Festival Week- Eid and Garba

Today ,Oct. 2nd is Gandhi Jayanti the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and our national holiday.The Muslims are celebrating Eid which marks the culmination of a month of Ramadan fasting. The video above shows Muslim women shopping for bangles in Hyderabad.

The Hindus are celebrating a nine day festival called Navratras. People go to temples to worship goddess Durga and also have Garba and Dandia dance parties.They dress up in traditional attire and dance in open air venues or halls. Upto 2 -3 thousand people can assemble in one place.

The video have posted below has been shot in Singapore
I tried to showcase the cultural aspects of these festivals

Pilgrim 's Progress

As a young Christian I saw the old version of The Pilgrim 's Progress and it really spoke to my heart.

Uncle Schroeder of TEAM Mission (Alliance Church) showed it to us on an old movie projector.We were at a youth camp on an outback mission farm outside our city. It was the burning month of May and after evening devotions called Challenge Hour we all flopped down on the cool veranda of the big bungalow and watched Christian movies. This made a deep impression on me.We watched movies like 'His Land ' starring Cliff Barrows and Cliff Richards - this was my first glimpse of the Holy Land.And a story from Madagascar called 'The Book TheyCould Not Burn ' Then there was a born again Miss America and many more.

The video I have posted is the modern version of John Bunyan 's classic. I like the older version. If I ever find a DVD or the book I 'll get hold of it. My Dad had a copy of the book too but mildew destroyed, so I have to search for another copy.

Such classics are deep and profound ,replete with the foundational teachings of the faith and add meat and fibre to our beliefs.

Tomorrow we are having a day long Kid 's Festival in our church. Since the past 3 days I was busy making preparations.This evening about 30 young people from different churches came to set up the place and practice music. We are expecting 250 children. Oct. 2nd is Mahatma Gandhi 's birth anniversary so it is our national holiday.

Thank you for praying for us. The Lord 's protection is around us.

The Goat Woman

This old woman comes to forage for green Grass and vines to take for her goats. We let her have what she wants and give her vegetables too.

For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command you, saying, You shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land. Deut .15:11