We are here!!!!
INDIA!!
This culture is absolutely incredible. The colors, sounds, smells and indescribable chaos that we wake up to each day in this country is fabulous. There are no rules of the road or right of ways. It’s basically every man…and cow…for himself. Driving down the road or walking across the street consists of dodging everything from cars to wagons to motorbikes to cows to sleeping people. Yes, people sleep pretty much directly in the road. And they definitely do not stop for you, but weave in and out of each other like a game of Mario cart.
Our team is living in an orphanage this month with the family who runs the ministry. Pastor Sam and Camela are already incredibly dear to my heart. They opened their home to us, gave us one of their own rooms to sleep in and feed us the most incredible Indian food I’ve ever tasted. Our ministry includes going door-to-door in multiple villages, praying for those who ask and preaching, both in church and during their weekly meetings.
Already we have seen God do some incredible things during village ministry. One of these instances happened just the other day, when we came to a house full of believers under a lot of turmoil. The grandmother is currently confined to her bed, after a forced surgery removing her big toe left her unable to walk. This same woman used to spend every day walking door-to-door, encouraging, praying for and loving on her Hindu neighbors. Her confinement has left her feeling helpless and depressed, unable to do that which she loves. Lifting this incredible woman up in prayer that day was one of the most moving things I’ve ever experienced. Tears ran down her face as we prayed for peace, understanding, love and health over her life. After our prayers the joy and peace of Christ flooded her face and radiated through one of the most beautiful smiles I’ve ever seen: A smile that knows Christ.
As I sat down next to this woman to begin praying, I felt a strong pain shoot through my lower back. It was so intense and so strong for a minute I felt like I was going to be sick. I immediately asked God to take the pain away so I could focus on praying for this woman, and immediately the pain left my body. When we were finished praying something in me told me to ask this woman if she had been experiencing any back pain. When she shook her head I just smiled and gave her a hug. As my team and I walked away from the house I began to tell them about the back pain I experienced before we prayed and how quickly God took it away after I asked. One of my teammates asked if that was why I asked the woman if she experienced back pain. When I said yes, she immediately told me we needed to ask if anyone else in the household was experiencing back pain.
Agreeing, I went back into the house and asked the father if there was anyone in his household who had been suffering from back pain. He smiled and nodding excitedly called out a name. A woman we hadn’t seen yet came out from a room closed off by a curtain.
“This is my wife,” he explained. “She’s very shy. She has lots of back pain.” He then asked her to show me where it hurt. She explained with gestures what was afflicting her, pointing to her lower back, and her legs. Her husband explained that they have been having problems conceiving for years. A huge smile spread across my face, because I knew God lead me to this woman for prayer. I prayed fervently for her back, her legs, and her ability to have children. As I prayed God would bless her with many children, I thought of Abraham and Sara and how even though they had such difficulty conceiving, God blessed them with children as numerous as the stars. As the only Christian family in their village I knew God had big plans for this family and the future of their entire village.
I gave the woman a hug, and explained to her that I believed God was going to bless her and her husband with many children in His time. Walking away from the house, the husband thanked me and explained how trying this time has been. He explained that their neighbors mock them and their faith because they cannot conceive. “Why do you believe in a god who can’t give you children? Our gods can,” they say.
I know God is going to bless this family with many, many children, and I know that these children are going to do wonderful things for God’s kingdom.
Clearly, the enemy feels threatened, and he doesn’t feel threatened when there is no threat.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
