India Mission Team 2007

With over 30 team members from Grass Valley, Sacramento, Chicago and New York, the recent medical mission trip to Chillakallu, India was truly a testimony to the power of Christ. The mission team, ranging in age from college students (in their early twenties) to Rich Powell (who’s in his sixties) experienced two amazing weeks of ministry to the Indian people.

It was interesting to see the looks on everyone’s faces as we arrived in India and departed on the car ride from the airport in Hyderabad to Chillakallu. Your first experience in a country like India is always overwhelming—especially when you’ve just traveled 24 hours to get there! When we arrived in Chillakallu, we were greeted with a parade of people, loud drums and billboards advertising the “International Mega Medical Camp” complete with mug shots of the team from last year’s outreach!

The culture of India is a potpourri of sights, sounds and smells that challenge the imagination. Sights range from the rich opulence of the Taj Mahall to snapshots of the poor and displaced sleeping on the sidewalks. The sounds seem like a 24 hours sonic bombardment of truck and automobile horns mixed with the “moo…s” of water buffalo and the “baaaa…s” of goats. The smells are memorable blend of aromas combining the stench of open sewers stench with the strong aroma of curry. Culture shock at its finest! And this was just the beginning…

After a couple days of rest and setting up the medical camp, actual ministry got underway. In five days, we provided medical treatment for over 5,100 people, dispensed 1,500 pairs of eyeglasses, distributed over $70,000 in pharmaceuticals, and performed 200 cataract surgeries (with 300 left to go). Those served were the poor and downtrodden of rural India – men, women and children who have never seen a doctor in their lives. Many who were “functionally blind” (because they could not afford a pair of glasses or cataract surgery) now have the gift of improved sight. Many who suffered with illness related to tooth decay infesting and infecting their mouths receive much-needed dental treatment. It was an amazing sight to behold, watching the gospel being preached through the means of medical care!

While the medical camp was in full swing, part of the team moved out to village settings to conduct marriage seminars with pastors and their wives. In a land were marriages are still arranged by parents and couples typically meet for the first time only months before marriage, the challenge of developing and maintaining a good marriage relationship is monumental. We’re glad to report that this ministry was very well received. Indian culture, in general, instills inhibitions toward expressing affection and intimacy in marriage. During the seminar, almost every couple struggled to look into each others eyes and say a simple “I love you” – and these were the leaders of the church! We’re hoping, through the continued work of the Holy Spirit, that the Biblical principles discussed will begin to bring about a change in these couple’s lives!

As the week flies by, everyone is physically and emotionally spent! The food, humidity, heat, and intense work load pushed the team to their limits – and beyond. But the ministry was more than worth it. The team laid everything on the line, spent themselves for the Gospel, the poor were ministered to, and God was glorified!!

We went, we saw, we served, and now we’ll never be the same. To God be all the glory!!

We encourage you to get a taste of our experience by looking through our photo gallery and viewing the two video pieces!

View more photos in our gallery >