!ndia...was I really just there a week ago? On one hand it seems like a dream that we were there, on the other, it is a real slap in the face.
Missions SHOULD change us - it SHOULD show us the blessings we have, the excess we have, and what we can share with others - it SHOULD cause us to re-prioritize - it SHOULD change us, but does it?
The five of us come from all walks of life; a housewife, retired hairdresser, freelance artist, bank employee, and school psychologist. We all have families, homes, vehicles and would be considered "middle class". I can't speak for all of us, but I know I have never been truly persecuted for my faith - made fun of, left out of things, etc., but not truly persecuted. We have so much - and not just physical items and wealth. We have religious freedom...which many times we take for granted. In India, they have religious freedom, but it definitely isn't a equal freedom.
As we drove down the streets, there were Hindu gods and temples everywhere...some large, some small...we learned that an individual or group can put up a god or temple on any piece of government property at any time without approval. Yet, if a Christian organization wants to purchase land for a church, the price can double or triple and the paperwork can be tied up for a long time before it is granted. Our Christian brothers and sisters are trying to change their world, but it is more difficult than we realize. 90% of the Indian population is Hindu and the government is Hindu. Christians make up 2%-5% of the population which is awesome, but because so much of their culture is Hindu, it is difficult at times to separate out the religion from the culture.
During one of our many highway miles, we were talking with Pratibha (our hostess) and she expressed her sorrow for America and for the path we are headed down. "Equality" - what a word. It is the cry of America right now it seems...that we are all equal. That we treat one another in such a way that no one is offended, but some of the things that are happening in our country SHOULD offend us, but are we (am I?) willing to speak up and stand up for what I believe in? Or are we willing to just let those with the louder voice to get what they want and at what price?
I don't know yet if this experience has CHANGED me...I would love to say that it did, but I know that I'm still processing through so much. Yes, India is a third world country - the dirt, trash, filth, and poverty is everywhere you look. I was extremely grateful for all of the amenities that we were able to have as we traveled (beds, air conditioning, western toilets, bottled water, soap, etc), but I know that many people that we spent time with don't have those things. I came home to a beautiful home, a puppy dog, food in my cabinets, a family that loves and supports me, a job, a car, and so much more. When God calls me to give these things up for Him, I will. It won't always be easy, but I know it can be done. When He asks me to use of my "wealth" for others, I will...because I can. And not because I can, but through His strength all things are possible.
What I truly hope to take away from this experience is to model THEIR hunger for Jesus and the things that are in His Word. Some of the women we talked to can't read or write, but they hear it and are able to recite it and share it with others so that the Truth goes forth. As I sat in our large church building this morning with orchestra, large choir, lights, video screens, etc, I was humbled. I missed the simplicity of the place I was in just 7 days ago. Yet, my surroundings don't matter. What mattered was that the Word of God was preached and that I take that and apply it to my life - to better myself and to reach out to those around me.
So, my prayer is that God continues to CHANGE me each and every day - not just because I walked in India, but because He is the One I follow after.
- Candy Girl
Missions SHOULD change us - it SHOULD show us the blessings we have, the excess we have, and what we can share with others - it SHOULD cause us to re-prioritize - it SHOULD change us, but does it?
The five of us come from all walks of life; a housewife, retired hairdresser, freelance artist, bank employee, and school psychologist. We all have families, homes, vehicles and would be considered "middle class". I can't speak for all of us, but I know I have never been truly persecuted for my faith - made fun of, left out of things, etc., but not truly persecuted. We have so much - and not just physical items and wealth. We have religious freedom...which many times we take for granted. In India, they have religious freedom, but it definitely isn't a equal freedom.
As we drove down the streets, there were Hindu gods and temples everywhere...some large, some small...we learned that an individual or group can put up a god or temple on any piece of government property at any time without approval. Yet, if a Christian organization wants to purchase land for a church, the price can double or triple and the paperwork can be tied up for a long time before it is granted. Our Christian brothers and sisters are trying to change their world, but it is more difficult than we realize. 90% of the Indian population is Hindu and the government is Hindu. Christians make up 2%-5% of the population which is awesome, but because so much of their culture is Hindu, it is difficult at times to separate out the religion from the culture.
During one of our many highway miles, we were talking with Pratibha (our hostess) and she expressed her sorrow for America and for the path we are headed down. "Equality" - what a word. It is the cry of America right now it seems...that we are all equal. That we treat one another in such a way that no one is offended, but some of the things that are happening in our country SHOULD offend us, but are we (am I?) willing to speak up and stand up for what I believe in? Or are we willing to just let those with the louder voice to get what they want and at what price?
I don't know yet if this experience has CHANGED me...I would love to say that it did, but I know that I'm still processing through so much. Yes, India is a third world country - the dirt, trash, filth, and poverty is everywhere you look. I was extremely grateful for all of the amenities that we were able to have as we traveled (beds, air conditioning, western toilets, bottled water, soap, etc), but I know that many people that we spent time with don't have those things. I came home to a beautiful home, a puppy dog, food in my cabinets, a family that loves and supports me, a job, a car, and so much more. When God calls me to give these things up for Him, I will. It won't always be easy, but I know it can be done. When He asks me to use of my "wealth" for others, I will...because I can. And not because I can, but through His strength all things are possible.
What I truly hope to take away from this experience is to model THEIR hunger for Jesus and the things that are in His Word. Some of the women we talked to can't read or write, but they hear it and are able to recite it and share it with others so that the Truth goes forth. As I sat in our large church building this morning with orchestra, large choir, lights, video screens, etc, I was humbled. I missed the simplicity of the place I was in just 7 days ago. Yet, my surroundings don't matter. What mattered was that the Word of God was preached and that I take that and apply it to my life - to better myself and to reach out to those around me.
So, my prayer is that God continues to CHANGE me each and every day - not just because I walked in India, but because He is the One I follow after.
- Candy Girl
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