Cyclone Phailin

After a full day of teaching, we began the drive back to Chelligada through some strong bouts of rain. We stepped into the house to find the family and neighbors huddled around a small television. Cautionary news was reporting that an impending cyclone (what we term "hurricane") was making its way to the coast! The TV screen showed a massive spiral nearly the size of India itself rapidly approaching the coast...directed right toward this area! Government-mandated evacuations were already taking place in the most populated coastline cities, with warnings also going out to the rural village areas. 

To be honest, we all were so tired from teaching that we somewhat naively figured our hosts would let us know if we were in danger. If they started to get nervous or consider evacuating, we would know we need to follow their lead. We fell into bed, without even bothering to eat dinner, too exhausted to be concerned.

We awoke in the morning to extremely heavy, even torrential rains. Our team prayed together and felt the Lord's leading to cancel the rest of our planned training and move further inland. We watched as Pankaj hopped on a motorcycle to Kesara to inform the pastors who travelled far to also go home (if their homes were inland) or to seek adequate shelter.

Pankaj had very difficult travel but made it through the storm. Arriving at the church, he found that the roof had blown off the church and there was already damage to the walls. He found a pastors and asked them to spread the word that the remainder of the seminar was cancelled. Though they graciously understood, the people were a bit disappointed as they had already begun to relocate the conference setting, having cleared a large room in a local pastor's house. 

The Hungry are Filled

We began our time together in fervent worship and prayer. The hearts of the people were then prepared to listen, and we saw hunger as they leaned in to hear and understand Biblical principles of the Vine and Branches (See John 15). The Spirit of God moved in their hearts, and they responded with the desire and excitement to become fruit-bearing branches . 

But the hunger was not limited to a spiritual hunger. You should have seen the creative ways a “take-out lunch” can be prepared and served! The Kumar brothers arranged for a lunch to be brought in: large portions of rice, skillfully wrapped in a large leaf and tied with string.

When each person loosed the string, the leaf splayed outward to become a large bowl. Small bags of curry and lentils were handed out, as well, which were then poured over the rice and mixed right in! No utensils necessary, as they are quite accustomed to eating with their hands.

They  sat and ate on the floor, which is usual here, and they happily visited between bites. Only the "foreigners" were given a chair, since 6-8 hours of sitting on the ground was not usual for our bones and joints.

Training in Kesara

The Kumar brothers (Lalit and Pankaj) along with cousin Aksiah invited a group of pastors to meet with us for training in the rural town of Kesera. When local church members heard that we were coming to teach, they also crowded in to hear, and the small room was quickly filled. 

The atmosphere was sweet, and we could feel them pressing in, not really to hear from us, but to hear from God's Word.

(Note: You may notice in this picture that the wall structure is sticks, plastered with mud, and then painted. The roof is simple tin sheeting. I will make mention of that again in the post about the Cyclone.)

Making friends with the next generation

We learned that we were the first "white people" to enter the village in 40 years! We saw a building in Chelligada in which former missionaries established a mission. Many converted to Christ here, resulting in the large presence of the Baptist Church in this village and the surrounding area.

Making friends is not difficult here. Who knew that a simple dollar-store toy could draw so much attention from the children?! As we showed them how the little launching helicopter worked, a small crowd of children began to gather.  In no time at all the number of kids doubled; then tripled into a crowd of laughing, joyful children interacting with the Americans and the toy. Very quickly they had mastered the English phrase, calling out together “one…two…three…GO!”     

Susan showed up with the camera, and everyone had to have a photo taken. As they scrambled to see their images on the small screen display, giggles and squeals erupted: "Me, me!"

Cultural Contrasts

Because there remains a guarded atmosphere between Christians and Hindus throughout the region, especially around the times of Hindu festivals, they were mindful to call taxis even when we were to go a short distance, making sure we would not be walking the streets during the time of preparation for the Hindu festival of Dashain. During this festival elaborate decorations are set up to encase the main street in color and lights. Temporary temples are set up to honor certain gods/godesses and lots of loud speakers ensure no one could possibly miss this celebration.

It seems that Hinduism is everywhere! Not only did we see its evidence in the elaborate festival decorations, but we saw shrines, gods, and idols in a variety of places. We even saw several trees whose roots and trunks had been adorned with little idols and shrines.

First Days In India

When we left Nepal, we met up with the brother of our friend Santosh Kumar, who we met in West Michigan a few years ago. Lalit Kumar traveled with us into the Orissa Region, to his family's home-town village of Chelligada.  Along the way he pointed out several areas where churches had been burned and villages had been ransacked in the 2009 uprising against Christianity.

The Kumar family is no small presence for Christianity in the vilage of Chelligada. The patriarch is pastor of the largest church in the area, and his sons lead a ministry that seeks to train pastors and expand orphanages.  We were housed in a home built by Aksaya, one of their cousins who also a leads a Christian school in northern India.  He was a very capable translator as well as a generous host.  Our time in his home was blessed and we shared from early morning to late night about the amazing love of our wonderful Lord Jesus.  They were very kind and watchfully protective of us during our time there. What a loving family!

Pray For Nepal

Do you have a heart for Nepal? Will you stop and pray for them? Please go to the link below, and watch this short video-prayer for this land and its beautiful people.  (If the link does not work, just paste it into your browser window to activate)

 

http://prayercast.com/nepal.html

A Peek at a Church Plant in Nepal

After the conclusion of our conference in Nepal, we were invited to join church services at a new church plant just outside of town.

 

We joined these believers in the new building that has become their church. There is a rice paddy between the church and the road, and as yet no driveway has been purchased; so the neighbors have allowed church members to walk on their small foot path to enter the church. (Land is very expensive, and plots along a roadside come at a premium cost.)

The room filled pretty quickly once the music began. Pastor Deepak then welcomed us warmly, introducing us to his small congregation.  In contrast to the pews and chairs we enjoy in American churches, many Asians are most comfortable sitting on the floor.  This ensures there is plenty of room for everyone! 

The music team was a delight as they lifted their voices in true worship to God. 

After the service, we had the opportunity to pray with a young woman named Meena.

She is the worship leader for this church, and the second daughter in her family, thus carrying the responsibility to care for her aging parents. (This significantly reduces her prospects for marriage.)   

Tears streamed down her face as she shared her heart’s desire: to serve the Lord with her whole life, yet her responsibilities to family weigh heavily on her shoulders. She loves her family, and she loves her Lord. 

We were humbled as we prayed for her, asking God to make a way for her to be in ministry OR to open her eyes to see the opportunities that He is already giving her to minister right where she is.

Hinduism, for the Nepalese people, is more than just a religion. Hinduism is their entire identity. It tells them what to do; it governs their calendar and daily schedule. Their religious festivals are the holidays that they celebrate with the whole family, and their devotion to their gods is quite sincere. Thus, when someone turns from Hinduism to Christianity, it is a huge decision entailing a complete change of identity. This radical change of life and focus can leave them as an outcast in their family and community. However, when these lovely people hear the truth of the gospel and their hearts are changed, the transformation is radical. 

They do not simply change religions; they align themselves completely with Christ and His church. They lean on each other, then, to be family and community together. They need much support because of their choice to be a Christ-follower. And yet, we see that their devotion and fire for God is significant! They are "all in." Please pray with us for the Hindu converts of Nepal.   

Audio Bibles for the Rural Nepalese

Activation International is blessed with wonderful partners in ministry, such as World Mission (based in Grandville, Michigan). 

This dynamic organization produces solar-powered audio Bibles in a multitude of languages. On this trip we were privileged to distribute a number of these units among church leaders in western Nepal.

Western and Far-Western Nepal are rather remote and undeveloped. In fact, we learned that in order for some of these pastors to return to their homes at the end of our training, they must first ride by bus for many hours; then begin the treacherous 2-3 day walk up into the mountains. 

Now, because these leaders will return home with an audio-Bible in the Nepali language, many remote villagers who are illiterate and uneducated will hear the Word of God in their own language for the first time!

The pastors were indeed thrilled to receive these great new tools for evangelism and discipling. Each agreed to gather people together for listening groups. It was a solemn, almost reverent moment as one-by-one they received their audio Bible. Bob gave a short tutorial on how to use the technology, and around the room we heard the units turn on. Their eyes shone as the sound reached their ears...in their national language!

Thank you to World Mission. You are a great partner in sending the Word to the World! (www.worldmission.cc)

New Friends of AIM

Please join us in celebrating our new friends in Western Nepal.  

Pastor Philip hosted the conference at his house/church.  He is an effective evangelist, always sharing the Good News with nearly everyone he meets. When his church plant began to grow he wanted to build a church, but there was no land. (Land is an incredibly expensive purchase, when land can be found.) So, he decided to build UP! He added a set of stairs and a large room on the roof of his house, which is where our training sessions were held.  

This training group contains several pastors, some evangelists and also elders (both men and women); each church was invited to send 2 leaders. Some walked as far as 2-3 days travel in order to attend.  And they enthusiastically received the training, soaking up the Word of God like thirsty sponges. 

We have noted that this culture is normally one of formality and decorum.  But as many of you know, the Activation International presents a very light and congenial teaching style.  We observed that this actually helped to relax the atmosphere and gave them permission to relax as well.  By the end of the training, we knew we had bonded with many of these leaders, and have strong hopes to return for more opportunities to strengthen and equip them.