India At Last

                  

            I am now writing from Chennai India; the fourth largest city in India.  Chennai is on the south-eastern coast of India.  It has been such an incredible journey that brought me here; created and defined by God’s call and provision.  Six months ago I had just begun the missions training program in Switzerland.  Five months ago I was preparing for three months of ministry in Ireland and God started me on a journey, which would ultimately bring me to India; after completing six months of training and ministry divided between Switzerland and Ireland.

 Now here I am, in Chennai.  I have been in India for a little over a week, and already I have learned more than I could have imagined possible in such a short amount of time.  I am living with a young couple.  The husband is a pastor here in Chennai and the wife is from Virginia.  There is also another girl staying with the couple.  She is here for similar reasons as me; learning more about what it will take to do ministry in India.  Being here has granted me an incredible opportunity, not only to learn about the culture and the people, but also about the body of Christ in India and the need for ministry here.  It has already given me a broader understanding of what it means to part of the global body of Christ.  And I’m learning more about the power of God, which is ours in Christ; by the spirit. 

Shortly after my arrival, I very clearly felt God telling me that this month in India is to be a time of listening and learning for me.  I am to be still and know He is God, and be willing to walk with open eyes, and to receive whatever it is that He has to teach me while I am here.  I also realized that there is a lot I can learn about spiritual warfare while I am in India.  India is a place where the spiritual realm is given respect and full recognition.  Demonic manifestations are common place in India, and the body of Christ here is well aware of the warfare required to combat and annihilate strongholds and attacks.  Here, the body of Christ lives out their walk of faith in the power of the spirit.  It is required that they walk in this power, because they are well aware of the challenges they face daily in the spiritual realm.  They are much more aware than the western world, that in order to win the victory over Satan when they are attacked, it requires a full out attack, not simply a defensive stance.  In the past week God has been teaching me what it means, and looks like, to walk and minister in the power of the spirit.  He has taught me that the power of God and holiness are inseparable and that holiness itself is a choice; righteousness is a gift and holiness is a choice.  Thus choosing to walk in Holiness, daily and increasingly, is directly correlated with the extent to which God can use you.

While in Chennai I have been able to participate in various ministry opportunities.  I have visited a home where children who have been orphaned or abandoned live as part of a family.  That was a precious time.  We played, made crafts, played soccer, created games out of whatever was available in the yard, and experienced so much love and joy.  It was tough saying goodbye to those precious children.  I was also able to sit in and assist in a classroom of four year olds, as they worked on their English lessons.  I taught them how to sing, “head, shoulders, knees, and toes”; that was a lot of fun and brought me a lot of joy as well.  We also assisted with a conference at the church where my hosts attend and pastor, during a leadership conference they held for two days. 

Then, this past weekend, we headed up into the mountains to help out with a retreat being held for young adults.  During this retreat God very clearly confirmed for me, that He has a plan.  He spoke and said that He will use me to speak into people’s lives.  He also said that His power is on me.  Now He is calling me to intensify; to press even harder into Him.  He will fulfill His purposes for my life.  Now is the time, I am to press into Him, to learn from Him, to hear from Him and obey; what ever it is that He will reveal to me as His call while I am here. 

So praise God; see now He is doing a new thing.  I am truly enjoying my time here in India.  Most of all I am excited about all that God is doing and teaching me on a daily basis.  I am so excited to see what it is that He will reveal to me about His call and His will for my life.  I can also say that I absolutely adore the children of India!  All I have to do is smile at them and their faces light up.  But the most encouraging thing about the kids has been that kids are kids; no matter where in the world you go.  They are all hungry for love and acceptance.  The most impacting thing I can do with them in the short time I have is to spend time with them, invest in them, play with them, and love them. 

Now, I am still not quite used to the fact that everywhere I go people stare.   They either press close, or they smile and wave at me as though I was a celebrity.  This is simply because seeing a white person is a rare occurrence here.  At first I was uncomfortable with this.  But then I realized, especially for the women I have met through different ministry opportunities we have had, that a simple smile and a hello from me in that moment, when I have become a spectacle because of my ethnicity, creates a connection and an open line of communication like nothing else ever could.  I have been amazed at how a simple act such as a smile, a wave, a simple greeting or acknowledgement, or even just helping a young woman apply a bit of blush can bless these women and mean more to them than I could ever have known.  Likewise with the children; a smile, a wave, a greeting, a simple pat on the back, a simple game of soccer, or picking flowers can bring a permanent smile on a child’s face for a day and create a friend for life.  What a joy it has been to spend time with the Indian people; to learn from them, to eat, sleep, and talk with them.  I have already been blessed beyond measure by this trip to India and there is still more to come.