India Blog 2
There is so much to say, I’m not even sure where to begin. I’ve dreamt of India for years, I’ve dreamt of the people, the culture, the color; I’ve dreamt of encountering God in a new way with the people of India. And boy, did my dreams come true!!
On arrival, I was informed that my team would be doing village ministry and were told to prepare for “camping.” Needless to say, I was prepared to rough it- no beds, scare drinkable water, rice for every meal, maybe a shower or two. When we were picked up by our contact though, all my reservations, fears, and apprehensions of living conditions and ministry for the month dissipated.
Pastor Samrat and wife Kamala, along with the rest of their family, have taken us under their wings, treating us like royalty. As we arrived at “Faith Palace, ”our home for the month, a sea of beautiful Indian faces welcomed my team with an warm “Welcome to India! ” flower petals and a flower necklace. I had yet to be so welcomed on the race, I have never been so well fed, either; I’ve definitely gained poundage this month. 🙂 We have beds, we have A/C, we have a shower, and a toilet, we even have toilet paper!
(Pastor Sam and Kamala)
Such blessings aside, I don’t know if I can quite convey how much being here in India has changed me. My perspective on preaching the good news- the gospel of Jesus- unashamed guides my every motive, directs my heart to pray for my neighbor, and even more.
The ministry my team and I are working with is absolutely incredible and there is SO much work to be done. This month our minstry has been all over the spectrum. We started the month the "normal" routine of house visits in the morning. A time of tea and biscuits, and prayer with different families in the area. In the evening we do village outreach- a time to share the gospel, share a testimony, do a skit, and sing a song or two. But through out the month we've also had other amazing oppurtunites. We have visited a brothel and got to pray for prostitues, we done prison outreach also where many came to accept jesus. We also were able to be a TV casting sharing songs, testimony to 250,000 Indians! and In all these oppurtinues I have seen glimpses of the holy. We've also had the chance to go inside and Hindu temple, a place rarely open to outsiders, attended a muslim wedding reception, tomorrow we even get to visit a leper colony.
In all this,
I have seen healings- sickness lost, limbs healed.
I have encountered the demonic- men and women, alike, shrieking in utter terror when the power of Jesus rebukes the strongholds of enemies in them.
I have preached the gospel night after night to villages that worship gods, more gods I could count.
I have worshiped Jesus in places that his name has never been heard.
I have sat and prayed with widows, hugged them and held them as tears filled their eyes. I held a girl today after praying for her, a young prostitute who had never met a Christian before. I have heard the cries of Gods people as his children loose everything for the sake of baring His name. I have seen lives changed as prisoners come to accept Jesus as their Savior; I have desired nothing more than to give them the hope I’ve found in Jesus.
(an Indian village)
(widow I met in the village)
(a family we met and prayed over)
(the priest we met who allowed us into the Hindu temple)
The gospel is coming alive here and the people are so hungry for truth. They are starving actually. They accept prayer readily, they expect for miracles to happen, they allow God to invade their being. This country is unlike anything I have ever encountered. To say it’s changed me would be a gross understatement. It’s wrecked me, really.
India has also been my favorite month on the race thus far, without question or hesitation but in order to continue on in my journey, I need your help!
My last financial deadline is March 1st and I’m still 2,500 away from being fully funded. If I don’t get the money I need I won’t be able to continue of the race. So if you’d like to make a donation, big or small, go to my blog homepage for directions: lynettalegria.theworldrace.org
Peace from the east,
Lynette
