Saturday, October 19^th, was another day for house hunting. Arrangements are now in place for us to move sometime soon. We bought the first of our furniture, a couch and chairs, and later other necessary items. The gifts of so many continue to be appreciated as the Lord has used you to make our transition more comfortable. But more importantly— your gifts are used by the Lord in His work of reaching the lost.

The hospitality and teaching of Pastor Koenig has been great as he prepares to leave India to return to his wife Mary and other family and friends in South Carolina. His patience in sharing his experience in India will soon be greatly missed. We will also miss seeing first hand his love for the Lord which we have learned to appreciate along with countless people across the world that he and Mary have served in Christian love. Dave reminds me so much of my first mentor, Harland Helland, whose God-given faith, energy, and love for the Lord caused him to always be about the work he was called to. Though Pastor Koenig is officially retiring, it is clear he will be always be about the Lord’s work; Myanmar, Germany, the USA, and ?.

Matthew and Vanessa have already had their hands full with our arrival. My watch, glasses, phone, and computer were problems right from the get go, but the Lord provided Matthew and Vanessa who seem to know how to do everything when it comes to technology and getting around this huge city so different from Iron River, Michigan, or anywhere else we have lived. I should not be surprised as I recall the first time Matthew came to our rescue. Eight years ago, shortly after moving to Eau Claire he repaired our washing machine.

The Lord continues to provide for all of us, and in ways which help us to know that it is by His will alone that we do anything. When concerned about how we would ever be able to do what we have been called to, I am reminded of Ted and Maxine Rinden, whom the Lord has taken home to himself. In their witness to the Lord, they opened their hearts and home to us in Joyce, Iowa as I first prepared to enter into study for ministry. I still hear Ted’s soft assurance from the Lord; Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee… Isaiah 26:3

I write this to those of you in the CLC who have encouraged, prayed for, and supported the work we are called to. And also to those who are family and aquaintances who who have done the same yet may know very little of the Church of the Lutheran Confession and what our purpose is as Christians. Our purpse for coming to India or doing the Lord’s work anywhere is not to just hope for bettering the people we encounter for this life now. But rather in a way like the apostle Paul, who said: For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified… 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:2,5

Our prayer is that the Lord would now use us along with the continuing work of Matt and Vanessa and so many others who come to South India to encourage local Indian Christ-believers. That together we would all continue to boldly proclaim His good news of sin forgiven at the cross of Calvary! Proclaiming His sure Word—that more and more would come to know they have been rescued by God for heaven.

We thank Him for calling us along with you and all who trust in His saving work!

God’s blessings from Chennai,

Ed and Janice Starkey

Our worship was quite different from that we experienced in Wisconsin the week before. However, the message was the same assurance of forgiveness of sin in Christ alone. In a village church (full with worshipers) Pastor Koenig provided a great picture of belonging to Christ using the fish symbol – IXTHUS. Young and old learned how early Christians shared their mutual faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and Savior. Rev. D. Paul Bakthavachalm interpreted into Tamil for the local members.

After the service we traveled to the homes of some of the local pastors and visted with them and their families. Pastor Koenig and Pastor Ude have already met with several of the 526 BELC pastors in recent months. The visits are to encourage them in the Lord work, and learn more about them and their families along with any prayer concerns they may have concerning their own lives. The concerns are many; from health issues like pneumonia, kidney stones, bad backs, children needing glasses or operations, and one wife who had been bitten by a cobra. Your fellowship in Christ joins you to these pastor’s families and their needs. Your combined gifts of prayer and resources are gifts from God as answer to their prayer.

Those first visits for us on Sunday were then followed by more of the same both Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday we took a break to look for an apartment. One of the four we looked at appeared nice and is closer to Matthew and Vanessa’s home.Thursday and Friday we were back to the visits. My 58^th birthday included a day of dodging countless cars, trucks, busses, animals and people. The distractions are many, but the work is sure and certain. For the message these men proclaim is the assurance of life everlasting.

Visits to the pastors homes in the villages are a real joy as I am just begining to learn about how these men serve in the kingdom work with much struggle. Many serve more than one congregation proclaming the good news of forgiveness. They are continually reaching out to lost souls following after false gods with hopeless works. The VBS reports reveal how the outreach of these pastors and their congregations goes beyond the members to include many children who would otherwise have no hope without Christ.

These pastors are busy with weekly Catechism classes instructing many in God’s Word that leads them to a better understanding of His eternal promise. Your providing Catechisms in Tamil, and Telegu allows these Christ-believers opportunity to study God’s Word in their own languages, and grow in His grace.

Greetings from Chennai!

We landed safely in Chennai, India early the morning of Tuesday October 8^th, greeted first by the smiles of Missionary Dave Koenig, and driver Kumar. After a day of rest, the Joint Asia English Pastors Conference began on Wednesday in Chennai. In three very full days we had a chance to meet several of the men we have come to work with.

Our eyes have been wide open with so many new sights, unfamiliar sounds, and smells. The first experience that left an impact as being totally unlike anything we have experienced previously was riding in traffic. The ride from the airport was just a glimpse of what was to come. Travel to the Pastor’s Conference was done in motor-rickshaws as our vehilce was in for repairs. Many have tried to describe the Indian traffic. I won’t try. Those of you who have experienced this know why.

The Conference was not only a chance to meet people, but a great reminder of the fellowship we have with those who also trust in the entirety of God’s pure Word. Men of different lands and languages were present from the South India – BELC, CLCI, along with Himalayan CLC- Nepal, and CLC – Myanmar.

These men whose native languages are not English, gathered using English as a second language to worship in Word and song and give their reports and doctrinal papers. The Conference ended Friday.