reflecting on india

It's hard for me to believe that we are heading home today. It's 8am in Singapore right now and we will pack up soon, climb into 'teksis' (Sing for taxi) and go back to the airport with our faces set toward the USA.

It was fun to read through the blog entries and catch a glimpse of what has been happening at home. Thank you for praying. It was fully evident for us all that Indian hearts were made fertile and ready for harvest not because of our compelling words but because of prayer work that went ahead of us. Everywhere we went, EVERYWHERE we went people were drawn to Jesus and made decisions to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord. The obvious places were the 3 outreaches we had. At the first about 60 Hindu women made a bold statement in front of their pagan peers to follow Jesus and leave their other gods behind. Claire had the privilege of leading these women to faith in the One, True God. The next was a movie night at the local church and several men and women excitedly received Jesus and repented in front of us all. As members of the team went to pray with them they cried tears of joy in their newfound relationship with their creator with whom there is no condemnation. Finally, on the 2nd to last night of our time in India in the very poor villlage of Marlapadu Rick spoke boldly of Christ being the only one able to bring us to God. Over half the place was on their feet and praying with Rick at the end of the time, receiving the God of Great Peace and forsaking their idols and meaningless gods.

There were also moments of great surprise when people came to faith in Jesus virtually out of nowhere. There was the stop in a very dark, Hindu oppressed city. Jeff went for some $ at a local ATM and the rest of us in the van started to draw a crowd. These people had never before seen a white face. After about 30 people had gathered tightly around us a man walked up and asked if he could help. At first we said No but then it was clear that he was divinely sent. He spoke almost perfect English and was eager to translate the gospel message into his tongue for us. We preached and men and women gave their lives to Jesus right on the curbside. Suresh later said that he was very nervous because that place is known for its extremism towards anything non-Hindu. Praise God for safety and that Suresh had gone with Jeff :)

Then there was the well dedication. What I expected to be a normal ceremony turned into a great movement of the Holy Spirit on another very Hindu area. Ed gave a brief message and then just asked if people wanted to turn to Jesus. Many came forward to receive prayer and be added to God's family. In fact, we didn't know it but we were next to a small village church with stick walls and a thatched roof. We dedicated the humble structure and laid hands on the walls. Because of God's movement in those people that little church doubled in size that day. He is so good!

On our final night at the Kallurigudem orphanage we had a birthday party for the 50 children. They were so happy. Their faces told us how much they loved us but when Suresh gave them opportunity some came forward to tell us with words. I think that was one of the most moving moments for the entire team on the entire trip. These kids came 1 by 1 to tell us of their deep appreciation and love for us. We had spent only 3 days with them but for them it seemed a lifetime of affection. They said our love for them made them feel like our own children and for the rest of that night many of them called us 'Daddy' or 'Mommy' rather than 'Brother' and 'Sister'. It was a change not lost on us. We were very sad to leave the next morning. Over and over we heard "Aneya, no America. No America, Aka!" How do you tell a beautiful little child that you must leave? I had to pull myself away from several kids as did many of us. We enjoyed a sad and beautiful silence in the van as we pulled away. There just weren't any words good enough.

There are many more stories of God's goodness and love toward the Indian people. There isn't room enough for them all to be here. At least not right now. Photos are forthcoming. First we need to get home. Thank you for praying. God is good to us. We have been changed by this goodness. And we'll see you all soon.

-Mark