India

Hello,
As some of you may know, I took a 10-day mission trip to India late last month, and I just got home yesterday. It was a great time, I learned a lot about what it means to really risk it all and surrender to Jesus (which I'm still working on) while in the darker areas of northern India.

The team I was with was great. Like I may have told you before, I didn't know anyone going in, but my leader was very good, I got along with everyone great. It was all very organized too which was nice.

India is a land of extremes. People are usually very poor or very rich, and religion is just very intense there. The state we were in after we left New Delhi turned out being the most Hindu state in all of India (which I didn't know before), and so it was very dark and empty feeling. In the midst of that, people were pretty accepting of us (especially when we gave them the blankets). There is just a lot of people too, and it's hard to get most places. The people are really nice though, and really hospitable. The food is awesome too.

The blanket ministry was great. We were only in New Delhi doing that for like 2 days or so, but we were able to bless about 300 people there, and it was great to see the smiles on peoples faces. We went to about 8 more villages when we were in northern India, and actually made it to an un-reached village that had never seen white people before, then a few people in that village accepted Jesus, so that was awesome.

The childrens ministry was good too. Mostly played games, sang songs, and attended church with them. I was a bit difficult because we didn't speak the same language, but it was good.

So for now, still living at Bridge Street. Just working, doing ministry, and waiting on God for the next step.


Josh Hall

BSHOP/India/School

Greetings,
I've been living at Bridge Street House of Prayer for about 3 weeks now. It's been really awesome, God has been teaching me so much about this area, what I'm supposed to be doing down here, and also myself. It's also been kind of difficult with being so busy with work, school, and ministry and trying to balance that all out. It's getting a little better.

I sold my car. My dad bought a car, and traded my car with them and got about a thousand dollars for it. I still don't really have my own car, and I'm just kind of using my dad's still.

I'm going to India in December. It's kind of a long story as to how I found out about it, but I'll be taking a 10 day trip to Delhi and the slums around the area passing out wool blankets and doing some evangelizing. I don't have any money for it, but God is leading me there so I'm just going for it. I am looking for spiritual and financial support still if you feel led to help me out.

I'm transfering to a bible schol next semester. I'm probably going for a film major and a theology minor. I'm still praying as to which school I want to go to.

til next time,
Josh

running fast and free to you

Hey Everyone,
I still haven't moved into BSHOP, I'm still kinda waiting on the guys there to let me know what's up. It's only frustrating because I am SO ready to move in, and now I don't know if it's still gonna go through. And if you know me, I'm not too patient, but this is something God has really been teaching me these past couple days, and it's just been difficult.

I've decided that I'm sticking with X-team at sunshine church on wednesday nights, and not the small groups on sunday nights. I went to both last week, but I realized that it would probably be best if I didn't get too involved with the small groups and get really connected with the kids, and then just take off on them halfway through the school year. I feel like I made the right decision, so I'm pretty excited to what lies ahead.

No word on my car. I took it in for a second opinion, and it's the hydraulic pump, not the rackenpinion. Hopefully I'll sell it soon.

I really feel like the Lord has been showing me how much I'm in need of him everyday, and how he is my only hope. Without him I am literally nothing, and it's a battle everyday to get up and say "I'm going to fight". Until Jesus comes back, there is always going to be that battle so it's not a matter of if we're in it or not, it's if we want to fight for good or for evil.

Phillipians 1:29 "For to you, it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake."

Prayer Request: That I get a clear yes or no answer at the prayer house, that my car sells, and I'll find another car for cheap.

My Soul Longs For Him

so a few things have happened since I've posted last. I'll try to keep it as short as I can.

First off, I've failed to mention something:
I've been thinking about moving into the Bridge Street House of Prayer for about a month and a half now, but I never really told anyone because it didn't make any sense, and I just kind of put it off.

And last saturday this guy MIke (who is moving in there actually) was praying and gave me this vision (which pretty much confirmed this whole thing of me moving in). So I told Derek (this guy that lives there) the next day, and he's like "dude, it actually makes sense, we've actually been praying for a guy like u to move in". So I'm like, "ah, no way!!" So I've been talking with Derek and Ryan about it, and it's not for sure yet but the chances are looking good.

Since I've been back I've been kind of hoping to get involved with a youth group somewhere, but I never really told anyone, and last saturday my friend texted me about this opportunity at Sunshine Church (which I used to go to with my friend Chris a few years ago) with 6-8th graders. I went to the leadership meeting last weekend and it looks super fun, so I'm pretty excited about it.

Lastly: I have to sell my BMW I just bought. Found out the rackenpinion on the steering column is stripped and so it's pretty much a safety issue. The guy must've greased it up a bunch when I bought it, cause I never noticed it when I test drove it, but now It's going to be like $1500 (which is the same price I bought the car for) to get it fixed. And on top of that, the drivers side door doesnt lock, and its going to be like $300 to fix that. Its crazy cause I totally had peace about the car until right before I bought it, and now I'm paying for it. Hopefully it sells, because I need a car for the fall. If not, then Idk..

So yeah, been a crazy/stressful week, but good nonetheless.

John 12:47 "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world."

I want to hear some feedback!! Please leave/questions/comments/ANYTHING!!

Faith

Been an awesome past few weeks here. Classes are going good, and I'm pretty happy about em. Speaking of which, just finished my 3 day camping canoeing class which was SICK!! The trip up north was really fun, camping with a bunch of strangers, it was awesome..

Ich habe ein Deutscher Auto!! which means "I have a German Car!!" (my German class is starting to pay off...) Just bought a car thursday. It's a black 1993 BMW 525i, and I got it for $1600. It runs good and everything, there's just some cosmetic things here and there, oh, and my doors don't lock=/, nothing that can't be fixed though. It was such a blessing, cause that was pretty much the exact amount I could spend on a car, and I really wanted a BMW, so I'm pretty stoked=]

Now with about $20 left in my bank account, I'm pretty curious to see how God's going to provide. For some reason I feel so much closer to the Lord than I ever have before. Its just this tremendous feeling of intamacy having to depend on him and have faith in him. I'm still working at BSHOP WHICH I LOVE BY THE WAY!! The first couple of times it was frustrating, but it has gotten SO much easier and now I love it!! I love the people there too..Anyways I won't really have my other job til the end of this month so I'm looking forward to that a lot.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Last of all: I'm am in need of some long-term support, in prayer, and possible financially. If there is someone reading this, and there is someone interested, then I would be more than happy to meet you!!

-Josh

Awakened

Hey Everybody,

I "officially" started work at the BSHOP (Bridge Street House of Prayer) last week. It was good, but for some reason, it was a lot more stressful than just hanging out there like I've been. I'm working there every wednesday and friday now.

Started classes yesterday. My german class is awesome, and I love it. I dropped my entrepreuning class cause the instructor said some things I did not agree with at all. I added a world geography class in place of that which I'm a lot more excited about.

I've found a new group called "Grand Rapids Christian Connect (GRCC for short)" that meets every wednesday. My good friend Charlie Gies just moved away to college, and I don't really have any people I can "open up to" really.

I still haven't found a car, if you were curious. My chinese exchange student from China gets here tomorrow, so pray that she arrives safely.

1 Cor. 3:7 "So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God gives the increase".

Prayer Request: My job situation for this fall isn't looking too good. Please pray there are more orders at my workplace, and/or I can find a new job. Also that I can find more christians that I can talk to and hang out with or w/e.

Thanks and God Bless,
Josh

How He Loves

Hey everyone,
Looking at my last few posts, I kind of realized that they were a bit too long, also for how many followers I have *cough!!* haha JK. So I'll try to keep them short and sweet from now on.

Last week I "got the job" at BSHOP (Bridge Street House OF Prayer). I technically don't start until September, and I'm only "working" there about twice a week as of right now. I'm pretty excited though to see how the Lord is going to use me down there.

I also just found out I have to buy a car this fall. I'm really not too crazy about it, seeing as I hardly don't have like any money, and I'm only going to be here for like another 4 months. I'm still working and stuff, but it wont be very often especially with me taking classes this fall. But oh well, what can you do I guess..If this is what the Lord is calling me to do, it will happen.

Romans 13:10 "Love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

Thanks for following,
Josh