Dead.
That is the only way to explain what it feels like to be in a culture that worships thousands of gods.
It is true what they say; there are more cows in India, then there are people. Cows are sacred and roam the streets as the please. People worship them and now down to them. They adorn their gods in gold, silver and bangles. The lift them on their shoulders and have week long festivals in honour of then. They bang drums all night long and dance in the streets. As I was riding in a tuk tuk one night- the crowds of people surrounding a Hindu temple, broke my heart. India needs Jesus like never before.
Nepal also needs Jesus like never before.
They just finished a Hindu festival called “festival of lights”. It too, is a time set aside for Hindu people to honour their gods. As a squad, we were having debrief during this time (basically a time when the whole squad is together to relax, meet and encourage one another). This allowed us to take in some of the local sites and shops of Kathmandu city.
At home, dogs are pets. Here, on the second day of this festival, the honoured the dogs by placing a dot on their foreheads and by placing a wreath of flowers from the dogs neck. I’m pretty sure that Gambit, my dog at home, would look at me like I’m crazy if I tried to do that to him.
I was also able to see a movie (in an actual movie theatre!) on the last evening of debrief. As we spent time walking around the mall, I could feel my heart breaking once again. We literally had to be careful where we walked, avoiding tea lite candles and paintings on the floors in honour of their gods. The detail of the artwork the store owners did, the colours that they included- was beautiful. Yet at the same time, so sad. All their work, time and dedication for what?!? In hopes that their god is pleased with their work and enters their shop/ home to bless them?!? The money and food that they include in their work, is to feed their gods and please them further.
As my eyes were seeing this, my heart couldn’t help but cry out to my God in a prayer of desperation for the people of Nepal. Don’t they know that death itself, couldn’t hold Jesus down?!? That Jesus is ALIVE and MOVING. That HE is the ultimate sacrifice and because of what He did on the cross, we are free of earthly sacrifice forever??! From a cry of desperation, my prayer turned into one of thanksgiving to my Lord. Praise Jesus that the earth couldn’t hold Him. Praise Jesus that today, right here in this moment- God is alive and moving. Praise Jesus that He Himself said that He had to leave, so something greater than Him, could come. Praise Jesus for the Holy Spirit alive and moving within you and I.
Since being at our contacts house in the mountains, we have also had the opportunity to visit a Buddhist temple and pray over it. Once again, this was something I’ve read about, something I’ve seen photos of- but never did I expect to get the feeling it gave me as I looked into the stone carved “eyes” of another god.
Cold
Stone
Death
There was no hope. No freedom. No joy. No forgiveness. No salvation.
Simply death.
Cold, stone, death.
Join me in prayer this month- for the people of Nepal. For a nation that needs Jesus like never before. Pray for a Holy revival that will shake even mt. Everest, to a core.
Saviour, He can move the mountains- even the highest mountain in this world. My God is Mighty to save. HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE.
Jesus, Shake this nation
