile, but then I was told that if you smile at men that means you are interested. Well I guess I was interested in many men... hahaha... Sad but true. It's the little things that we grow up doing and mean no harm but are looked at differently in India.

Here is a list of the culture differences that I keep learning:

* do not hug men in public (guys on our team)
*don't hold hands while praying
*must eat with ONLY right hand...
* when they say 30min it means 2hrs
*everything is slower
*must wear head covering during church and prayer

Well those are the ones I have so far. I am sure there will be many more to come.

So it will be hitting the month mark tomorrow since we arrived in India and it has gone by so fast. I feel like I just left yesterday. This month has been getting adjusted to being here and learning more about the culture and how things run here. It really has been an adventure and a different pace of life here. Now we have to start learning the language which seems very difficult to pronounce things. I have picked up on some things here and there. But my hearts desire is to be fluent so that I can speak to the people here and build more relationships.

Lately we have been working with a pastor that is in the next town from us. We have done testimonies at his church, lead worship, and we do Sunday kids school. I have been in charge of putting children's ministry together and it has been such a blessing to be with the little ones that bring so much joy to my heart. Especially when the call me "aunty" that is what children call their elders. For men it would be "uncle." I am in LOVE with the beautiful children here. We also got an opportunity to go to an orphanage for the past 2 days that is 4hrs from where we live. It was such an exciting two days with the kids as we, played games, bible stories, sang songs, and loved on them. As we left the kids were hugging us so tight crying asking us not to go. I knew in that moment that they experienced the love of Jesus. That was the reason why we were there so that they may experience His love through us. It brought tears to my eyes that God could use us that way.

What is next? Well we will be starting a English service with the church we are working with. I am also building relationships with some of the young girls in church that God put on my heart to diciple. I have invited one of them to our house to spend time with her. The only thing is that she lives far from where we live, so I am praying that God will provide for us to meet every week to build that relationship. Please keep that in your prayers. One option I have is to get a scooter to get around the town which will cost me $1000 in order to start discipleship with theses girls.

If you would like to partner with me in that please go to: https://www.mogiv.com/rockmissions/ruthmendoza/

I am in love with the people of India and I could not ask to be anywhere else but here serving them. Thank you to those that make this happen every month.

Thank you for your support and love. I miss you so much!