India Trip

In my experience, trying to boil down a trip of this magnitude, with the miles of travel it took, the opportunities for service, and engagement with cultural diversity always feels like an unfair task.  Unfair because I can’t do justice to the incredible brothers and sisters in Christ I was able to serve alongside.  Unfair because words on a page can’t properly express the sights, sounds, and smells of a land with such rich cultural and spiritual roots as India.  Unfair because the experience of serving in a far off place trimmed down to a few paragraphs of highlights and struggles seems superficial.  Since returning, I’ve often been asked, “how was India?”  Rather than providing an answer, I would much prefer to answer with a question, “How much do you want to know?”  

I write down these observations about our trip, and confess they fall short of expressing the experience, but wanted to pass them along to you, because you should know the needs of our broken and depraved world, and please know India is greatly in need.  Secondly, I wanted you to know because I wanted you to be encouraged that prayer was a protection over our team on this trip.  So my deepest thanks!

So here are a few observations;

• As I mentioned before, our team (of 6) worked with a ministry called Rahab’s Rope in Goa India.  There in Goa, RR partners with two preschools working in two different slums (Think of Slumdog Millionaire) around Goa.  The children who attend these schools are coming from Hindu or Muslim homes.  At the preschool, the kids learn Bible stories and Christian songs.  Families are okay with their kids being exposed to this because of education.  Families are so desperate to get a better life for their kids that they don’t mind Christian exposure if the education is strong.  As we partnered with the schools, they asked that everything we do connect back to the gospel.  Crafts, hygiene programs, or nutrition all was rooted in Scripture.  
• Amos talks about a drought in the land of the Word of God.  I felt that way about India.  In a land with over 1.2 billion people (which you feel the density of the population), the lack of churches is felt.  The pastor’s we interacted with were grateful for us being there and asked me to teach at Bible studies and prayer meetings because they longed for the Word of God.  Those were my highlights, having the opportunity to teach the Word was a humbling experience I’m grateful to have had.
• We visited two Hindu temples.  It was a weighty experience.  2 Corinthians 4:4 rang in my mind.  Those who were coming were blinded of the light of the gospel. All we were able to do was pray, that scales and blinders would be removed in the minds of those who came to worship or present offerings to these idols.  
• The trash and filth was everywhere.  Trash was all over the side of the roads, in fields, and decomposing, which added to the smell.  Dogs and cows were everywhere and free to roam where they wanted.  On more than one occasion our bus or taxi was forced to come to a stop because cows were in the middle of the road.  Sidenote; It added to the chaos that seemed to be the norm in the land.    

I got an extra day and flew to Bangalore and saw my good friend Dave Sangiah and his wife Phebey and his young son Arun.  The time went too fast, but I loved getting to see them and their ministry.  Dave’s been a great friend, and I’ve missed getting to see/talk to him as much now that he is in India.   They have a church they are shepherding and Dave is teaching at a local Bible School/Seminary.  We had a great Sunday morning of worship at their church.  I’m really excited for them and what God has in store for them in Bangalore.  Their ministry is providing great Bible teaching and laying a foundation for the gospel throughout India.  It would be a great ministry to consider supporting if you are looking at investing overseas.  

Finally, let me encourage you to go.  Short-term missions certainly have some flaws, but I can't imagine a better way for God to remind my heart of the importance of the Great Commission or the reminder that at the throne we will be surrounded by the redeemed from every tribe, tongue, and nation and the power that the unity we share amidst diversity can have.    Take a short trip through your church or a missions agency, you won't regret the experience!
As expressed earlier, I believe in the power of prayer and was indebted to those of you who prayed for our team.  Our God is gracious and good and our team is so thankful for your support!