After rides on an elephant and packing everything up we left our dear friends in damoh at the cicm compound -- leaving parts of our hearts with the children at the childrens home and with the incredible pastors and staff we came to respect and love.
With many staff for support and smooth guidance we were accompanied to the train station. A 5 hour train ride across amazing India took us from Damoh to Bhopal today. Seeing the rural villages and poverty helps fill out the picture of the need and opportunity for the gospel here. About 75 percent of India lives on less than one dollar a day -- and we saw some of these today. Millions of the 1.2 billion in this country live in large cities -- but 80 percent live in one of the 600,000 villages. The train took us thru some of these villages today. [edit] It was a 5 hour ride. Many sites and pics out the window.
In the midst of chaotic crowds at the train station, warm smiling faces of Christians from the churches greeted us. Givan, one of our Indian brothers says, "Do you notice the way Christians have the love of Jesus in them?". We certainly did. Once again we were greeted with flower garland necklaces and hugs.
Taxi ride with Muslim driver thru crazy roads and past dozens of Hindu shrines -- day 8 of 9 day festival about to climax -- and amidst Muslim calls to prayer. We arrived at Jehan Numa Palace -- an Arabic word meaning Heavenly Palace. It is a nice place. We reconnected with Phil and Chris who came earlier to spend time with the church friends they have supported in Bhopal.
We enjoyed a nice dinner buffet -- rice and multiple incarnations of chicken -- and a brief meeting and now off to bed.
We were all worried about Tom who was not feeling well at all but now is seeming to be recovering. A rough night for him and long day today. Now Fiona continues to feel bad and Chris has a bit of a sore throat. Fred is feeling better. Glynn is a bit feverish and weak -- but was able to eat several desserts tonight. Not sure who all else is feeling puny. We are grateful for God's provision of health to our team so far despite some illness
Tomorrow we will go to two separate churches here in Bhopal. I will preach at Christ Church -- an -Industrial church and Phil Smith will preach at Bhopal Chrn Church. Then are scheduled to meet with several ministers and church leaders for lunch and encouragement. Then check out and board a high speed train for 6 hour ride to Agra.
Outside our hotel window we can hear the loud, incessant music blaring from the shrines and temples, worshiping the goddess Durga, a goddess they turn to in hopes of gaining power. Her likeness is seen in shrines -- she is one [edit] with 6 arms, riding a tiger -- the shrines are like booths or sometimes large buildings lit up with spotlights and strings of lights -- all over the city. But tomorrow we will pass through the crowds and thousands of worshipers to join a strong group of devoted disciples who have found the joy and peace and hope of Jesus -- and who are living faithfully for His glory in this place where less than one percent profess His name. We are repeatedly told how our presence encourages them -- and we know that their lives encourage us! We pray you will also find encouragement through the fellowship of believers where you are this Lord's Day. We are living in His presence and pray for the Spirit to be with you as well.
Peace of Christ,
Ben and India team
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1 comment:
Ben, thank you for sharing your thoughts and impressions. You are experiencing the true India. You can read about it, but you can not fully appreciate it until you see it, feel it, hear it, smell it, taste it and expirience it.
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