Hello everyone. Just wanted to give a little update. This past week has been pretty slow overall for me. I have been trying to get going on my academic classes, and trying to motivate myself to be disciplined with them. I have had better times at it than others :) Almost everyday around the afternoon the power cuts out of my house, which makes it pretty hard to do anything because its so prefusely hot. Usually in the afternoons I try to go to a bookshop that is close by, a coffee shop, or the cyber cafe just to be able to get out of the house turned sauna.

What I wanted to share with you is something that happened this past Sunday. Especially for those of you that have been in faithful prayer for my health problems in the past year and a half... I went to the English AG church in the morning, and there was a guest speaker from Germany named Walter (I cant remember his last name off hand). He gave a really powerful message that was a huge encouragement to me being here in Kolkata for the summer. After the message there was a time for the Eucharist, and then a time of prayer for healing. After awhile of praying by myself in the back, I felt the need to go up and ask for Walter to pray for me. By this time the prayer time was about wrapping up, and most of the congregation had already left. I went up and ended up talking to someone else for a little bit, while Walter was talking to and praying for others. While I was waiting for him, he was being escorted out by one of the pastors to let him go from the church. I tried following him off the stage to try and catch him to talk and pray for me, but he was with his wife and other pastors and ended up taking the elevator down as I was right there trying to catch his attention. By this time I really felt a really strong urge in myself to talk with him and have him pray over me. When he went down the elevator, I just gave up and figured I wasnt going to follow him down and bother him as he was trying to leave and probably get some lunch with his wife and others. So I went back into the church auditorium and prayed for awhile, disapointed and confused by the strong urge within myself to talk with this man, and figuring it was God that was pulling me towards him. By this time time he was probably already on his way to wherever he needed to go. After sitting there alone for awhile praying and thinking, I feel a hand on my shoulder, and when I looked up it was Walter. He said that when he was trying to leave the building he couldnt because God was pulling him back inside to talk to me. He said that he literally could not leave because he knew that God was telling him to go back upstairs to the sanctuary (there is no other explanation because I never even made eye contact with him beforehand, let alone asked to talk or pray with him). So he asked me what was going on with me, and I told him what has been going on with all of my headache problems in the past year and a half, and how I have been continually seeking the Lord's healing in prayer, as well as others with me. In talking with him, I couldnt hold back tears that were flowing out. After talking and praying with him for a little bit, he left and I didnt know what to do but praise and thank God, and even laugh. I ended up praying there for another hour or 2 by myself, along with other things seeking direction and guidance for my upcoming months and beyond. I honestly didnt know what to think afterwards and still am seeking clarity. I wanted to believe that I was fully healed at the time, but later that night I had a headache. Even in spite of this, I am confident and walk in faith that this was another step in the healing process, for both my headaches and other things. I know that afterwards I was encouaged and emboldened for my continued journey. God is moving in mighty ways, even though it is not as I or others might imagine it to look like. I continue to place my trust in Him, and He continues to give me peace and rest. And I will praise Him for that!

There is other things I could say, but this has already been pretty long. I am doing well, but feeling a little restless with not starting my internship yet. I am going to call them today and see when would be a good time to start. Im praying for wisdom and direction with that, and am really looking forward to be and serve with CINI soon. Shanti (peace in Bengali).

Scott

P.s. I found out that I will be able to watch the NBA Finals here early in the mornings, which is exciting news :)