Betsy and David Perkins, India

A new school year began at Kodaikanal International School in July.One of the unique programs that the school offers is a hiking and camping program which started two weeks ago.Each class will be taking turns spending a weekend camping in tents on the school's outdoor education property.Each Saturday groups of students and staff will gather in front of the school at 6:30 in the morning to begin hikes to a variety of destinations in the Palani Hills (mountains) where the school is located or hike the 6000 foot decent to the south Indian plains below.Moving around the school today it wasn't hard to pick out the ones who have been hiking.They are the people who are moving a little stiffly, tending their aches and pains.The exercise is stretching them in ways they haven't been stretch for a while, or ever.

As we begin this new school year, David and I feel that God has placed before us tasks and responsibilities that are going to stretch us in ways we have not been stretch before.David has added a number of church music responsibilities – stretching him from being a participant and supporter to being leader and coordinator.He will lead the Praise and Worship Team and the Chapel Choir, lead the singing for the high school Prayer Breakfast, and help direct the high school youth group, Christian Endeavor.He is now the Treasurer of the church as well.Betsy will continue to coordinate the Sunday School program (a stretch even last year), and has been elected to be the Chairperson of the Church Council – a position which is similar to the moderator or president of the church.For the school, she is assuming the responsibilities of the Personal Counselor for six months.Students with problems and emotional needs are either being referred to her or are seeking her out.We are being stretched and we have to admit to some stiffness as we get going!

The hikers will find a walking stick to lean on when the path gets rough and steep.We know we will need to lean on the Lord to be our strength and our guide.We lean, too, on the prayers that are being raised on our behalf.We hope for ourselves the things Paul prayed for the Philippians:

"And this is my prayer:that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:9-11)"

Would you pray this prayer for us?