A quick update on life. My squad and I arrived safely in India a little over a week ago. We were based in the city of Ongole this past week. From this base we traveled out to many different villages each day and got to simply do life with the people there.
Many of the villages we traveled to were people of the lowest caste or people so low they’re simply removed from the caste system, also known as the untouchables. India is a uniquely beautiful country and its people are uniquely beautiful as well. In each village that we traveled to we would be welcomed with love and celebration. It was fun to simply walk through the towns, experience their culture, and tell them about the love of Jesus. I even got a chance to preach one night to the children of a village.
Of course the week came with its frustrations as well. As we traveled from village to village we did not get to stay for more than a few hours. My way of thinking would have put me in one village during the entirety of our stay in Ongole, allowing us to pour into those people and build relationships. However the request of our hosts, who are long term here, thought it best for us to travel to many different villages in hopes of us bringing them into the churches that have been planted in their villages. I had to consider the bigger picture to realize that I will not be the only person that will get to interact with them. Many more World Race teams will come along after us just as many had gone before us. I was blessed this past week to see such an effective ministry at work, and I am excited for the future of India in this regard.
Currently our squad is in Hyderabad where we have met up with another squad. For the next three days we will be sharing testimony of our past three months, worshipping together, and learning from one another’s experiences in hopes that we can leave more empowered and with greater perspective for the rest of our race. After these three days my team of nine men will be setting out to Kolkata and then to Patna for the rest of our time in India, which will be about three more weeks.
Prayers for safe travels for me and my team, prayers for open hearts of the people we will encounter, and prayers for the people we have already met that God would continue to work on their hearts.
Oh yeah I almost forgot.. Its really hot here!
