INDIA
1/3 the size of the USA with 4 times as many people.
This is my home for the month. We just got here and have begun orientation, learning the culture and background of this huge country. We will be working undercover this month as this is a closed country. I won‘t be able to say where I am or my ministry to protect the organization and missionary family we are helping.
Below is some of what I have learned in orientation.
greeting: Nameste
“The light in me honors the light in you.”
Wow. What a spiritual and Christian greeting in this anti-Christian culture.
India is 80% Hindu. And 95% is unreached. Meaning they have never heard the gospel of Jesus. Converting to Christianity in India is huge decision that bring shame and terror acts are done the the individual and the entire family. If the family doesn’t want to to ostracized from the their community they will disown the new Christian and even sign documents they say they will never talk to that person again.
Christians and pastors particularly, are prone to persecution. Each year thousands of churches and pastors are victims of violent crimes by the RRS and Hindu extremists. Churches are burnt down, families are thrown in jail or threatened and public humiliation such as stripping families naked in public happens. It’s is not a casual thing to be a Christian or announce leaving Hinduism.
It it illegal for foreigners to do preaching/evangelizing. Teams have been thrown into jail for giving out bibles, but the real persecution happens to the Hindu people. They have to change their life and leave their families to follow Jesus.
The caste system is something we have experienced in Nepal, and now India. The different castes fall under four categories.
Brahmins-priests and teachers
Kshatryas-warriors and rulers
Vaishyas-farmers, tradersand merchants Shudras-laborers
Outside of the cast system are the untouchables. (Individuals who convert to Christianity are then considered untouchables as well) They are outcast by the community and can only find jobs such as toilet cleaning and garbage removal. They are considering polluted and not to be touched by the other caste. Most people remain in one caste their entire life and marry within their caste. We able to love on them last month in the mountains of Nepal, and nOw here in India.
my team and I are now boarding a bus to our “secret location” for the month. Please keep us and the ministry in your prayers!
-Chelsy
