On Drivers & Bangladesh!

As a young man, maybe a bit brash and ignorant, I remember driving the roads of India and Bangladesh thinking – is there any rhyme or reason to how they drive – and the driving here is out of control.  As a much wiser man now, after driving in these countries for the past few weeks, I am marveling at how well these guys drive.  I have been driven around by a couple of guys that has had me in awe of their driving abilities.  It is no small feat to maneuver a vehicle through these streets with the endless amount of: vehicles, rickshaws (200,000-300,000 in Dhaka alone), bicycles and motorcycles, cows, goats, dogs, people (1.2 billion in India & 165 million in Bangladesh) and not have an accident.  Not sure I will ever be able to explain what it is like to be on these roads amidst this kind of traffic and crowds, but yesterday I was struck by a thought.  I know that driving in severe snowstorms can be a bit intense, but I’m not sure it matches the intensity needed to navigate these roads on a regular basis.

 What an absolute joy it has been to spend the last number of days in the beautiful countryside of northern Bangladesh.  Walking amongst the green of the rice fields, the crops of corn, banana plantations, mango trees all while having buses fly by me that are not only full on the inside, but have the rooftop packed as well (oh that brings back memories of many such a ride I enjoyed as a young man in this part of the world!). 

Have been so blessed by the kindness of God this past week.  I was given the opportunity to spend 3 days with some of the most joyful, delightful people I’ve had the chance to encounter.  To be invited into their presence and so welcomed was a warmth to my heart.  We enjoyed rich times of worship together (they even had me up front dancing with the music team), we laughed with each other a lot (some of it at my own expense!).  The other day I was a part of some Bengali skit, speaking Bangla (which I know nothing about) dancing in front of a strange woman!!  I’ve had encouraging conversations hearing about the work of Jesus Christ, and I’ve been so reminded of the unifying work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  As we enjoyed communion together the other day, I was so struck and overwhelmed as I sat in this church’s presence, how we were one – though different color, speaking a different language, living in different parts of the world – the cross of Jesus Christ makes us brothers and sisters – truly speaking to the power of the gospel because only the cross can complete that work!!

Well the clock is ticking down on my time here, bringing about my return to Canada.  And I write that with a mixture of emotions.  My family knows how I long to be in their presence once again (it has been such a blessing to speak to them as often as I have, and Sunday night will be the sweetest reunion I will have ever experienced).  But along with so badly wanting to see my family, because of the wonderful hospitality I’ve experienced here, and the warmth of relationships in such a short time, it feels somewhat like I’m saying goodbye to friends – another testimony to the power of the gospel!!