The merging of two paths!

26 years ago I wondered this land amidst the temples, the places of worship and the deep spirituality of this country and came upon the words of Jesus in the gospel of John.  The ministry has gone a bit rough, and everyone was taking off on him and Jesus asked 'do you guys want to leave as well?'.  And Peter responds 'where will we go, no one else has given us the words of eternal life'.  As a young man trying to figure out my way through life those words pierced my heart and I knew from then on I would forever be a follower of Jesus Christ - as I felt much like Peter did.

26 years ago something else happened in this land.  A ministry began under the direction of a man with vision, and the result has been thousands of people coming to know the same truth that I discovered while journeying here.  This work has been impacting the villages here in eastern India and God has been doing an amazing work. 

This week those 2 paths merged, as I am back in India and have had the chance to spend 3 days meeting the pastors of some of those churches - and have had the opportunity to hear their stories, encourage them, pray with them, hear about some incredible hardships they've gone through - and to gaze into the absolute joy and delight I see in their eyes as they lead these churches here.  Amazing to think our journeying together to this week in some way began all those years ago.

As a young 22 year old I wanted to come back to India the day I left, always thought God would bring me back here -struggled at times with why He didn't and why He left me in Winnipeg (yes it's a great city, but not one I had thought I'd be in years ago!!).  But God is so kind, merciful, and faithful.  His timing is not always our timing - but it's the perfect timing.  I have encountered individuals and churches and villages I may not have otherwise - I've seen God do some amazing things I may not have otherwise.  So God's incredible faithfulness has again been on full display for me as I have seen the blessings He's poured out on me by bringing me back when He did!

Had the privilege of being in and sharing with the folks at Carey Baptist Church in Kolkata this morning - a church that is over 200 years old.  I am staying in a house that is over 200 years old, dating back to the time the British were here.   Rather astonishing as I think on that.  During my travels here I read a biography on Carey as well as reading a book on the history of India.  To then walk in these buildings and places that have been described in this book is rather awe inspiring.  It was rather an honor to stand in the pulpit today of where William Carey preached (yes that's the picture!), and think of the amazing ministry this man had here so many years ago - and to visit that ministry today that is still carrying on. 

Off to Bangladesh early tomorrow morning - but I think before that will have to be one more walk through the streets of Kolkata - might be another thing you wish to put on your bucket list!!

On mosquitoes and Kolkata!

Struck me this week how diverse God's incredible creation is.  Did you know that the mosquitoes in India don't make that annoying buzzing sound, and you can't really feel them when they are biting you.  Rather amazing to come to the finding that mosquitoes aren't really all that annoying out here, they can be all around your head when you're sleeping but you don't really know it - wonder how we transport them to Canada?  Mind you the downside is they carry Malaria - so there might be some downsides!

Arrived in Kolkata today after an enjoyable train ride.  Was transported back in my mind to 26 years ago - the last time I took a train to Kolkata.  At that point I was in 3rd class and by the time we got to Kolkata I'm not sure we could have fit one more body or animal into the car.  Today I rode 2nd class with air conditioning and my own seat - I'm getting soft in my old age.  One thing that was the same is that I spent time reading 'Freedom at Midnight' a history on the country of India - the same book I read the last time I rode the Indian trains.  And oh how I remember the crowded streets of this city, but I don't know that anything could have prepared me for the scene I witnessed as we left the train station and crossed the Hooghly River by way of the Howrah bridge.  A massive sea of vehicles, animals and humanity - more people and vehicles than I have ever seen or could have ever imagined.  Found myself just kind of staring in wonder!!

Enjoying the jungle!

Not sure I know how to fully grapple with the emotions and thoughts I’ve had over the last 3 days as we’ve wondered the countryside, driving and walking through the tiger and elephant  jungles of eastern India to visit the area villages.  I’ve had hospitality like I’ve never encountered:  being greeted by tribal drums, followed by tribal dances with the women who then wash our feet and hands, moisturizing them with Tameric lotion.  Then come the children to lay a garland of flowers around our neck while bending down to touch our feet as a sign of respect.

In these villages I’ve sat in churches that are anywhere from 2 to 15 years old, meaning that some of these churches have no believers that are more than 2 years old.  I’ve worshipped in churches that have a building and I’ve sat outside in the great outdoors with churches that only have a slight roof over their heads.  I have felt caught somewhere between the book of Acts and the Old Testament, hearing stories of incredible healings as witch doctors families turn to the church to pray for those they are unable to heal.  And then I hear of a herd of 50 elephants stomping through villages over homes of those that are persecuting the believers of Jesus, while walking right by the homes that belong to Christians.  I have learned what it means to be prepared in season and out of season to give a reason for the hope we have, being asked spontaneously to bring a teaching – this to a crowd of mainly illiterate people that  have very few Bibles.  I have sat in one of these villages as the first white person to enter their village, in a crowd that has never once before heard the name of Jesus Christ – an almost unfathomable thought for us from Canada.

Yes you might imagine it is just a bit overwhelming to attempt to take that all in and sort it through in one short blog entry.  I suppose however, that should you continue to follow my blog, you will slowly have my thoughts coming out as I return to Winnipeg next weekend and continue to dwell on the richness of these past few days. 

Need an idea for your bucket list??

Well  just came back from a beautiful morning walk along the shores of  the Bay of Bengal.  Rather sobering and exciting to think that is the very Bay that William Carey sailed into the day he came to bring the gospel to India.  Having just read that book and being privileged to visit churches here, it was special this morning to walk in this water and give thanks to God for His work in this country. 

Find myself continuing to reflect on the changes I’ve seen in India while noting what still seems the same.   After a delayed flight to Frankfurt on my way here that caused me to miss my first flight out of Mumbai, I almost missed my second flight because of how much things are the same.  While sometimes amusing, the reality of having to go through about 7 different lines to catch a flight can be a bewildering experience.  One change is the amount of motorcycles that one now sees driving down the roads.  But as we drive down the lanes of the city or the roads of the countryside I find myself smiling over something else that has not changed and that is, you can still quite comfortably seat anywhere from 4-6 people on a motorcycle.   And speak about change – I found myself in a village in the jungles of eastern India today, a village that no white person has ever been too, a village that has no electricity, very little water, very low literacy rates – but quite a few cell phones abound – 2012 is a different year.  The same yet different – I do continue to be amazed that one can walk along the shores of the Indian Ocean as I did this morning – beauty surrounding me – and then realize that everywhere litter is strewn about with no care for where it lands.  Yes the contrasts of this most beautiful land!!

And oh as we’ve spent the last three days driving through the beautiful jungle area of eastern India, I’ve been pondering the idea of bucket lists.  Not sure if you have a bucket list or not but if you need a suggestion for your list, may I offer you one.  I actually told my Indian handler I would be passing this one on to everybody in Canada.  There is something rather exhilarating about sitting in a jeep going about 50 miles an hour down with one hand on the horn, on a lane that is not much wider than 10 feet – dodging other vehicles, people, dogs, cows, bicycles, motorcycles – very calmly without ever hitting anything.  I’m not sure there are more talented drivers on the face of God’s planet. 

Well I must run but I will post you soon on more serious matters – like the last 3 days I’ve had visiting the tribal villages of Eastern India!

The Indian Pilgrimmage has begun!

February 15th the plane touched down in Eastern India.  I made that walk across the tarmack in the heavy stifling heat, and crawled into the vehicle that would take me to my destination.  Within five minutes I found myself smiling unable to believe I had not been in an accident already as I stared at the vehicles coming toward us in our lane and I fondly remembered driving on these roads.  And I found myself struggling to explain or describe the emotions I felt as I began my pilgrimmage back to the land I have longed to see once again.  Walking down the streets encountering the smells, the noise, the atmosphere - I was so quickly transported back to the life of a 22 year old who wondered these streets in amazement.  Could not help but wonder how so many things just have not changed while in many ways this is a new land.  Yes there is still a wave of people everywhere you go.  I still can't make much rhyme or reason to the way they drive and how the rules of the road work, fruit stands abound along the sides of the streets and cows still have free reign to wonder and go where they choose.  And many of the pictures I've taken so far look no different than they did 26 years ago.

Then I reflect on the differences.  I've already phoned home 3 times - probably as many times as I did the entire 7 months I was gone as a young man.  I'm updating this blog from a hotel room in India and I just checked out how the Leafs and Jets are doing on TSN.  Yes it's a different world.

I've returned to this land with the incredible opportunity of ministering amongst the church here while having the incredible privilege of worshipping together with and learning from them.  I have been walking through the book of Philippians with about 100 pastors from India, and what a rich experience it's been so far.  Was rather struck and dumbfounded the other day when they were asked the question 'how many of you have had your churches or houses burned down because of your faith'?  As I watched the amount of hands go up, I could not help but tremble wondering how do I say anything to them.  Then as I began to drink tea with them and hear their stories, I was shaken yet delighted in the joy they were experiencing in the Lord.  Speaking to one man whose house had been burned down and his brother in law killed because of their faith, left me wondering how would we uphold under that pressure?  I visited with pastors who asked me to pray for them, as they would be going back to churches that have been refined by coming through a fire - having had their churches burned down and members of their church killed for what they believe in.  They are living out Philippians, seeking after Christ in the midst of persecution.  But what an honor to come and be with these men and encourage them and let them know that as a church in Canada we pray for them, and commend them for keeping their faith in the midst of the trials.

 

Reflecting on William Carey

Had much to think about the last couple of weeks with attending the Desiring God Pastor's Conference in Minneapolis, along with preparing for ministry to India and Bangladesh.  With the conference title of God, Manhood & Ministry, I was challenged with a few thoughts.  The concept of consistently showing fatherly pleasure in my children, as God the Father showed fatherly pleasure in His Son.  I could share some thoughts, men, of our importance to our families and the church body, wondering how rich it could be for us to be men who courageously and thoughtfully studied theology together.  Instead for now I'll simply say men, ask me about 'Systematic Thursdays' sometime.  I could simply recount some of the alarming stats of men dropping out of church and life in general, often it seems because they've lost the will to fight courageously for something.  I do pray ours will be a church full of men who are alive, with a passion to give their life to something of eternal significance!  Being able to attend this conference with Ken and Loren added to the experience, as we spoke of the things we were hearing.   

On that note, I have reflected somewhat this past week, on the biographical sketch of JC Ryle that was painted for us so wonderfully by John Piper.  It left me with a deep sense of the beauty and wonder of the gospel and of the church the Bride of Christ.  Men in particular, you might want to track it down on the Desiring God website and give it a listen.  Piper paints a rich picture of the nature of Ryle's ministry in this talk with what he called the 'masculine ministry as seen in the life of JC Ryle'.  It left me with the desire to be that courageous warrior who fights for truth in the church and my family, fights against sin in my life, fights against sin and for purity in my own family, fights for the protection of my wife and children, and the uplifting of women in our church and in this culture, would be willing to take bullets for the sake of the church and the preservation of gospel truth - joyfully preserving the body of Christ, cherishing both my own family and the church in deeper and joyful ways.

Along with those thoughts, I've been reading a biography of William Carey as I prepare to head out to India and Bangladesh in only 2 days time.  Reading this book I feel both incredibly weak and uncourageous, while at the same time finding myself struggling with aspects of Carey's life while being profoundly impacted by his love for the gospel and incredible drive to take this gospel to the country of India.  One cannot help read about his life without having the greatest of admiration for this man, as he displayed a 'single-minded determination to set his face like a flint to the task of bringing the gospel to those lost in darkness'.  This man suffered through severe trials, some of them as a result of his determined zeal to see India won for Christ.  The death of several children, a wife who sank deeper and deeper into depression, an incredible lonliness in this land that was so foreign for him and so far from from his native England at that time in history.  Combined with  experiencing very little fruit, particularly in the early years of his ministry.  His was a life of tremendous hardship and heartache, along with tremendous victories.

Yet, I wonder about our call to look after our own families - being those called worse than the unbelievers if we don't look after our own families. As I read about his drive for missions along with his wife's constant fears and hesitation about going, I wrestle with combining these two - knowing that much of this probably hinges on our understanding of what Jesus meant when he said, be prepared to even have our own families against us in this venture called our faith.  No I haven't landed anywhere particularly at this point - just filled with amazement and wonder as I read the life of this famous man - the man we call 'the father of modern missions'.

This has all certainly heightened by own excitement of going back to India and Bangladesh after a 26 year absence.  Stepping onto the very ground trod by Carey as he spoke the gospel message to this country, and the land that was the ground of my early discipleship, visiting the church that began as a result of this man's determination.  I will actually have the chance to preach at Carey Baptist Church in Calcutta - a church founded by this man - on February 26th.  Appreciate your prayers as I fly out on the 13th and spend the following 3 weeks in India and Bangladesh.