With desperation in their eyes they run to me in hopeless pursuit that the God I serve can answer their cries. Tears well up in their eyes as they spill their stories and bring their requests to me. Of course, I don’t speak Telugu, so that doesn’t make it a little more difficult. But you don’t have to understand a language to feel what someone is feeling. My heart breaks for them and I long to be able to give them the answer they seek, but I am not the Healer, I am not their Savior, I am not the Answer. The only thing I really can offer them is to share the beautiful story of the One who truly can bring the hope they desire.
After arriving to this village of huts, my heart was overjoyed at the smiles on their faces and the excitement seeing a bunch of white people brought them. They call them “untouchables”…basically they are the poorest of the poor and cast out of society. They are considered unclean and not worth anyone wasting their time on. We sang a few songs and Pastor Sam asked me to share the gospel with them. I began to tell of my incredible Savior and the priceless gift He died to give each one of them. Sara also shared some of His story and His love for them. After we finished speaking, we asked if anyone wanted to accept Jesus. Seven people raised their hands!!! We were able to pray with them and welcome them to the Kingdom of heaven. My heart was doing summersaults inside my chest! THIS is what I came for. Even the leader of this village, was standing there weeping as he realized the love Jesus had for him. It’s hard to put into words truly what a moment this was. Jesus came for the LEAST of these…and here I was ministering to the lowest group of people in the country. I left that night imagining the party that was taking place in heaven for these precious ones.
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After a puppet show, songs, sharing and some awkwardness, we finished the program. Mainly, I was looking into a crowd of women and children. Some men laced the edges of the road, but kept their distance.
I snapped some pictures and was walking back to the bus when a Hindu man approached me with our contact. The man had tears in his eyes. Pastor Sam began to translate what he was saying to me. Apparently he had heard the gospel many times, but had never desired to follow Jesus. But today was different he said. He said to me, “Your words touched my heart. God spoke to me and I want to give my life to Jesus.” I was honored and humbled. We all know it wasn’t anything I said, but the power of God that drew him in. I then explained to him that a relationship with Jesus isn’t something to be taken lightly. He had to be sure that he wanted to commit and he couldn’t go back. He said he’s never been more confident in his life. I then got to lead him in a prayer of surrender. He accepted Jesus as his Savior! He was snatched out of darkness and brought into HIS glorious light!
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Another rainy day in India. Due to days of constant rain, our ministry has been hindered with villages flooding and even people losing their lives. The roads are covered with water and we weren’t able to go out because of the storm. Finally, the rain relented enough for us to make the attempt to get out to some people. We picked up a few bags of rice on the way and were excited to go pass it out. Unfortunately, while headed to a village of untouchables, we came to a bridge that was closed because the water was rushing over it like a raging river. We were unable to cross it. Disappointed, we piled back into the bus to head home. On the way home, our contact decided to stop at another village that they rarely visit. Coincidence? I think not.
We drove out to be greeted by a group of people thrilled to see us. Some were Hindu, some were Christians – we got out of the bus and sang a song. After that, I shared a quick message about Jesus and the hope He brings. Several people raised their hands wanting prayer. We walked around praying for the needs of the people – health, family, salvation, work – you name it. No long into our prayer time, it began to rain. This was no little trickling, it started coming down! I was mid-prayer, and didn’t want to leave this lady hanging, so I continued to pray as my cute Punjabi was soaking up the drops quite rapidly. We couldn’t let a little rain hinder what God wanted to do for these people. I got to pray for woman after woman. A lady who was about 8 months pregnant came up asking for prayer for her baby on the way. The rain kept pouring, but these people didn’t seem to care. They were desperate for a touch from God. I was convicted and humbled by their desperation for Him. Would I stand in the pouring rain, cold and uncomfortable, just for a chance to touch Him? Do I run after Him with this same type of desperation? A lot can be learned from these people. Whether they are coming to me for prayer cause God moved their hearts or just cause I am white and they think I have some magic prayers, they come believing that something will change for them.
After our rainy prayer session, we got to pass out rice to them. Getting food on a rainy day can be such the blessing for any family, but especially these poor people. Their huts were flooding with water and there weren’t many places they could find shelter from the rain. Giving rice seems like such a small thing in the midst of their needs, but it was what we have. I pray they felt His love through this small act of kindness.
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These are just a FEW of the many stories and testimonies happening here in India. God has been moving and many are coming to know the LIFE of Jesus. Thank you for your continued prayers.
“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the LEAST of these, you did it to ME.”
–Matthew 25:40
