House Hunting and Encouragement

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