Our last morning in India

I had a hard time getting to sleep last night. My mind, and my emotions were far too busy, plus I wanted to post on the blog, especially since we hadn’t had connection most of the day. Not only those things, but after having the floor pretty much to ourselves for 8 nights, we got neighbors, the men who I think had had a little too much to drink and the children who had very little discipline (it was very apparent that these were not Adivasi children. I think I finally fell asleep about midnight India time. Then, I woke up a few minutes past 5am. I know this not because I looked at my watch (because I lost it here at the Appolo two mornings ago.) but because the sun was up (well, up behind the clouds) and the room was bright.

Siliguri itself is an ugly, dirty, stinky, loud, huge village. It’s hot and humid, the beds in the Appolo are uncomfortable, the water in the shower is rarely warmer than cold. The Internet is very spotty, even when we have strong WiFi signal we don’t always have connection beyond the hotel. The roads are in sad repair, there is no air conditioning in the bus – the cars we road in a few times have air conditioning, but they don’t turn it on, to save gas. You guys HAVE to come here – it is GREAT. I mean that in ALL sincerity!!! As unpleasant as all those things might sound, I have NEVER had a more enjoyable, fulfilling week in my entire life. If I could get the time off from work, I would come back at every opportunity given to me (even looking “forward” to the 50 hour travel “experience” we will begin in just a few short hours – pray for that please, we have some long layovers – 9 hours in Delhi and 7.5 in Paris). I have been truly blessed by God to just have been a witness to what the Holy Spirit is doing here. Then, when I realize that He used me to do such a very small part of ths work, I am utterly humbled!

A couple of days ago, someone by the screen name of “be” posted a comment. I have not authorized be to post as the tone of the comment was less than uplifting, and once you authorize someone they can continue to post unchecked (well, at least until the next time I have Internet connection to turn them off). I wanted to post a couple of be’s comments and respond. If be will be kind enough to provide his/her real name and would like to have an actual conversation about his/her concerns, I’d be more than happy to oblige.

be said, “… that you and your ilk believe non-Christians are lesser people or evil or sinners” I would like to respond that while it is very true that we do believe that non-Christians are sinners and because of their sin are “evil” in God’s sight. He is holy and requires us to be holy, but He abhors our sin and is very angry at us because of it. It is NOT true, in the slightest, however, that we see them as lesser people. In fact, we see them as incredibly valuable, made in the image of God. We would not endure the things I described above if we thought they were lesser people. It is because we love them that we come here and share God’s good news with them.

be also said, “… they may have their own faith and a strong belief.” I would say that this is very true. Some of them are very strong believers in their own faith. Some of them like our message very much but are unwilling to give up their Hindu, or other, gods. We pray for those, that God would speak to their hearts and reveal Himself to them, giving them the faith to believe in Him alone.

be then said, “Who are you to be so presumptuous and who deemed you the “right ones” with the “one True god????” my answer to this question is that I am an adopted son of the one true God. He has commanded me to come here. He has given me love for the Adavasi. He has given me a burden to see them saved from the peril of their sins. He has put me here in this place at this time and overcome my fear and apprehension. I understand that you may not believe that the God I worship and serve is the one and only true God. I believe He is. I believe that there are no others. I believe that all the other “gods” that men worship are either man-made, or created by the Father of lies, the enemy of our souls, to deceive us and keep us from serving the One and Only, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the Savior of our souls.

be wrapped up his-her comment by saying, “You’d serve any god’s spirit better by going home and practicing acceptance, tolerance, empathy, understanding and appreciation of others and peoples’ differences.” I very much look forward to heading home later today. But I already miss my Adavasi brothers and sisters and hope that God will bring me back in the future. I will pray for than constantly. I totally “accept” them as lost men/women/children who need to hear the good news and as brothers and sisters once they are rescued by the love and grace of God. I don’t know what there might be to “tolerate” about them. They are the most selfless, gracious, respectful people I have ever encountered. God has indeed given me great “empathy” for the Adavasi – it is why I came here. I spend a great deal of time and energy trying to “understand” them. When I visit in their homes, I listen intently to what they have to say and give them every opportunity to express themselves and answer any questions they may have. And there is NO question that I “appreciate” them AND our differences. I have never enjoyed getting to know others more than I’ve experienced this past week. I love the Adavasi. God has given me this love.

be, if you’d like to actually discuss these things, please let me know who you are and I’ll be happy to chat. If you just want to “drive by” snipe and jab, I hope you understand that that is not the purpose or design of this blog and that I’ve not authorized you for commenting here so that we can keep the blog focused on its intended goal.