It's 11.30 at night and in 2 hours time I drop our Indian friend Vinod off at Cardiff Central Bus station as he begins his journey home. He'll be taking with him his almost finished jar of Indian pickle. He's had pickle on toast, rice and pickle, pickle sandwiches... but then he discovered McDonalds, ice cream, Kit Kats, and crisps. It's been a month of new experiences for Vinod; first time out of his city, first time overseas, first time on a boat (across Cardiff Bay), first time eating with a knife and fork, first time eating pork and beef. He also met many new friends and endeared himself to everyone who came into contact with him. 
Today has been 'great' - a word he's been using a lot. Joining the Ignite team for our monthly prayer morning was a special blessing and we collected £265 for him to take back to the Pastor of the first Ignite church in India. Then this evening he played for the Christians in Sport cricket team against BBC Wales Sport Dept. This was only the second proper game of cricket Vinod has played, the first was for Glenwood church in Cardiff three weeks ago. For Glenwood Vinod was out for nought, but tonight he scored five runs and looked good! His future won't be as a Test Match cricketer though, Vinod has a passion to become a doctor and a pastor so that he can bring healing to Indian people physically and spiritually.
Gill and I will miss Vinod and have enjoyed the privilege of sharing our lives with him, and love the way that God brings people together in the body of Christ. We are fund raising to build a school in the village of Unduspuram near where Vinod lives so we have a long term commitment to his cousin Pastor Prasad and Gateway ministries, and I'll see Vinod and Prasad again in September when I lead an Ignite expedition out to the city of Rajahmundry and the surrounding villages. Until then... Vinod we love you and pray blessing and protection over you in the name of Jesus. May He bring your dreams to reality.
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