A time zone that is Ten and a half hours different from here is literally on the other side of the world. . . what an adventure. This past Christmas break I helped lead a team of volunteers from my church to a small little village in the Southeast state of Tamil Nadu, India. This was actually my second trip over there, but the first time to this particular village of Untouchables. In Indian Hindu culture, there are over 4,000 different castes, which separate classes of individuals from one another. People from lower castes are generally unable to marry outside of their caste, and much of their social interactions and opportunities are based on what caste you are born into. There is no way to earn your way up the caste system. You simply try to be  as faithful as possible in this life so that the gods will move you up in caste when you are reborn in your next life. The Untouchables or Irula caste of people are the lowest of the low. If their shadow even crosses the shadow of someone of high caste then the high caste person has now become unclean (which leads to many actions to be “clean” again) and extremely upset.  Literally, these people are never touched except by their own people, and usually their only employment is snake and rat catchers for local farmers. They are commonly called the backward caste (or b.c. for short) as well as the people of darkness.

Our church has been working with this particular colony for nearly 3 years, and things have come a long way. Our efforts to establish clean water, education, micro-enterprise, health, and housing are led by indigenous pastors that have been trained extensively. Our church simply provides complimentary services and knowledge in their efforts. In this way, we nullify any movement towards imperialism by our support. My team was heading over to do some construction projects in the village (i.e., 2 homes, handwashing stations, home repair seminar, plant two gardens, distribute greenLockers supplies, etc…)  while a second team went to provide health and wellness needs (i.e., blood pressure and diabetes checks and physicals as well as seminars on germs, disease, marriage,  and nutrition). The video below walks you through our trip from start to finish, and please email me if you have any questions at all about certain pictures. Obviously, there is no way to encapsulate all that occurred during our time there, but I wanted to share a few things that really stood out.

Apostle Thomas – We went to St. Thomas Mount for the first half-day that we were there in Chennai. You will see pictures in the video of the chapel that was erected on the spot where the apostle Thomas was martyred, the cave where he hid from his enemies, a spring that burst forth with water from a rock when he was needing water (and has flowed ever since, though it is on a mountain!), and the cathedral that houses his actual tomb and remains. Thomas is only one of three apostles that we know where they are buried, and it was so humbling to know that I walked on the ground of one who walked with Jesus!

Homes  – The first home that we built was for a homeless woman (Malika )who had 6 children, and had just lost her husband in an accident last year. She worked tirelessly with us the entire week working with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. On the night of the house dedication, one of our team members who is an M.D., found her flat on her back on the ground next to her new house – unable to move. His examination revealed that she had a badly herniated disk in her back, and she admitted to feeling the pain for weeks. . . . wow! She was so tough all week – not a single complaint. The next day we discovered that she did not sleep much that night, not because of her back, but because she simply could not believe that we loved her that much to build her a home! Her parents had abandoned her long ago, and with her husband gone, she was nearly hopeless, but now. . . everything has changed she said!

      -    As a follow-up - we just found out 3 days ago that she has since come to accept Jesus Christ as her LORD and savior, and she will be baptized when the next team goes over in March.

The old man and his new home – We ended up contracting a team of builders (4 men, and then 3 or 4 of our team members) to build a 3-5 year temporary home for a man whose home had collapsed during the rainy season. Raj said this would only cost around $80, and so we moved forward with it. It is one of my favorite memories because the man just watched the build not knowing whose house they were building – whether it was for him or the person who actually owned the land (i.e., he was simply squatting on it). He was so thankful when he received the home saying “I was an orphan, years ago, my wife left me, no one has ever wanted me. . . but today I feel cared for” – later on that night, I was walking past his new home on the way to the village celebration, and he had a single candle lit in the home, and you could hear him quietly singing to himself. . . just beautiful!

The mindset of poverty – Much of India’s population is either vegetarian of nearly so. This is a result of a multiple factors including cows being holy (i.e., no one eats beef), pigs being unclean, as well as the shear expense of meat for most people. Thus, vegetable gardens would be a great idea for a year-round sustainable food source; however, we had met great resistance to this idea in the village previously. We soon found out that since they have the poverty mindset of simply making it through the day or living to the end of the week that waiting a month for plants to grow and produce food was close to impossible to even comprehend. We built two gardens and planted them full of plants in hopes of their examples would be proof to the villagers of their value

      -    As a follow-up - we just got some pictures the other day of the gardens full of vegetables, and a local pastor said that many more families now want gardens!!!!

Little girl left under tree – One of the most heart-wrenching stories of the trip was the day that I noticed a little girl laying on some blankets under a big tree in the village. I saw her there for several hours, and so I inquired “where is her mother?” A villager explained that her mother had left to go to the main village for work, as she does every day. I soon found out that this less than a year old baby is left under that tree every day, and now no longer cries because she has learned that no one will be there to answer her . . . no one is ever there to pick her up.

greenLockers – I run a non-profit organization called greenLockers (www.greenlockers.org) that partners with a student organization in local schools to collect new and slightly used school supplies, clothes, and books during their end of the year locker clean-out days. These supplies are sorted and then distributed to local charities for free. On this trip, we had the distinct honor of distributing some of these supplies to a school near the Irula village. I cannot tell you how that filled my soul – to be used by God to love children in this way, and to see them celebrate. . . just priceless!

Joy and contentment – As many of you may know from being in poverty stricken areas in your own travels, there are simply no words that can describe the joy and contentment in many of their eyes, though they had nothing.

Break-through of honesty –After 3 years of working in the village we had a moment of true authentic relationship this year that reminds me much of the revival that just took place on Bethel’s campus this past week. The villagers put their overly hospitable, cultural masks down, and shared their frustrations and lack of knowledge with us like never before. This was truly a watershed moment of forming trust! For example, we built a latrine for the village 2 years ago, but they have not been using it. This means that women (who are not allowed to go to the bathroom during the day) must walk out into the field either at night or early in the morning – risking stepping on cobras and scorpions – to go to the bathroom. They have told us reasons for not using them for two years, but every time we addressed those reasons, they simply would come up with something else andnot use the latrines. This time, with tears in her eyes, a woman came up to us and simply said, “we don’t know how to use them, no one has ever told us how.” Soon others were confessing to other instances of vulnerability like needing to have a sign on the doors to know which are the men’s and which are the women’s, certain things about the clothes and shoes that we have been bringing over, and multiple other things. . . I cannot express to you how this was all such a breakthrough – just amazing!!!

Germ game and the basics – the medical team came up with a brilliant game to teach the children about germs. We have been trying for several years to get them to wash their hands because of all the sickness that has resulted from not doing so. There are even stories of people just falling to sleep right after eating (they eat with their hands) without washing their hands and then rats come in their huts at night and gnaw away the ends of their fingers, resulting in disease, infection, and death. So, this game involved several tennis balls that were covered with a white powder. The children passed around the balls until everyone had powder on their hands. The instructors then told them to rub their hands together until they no longer saw any of the powder. In essence, the children then saw their hands as “clean”; however, the powder was black light activated, and so when a black light was passed around the children, they clearly saw the white residue glowing on their hands. In this way, they understood that even though you cannot see certain things, they can still exist. For the first time, they understood the concept of germs – just fantastic!!!

Connection so deep, so fast – One thing you find out fairly quickly in this beautiful culture is that they assume that you are telling the truth. This is of course, very different from U.S. culture where the average person assumes some level of skeptism during a new conversation. For example, in the village in India, if I complimented someone’s outfit or smile, they would respond with a grateful “thank you” and feel very blessed. If the same conversation happened here between two strangers the one being complimented might automatically think thoughts like these, “why did he say that?”, “what does he want from me?”, or “he doesn’t really mean that, he is just being nice.” I cannot tell you how much faster relationships can form with this one simple difference. Truly I tell you that I am closer to some Indians that I knew for only 1 week than some friends I have known for years.

Focus – One of the most refreshing things for me on this trip was that my only responsibility was to wake up each day and then work as hard as I could on the projects, knowing that I was making an impact in these people’s lives. I did not have to worry about the next day, week, or month. I simply had to focus on what God wanted me to do that day and then do it – nothing was hanging over my head. Of course, when I returned home, there were not only tons of emails to respond to, but I immediately needed to start preparing for events and classes weeks and months in advance. This was a difficult transition at first, but then God graciously convicted me in one of my quiet times with Him. He told me “Ted, I have not changed, why have you?” In essence, His expectations are the same for me here as they were in India. I need to wake up each day and ask Him what He wants me to do, and then do it. Of course, some of those daily assignments will deal with the future, but that future is not my burden to carry, it is God’s, and He carries it effortlessly!

Baptism stories – We had the unbelievable honor of baptizing a handful of people at a one of the local churches in a nearby city. I am always amazed at their commitment to Christ in doing this public display of faith, regardless of the consequences. There are five questions that I had to ask each person before baptizing them:

1. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and savior? Same as here in the US
2. Do you agree to never again worship any idols of any kind? You have to understand that there are over 330,000,000 gods in Hinduism with altars everywhere – I wish they would ask this one over here for the idol of money!
3. Do you agree to always follow Jesus Christ even when your family persecutes you and your village excommunicates you? Note that the question is not IF, but WHEN you face persecution, they know full well of the risk they are taking.
4. Have you been forced in any way to be baptized today? If a person accuses a pastor of forcing them to be baptized then the pastor automatically gets 3 years in prison for that crime.
5. Why are you getting baptized today? The most common response went something like this “For years I was beaten by my husband who was an alcoholic, one day I was in the hospital waiting to die and someone told me about Jesus. I prayed to Jesus and the next day I walked out perfectly healed, and so I figured that I should learn about and follow this Jesus no matter what.”

******* Don’t waste time – Finally, there is always a strange juxtaposition of death and life when I travel to India. In 2008, my aunt and uncle, who were missionaries and pastors fully alive and on mission for Christ, were tragically killed in a car accident the day before I left to go to India.  That day was supposed to be a huge family reunion celebrating each other, instead we wept and grieved all day. This year, my friend Scott Johnson, who I had taught Block with for 5 years went to be with the LORD while I was over in India. Those of you who have been through someone dying know that there is nothing easy about it. At this point, however, I do know what I have learned from those two experiences. Namely, I don’t want to waste time, not a single moment!” I discovered through all of this that somewhere deep inside me, I did believe that my actions in life could have some control on how long I was here. . . clearly that is ignorance – I am on assignment here by my King, and He is in complete control. This commitment does not mean that I become more busy, in contrast, it means that I am fully present wherever I am, whether that is on vacation, with my family, or in front of my students. I know now that only with intentional, daily steps of disciplined actions can I ever become that man that I was created to be. I will never drift to the shores of integrity, strength, and character – no,. . . drifting only washes you back onto the shore you left from, a shore that is named lukewarm, and I don’t plan on ever seeing that dock again!

Here is a video recap of the entire trip

India ’10 ’11 from Ted Bryant on Vimeo.

Here is the link to the blog that walks you through the trip step by step!

http://www.gccindiateams.blogspot.com/

Peace be with you all

THIS IS HAPPENING. . . . Yes, it is very disturbing. . . . but, the real point is – what will you do to change the life you live today after watching it.

Persecution in India: Unedited Footage from Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

Now listen to Chan’s response:

Persecution in India: Francis’ Response from Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

LIVE BETTER BECAUSE OF THIS TODAY

did we see people in India with little to no resources? . . . yes, absolutely! . . . .

But my ache is different this time. . .

This time it springs from the ease at which they form relationships and the difficulty with which we TRY and form relationships in our culture. . . . . . Don’t get me wrong. . . I still yearn for God’s provision in Indian lives, but my deep sadness is rooted in what WE are missing – let me try and explain:

In all cultures, there are certain assumptions we make relationally when meeting new people. . . . and here lies fundamental differences between U.S. culture and much of the world.

In Indian culture that we encountered, the relational foundation is built on honesty, truth, openness, and trust. . . they actually assume that when you are talking – you are telling the truth, that you are being honest, and that you are trustworthy with their thoughts and feelings. . . astounding isn’t it! . . . . . Mutual vulnerability and respect. . . so simple. . . so effective. . . so refreshing.

In American culture, our default relational foundation is built on skepticism. . . when we meet someone, we question everything that is said – so if it is a compliment, our assumptions are things like: “they are just saying that to be nice, they don’t really mean it”, “what do they want from me?”, ” they’re just trying to get on my good side”, etc… In our culture, we feel like this is the only way that we can be protected from the backstabbing and betrayal that is so frequent here. We put so much effort into deciphering whether or not we can trust ANYTHING that someone else says, and to be honest. . . . many times we just decide that it is not worth the effort, and the relationship just plateaus on a facade of interest and care – when really not much of those are ever given or received. . . . .

So, do you realize how both refreshing and devastating it is to form a relationship in India in the matter of hours that is at a level that I have not achieved with some relationships over the course of years!!!. . . . . 

Different foundations. . . . drastically different results. . . . the first risks your heart, but the second risks never knowing true intimacy. . . . . which will we choose to risk?

This first guy is very gifted and humble . . . in fact, many of you have seen him perform on stage at GCC, but that is not what I am talking about when I say that he is gifted. No, what I am talking about is his heart – that may sound like a cliche, but let me explain. . . . He consistantly, recklessly puts his heart out for Christ, reaching into the depths of suffering and compassion for those that are broken. Depths in which most of us never have the courage or ability to dive to, but it is here that I believe he experiences Christ in a way that I never will – it is so wonderful and refreshing to see. . . . I sure am glad we are on the same team, in relationship as brothers in Christ, on mission, seeking to know more about Christ and ourselves each and every day.

His gifting is not my gifting – the key (his skills, talent, ability, personality, etc…) to the door that opens him up to his purpose in Christ – is not my key. . .

As we chatted on this trip, he helped me come to an understanding that it is freeing to know that all our keys are of equal value. . . no matter what the world tells us – this is truth, and that truth will help set us all free from the comparative bondage that becomes a stifling obsession for many of us. So, I want to say thank you to Don Reynolds - for letting me be a part of your amazing and inspiring journey -

 The second guy is a father to three grown women, and a grandfather to 5 grandchildren, and is in a freefall down the age scale. On this trip, I saw him become a child again in many ways. . . wonderful ways. You know when Jesus talks about having faith like a child. . . well, several times I saw him out of the corner of my eye giggling with the little Indian children. . . . them coming up and sitting on his lap. . . . lightening flashes of excitment in his eyes. . . joy and contentment just being a part of this team that is making a difference. His heart was broken for the broken around him, his eyes knew the flow of compassion, and his mind was renewed in a focus of God’s perspective.

His life has been quite the adventure, but through chatting with him throughout this trip I have learned that it is so important to see others as God sees them. . . untarnished, beautiful, with great potential. . . regardless of what their past has been like. As a Christ follower, I am called to Love others first – with a lens that does not look behind the present. . . to focus more of my energy on how we can work together and the potential of “we” – shining the light of God’s love. His name is Ron Twedt – he’s my Father-in-law, and I couldn’t be prouder of him!!

I want to invite you to be a part of our team as well. . . . God has already provided for my finances, but pray support is always needed – AND I actually believe that Pray IS EFFECTIVE, . . . .so here is a list of 9 things that we prayed about yesterday morning, and that I would love you to pray for as well . . .

9. Our families that we are leaving behind (including spouses and children). . . . you know, my wife is amazing!! She is almost 7 months pregnant, and has a 5, 3, and 1.5 year old running around the house. . . . . you talk about commitment and sacrifice, . . . she is bearing the burden of this trip WITHOUT GETTING ANY CREDIT (which is not unusual for mother’s these days). . . . . all for God’s glory – -Trust me. . .  her offering in all of this is tremendous, and I am grateful for her sacrifice. . . . . . . . she is not alone, each of the team members have people that are sacrficing so we can go – I pray that God blesses them during the 11 days.

8. For the Leaders – both on our team, as well as over in India. . . . that their discernment and communication is clear, and that their preparation is sufficient.

7. For our safe Travel (O’hare to Newark – 3hours; Newark to New Amsterdam -10 hours; New Amsterdam to New Delhi – 12.5 hours; New Delhi to Chennai – 3 hours; then on a train for 6-8 hours, then on a car/bus for another 2) . . . . one way

6. For our attitudes – both individually, and as a team – that humility, flexibility, servanthood, enjoyment, unity, patience, and being positive will be pervasive.

5. For our spiritual development, openness, and protection (here at home as well)

4. For our accurate analysis of the worldview that we are up against, and eyes to see any opportunities presently and/or in the future that God may have for us reaching those that are in bonded slave labor and prostitution.

3. Our health and strength (for our families as well)

2. That God will already be preparing the hearts of those that we will encounter so that His love and truth may be received in full

1. That all that happens in our homes and in India will be according to God’s perfect plan and purpose

I would say that overall, . . . I am not afraid much at all about this trip. . . . anxious to get there. . . . excited about the possibilities. . . . . OF COURSE!!. . . . . but not a lot of fear. . . . EXCEPT -

You see, I have been on many trips, even mission trips, both domestic and internationally, . . . I have traveled all through Europe, been to Africa twice, Jamaica, Mexico and Canada several times, Japan. . . . . . . I have a lot of experience with other cultures. . . . . . now we are getting close to my fear. . . . can you guess it ???

My greatest fear is that I will not humble myself enough, acknowledge my ignorance/biases/naivete/short-sightedness/pride – you know. . .  think that this is in some way old-hat. . . right. . . that I am so experienced. . . . . .because for some reason I have to make others think that I “have it all together” . . .  blah, blah . . . . . . . that I will miss it. . . that I will miss even a minute of what God is trying to show me, how he is wanting to use me. 

You see if I don’t humble myself completely. . . . . . submit myself COMPLETELY. . . then I am just taking up space in my heart and mind that could be filled with GOD – if I would just get out of the way. . . . . . . it reminds me of the fact that I am just supposed to be a clay pot. . . and the minute that I start thinking “I got this down” or “I know what to expect” etc… is the minute that I put a lid on my pot. . . and a lid on how much God can use me. . . . . . I miss out on all of the “living water” that God wants to fill me with. . . .to carry to those who are hurting, broken, and hopeless. . . . what. . . a tragedy, . . . . .and here’s the kicker of my fear. . .I know that I’m pretty full of myself sometimes. . . .

Please help me Father – I submit to you now all that I think I “know” about this trip. . . . may I experience and learn fully from you. . . without the hinderance AT ALL of my own prideful heart and mind. . . . . . I want to boast of NOTHING besides you. . . . . use me, . . please . . . . . despite of me.

12. I have studied the Indian Bonded Labour System Act, 1976 in detail, and the International Justice Mission review of the lavour laws of India. . .  I feel like I am ready on the legal side

11. I have studied Hinduism and the possible communicative avenues with Christianity

10. There are 27 million slaves in the world today. . . 20 million in India!

9. I do not deserve what I have . . . nor did I have any choice in being born where I was born to the parents that I was born too. . . . . . . . . . . . . neither did these Indians. . .

8. The Church has done a decent job with feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and healing the sick (though we are still behind quite a bit with the AIDS epidemic), but has done virtually nothing. . . . with Justice. . . . it’s time to start!

7. These people do not deserve to be beaten and/or raped every day . . . just so they can keep there jobs, and feed their children

6. God commands that we “do justice” (Micah 6:8)

5. I want to help the church discover what type of worldview we are up against. . . . and what is the door to get through those particular barriers. . . .hey, . . . I can’t help that I’m a social scientist!

4. I have 3 children (4th coming in March, whose middle name will be Justice/Justus) . . . I want them to know that their Daddy loves people enough and hates injustice enough to be a pioneer half-way around the world

3. Because when people say that they do not want to hear. . . or see. . .  about the atrocities of this world. . . . that they can’t do anything about it anyway. . . . . . well, . . . . . I just flat out disagree. . . . what else is the point of “being a light” unless we are trying to discover a path in the darkness for the weak and wounded to follow, to bring hope to the hopeless, and to show love to those who have never known or felt what it means . . . . to come home. . . . to be accepted. . . to be free. . . .and to be loved.   

2. Jesus in essence became a bond-servant. . . enslaved to the limitations of humanity,  our sin, and even death. . . . . he actually CHOSE that everyday. . . why? . . . so that we (all humankind) don’t have to.

1. I am just trying to love like He loved. . . I just can’t get enough of Jesus. . . the more I get to know Him. . . . the more I understand really how beautifully/powerfully different He was/is. . . . and the more I want to be like Him. . .. . pray for us all please, AND our families that we are leaving behind. . . thank you

I just wanted to ease some of the concerns that some of you might have (i.e., Mom). . . so here are some highlights that our fearless leader . . . Jack Magruder. . . . has given us (feel free to view the whole message. . . at our Team Blog).  

1. By now you have probably heard of all the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India – if not you can get the full story here:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,458270,00.html

a bit of a snapshot can be viewed in this video:

2. From Jack’s update – First of all, please let me state plainly and simply that we will never willingly drop a team of GCC members into a situation that is known to be overtly dangerous or hostile. While there is always a certain amount of risk associated with international travel of any kind, of course, we will monitor the situation in India closely for resolution, and will be paying attention to the US State Department for analysis about the relative safety of contiuing to travel to/from or operation within the country.

3. Where we will be going is actually very far away from the terrorist attacks ~~ the distance resembles the distance between New York City and South Bend (roughly 700 miles)

4. Our airline tickets DO NOT have us routing through Mumbai

5. That being said – please continue to pray fro India and our pioneering Justice team . . . . read these last few words from Jack. . . In the last 10 years, it has attempted to bring itself out of the Stone Ages and into the light as a global super-power (economically, militarily, socially and governmentally), and the tension that occurs with that kind of seismic upheaval is always difficult, and sometimes (as in this case), violent and tragic. As you pray, please ask God that this horrific evil will result in a greater openness for those of us who are attempting to bring the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior into such Darkness, and that his Light and Love will triumph over the spirit of oppression and violence that is pervading India now.

Much more on India coming the next few days!!

I think this song has had such an impact on me because I have always thought that I was so good at keeping my eyes open to what God has around me. . . . instead, my pride has blinded me to a whole different level of compassion that I was not aware of. . . . a new vision of pain and suffering around me. . . I earnestly seek to be aware of this. . . to be able to genuinely enter into their pain with hope – 3Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering (Hebrews 13:3) . . .though I know this will cost more of my heart. . .

Hebrews 13:11 says
11The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.

So, right now. . . I am wanting to go “outside the city gates” – and so I am going to India in 37 days – where in one city yesterday 60,000 Christians were forced out of their homes to refugee camps, with many dying. . . being burned alive, buried alive, shot, hung, beheaded. . . horrible persecution. . . . . . . . . . pray for them please. . . . . . . . . . .

but what is often more difficult for me . . . is going down my street . . . to those that I risk losing face to . . . where I really risk “bearing disgrace” . . . I pray that God will give me the eyes to see it . . . and the heart to care enough . . . . . . that I ACTUALLY do something about it. . . . . please Father. . .

Brandon Heath – Give Me Your Eyes from Brandon Heath on Vimeo.

Saturday was a pretty full day of team building for the India trip. . . but it all started Friday night with the beginning of our sleep simulation.  Since we will be sleeping on concrete floors (with grass mats) while we are over there, our leaders wanted us to experience this a little bit this weekend. . . . to the wood floor I went on Friday night . . . . good times, and woke up with a little tenderness on my hips and sides.

We then met at GCC to serve at Second Saturday together. . . here are a few pictures from Feed the Children, packing personal care items into boxes. This was the line that some of us were on:

Then to Barnaby’s for some pizza. . . which was later referred to as a “brick in your stomach” compared to the fresh food in India. . . . oh, and there was some time to pummel Jack with some questions!

Off to Potato Creek State Park for our hour long hike with our gear (backpacks that we will be taking to India). . . . .what a beautiful day. . . WOW! it was gorgeous, especially with some of the trees starting to turn. . . . This is how we were greeted:

and here is a picture of us at the end

-Then is was back to the floor Saturday night:) . . . . . . . I feel blessed to be a part of this team. . . and doing these things together is so critical to forming some relationships before leaving. . . so, if anyone from the team is reading this. . . it is and will be an honor to serve by your side!

I had the opportunity to speak at the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) group at Penn High School this morning. . . . it was actually very funny to see young people actually moving and talking, and generally . . . . . just alive, at 7:30 this morning, b/c . . . . usually in my first class . . . . . . . . I sometimes see my college students in a lucid form of sleep as the make their way to their seats. . . . , and that is at 9:00!

What an honor it is to be able to influence the young minds of this generation. . . . . . . and I think today. . . I finally learned (emphasis on “finally”). . . about being content with step #2. . . . .

So. . . what is step #2. . . . well, it started with a nudge of the spirit back in June. . . . . Hey, I want you to be one of the first from this area to go to India (this December) on the Justice Team. . . . . ok! sounds great!! . . . . . .  . . . . . .then I started to realize that this trip was going to be unlike the countless trips I have been on before to places all over the world. . . . . . . this time. . . . there may not be tangible successes. . . . . . completed “projects”. . . . very little evidence of doing “anything” – no houses built, no wells dug, no food distributed, no conversions, no drastic life changes, etc…. – but, in a 15 step process of someone coming to know the freedom of knowing Christ. . . . this may be step #2. . . . . . . . and we all KNOW, logically, that #2 is just as important as #15, but . . . . . my stubborn heart is finally starting to get it. . . . let’s look back at God’s hand -

1. Nudge for mission trip to India on Justice team

2. Learning that our mission may be one that “JUST” involves initial relationship building (just time being around natives), and learning about the horrible situations in more detail 

3. An overt reminder from my friend and justice teammate Don Reynolds - that being an obedient pioneer into a new adventure is a worthy call – regardless if the ONLY thing that we do is make mistakes (that future teams can learn from) and try and love people while we’re there.

4. I hear this message about being a domino in the line of someone coming to know the love of Christ (see post on 9/11)

5. My wife sends this video to me – see it in my 9/24 post

6. I get surprised to hear God telling me to not prepare much for my FCA gig this morning

7. I understand that it was not preparation that God was against, instead he was preventing me from trying to be step 14 or 15 when I was supposed to be #2. . . .

8. I I ate breakfast with some of them, I told the group a great personal story to connect with, I made the students laugh, I ended the story with the point that God loves them and that He has your back, and I encouraged them to have a great day – and come back next time. . . . .

9. I walked to my car content. . . . content to have just been one small, somewhat forgotten, step in a student’s long journey. . . . content to have been obedient to #2. . . . . .

You see, I always want to be 14 or 15. . . . . . . because those are the glory spots. . . . those are the spots that you can hang your hat on and feel good about yourself because there is “proof” that you made an impact. . . . . . . . . . the problem is . . . . . . there are lots of people out there that need a 1-13, . . . . and I want to be able to be ready for wherever God puts me. . . . . . . So, thanks father for being patient with me in the past about not wanting to be a step 2 guy, you know I will probably need reminders every now and then, but thank you for nurturing me, for stretching me to be an even greater force for your kingdom. . . amen

Friendship center

Here, we were welcomed with a hot cup of Chai tea, which I am picking up that in India, they have this about every 1.5 hours. . . . random knowledge moment. . . here it goes – in order for India to all be on the same time zone (which is something the government wanted) they actually are 10.5 hours ahead of us!

Ok – back to the good stuff. . . we met with Mark for about an hour, where he shared some of the work that the Friendship center does there amidst the Hindu and Muslim culture (i.e., ESL, tutoring, host cricket TV times, bookstore, etc…) – fascinating stuff!

Then we met Suunita (sp?). . . . . . . . . wow!. . . . tough to describe this litte power-packed-5’1″ – 60 year old. . . . . except for – she spoke with a true sense of humility, gratitude, wisdom, and authority. . . one of those people I could have listened to for hours!! (Reminded me a lot of my Grandmother – Ferne Baldwin). She spoke of some of her past in India, with an emphasis on helping understand more of Hindu culture and the religion itself – very helpful. I really felt the presence of the holy spirit with her. . . .seriously. . . she was amazing – constantly addressing differences between us, and simultaneously passionately expressing our underlying similarities as human beings!. . .  Here she is (I squatted down a bit   ).

Suunita (sp?)

After both presentations, we went out onto Devon (sp?) street, and ate lunch at the Indian Garden . . . . The best way I can describe the cuisine is. . . . there was a lot going on in my mouth! – spicy – but not in a really “hot” way, just. . . . well. . . there was a lot going on inside of my mouth   and it was good!

my plate

 

and remember – no using utensils , and no using your left hand!! I feel like I can now rival my 18 month old on eating with my hands!

 

As we walked around during the rest of the afternoon – we really got a beginner’s sense of what Indian culture will be like, it was a great way to bond with each other and become prepared for what is to come. . . . . . . . . God is awesome!

 

 

10. Sitting next to my Father-in-law, Ron Twedt, realizing that we are going to be doing this together!

9. Getting excited about going to Little India on Saturday to dive in the culture.

8. So excited to get more details on the two villages that we will be ministering too, Karai (10,000 people with the closest well 1.5 miles away – we will be ministering to some of the prostitutes here) and Vellavedu (here are the brick kilns where the bonded slaves are starting at ~3 years old, around 5,000 kilns each with 50-100 people in them).

7. There are 28 states in India (compared to our 50), Tamil Nadu is one of those states, and has 30 districts. . . . last year in just 1 of those districts there were 1,000 baby girls killed right after birth. . . infantcide. . . . you do the math

6.  There are around 4,600 levels in there cast system. . . . that is, . . . the level of worth of someone, Raj told a story of when his shadow crossed over someone of high cast, . . . . . he was severely beaten that day. . .

5.  The fact that we as white people. . . . . are actually above the cast system – somewhere between human and divinity. . . . . nothing like the humility of undeserved deity status.

4. So what do you do in your country to reach the lost?  Well, I said, here at GCC we use culturally relevant media to connect with those outside the church, and we have small groups, and lots of service opportunities. . . what about you? Well, we raise the dead, heal the sick, and cast out the demons. . . . . Yeah, I guess that will work too!

3. The opportunity I may have to eat BBQ rat! — because their field rats are the size of our cats!@!! and they eat them!

2. They will not risk their life by becoming a Christian because of what you teach them, but because of how you treat.

1. Hearing Raj pray in Tamil, and feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit. . . . . I am completely confident that God is going to show up through these teams in a HUGE way!!!!

The second picnic was to celebrate Raj , who is GCC’s guru pastor in India – overseeing all of GCC’s mission work in India. You see. . . . I am going to India on a short term mission trip this Christmas with the “Justice Team” ~~ parner with International Justice Mission in their fight against bonded slave labor and forced prostitution ~~. There are several other teams going from GCC including Media, Water, Construction, and Vehicle Maintenance teams. So, we all got together to celebrate what has been done over in India already and what wonderful things are to come. . . . . India is dealing with some genocide issues right now, so keep them in your prayers. . .

Finally. . . . . I love meeting the friends of my kids – - they spend all of this time with other kids at Church and school, and then we finally get to meet them every now and then. This in one such case. . . . . . Elliana is friends with Belle Wegner – Rob and Michelle’s youngest. . . because they play all the time at church together, but we have never gone over to their place, and they have never come over to ours – but here are the two cuties having a deep discussion about something. . . .they were holding hands earlier, but I didn’t have my camera ready!!!

Yesterday morning John started off with the statement “live for the cause – don’t make your job your end goal”  - I have long been a proponent of looking through our jobs into the higher cause of bringing God’s kingdom to Earth. Sometimes this is hard though, as routine sets in, or one of our friends or colleagues just seems to be better/happier/more satisfied/more influential/more talented/more liked/more respected then we are. . . it makes us feel less than, doesn’t it. . . even when it comes to sharing our faith. . .

Something to remember:

John 6:44 – For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.

In some ways then. . . the pressure is off – you don’t have to be super “soul-winner” guy (you know, the guy who can go up to anyone anywhere and convert them to Christ). . . no. . . . you just need to be who you are – God, not you, is the one who is drawing them in – - – - now this is not an excuse to slack off, . . . no. . . we just need to be who we are. You may feel like you are unqualified. . . well, . . . here are the qualifications Acts 4:13 – you need to have been with Jesus. . . that’s it. . . that’s it. . . no seminary. . . no bible or ministry major. . . – have you been with Jesus?. . . . then go and be a witness -

Like dominos leading up to someone coming to know Christ – we do not know which domino we are – there may be hundreds of dominos before someone realizes the love of Jesus.  We may be number 112 -, sure, super-sould-winner guy is the last domino, but who should get the credit. . . . super soul-winner guy - NO – only God, He is the only one that has been drawing them near Jesus for who knows how long. So, be who you were created to be, and don’t be ashamed of that role.

I am going to Tamil Nadu, India in late December early January

- you will hear a lot more about this, but one thing that related to John’s message is this. . . . . . our “justice” team is the first of its kind – we are going over to partner with International Justice Mission – help free children in bonded slavery (brick Kilns) and forced prostitution. Here’s the deal – - we are pioneers. . . . . and because of that. . . we may be the 2nd domino of 2000 dominos leading to Christ – we may not see massive conversions or anything like that. . . . . in fact, we may be going simply to come back and tell the next group – “hey, don’t do this, this, this, and this” – we don’t know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . that’s ok. . . . . . if the 2nd domino wasn’t there – the chain to Christ would be broken. . . . . . . we are going to be servants of the Living God, to be used as He sees fit – what an honor it is to be a domino for the cause.