//Uber Pool//
I am in Kolkata, India; as I write this I literally am so happy – fam, I am back in India!!! As I lay on my bed I am asking the Lord, “India, again? What do you have for me now? Will I return again?” The Lord has already done so much. From the promise and dream of a child to returning to a country and people that almost took my breath away – I am praising the Lord for His abundant love in giving me this life!
I only spent a short time in Kolkata, well north india for that matter the first time I visited, so I am expectant to see what the Lord has for me and His Kingdom while here!
It has already been quite eventful! Need to take a moment and testify to the Lord’s awesome anointing in the Uber Pool. Sounds crazy but this is real life. In one day I rode three times with my pal Taryn and shared the gospel three times! Who knew traffic was such a blessing! For those who don’t know Uber Pool is when you get in an uber ride with other passengers.
Anjam: this young woman was so helpful in sharing about Kolkata and places to go. As we sat longer and longer in between honking motos and taxi cars and buses and pedestrians; she began to share her story.
Moving to Kolkata for university as a Muslim and Indian she has started her career and eagerly awaits, hesitantly dreams, well, she is working until her parents arrange her marriage. As she finished we began talking about the most important thing in the world to us. And I got to share with her a part of my story and the freedom that comes in the belief of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After I shared she said, “you sound exactly like my best friend! She is from Tamil Nadu (the same state and city that I lived in when I studied abroad in India!) and is a Christian. Her father is a pastor and they run an orphanage would you want me to introduce you?”
It is so powerful that the unity of Christ connects Christians all over the world even our brothers and sisters we have not met. And the world recognizes that we are a part of the same family. Excited to see what comes from meeting our brothers and sisters in Kolkata.
CEO of Fashion Designing for The East-India region of FabIndia: For those of you who do not know FabIndia is my favorite Indian clothing store! They have ethical business practices and fair trade products. And their clothes are beautiful! Anyway, this young Hindu man got in our Uber and I instantly started telling him about all the things I love about India. I felt the Holy Spirit say, “talk to him.” We chatted for a little bit then our driver said, “lock your doors!” And I look out the window and seven or so Lady Boys were walking through the traffic pounding on car windows, clapping in tuktuk riders faces, holding up motos and demanding money. Briefly living in India before and studying this marginalized group in class, I knew about the danger and brokenness that comes with this people group. I turn and look at my new friend and ask what he thinks would solve the problems the Lady Boys bring to society. He stumbled through an answer of hopelessness. And I then got the chance to share the gospel. And about God’s great love in offering forgiveness to the world. In that moment the Lord reminded me that my education, past experiences and faith are being used to bring forth His kingdom. Wow!
Our third driver received a ticket, yelled at us, demanded extra payment, and then proceeded to cancel our ride. I see this even as a part of God’s hand because all day, Taryn and I were praying for people and opportunities to share the gospel with hearts that were open. And it was obvious his heart was so hard. We prayed for a softening of his spirit as he drove away because no one is too lost. Christ came for all people; “…all sinners, for which I am the worst.”
Traveling Banker: our final ride had a middle age Hindu man who had traveled to Kolkata on business. He instantly started having a political conversation with me once he found out I was from the US. After talking about Trump he landed on racial tensions and injustices that happen in the US and South Africa based on skin color. He set me up for a conversation about discrimination I experienced in India the first time I came to visit and shared how the whole world is in great need for peace. And that peace can only be possible through Jesus Christ. It was an incredible conversation of question asking and prayer.
This is how we are to live. The praise of the Father should ever be on our lips, we should always be able to give a reason for the hope we have, we are to become all things to all men that we might win some, and we are light in the darkness.Even though no one made a proclamation of faith. They all heard the truth that day. And the greatest thing about the body is while I was talking and obeying the prompting of the Lord to share, Taryn was praying. She was interceding for us and supporting me as a sister is called.
In Matthew 28, it doesn’t just say go. We (Taryn and I) have gone. So what next? The purpose of going is to make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them the gospel. We are to speak about Jesus! Speaking about Jesus is the important thing. As we go brothers and sisters let us speak about Jesus. Let’s make disciples!
