BOLLYWOOD BALL

After a few days trying to get rid of jet-lag and catch up on paperwork at home and in the office, this weekend has been busy but fulfilling. Yesterday Gill and our friend Shikala organised the Bollywood Ball fundraiser for our India School Project. Here's a picture of Jess Wilson, who came to India with our team back in September, wearing a sari she bought in Rajahmundry: We had 150 people in County Hall for a meal of curry and rice, some Indian dancing and an auction and a raffle. We'll have raised over £3,000 when all the money comes in! Gill has done a fantastic job envisioning her friends in education to help support the school project, and so the event was full of teachers and education authority staff. Gill promises to visit the school once it's been built, and to take a team of Cardiff teachers with her. At the same time as the Ball, Pastor Prasad and his family in India were praying for it, and thanking God for the partners in ministry that they have here in Cardiff.
This morning I was preaching at City Temple on "Gifted to train and lead others" as part of the church series called Gifted, and this evening I'm speaking at Gabalfa Baptist church on 'Reaching this Generation". Just now we have had a surprise visit from our friends the Frost family who have cycled from their home to see us- the boys Nathan and Jacob got a little muddy on the way so I had to lend them some shorts! Mark and Janet Frost were at the Bollywood Ball last night along with friends from their church, and as our house smelt like an Indian restaurant because we had so much left over curry, Gill promised to deliver them a pot full later today. In the auction, I successfully bid for a candlelit meal for 2 at the home of Martin and Daniella from our church, whilst a 4 course meal for 8 people at our house went for over £200- slightly scary, because the winning bidder is in the catering trade himself! Gill's great cooking and hospitality will be fine. I think I'll end up being a waiter.... all for a good cause!