For those of you mountaineering types, let me start by telling you how much you would love Hampi, India. I have been told it is the largest area of bouldering in the world. A mere 10 minute walk from the place I am staying this month, you can find yourself among thousands of boulders with thousands of “problems” waiting to be solved and conquered. I had my first bouldering experience this week when I went and watched a few of the YWAM climbers tackle some really amazing climbs. It has inspired me to build up my strength so that I can experience that challenge.
Because of the bouldering climate here, there are many mountaineering backpackers, and they are one of the primary focuses of our ministry this month. My team is working in All Tribe’s Café, a place that serves free coffee and chai tea to anyone who wants to come hang out here. When I say cafe, I say it loosely, because it is really more of an open room enclosed by lattice with a kitchen connected to the back. There is no staff, other than the visiting missionary teams, and the free coffee and chai we offer is the only thing available. However, it is a nice meeting place for the visitors to come and relax.
When we arrived, we met a team from YWAM (Youth with a Mission), who is here primarily for sharing Jesus with the climbers, as they themselves are all rock climbers. They are also devoted to fighting spiritual battles through prayer, especially in regards to the local temple, one of the biggest around. The Hindu temple is dedicated to the main Hindu god, and is the cause of much darkness and confusion in this place. It is the vision of the pastor we work with that the temple would one day be destroyed.
Finding our place in this ministry has been a bit of a slow start. Last month, working in a coffee shop looked very different, as our responsibility was to practice English with the locals and then form relationships that would allow us to share the gospel. This month, we are talking to people who already know English, and really are mainly interested in rock climbing and free chai tea. Since I’ve never been bouldering before until this week, it can be hard to find common ground. I’ve also had to release my expectations about spending my days with local Indians. We will get some chances to minister to the Indians themselves during Church meetings on Sundays when we preach, sing, and share testimonies. Other opportunities to share God’s love with the locals will arise too, like the smile I put on the beggar woman’s face today when I put my finger in the tiny hand of her baby and called him beautiful; or the friendly hug I shared with a young woman who wanted to show me her home after we prayed for her.
So our “ministry” hasn’t been concrete this month. What it will looks like day to day varies, but one thing I know I am supposed to do consistently is pray: pray for the Church, pray against the evil that Satan has surrounded this place with, pray for the searching souls of the sojourners passing through, pray for clearly hearing the voice of the Lord as He directs us. Would you please pray with me?
