I’ve been anticipating India from the beginning so I want to share with you just a bit of what its been like!
When they told us exactly where we were going in India we all were surprised. The state of Manipur, a city called Sielmat. Come to find out the state of Manipur is this litte bitty chunk of India that no one even knew was India, tucked around the eastern side of Bangladesh (Look up Manipur, India on a map, you’ll learn something new). Due to its location, the culture is this strange mix of Indian, Chinese, and South Eastern Asia. What’s more is that the city we are in is actually 100% evangelized and 98% Christian already, where we were expecting to be surrounded by strictly Hindus and maybe a scattered handful of Buddhists, and Muslims. The story of how the gospel came to this area sounds like it should be, Acts: Part 2, Within the Modern World, it is stunning and beautiful and wonderful and if you’re interested there is actually a book and movie about it both titled, Beyond the Next Mountain.
With all that being said let me break down what our time here has looked liked.
The first week we were here we did a medical clinic with a team of doctors and nurses coming from the States with an organization called Project CURE. In only 4 days we saw 3,500 people from not only this city but surrounding villages. They had the opportunity to recieve reading glasses, cervical cancer screenings, dental care, see an eye doctor, or see a general doctor, along with free medications. And before leaving the hospital they also recieved individualized prayer with one of us. The experience was both heart-breaking and inspiring and the Lord made his presence known.
After the medical clinic our ministry in Sielmat varied a lot. We have done construction work on a new church being built (When in India, heavy machinery isn’t really avaible which means we are the next best thing). We have also been working in schools, being part of chapel, teaching english, helping the teachers, and producing “controlled chaos” with all the hand action songs we know. And the most unique ministry we have done is visiting a men’s alcohol and substance abuse rehab center, called Agape Care Center. Here we have put on mornings services, which typicaly include worship, testimonies, and a small devotional for the day. After the morning service we are out in the yard for volleyball, ultimate frisbee (We introduced them to this one, but they sure are quick learners!), card games, spontaneous counseling and prayer, or simple small talk.
From Sielmat we split into our teams and headed out to various villages, to get there it was a loonnggg, bumpy, and muddy travel day through the unpaved roads spiralling through the foothills of the Hymalas. My team was combined with another in a small village called Parbong. This village was also almost 100% Christian! Here we spent our time with the adorable children in the Christian school set up by Partnership Missions Society. PMS (how lucky they are to find such a great abbreviation, right?) Has schools set up all over the region giving children an education, as well as a teaching them about the Lord. Not only did we get to be in the classrooms with the kiddos but we had sports day out on the soccer field, and we paraded togethet to the Ginger Festival where everyone from all around came to celebrate the ginger harvest. The Chief Minister of Manipur also stopped by, by way of helicopter! The Father’s adoring face was seeping out of every one of those children’s glowing faces and timid English sentences.
Now I’m writing to you after another travel day, this one made possible by a dump truck and a boat. Yup. 40 people, plus all our packs; 2 hours in the back of a dump truck and 13 hours crammed on a boat floating down the river. It maybe wasn’t my favorite thing but we made it! Now, for the first time since being in India we are in a city not dominated by Christians, but Muslims and Hindus. Dress is a little stricter and culture is definitely different. We will be doing a variety of ministry including cleaning up a church and helping in church services.
We leave here on May 5 and head to our final country– Nepal! God just continues to put me in awe of Him and his glorious world, from the kindness of these people, to how He uses me in unexpected ways, to the love of my squad for each other, the beauty of the mountains, and the ease of living in a simpler way. India is a treat and a cherished place forever in my heart.
