Final day of Gannavaram preacher's conference yesterday. My sessions appeared to touch areas of great relevance on the first day, so I took Ephesians 5 in concert with 1 Timothy 3: 4 - "The Pastor and his home life" as the basis for most of our sessions. Again, God impressed the talks on the men, with real expressions of thankfulness for the messages.
Once I had finished it, I discovered that lunch was pork bellies and chicken. Pork fat in huge pieces attached to tiny bits of meat, covered in a thin curry. I have a strong stomach and a willing spirit, so I ate it. Eeeeeeeeeeew.
At this point I am reminded of the song 'My Way' - 'Regrets, I've had a few...' Yup. This is one of them. Have you ever read anything about pork tapeworm? Obviously some have.
After lunch I was offered a lift in the Gannavaram traffic by a 10 year old who is training to be a driver. Not only did he look about 7 due to poor nutrition, he also was dining with less than a complete picnic basket, I think. The offer, however, was very real, and several of the brothers urged me to give it a go to encourage him. They must think I have chapatis for brains. Driving the wrong way up a dual carriageway and weaving through oncoming traffic is scary enough with an experienced adult driver - but with a ten year old Benny from Crossroads behind the wheel? Naaah.
After the conference had closed, we were invited to the home of a woman whose husband is still a practising Hindu. I didn't notice that she was a very beautiful woman :p. She us and asked us to pray over her home, her husband who was at work, her two young girls, and the three other children that she has taken in. She was helped by my sessions on the family, and wanted advice on whether she should wear the little red forehead spot that her husband requests. I suggested that in accordance with 1 Peter's words about wives, that she should wear it. She should submit to her Hindu husband in everything that is non-essential. The churches have split opinions over it. She was helped, I think.
We then ministered at Sunday school at the church. For the first time in my life, I understand the desire to adopt. 20 children, all of whom I could easily love. We were presented with towels, a fabric rose, and a garland. Gunnavaram has been a deeply moving experience in so many ways.
Tonight we have been invited out for a meal with Dinekar & his wife Suweta, the son of the family who is hosting us. Tomorrow we travel to Ludhiana via 1pm train to Hyderabad, where Pastor Ashkavadam Kumar will meet us for an overnight stay, before taking an early flight to Delhi. There we meet Varadaraj, who will guide us for the next 3 weeks. He flies in from Chennai arriving at approximately the same time. We then take a train to Ludhiana in the Punjab, where we are staying with Drs. Abraham. We will meet Mohan Philip and travel with him from Delhi.
Ate with Dinekar and his wife at probably the most extravagant hotel I have ever been inside. Clearly the only folk that eat here are the very, very wealthy. I haven't seen a white face since leaving Hyderabad, but there were 4 of them in there! The most expensive meal was 160 rupees, which is the equivalent of just under £2! We then went for ice cream at another expensive place. Beginning to smell like an Indian now, as the odour of spices etc is starting to bleed through my pores. Mmmm, yum. \ôô/
Phone call to Julie who was really upset because of certain perennially insensitive people regarding our extension in progress. Our home may be a bit of a building site right now, but it is still our home - tours should be by our agreement rather than the unquestioned right of anyone who chooses. I despair. I also wish I were there to help.
All packed for the next leg of the journey. Can't believe I did it on my own, and that everything fitted. I am no longer a cessationist - miracles do happen!
Seeing as how we are being honest, I may as well tell you that the concept of being in potentially hostile areas preaching the gospel makes me nervous. There, I said it. Were it not for the sake of the gospel, I would be at home hiding in a cupboard - or at least I would if I wasn't being made to feel that my cupboard actually belongs to somebody else.
Back to the discomfort. I'm sure it will be ok, but I really hope that this bloke Varadaraj and Mohan Philip are wise in their use of us. Martyrdom wouldn't be my chosen curtain call at this point. I am prepared and ready in spirit to die, but would like to see all my children to adulthood and my daughters married to godly men who will care for them as I would. Romans 8: 28! (he said, hiding under the blankets).
Seriously though - we are in the hands of Almighty God. His will is best and I am in his hands. What a glorious way to enter heaven - translated to the presence of Christ while preaching the truth. A mixture of anxiety and excitement are probably normal.
As the famous British missionary of the last century, C. T. Studd once said, "If Christ be God and died for me, then there is nothing too great I can do for Him." C. T. Studd was a young man from one of the wealthiest families in England. He gave up fame and fortune to go to India, China, and in his later years inland Africa to serve Christ. He faced far worse than most of us will ever face.
Lesson? Get on with the job and leave the rest with God. Sensible advice.
Posted by pencils at January 23, 2004 12:21 PM | TrackBack