Never have I experienced a group of people so giving and committed to serving each other and my team as I have in the last couple of weeks in Vijayawada and Hyderabad, India.
Understand, most of our brothers and sisters here in Asia have hardly anything. There homes consist of one room and a small kitchen area. Sleeping on the floor on a straw mat is not uncommon. They eat rice everyday, have no air conditioning, no flushing bathrooms or showers but yet the biggest hearts for Christ and His people.
Part of our journey involves door to door prayer ministry. We encourage the weak, pray for the sick and sing praises to our Lord, no matter what the circumstances. Last night a couple of the girls and I were comforting a widow who just lost her husband, all we did is sit and cry with her, after all that is what our Savior did! What better example to follow. Every house we enter people welcome us with a warm embrace,gigantic smiles and Holy Spirit joy. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we are not superheroes but the only one worthy of praise is the One who brought us here in the first place.
We always get the best seats in the house, get served ice cold drinks, sweet treats and get blessed more than the ones we came to bless. People offer us their finest sleeping arrangement, invite us over for a meal and give way more than we ever deserve. If we ask how we can be a blessing the standard answer involves “You being here is the biggest blessing for us.” I caught myself more than once being astounded by Gods people who have so little but give so much.
Being on the Race makes you think you downsized your life until you realize how much junk you still carry around in your bag and on your back. There is a freedom that comes from having little but still sharing everything. I guess the Apostles had it all figured out in the first place! Sharing is caring.
“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.” Acts 4:32
Gods servants of India are challenging me to be a better version of myself. Day after day I have seen what it means to give without receiving anything back. I have seen poverty, but I have also learned that the only true poverty is not based on what we have but Who we know. Spiritual poverty is the one thing you can’t allow your heart and soul to enter. When you know Jesus you have all the riches you will ever need and your giving heart will overflow!
“For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” 2Corinthians 9:8
Please pray for a God revival in this country and for a godly army to be convicted to rise up and fight the good fight!
Love Jen
