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.