In the last India article, “History Live”- part 1, I told about a memorable travel experience that’s three hours from Hyderabad, India. I also mentioned that in the early years in Kenya we helped in two areas that are far apart. We would fly into Hyderabad and the other area, Orissa, required a two-day train ride.
After our visit with the evangelists over Christmas, our leaders in Hyderabad helped us prepare for our train trip to Orissa. It was risky to eat pre-prepared food in India so we took what they had for us. My ten year old took history and Nancy Drew to read on the train ride. We enjoyed the train ride and slept well, having reserved four bunks. Our leader met us at the train in Orissa and took us to his house for the night. We had been helping support this evangelist and had a relationship with him for several years.
The agenda in Orissa was to preach in several small rural villages. We rented a car and prepared to stay overnight in one of the villages. This rural area was very new to Christianity and westerners. We went to the first church where a small group of believers gathered. We prayed with them and worshipped with them very quietly, which was intentional as we didn’t want to draw attention to ourselves.
Then we drove some distance to visit the next group of believers. Again, we tried to be quiet and not be noticed. This group had prepared Indian tea for us so we sat and visited with them before worship. Then the worship service began. After worship they asked us to pray for someone who needed healing. Miraculously, she was noticeably healed. The people began to rejoice and worship excitedly about the healing very loudly. A Hindu group came up the road and were very angry about hearing the worship. Our evangelist knew that we should leave very quickly, he told us to get in the back seat of a vehicle and lie as far down as possible. He threw some rugs down over us. Some of the people rocked the car, which was scary. But we were able to get out of the village safely. We drove into the night to arrive at the third village. They fed us and put mats down for us to sleep on. The next day, the believers in that area came to that house to worship.
After worship, my husband taught a short lesson from scripture which was interpreted by the local leader. A few people were friends or relatives who were new to the group requiring answers to their questions. Several eagerly knelt with the group to make a decision to ask Christ into their life. The Holy Spirit was so strong in the house. I will forever remember it.
I’m telling you this story to let you know about the differences in the different areas in India. In the villages where Christianity had just been introduced, the reception was different than Hyderabad where it had been for years. Even today, sometimes missionaries are rejected and no one can come into India for over six months at a time.
Reflection over these varied experiences of ministry in India show sacrifice and compassion of local Christians. It also shows positive results in areas like Hyderabad tribals where passionate people have sown into lives of people for many years. In India when they become a Christian it is a whole new lifestyle for them and often their family reject them. My friends in India have been a strong personal example of faith to me.