On one of our last days in India we were informed that some of the pastors we had served over the month wanted to honor us. We didn’t know exactly what to expect but when we arrived it was exciting and comforting to recognize so many faces in the room.
The pastors and their wives were invited to speak about what our presence in their village had done. The common theme was that when we came in and loved on the kids and villagers that that had opened the door for these pastors to share Christ with them. It seems odd to me that our presence could have that kind of influence. However having that kind of influence is also a great responsibility. It means we are always watched, each facial expression we make and action we take is seen and judged. Jack reminded us the second day of ministry of that fact, make sure our faces show how excited we are to be there even if we are tired. When she called us to a place outside ourselves we were able to serve these villages in a way Jesus would. It wasn’t about us and what we wanted to do. It was about what the Lord could do through us.
It was such an honor to hear the stories that these men and women shared. After they shared they anointed us with oil and prayed blessings over each of us individually. It was incredible. Never in my life has someone anointed me and prayed a blessing specific to my life and what the Lord could do through me. I will never forget that day and the Indian people who will forever have a piece of me!
This verse is talking directly about Jesus but we are called to act as Christ and bring Jesus to the world.
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;” Isaiah 61:1
I left India willingly and was very excited about heading to Thailand, however India blessed me and I definitely left a piece of my heart there!
