I am Heading to India

Dear friends and family,
It’s funny how God works sometimes; it’s also awesome to see Him at work too. It appears God has been hard at work in preparing me to go to India to minister there for at least six months and possibly much longer. On January 24^th ish, 2008, I plan to return to India and continue the work that I began while I was there in November.
Let me explain my experience this past November for those of you who have not heard about it already. I went on a short-term missions trip to Chennai, India to document the New Life Gahanna team’s experiences, as well as to help train the HBI (Hindustan Bible Institute & College) communications staff on video and post-video production. Two weeks that, in my mind, would have been a great experience working for my Lord and making an impact both in India and at my local church at home.
Our team leader, Bob Bailey, received a call a few weeks before we were to leave for India from Dr. Bobby Gupta, the President of HBI, asking if we could bring over some video equipment to help New Calvary Church (located on HBI’s campus) show their services in overflow rooms throughout the campus. Within a week, the project grew to overwhelming proportions and we were taking over $20,000 of professional video production equipment to India. This equipment will allow HBI and New Calvary Church to do full video shoots for both the church services, and any event put on by HBI such as pastor conferences, or any other events that need to be produced, on or off campus. This will also allow them to broadcast their training to all of their regional training centers throughout India. With the amount of work that the system needed in order to be fully utilized, my two-week missions trip turned into a full month. Let’s just say that November was one the busiest, but most rewarding months of my life. By the way, the project is still not complete; we were just scratching the surface when my time was up.
While in India, I had the privilege to visit the International Justice Mission’s office in Chennai. Seeing the work that God is completing through their organization overwhelmed me. It was after visiting IJM that God began talking to my heart about India. I was walking on HBI’s campus and felt God saying, “You Need To Be Here!” I was not sure why, but I found myself in tears. At first I thought that God wanted me to come and work for IJM doing video production work. With this in mind I talked to my team leader, Bob, and he told me that if I saw an open door, and I wanted to walk through it, that God is big enough to close it if He does not want me to enter. So I sent IJM an email letting them know of my desire to possibly work with them.
About God’s sense of humor, you need to know that two years ago I made the statement that I would NEVER go to India long term. So, you can imagine the struggle I was having within myself, and with God for the next four or five days. I could not sleep, and I was totally miserable. I was both hoping for and fearing an email back from IJM, but it never came. I was off the hook! I did what God wanted and passed the test, so He let me off the hook! YES! But somehow I could not shake the calling I felt from God to India
As I Continued to work with the team at HBI, I started seeing that there was a tremendous need. So, I thought maybe when God was calling me to India, he actually meant HBI. I decided to talk to the Bobby Gupta, and sitting down with him made me realize that God truly was calling me to India. As Bobby explained to me the needs that HBI had, I realized that these needs dealt with everything that I have done professionally for the last 9 years of my life. We met again four days later and he laid out what he thought God was saying to him, which included having me return to India in order to lay a foundation for a production team. This team will produce audio and video materials for their regional training centers throughout India, as well as for materials that will be sent to churches in the United States and throughout the world. HBI also wants me to return to complete the initial project that we had begun in November. After that, only time will reveal what God is actually up to. It will be up to Him to decide if I stay longer or come home.
With God’s calling I am now preparing to leave everything behind and follow him to India. Obviously there are a lot of details that need to be figured out, and one of those minor details is how to financially make this happen. As it stands now, it is going to cost somewhere around $2000 per month while I’m there (for both expenses there as well as current bills here at home), with a one time $7000 expense to get me and my personal effects there, along with more video equipment that is needed for HBI. This also includes the cost to buyout my apartment lease. This is of course money that I do not have, but I am trusting God will raise it for me.
I would like to ask two things from you. First, please remember to pray for me. I believe God is going to do God sized work through this opportunity, also through the power of prayer, I believe God’s work will be accomplished. Second, I am looking for people that will join in the blessings that God has for this mission by sponsoring me financially. The cost is very do-able, if you are willing to partner with God and with me. Please consider making a six-month commitment to help me fulfill what God is asking me to do in India with whatever God lays on your heart to give. It is not easy for me to ask others for money, but it is necessary, and I know this is a great way for you to be involved in the kingdom work that is being done in India. I also believe God will bless you by partnering with me.
This is one of the first situations in my life that I have no clue how things are going to work out. I am totally trusting that God is going to supply my needs. I know he will. My flesh is screaming and kicking saying, “Stay home be comfortable and live your life!” But my spirit is saying that I need to do this. I am so excited to see what God is going to do at HBI and in India. Thanks for reading and please keep me in your prayers.

In his Service,

-Bob Swaggerty