July 10, 2008

Namasthe,

The Lord is continuing to bless the team here in India. It has been only a couple of days since our last update, but the days have been full and we are seeing more of God's grace in people's lives. We spent the last couple of days in a small town called Bhagwanpur which is a couple of hours drive from Dehradun. The town is predominantly composed of Hindus and Muslims who are opposed to a Christian church being planted, but because education is highly valued some graduates from NTC were able to start an English Medium school (classes are taught partially in English) named Khrist Jyoti Academy, which means “Light of Christ”. In the past five years, the school has grown from 50 students to about 280, and they hope that the current K-8 classes will eventually grow to K-12. The school serves a primarily Dhalit population, which is the lowest caste in this society, and they hope to develop the children not only spiritually but also socially so that they can be future community leaders and enact social change.

During the two days that we visited Bhagwanpur, the team led children's programs including songs, Bible stories, memory verses, games, skits, and crafts, all of which the children thoroughly enjoyed. The sounds of laughter and joyful singing filled the air throughout the day. Perhaps the most rewarding experience, however, was joining the children in their classrooms as they learned. We crowded into cramped classrooms and make-shift desks under balconies to learn by their sides and contribute in whatever way we could. Some of the team members were able to teach English and Math to the students, and in the process improved on their Hindi skills. We ended our time with the students each day by praying for them and asking for God's blessing on their lives.

Brother Dinesh, the school's principal, has also started a hostel with his wife and other school teachers, which is currently home to about 30 Dhalit children. They have a vision to raise these children in the ways of the Lord and hopefully train them as future pastors, evangelists, and church leaders. Our team visited the hostel, only a short walk from the school, and spent some time with the kids as they were studying and playing together. It was encouraging to see how God was expressing His love to the children through the hostel, and we were thankful that we could pray for them there, as well.

As our time in Bhagwanpur came to an end, the staff of Khrist Jyoti blessed us with a delicious feast for lunch. They prepared chicken curry, vegetables, seasoned rice, yogurt, mangoes, and bananas, and the team was very thankful for their hospitality. After lunch, we were able to join the staff for their afternoon worship service. The small group of us lifted up songs in Hindi and English, and Pastor Jimmy preached a message to encourage the staff as they continued in the work there. We admired the teachers' devotion to the students and their work, but at the same time realized that they also face challenges and discouragements in continuing to serve the Lord and live out their calling. Praying for them as we finished the service was a humbling experience for us, and we ask that you pray for them, as well.

Today we are back on the NTC campus again and helping out by painting, teaching music, and working in the library. After the morning prayer time, we were also able to visit a Tibetan Buddhist monastery which is right across the fence from where we are staying at NTC. The monastery was also having their morning prayer time, and as we entered the temple we were greeted with the sound of children chanting Buddhist scriptures, ringing bells, clanging cymbals, and pounding drums. Incense was think in the air as we looked around the temple, prayer rooms, dormitories, and grounds. Dozens of children from Tibet are devoted by their parents and brought here for training, and they study for about 15 years before becoming a full-fledged monk. Seeing the temple reminded us of the complexity of India's spiritual landscape, and also that there is great need in people's lives for the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Please continue to pray for us here. The team members are all healthy and doing well, but all of them also share that the trip has been incredibly challenging to their faith, values, and goals in life. Ask the Lord to continue speaking to us and using us to take part in His work here.

Parmeshwar apko ashish de ("God bless you" in Hindi),
India Team