Most days we do something different, go somewhere else, or visit different people. Pondicherry was especially this way. Apart from the travel from auto rickshaw to bus to train wearing us down physically there are emotional ties to people and even places that take their toll. Regardless, God did amazing things to us and around us. Jesus sustained me and I actually loved the trip to Pondicherry.
There were some extremely difficult situation that we came across in the slums, small villages, post-tsunami communities and leper colonies. In the beloved people there is a great need physically, spiritually, and emotionally. As I walked into these places and situations I felt a certain inadequacy. "What do I have to offer? And to the families we do not visit, will a smile while leaving do anything?" But then my heart is reminded of the bases of my life, my salvation and this joy that follows-- It is all a gift; these things have all been given to me. And I trust, as with every gift, there is a gracious giver.
Once we met with a women who was blind and leprous. Her joy for Jesus was so strong her smile almost formed a pair of wings that carried her straight to God. Or maybe that is just how I felt to be there with her. She told us that she asked God for a gift because she could not see the people she meets, and that God gifted her with an unfailing memory of their names. So she learned our names so she could always pray for us. She prays for all who visit her and the U.S.A. daily. We prayed with her outside her hut, meters away from the Bay of Bengal. As we were leaving our missionary friend said "She will see God before you and I." I believe that as well.
I have been surprised by how many Indians pray for America. I expected children to idolize America but not for many believers to see America as a place of significance regarding the Christian faith. Their faith is not placed in America itself, but they do hope the beliefs it was founded on hold fast and not backslide. Many here believe that the reason America has prospered is because of faithful and prayerful Christians. That was a new thought to me, but now I see that if this is true it isn't merely faithful and prayer Americans but Christians worldwide.
Another time we walked into a fishermen village, each house identically modeled, built after the 2008 tsunami. Suddenly, for reasons unknown to me, I began to cry and I said to God "I don't have any strength to go encourage people." We were then welcomed into a home. We sat down and sang songs of worship, most in the Tamil language. One of my friends shared a message from the Bible and an older woman shared the story of how she came to know Jesus as God. Her story was incredibly brave; once she had made the leap of faith she stood against the persecution of her family (this is very common in an Indian's testimony). Her husband and family were still practicing hinduism, and worshiped snakes. One day, a snake entered their house. Her family said "See! Our God has come to show itself true and be worshiped." The brave woman took up a stick and killed the snake! Her actions spoke for the sake of the Unseen God, the father of Jesus Christ. Soon her husband came to know Jesus personally.
Thank you, friends. I am very blessed by taking this time to write about this summer.
There were some extremely difficult situation that we came across in the slums, small villages, post-tsunami communities and leper colonies. In the beloved people there is a great need physically, spiritually, and emotionally. As I walked into these places and situations I felt a certain inadequacy. "What do I have to offer? And to the families we do not visit, will a smile while leaving do anything?" But then my heart is reminded of the bases of my life, my salvation and this joy that follows-- It is all a gift; these things have all been given to me. And I trust, as with every gift, there is a gracious giver.
Once we met with a women who was blind and leprous. Her joy for Jesus was so strong her smile almost formed a pair of wings that carried her straight to God. Or maybe that is just how I felt to be there with her. She told us that she asked God for a gift because she could not see the people she meets, and that God gifted her with an unfailing memory of their names. So she learned our names so she could always pray for us. She prays for all who visit her and the U.S.A. daily. We prayed with her outside her hut, meters away from the Bay of Bengal. As we were leaving our missionary friend said "She will see God before you and I." I believe that as well.
I have been surprised by how many Indians pray for America. I expected children to idolize America but not for many believers to see America as a place of significance regarding the Christian faith. Their faith is not placed in America itself, but they do hope the beliefs it was founded on hold fast and not backslide. Many here believe that the reason America has prospered is because of faithful and prayerful Christians. That was a new thought to me, but now I see that if this is true it isn't merely faithful and prayer Americans but Christians worldwide.
Another time we walked into a fishermen village, each house identically modeled, built after the 2008 tsunami. Suddenly, for reasons unknown to me, I began to cry and I said to God "I don't have any strength to go encourage people." We were then welcomed into a home. We sat down and sang songs of worship, most in the Tamil language. One of my friends shared a message from the Bible and an older woman shared the story of how she came to know Jesus as God. Her story was incredibly brave; once she had made the leap of faith she stood against the persecution of her family (this is very common in an Indian's testimony). Her husband and family were still practicing hinduism, and worshiped snakes. One day, a snake entered their house. Her family said "See! Our God has come to show itself true and be worshiped." The brave woman took up a stick and killed the snake! Her actions spoke for the sake of the Unseen God, the father of Jesus Christ. Soon her husband came to know Jesus personally.
Thank you, friends. I am very blessed by taking this time to write about this summer.
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