I’m currently sitting in a cafe reflecting on our time here in Varanasi India, as it comes to an end. Some back story on Varanasi is that it’s the spiritual capital of India for Hinduism and is considered one of the most holy cities in all the world. It is home to Buddha’s first sermon and the holiest river in the world, the Ganges. Pilgrims from all over the world come to the Ganges River in hopes of washing themselves of their sins. Many people also come here to die because it is believed that dying in Varanasi gives them a better opportunity to be liberated from the cycle of rebirth. Varanasi is a very spiritually dark place and will be the catalyst for reaching the rest of the world once God brings revival upon it. Let me also say this, He has already begun. Our plan coming into the city was to come along side a ministry that is already established here. Our days were long and the majority of the month was service projects because of the increase in persecution from the Indian government on anything not Hinduism or Buddhism. The ministry base we would walk to everyday had a bakery, widows home, and a school. Everyday would look different and we would just provide our service in whatever way was needed for that day. Near the end of our time there the government began to investigate the base so we had to limit our time spent there, which then led to us doing prayer walks each afternoon. During those walks God truly spoke so much to me. Through the wisdom of local believers and time in prayer, God began to show me how intercession and worship were the keys to reaching this city. People from all over the world come here to worship idols made with human hands and wash themselves in a river that is used to dump dead bodies in, and for what? Hopes of breaking an endless cycle of pain and to appease spirits that cause nothing but torment and fear. My heart was broken as I walked around this “holy” city and felt nothing but deceit and emptiness. People hungry for a touch from the living God who doesn’t require a ritual or sacrifice but only for us to rest in His love. Please pray for this city and those that don’t know Him.
Now onto what God did this month through us and the people that were with us! The people of India are so beautiful, kind, and generous. My brothers and sisters in Christ that we met here blew me away with the love they poured out over us. We were invited into their homes almost everyday and were given home cooked Indian cuisine that definitely lived up to the hype of deliciousness! 2 Corinthians 8:2-3 says, “that in great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing.” Everyone at this base volunteers and only raises monetary support yet in the midst of their persecution and financial difficulties they opened their homes and would pour out what they had to just love on us. Truly opened my eyes to another level of being a cheerful giver. For me the best part of the whole month was making eternal friendships. John and I were able to hang out with some of the guys who lived at the base and build a relationship that will last forever. From playing volleyball, to learning the local language, and learning a new game called Carrom…Super frustrating but I loved it! These guys really made this month a lot of fun and I ask that you lift them up in your prayers as they finish up DTS (Discipleship Training School) in India and listen for what God will have them do next.
So like I said, our time in India is coming to an end and in a week we leave for Ethiopia. I said I was going to do a monthly fundraiser for each country and after a month of praying and listening for what the Lord would have me do He made it clear! The ministry we came alongside with has many faithful, active brothers and sisters in Christ doing a number of ministries that need your support. So, If God is pulling on your heart and you feel led to give, please contact me privately and I will provide all the details for supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ of India. I will send the profiles of all the staff members that goes into further detail in what each person does and what God is doing through them along with each individual’s prayer needs. If you cannot support financially then please cover Varanasi in your prayers. God is doing some mighty things through the body there and the church is growing so fast that they have lost count as to how many people have come to Christ. God bless!
