After a 27 hour train ride, I am safely in Kolkata/Calcutta, India. It is one of the major cities in India, yet it is not on google map. The contrast between Mumbai and Calcutta is extreme. But before I get ahead of myself let me explain my first night here trying to get from the train station to our house which is about two hours away.
It is late at night and I honestly feel like I am in a video game. The goal is to make it to the finish line or to our house, as long as you avoid anything flying at you (cars, rikshaws, bikes) or any animal in the road. Going as fast as you can and then slamming on brakes. Knowing that lanes don’t matter or exist. Curves in the road are inevitable. Speed bumps are things you can get air on. And as long as you have a horn you are fine. (But you must honk every 30 seconds even if there is no one around.) If you want to get a real feel for the driving in Calcutta just play Mario Kart " preferably one of the ones at night or in the dark" cause that is what it felt like.
Now to put some of my family at ease, we have been walking to many of the places so we don’t actually have to drive too much – which I am thankful for… And also, I had just been on a 27 hour train ride so my senses could have been a little off.
Calcutta is a place that is heavy… You can feel it. The strongholds here are real. My team is experiencing spiritual warfare with our strength, our health and our focus. But we also know that when we stand together as one with God we can battle anything. “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:7-8
Yesterday we had a seminar for all the local pastors and leaders. It was really encouraging to see everyone come together to pray for the city, the churches, and the ministries of Calcutta. These ministries all staredt with a vision. A vision that came from God. We have to learn that we all have authority in Christ. Learn that with God all things are possible. Learn that God has anointed us and appointed us for such a time as this.
My team is in Calcutta until Saturday morning and then we head to Jaipur. Throughout this week we will be going to a university to worship. We will be going to two different churches to speak and to worship. We will be going to school. And possibly be driving through the “red light” district to worship. It is crazy how, through worshipping and praising the name of God, strongholds are broken. It is crazy how through worship we are given strength and energy and peace in Christ Jesus. It is crazy how through worship we have an intimate relationship with God.
And this month we are worshiping God throughout this nation to bring Him the glory.
