What can I say about this last quick month in India? It has been glorious. It has stretched me. It has given me life. It has birthed a new family.
My experience in India began with a 20 hour flight from New York to New Delhi. It generally doesn’t take 20 hours to fly to India but we had an emergency landing in Oslo because a gentleman on the plane was having heart problems. Our quick stop turned out to be 5 hours sitting on the runway waiting for clearance to continue our journey. The flight was long, but it was like the Lord gave me a sleeping pill or something because I slept so much on the plane, so I arrived well rested, ready to jump right into ministry.
Our first week was ministry with Pastor Chris in Bellary. We did a number of house visits that I really enjoyed. I love just sitting with people, seeing there homes, and being able to see a bit of their lives. There is something so very special about people (some of which having so little) sharing so very much with you. They were so giving and want to share whatever they have with you. We had the honor of spending time with them, and praying and blessing them.
With Pastor Chris we also took part in a groundbreaking ceremony at his church. This was actually our very first day of ministry and it was a special day in the life of his church community, and I’m grateful to have been apart of it.
After a week or so, we transitioned to Hampi, India to run a Christian based coffee shop on a backpacker trail on the countryside. During our time there, we were able to meet many locals as well as backpackers many of which are searching for truth. Our days were spent talking to them over coffee or tea about life, and our ministry. God blessed this time so much. Even Pastor Chris mentioned that God used us so much in Hampi because he would never allow some of the locals in the coffee shop and we created a space for them to come in and feel welcomed just like the Lord welcomes us all.
Our last week at the coffee shop hosted a music event with the people we’ve met during our time in Hampi. There were over 50 people there, some of which were Israelis, Europeans, Indians, Americans, and Austrailians. We all came together in the Presence of Jesus. We beat drums, played guitars, danced, and sang. It was a beautiful day, and although there wasn’t a big “alter call” at the end, people were loved in Jesus name, and welcomed and accepted right where they are, just like Jesus welcomed each of us. This day of fellowship reminded me of Revelations 7: 9-10 which says:
“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”…
My prayer for each of the people that came to the coffee shop during our beautiful time in Hampi is that the Lord shine the fullness of His beautiful face upon them, and that they would have the courage to have faith in Him alone so that one day we can meet again at the throne of God and sing once more…
