We’re in an Indian village in what I can only describe as being in the middle of a scene from the jungle book, hosting a medical camp for the locals. Hundreds of people have traveled from near and far to see doctors and to see Americans. Crowd control can be a challenge on its own, and it can get a little chaotic ushering hundreds of non English-speaking people at varying levels of illness into some semblance of a line. To put it simply, there’s a lot going on.
Everything seems to be going okay when people start breaking into tears left and right. I’m not quite sure what the issue is, so my gaze follows their pointing fingers to see. Then I realize it’s Danny. Danny’s my team leader. He’s pretty big and pretty tall, and his dark beard is taking over more than a little bit of his face at the moment. I can understand that the big smiling hairy white guy may be a little bit of a spectacle to the rural Indian villagers, but I’m thinking that the tears are a little dramatic. One of the medical team members we’re traveling with sees my obvious confusion and lets me know that these women are in tears because they think they’re seeing Jesus. They truly think that the white people have brought Jesus into their village to heal.
Let me tell you, Jesus did heal that day. And while it’s ironic and even a little bit funny that these sweet women thought Jesus was in the flesh in front of them as a goofy white boy from Minnesota, they weren’t really that far off. All of this got me thinking about miracles, healing, and what I’ve seen and learned this month in India.
My team and I have seen answers to our prayers in miracles I wouldn’t have dreamed of when I stepped on the plane in Atlanta four months ago. Miracles I wouldn’t even have had the faith to believe in. Jesus opened deaf ears to hear. Cataracts cleared up. Pain diminished. Before our eyes, people’s physical ailments vanished. Of course, the bigger miracle is in the gospel. Those deaf ears went on to hear the gospel and accept Jesus. Faith was restored, and hearts were changed. I’m shocked and in awe; I’ll remember the miracles Jesus did in response to our “prayer tent” prayers forever. I’m amazed, but I think what’s strengthened my faith even more is the way I’ve seen Jesus outside of his miracles this month. Never in my life have I seen such genuine servant hearts and hospitality.
I think of Hming, the man who traveled with us and served us endlessly as we worked on these camps. I picture him making the rounds with his coffee satchel and hot milk pitcher, putting aside his own exhaustion to make sure we all got a little caffeine in the middle of hour seven of our fifth medical camp in six days. I see Jesus.
I think of B.J., the middle-aged local who translated for me in the prayer room and told me about his sons and wife. I picture the way he couldn’t even contain his excitement in taking a photo with me and telling me that this is the moment his dreams have come true; that being able to work with our team by volunteering at this medical camp to help his people is the biggest accomplishment in his life so far. I see Jesus.
I think of Vesti, the 18-year old girl who walked with me to show me where I could buy laundry soap, and then proceeded to help with doing said laundry, preparing the group’s meals for the next three days, and even repairing the hole in the toe of my poor worn running shoes. I picture her pink lipstick and her sweet smile. I think of her shy laugh when I asked her to tell me about her best friends and favorite subjects at school. I see Jesus.
I think of the bittersweet goodbyes as our bus drives away from each little corner of the world we get to share; the people who stand and wave with smiles and a quick sentiment along the lines of, “we may see you soon, but we’ll definitely see you in heaven.” I see Jesus.
I’ve learned a lot this month. I’ve learned that Jesus still does miracles, and I’m humbled that he lets me be a part of them. But the thing I can’t put into words, can’t even comprehend really, is the way I see Jesus in the hearts of his people. In their graciousness, in their strength, and in the love they are completely relentless in pouring out on my team and I seemingly everywhere we go. Maybe you haven’t seen a miracle in a while. Maybe you’re not in the middle of the jungle, where a glance in any direction rivals a shot from National Geographic. Honestly, I still can’t believe I am.
Let me ask you to take a look around you. Take a look at His people; take a look at their hearts. Take a look at human compassion, at raw love, at genuine selflessness and unrestrained emotion. It’s simple really. I hope you don’t have to look too far to see a favor, or a smile, or a friend; a listening ear or a true encouragement. Take a look, and then let me ask you one more thing. Do you see Jesus?
