From: Elaine Colvin

hello all --
today was the first day of the writers workshop. and PTL,
thanks to your prayers, it was the first night i have been able
to sleep through the night without a coughing fit and being
unable to breath. God is good -- so i was refreshed and ready
for our day, although my voice is not back to normal yet. we
had 30 incredible professionals in our writers workshop. i am
sure they were handpicked. they are eager learners and it was
easy to get them to smile, respond, and interact with us. the
buffet lunch the hotel served was awesome and even i enjoyed
a full spread of indian food.
it is so good to be in a quiet air conditioned room right in our hotel,
and away from the heat and noise we had to put up with last year
by having the workshop held at the YMCA.
Steve James was at his best and since we ran late with registration,
formal introductions and all, he was happy to be able to teach during
my assigned hour right after lunch. i didn't think i should make the
students suffer through my scratchy voice. Lauren also taught this
afternoon on the Power of Story -- and she was awesome. This is her
first time teaching at a writers conference and she was great!
It is exciting to know that God sent both Hindus and Muslims to our
Christian Writers Workshop. We welcomed them warmly and said it
was open to all, even though we start with devotions and have several
prayers at the beginning, lunch, and end of the day.
Yesterday the team went without me to the leprosy colony but it was
OK. The kids loved the stories, the team loved the praise time, and
i had sent my Polaroid camera and 80 films for them to take photos
and give and i guess that was a huge hit. Jacob said that many asked
where the blonde curly haired aunty was. They asked us to consider
providing the electricity for the 100 homes for a year (cost is $208. a month
total). They also need sandals for each person that live in the colony at
the cost of $2.50 each pair. We are asking God where to leave the money
you sent with us because we know we'll get many more requests.
Tonight I am having dinner with Aneesh Daniel, a Christian movie producer
for CNN and Joyce Myers, that God is using to film amazing things around
the world. He is the equivalent to a Christian in Bollywood (our Hollywood).
I am sure I will have exciting stories to tell all of you.
I feel like a professional auto rickshaw rider now -- having jumped in and out
of more than a dozen.
I met a YWAMer today as we left class. We will have fun catching up on YWAM
news tomorrow.
Nicole's office and house is a little over a mile from our hotel and the YMCA -- a perfect
location for her. She was going to walk to work this morning -- just for fun. i offered money
etc. but she wanted to walk. It has been a blessing to be able to encourage her and see
how God is pulling the plans for her life together -- and she is great to have for communicating
with those who don't understand English. She has learned her way around this busy city very
well.
Well, we have guests waiting -- so much call this short. Pray for Tamara and Carol as they
leave on Wednesday to arrive her Friday am. We hope they can rest on the plane, that no
luggage is delayed and everything will be smooth for them -- because they will hit the ground
running with a full schedule next week.
Keep up the prayers -- we need them so much -- and we feel them, too.
With much love and gratefulness,
elaine
elaine colvin
www.christianwritersinfo.net