Just about done!

We made it! 13 lectures- 3 hours each, 30 pastors and church leaders, all of 1 & 2 Peter, the Sermon on the Mount and during 108 degree heat. God was so faithful. We ended our time with the men this morning with a communion and commissioning service. It was so powerful to be a part of this time with the guys we were training. It was very evident how big our God is as we celebrated communion together. I had no idea what they were saying, but at the same time, knew exactly what they were saying.

Randy and I also had the opportunity then of praying for and commissioning four new leaders (pictured above). These men are now in charge of four regions in India. They will be leading the leaders who lead the church planters. God is moving in such amazing ways here in India.

Randy and I appreciate so much all of your prayers and support for our journey. We are sad to be leaving but at the same time so ready to be with our families and in our own beds. We would ask you to pray that our long trip home will go smoothly.

We look forward to seeing all of you and telling you more of our stories!
In Christ…
Brian

Half Way!

Well, we are over half way this morning. Yesterday, Sunday, we had a worship service in the morning and then just rested in the afternoon. Randy preached a powerful message from 1 Peter chapter 5 on Satan the roaring lion. It was nice to have the afternoon off.

I attached a short video of the worship time here. We begin every morning with about 30 minutes of worship. Although Randy and I have no idea what is being sung we are able to sense the presence of God here.

The men here have been asking some very powerful and challenging questions. In teaching through the book of 1 Peter Randy has had lots of questions on persecution. It has been overwhelming to hear what some of these guys go through in their home towns. It is convicting to think how easy we have it in the States.

On Saturday I taught through Matthew 5:31-32 which is about divorce. One of the pastors told us about a man in his church who came to Christ but has two wives. He was asking us how we would advise him to lead this man. Should the man divorce one wife? What should he do? Like I said, tough questions.

Continue to pray for us. Randy has two more lectures and I have three. During the last lecture we are going to share communion together and pray for all of the men. Randy and I miss you all and although we are having a great time are starting to long for our own beds.

May the grace and peace of God impact you today.
Brian

Day 2 of Teaching

Wow... It's hot here. About 102 today. I did my 2nd lecture on the Sermon on the Mount this morning and Randy is in the midst of his 2nd on 1 Peter as I type. The men here are really hungry to grow and learn. They have been asking lots of great questions.

This morning after I talked about "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake" in the beatitudes, one of the church planters asked me what persecution looks like in the States. It was a humbling moment to answer him. I learned that he has experienced real persecution in his city. He has been threatened and has endured some pretty challenging things. His name is Charles and I would invite you to pray for him and his church today.

On a much lighter note, the food here is awesome! We eat so much for lunch we don't eat dinner. They are so hospitable here. Wilson and Aruna are the couple that are taking care of us. They pass on their greetings to all of you who have met them.

Randy and I sure appreciate your prayers.
Until next time...
Brian

We Made It

We're here! It was a great flight. Really! The flight from JFK to Dubai was 12 hours but only half full so I was able to stretch out over three seats and actually sleep. I watched a couple of good movies including The King's Speech (solid!).

It is great to be back. Being around these church planters is so encouraging. They are so hungry to learn the Word of God, experience God, and plant churches. It is humbling to be teaching them.

Right now Randy is teaching his first lecture on 1 & 2 Peter and I will start the Sermon on the Mount this afternoon.

Please pray that God would use us. Also, there are some pastors that are not here yet because there have been protests in east India and the trains are not running. So pray for them.

Until next time.
Brian

Where to Follow

There will be several places you can be checking for updates:

Blog: http://bprtrip.blogspot.com
Twitter: Follow bagovino
Facebook: friend "Redeemer Church" or Brian Agovino
Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/bagovino888

Hopefully we will be updating regularly.
Gotta love technology!

10 Days to Departure!

Well, it's hard to believe it's time to head back to India!
Randy Taylor and I are headed back to teach at Logos Wholistic Ministries again. He will be doing six sessions on 1 & 2 Peter and I will be teaching on the Sermon on the Mount.

We hope that you will check back regularly for updates and videos.

Thanks for your prayers.
Brian

Almost Home

Well, today we wrapped up the training. It was awesome! We prayed for the guys and they prayed for us. Tomorrow we will do a little shopping and some sigh seeing before our 30 journey home. That sounds like a long time...

We appreciate all of your prayers and really look forward to sharing with you more when we get back! Thanks for following the blog!

Pray for safe travels....