Greater love has no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends. –John 15:13

Friendship is a wonderful thing. When you have been blessed of God with another person whom you know you can count on when things are bad, you have a true friend.

When they care about your troubles and will help you work through them, even when your troubles are your own fault, you have a true friend.

When they call on you to share with you their joys and victories, not just when they need something, you have a true friend.

When you enjoy each others’ company, even if you’re not really doing anything, you have a true friend.

When you need something, and your friend has it, but they need it too, yet they give it to you, you have a true friend.

Thank God for our True Friends, and especially for the Greatest Friend of all, our Lord Jesus Christ Who did all the above and so much more. He is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother.

I have called you friends… -John 15:15

MISSION GALVESTON

It has been my privilege to stand in for Brother Raju at Mission Galveston while he is in India taking care of the orphanages. I get to preach to about 75 folks on Monday mornings, and it is a blessing indeed.

Today was “chilidog day” at the mission, and the volunteers did their usual great job of sharing the love of Jesus with these dear folks who really need some help during these difficult times.

Most importantly, the counselors led two people to the Lord!

I encourage you to be involved in whatever capacity the Lord may lead. You will surely receive a blessing.

Raju (part of him at least) and me in India

FLU PREVENTION TIPS:

Here are some Swine Flu preventing tips we found and wanted to pass along to you:

Tips for preventing swine flu, from Dr. Vinay Goyal, Milad, India.

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced:

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face.

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water; *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.