This week I met one of the smartest individuals I have ever met “Erven” or respectably “Uncle Erve” who is a philosopher and editor that I met in the most unlikely of places… The “Home of Hope.” Home of Hope is a ministry that takes near to death individuals off the streets to give them a place to sleep, three meals a day and a peaceful place to rest. It’s a Christian ministry that loves the untouchables of India and gives them a hope. Not just a physical hope but an eternal hope that can only come from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Uncle Erve started reading at the age of 8 and by the age of 12 was reading 14hrs a day. He really was a living encyclopedia with so much knowledge in what seemed to be every subject. He was the child who didn’t play games or have much of a social life due to his dedication in his books. Erve would probably beat me in chess and it is safe to say that Erve could easily have 3-4 times the knowledge that I will ever have in this lifetime. Although Erve is full of knowledge he lacks a personal relationship with Jesus and struggles with the concept of faith. It is my hope that Erve will share in this eternal hope of Christ. After each day I was able to pray for Erve for God to reveal himself in ways that would only build a faith. I was able to pray that knowledge would not be a means to an end but would lead to wisdom, discernment and ultimately truth. My last day with Erve I prayed for God to protect and guide his studies all in the name of Jesus. As I left my heart ached for Erve. He seemed to be one who has sought the Lord but has yet to find him. Today however, the Lord has put my mind at peace and I believe God will guide his studies as he continues to read God’s word.
It’s amazing to see the power of God in India. Last weekend I was able to attend the Passion Concert in Hyderabad. It was the first time Passion had been able to come to India. It was great to see the excited and slightly shocked faces of Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio to 1000’s of locals worshipping the one true God.
My time in India is coming to a close as we leave March 31st to Nepal. India has been amazing the culture, religion and people are very different. The last three months have been a crazy whirlwind of excitement as we have now passed through Buddhism-Islam and Hinduism based countries. India and Malaysia are closed countries so hopefully in Nepal I will be able to use the word missionary and Jesus in the same sentence without problems.
Prayer Requests:
- For God to complete His good work in my new “Uncle Erve” (Phil.1 :6)
- Safe Travels to Nepal and Easy transition as we’re buying 44 visas at the border (Well we made it! It took a while to get good internet)
- For all my squad mates to meet there over due financial deadline
- For ME: That I won’t fall into the routine of the race, but that God will complete His own work in me. That I will persevere in obedience and all that God has in store for me these next few months. Last night I found out the hard way that half price on pastries after 9pm is not always the best on the stomach!
