Hi Everyone,
Foremost we would like to say thank you to all who faithfully check our blog-page. We pray and think of you often. Sorry for the delay - much has happened since we’ve last updated you. From the power surges, commutes lasting several hours either way, along with the ministry opportunities little time has been available to devote to this blog as we should. Needless to say the Internet has become a precious commodity as of late.
To distinguish from the other team, we are now Team Asian Sensation.
We are officially two weeks into our trip and already we have seen the heart of God for the people of India, witnessed signs and wonders and the promise of hope in the eyes of those in need. After becoming accustomed to our surroundings and Team India, with whom we were staying, we began our work documenting the fruits of their ministry, as well as the continued, and many times unnoticed efforts of the local pastors, missionaries, and members of political office. It took us some time to develop a Polaroid of the message we were to record; being the first media team there was no organized agenda but to observe and witness the hand of God through the eye of a lens and follow the Spirit’s leading. Initially the common struggle we faced was identifying: what does the heart of God beat for? Children without proper medical treatment or shoes, women helpless to free themselves from the bondage of prostitution, families that walk from 5 kilometers around to fill a pitcher of water from the nearest well: all of these are no mystery. We have only to turn on the television to witness the devastation of hunger and disease and poverty, but how are the children of God responding? It is this question that our media team has sought to answer. If we are, as commanded by Christ, to reach the darkest corners and to become humbled before “the least of these” – in worship, we also have a responsibility to show the sustained growth of the gospel’s harvest; for the encouragement of the body of Christ as well as for the further proliferation of its message.
In the days that followed our arrival we had the opportunity to visit multiple slums, a prostitute village, HIV AIDS facilities, local youth groups, prayer meetings, etc. At the slums the children received gift boxes through Operation Blessing, each containing items such as pencils, lip balm, shoes and books written in the native Telegu were distributed. At the prostitute village we ministered alongside Team India in demonstrating the love of Christ and illuminated their understanding of self-worth as seen through His eyes. Every night we would debrief the day’s happenings, pray for guidance and intercede on behalf of the other missions’ teams. Several of us would sleep atop the roof as the guesthouse where we staying had no AC but for the multiple ceiling fans that would operate at all hours of the day. The sun rises early in India, and our host Nilu would awake and prepare the morning meal – customarily rice and curry – altogether singing and worshipping God. She was such a blessing. Through her example, as well as the example of Vicky her son, and Vashal we understood that being Christian, in this country was more than a choice of allegiance to one particular faith; in her words Christ was life, the consuming passion of her devotion – her husband, redeemer and friend. In India, one cannot afford to be lukewarm; God is everything or He is nothing at all.
To speak of the country, India is a state flourishing in its economic wealth and rich in its heritage, the people are composed with great dignity, regardless of the caste (social class) to which they are a part. Cities are crowded; the roads serpentine and unregulated; an unfinished mecca set against a sun merciless in its heat. Trash burns in heaps outside people’s homes and openly in the streets as the government struggles to meet the demands of a continued populous increase. Nonetheless Christianity, a recognized minority in politics and in inhabitants, has cultivated a widespread influence in the local communities, among the poor, and in the houses of government. The incumbent Prime Minister also is sympathetic to the gospel and is promising much to help the minorities whether Christian, Muslim, etc.
With all that said, we as a team are still in India, though we are preparing to leave for Beijing in the morning. Continue to pray for us; chiefly for the work that is being done here, the country and its people. A few paragraphs could not begin to suitably describe the magnanimity of their hearts and the panorama of their undertaking. If nothing else, from this experience I personally have come to affirm that a smile is indeed universal, and that the language of love and kindness – whether attributed to God or to the social conscious of brotherhood – knows no barriers it cannot overcome or suppress. Through these doors of opportunity we have entertained the company of prostitutes, members of Congress, persons of the Muslim and Hindu communities, and have been able to share the gospel through our godly example, humble servitude and the testimony of our mouths to the greatness of the Father’s love.
