Wednesday, 08 July 2009
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India 2009
Hey Folks,
Just wanted to officially say that we're preparing again to for India in November. Some of the finer details are in the works as far as what we'll be doing and exactly what the dates will be. But it will be the around the first 2 weeks of November for around 10 days.
This year we're likely bringing some medical professionals for basic medical care and training. We'll definitely be doing a multi-day youth program for elementary aged students like last year. You don't need special skills, but a willingness to work on a team and give of yourself for 10 days. You may have some roadblocks you're thinking of right now... and in my experience, almost 99% of those are fairly easily worked out or God provides miraculously [faith?]. I already have had a donor give $1000 to support whoever goes to India... it's confirmation that God does want us to go.
I'd like to have a confirmed team by 2nd week of July and begin training/ticket purchase by the beginning of August. Let me ask all of you to pray... just ask God simply... "Do you want me to go?"... if no, then no problem. If yes, then fantastic. If maybe, give it a few more goes and then let me know that's where you're at.
More details to come - but check out Dave Shin's video montage from last year's journey to India for an overview of last year's trip.
Wednesday, 03 December 2008
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Getting Bishoped [Elton]
Another defining moment for me on this trip was spending about 20 minutes with Bishop Moses. I was sitting in the computer room needing a little time to myself and the Bishop walks in with a simple "How are you?"
So all along the way I've been listening to Bishop share his vision, passion, stories, his understanding of the Dalit plight, etc. But I can't say that I connected yet with the human side of Bishop. It's not that he didn't share his life, but I tend to have the "sales pitch" radar on. And hold on to a little skepticism about things.
So Bishop walks in and we have a little small talk - but Bishop is no good at small talk and we're hit with some silence. And what I like to do with older leaders is ask them for some free wisdom. It saves me money on buying their books and going to their seminars.
So I ask Bishop, "What advice would you give me as a young leader?" And he said that he didn't really know my context and that he never really ministered in the US. And I then responded that I didn't need ministry advice - what I was looking for was this, "How do you stay strong in the Lord?"
A little smile comes on and he lets out a long, slow, "ahhhhhhhh." And then he says, "You know how you stay strong in the Lord? It's through suffering." And right then I knew... I knew I was in for it.
The Bishop began to recount a lot of his struggles these past few years. He had open-heart surgery recently and has been experiencing a lot of physical setbacks from that. He shared how he has this really large vision for his people, but his people don't understand it. They see the money being brought in to build the school, but they would rather have new homes and more food and don't understand the long term vision of raising up the Dalit people. He shared how he bears the weight of the financial burden for funding his vision and he doesn't know how he's going to pay it back with the world in financial crisis.
And he shared how this journey is often a lonely one - no one understands it the way he does. But he shares how he doesn't have much choice - he's compelled by the Gospel. He driven to be about the kingdom. And that requires that he make some sacrifices.
He shared that there is no religion in the world that promises the same degree of freedom. A freedom that truly reaches the core of our being. But he also says that there is no call more costly then following Jesus. There is no religion in the world that asks for everything, calls for complete surrender, with no right of rebuttal.
Photo from Dave
You know those moments in life where truth really hits home? You hear something and maybe you've been ignoring it somehow. But it finds its way into the deepest parts of your soul. And it just sits there... knowing that you have no right to kick it out. And you can't help but to smile... it's the smile of resignation... when you give in to something that is good, but know will also hurt.
He continues and says, "I don't believe in the prosperity gospel." He shared how he would lie in bed in pain from his various ailments and would cry to God for relief. And rarely did God respond with physical relief. And he told me that Jesus cried out to God to take away the cup, but God didn't take it away. Didn't provide a miracle to make it all feel better. And then Bishop dropped another bomb on me... he said, "If God didn't give Jesus a miracle, why would he give you one?"
As a disclaimer, it's not that he doesn't believe in miracles and the statement shouldn't be over scrutinized theologically. Bishop was making a point... it's God desire to use life to help us understand the Cross. He said all our suffering is so that we would see God for who he really is - understand his work on the Cross - the price he had to pay so that we would have life and life with him. And understand his love in way that health and wealth would never reveal.
Bishop shared how he would pray for relief from the physical pain and God would remind him of the pain that Jesus endured for him. He said that his pain reminded him of Jesus pain; Jesus' pain would remind him of Jesus' love for him. The love needed to endure the pain of the Cross. And then Bishop would say, "Ahhh... Jesus' love... his love is better than my pain."
Photo from Dave
He continued by saying that his favorite theme in theology is expiation. The work that is accomplished on the Cross by Jesus on our behalf. He says that there is nothing more fascinating, nothing more intriguing and nothing more captivating.
And then he pauses... the smile on his face is still there... angles his head slightly up and diagonally and looks gazingly into nowhere and says slowly and deliberately, "I just love Jesus."
And right then I knew another thing... I knew he was for real. I had no doubts about his vision, his passion, his authenticity. Of course he's not perfect... but I saw his heart in the raw and it throbbed. It throbbed for Jesus. It wasn't driven by ambition or fame. It was compelled by the love of God.
Right then, it also confirmed much of what I was learning these past few years. Having endured [or continuing to endure] a season of confusion, frustration, struggle and dying and seeing God redeem it in ways that are unexplainable... all I could I do is give that smile of resignation again. It's not always things you want to hear... but things that you know are true. The kind of truth that brings both comfort and condemnation; sets you free and enslaves you to what is right.
This was all in 20 minutes. I left the room to go have dinner and I just had a glaze over my face. The tension of comfort and condemnation writhing in me... but sitting well balanced on the thin line that divides the two.
Photo from Dave
We would see the Bishop preach to his people... spend time admonishing a few of his pastors... call out some of the students on their uncombed hair... and Mike would say, "He [they] got BISHOPED!" Meaning Bishop would set them straight... drop the wisdom bomb... and you wouldn't know what hit you.
I got Bishoped.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
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Attacks on Mumbai and Tumbling Down the Rabbit Hole [Elton]
If you haven't been watching the news and maybe specifically CNN-type channels or keeping up on internet news sources, you probably have gotten only passive accounts of what's been going on in India. I started watching on Wednesday afternoon, had to drive somewhere and did not hear any of the radio outlets talking at all about what was happening in India [including NPR, KCBS, KGO].
I think it's safe to say that since we were just in India... and ate lunch at the Taj Mahal Hotel just last week, the events have been very surreal. We walked in the square right in front of the hotel where the Gateway of India is. Mike got fooled twice by street salesmen selling baloons alongside the bay in front of the hotel. We also had an opportunity to spend our 2 days after our time at BFM in Singapore. But instead we opted to take in more of India and spend it in Mumbai.
For a few years, I've felt like God has been wanting us to be in India. But I can't say that I knew why, in what capacity and even where exactly in India. So this trip was very much of a listening trip. We listened to pastors share about their struggles. We listened to the heart and passion of the Bishop. We listened to Dalits share their perspective of life from the bottom of the caste system.
But our bigger work might be listening to what God has for us after this time in India. I'm not much under the sway of superstition or overly active in stitching together events to say "Look at what God did!" But I sense that the recent attacks in India are confirmation that we need to continue our relationship/partnership with our friends in India.
Because of the rather light security in the airport, I joked that India wasn't going to get hit by terrorists. But it seems like there are a few signs that point to more activity in the future… mind you I’m just learning about the political environment in India…- More terrorist cells finding refuge in Pakistan;
- Traditionally and historically tense relationship between India and Pakistan;
- India’s strong relationship with the West including the US and Great Britain;
- Increasing persecution by Muslim groups of anything connected to the West, including Christians and those outside playing a role to support work among Indian Christians; and
- Increasing persecution of Dalit [low caste] Christians by Hindu Militants.
But I do presume that God is showing us what is going on in this part of the world and it would be a travesty if we don’t continue down the rabbit hole, to see what God sees and to see what he’s doing. I think that much is safe to say.
I know this is kinda cheese… but writing the last sentence reminded me of this exchange between Neo and Morpheus [The Matrix]:Morpheus: I imagine that right now, you're feeling a bit like Alice. Hmm? Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Neo: You could say that.
Morpheus: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that's not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.
Morpheus: I know *exactly* what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
More reflections to come… thanks for listening [reading].
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
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Videos!
Here are a few videos from our time there:
Dinner @ Promoth's House - We were invited by a family to share in a home cooked Indian meal. We learned to eat with our hands and enjoyed the good food.
Dinner @ Promoth's House from Elton Lin on Vimeo.
Prayer/Worship @ Promoth's House - Prior to dinner we had a worship and prayer time. It definitely wasn't what we were used to, but it was encouraging to be a part of their normal routine and be together as one family through Jesus.
Prayer and Worship @ Promoth's House from Elton Lin on Vimeo. -
Understanding Our Roles [Elton]
One of the more visceral moments for me during our time there was when Dave and I led our "discipleship training" workshop. When we originally planned the thing, we understood it as being basic equipping for regular attenders of the Bible Faith Mission churches. So most of our stuff was remedial and we wanted to provide simple tools for people to nurture their relationship with God.
The night before the workshop we found out that the workshop was to be attended by all the local BFM pastors - about 60 people. That sent a little chill down my spine - the kind of chill you get when you realize you studied the wrong material for the test.
So instead of making any wholesale changes, we decided just to go with what we prepared and just make minor tweaks. I spent the entire morning reminding my pastor friends about the passionate love of God demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. When I was done, I felt like I had completely missed the target. Not that I was teaching wrong information... but that it wasn't the message that they needed to hear. Especially from someone at least 10-20 years their junior.
At the end of my talk, we had some question and answer time. I think we all knew that there was an element of the ridiculous. I've been in full-time ministry for 9 years, 4 of which were in seminary. Many of these guys have been doing their thing for 10 to 20+ years. Planted many churches in the hardest conditions on income that couldn't provide for both food and housing. And I was about to answer their questions.
The first few questions were pretty basic. But then one brother rose up and asked, "How are we supposed to continue to love our enemy when we are in constant fear of persecution?" Stories were shared of pastors being beaten, Christians killed, churches being burned down by militant Hindu groups and people in their churches returning to Hinduism so they can get government subsidy to survive. Dalits ["untouchable" lowest caste] receive some government subsidy for basic needs. But when they become Christians, the government takes it away. You're already looked down upon as a Dalit. But when you become a Christian you are further marginalized and oppressed. This is the reality for them as Dalit pastors.
How was I supposed to respond to that? I think everyone in the room knew there wasn't an answer - definitely not from me. Another question arose, "Is it wrong for us to wish harm on those who harm us?" After which they laughed a little - they knew there wasn't an answer to that one either.
Finally one guy got up and asked, "How come the rest of the world's Christians don't come to our aid?" And right at that moment, I felt both a bit of their desperation and the shame of a Christian world that has seemingly forgotten their brothers here in India.
I didn't know what to say but begin with the truthful fact that we hear very little if any of what is going on among pastors and churches in India. But afterwhich I had to honestly confess that many of us in the West are very selfish. We hear of other international travesties and are left relatively unphased because it doesn't affect the daily routine. And so I apologized to my pastor friends. I apologized for not heeding their cries for at least prayer. I apologized for my selfishness. I asked for forgiveness for not being more aware of what is happening in India. And promised that this will be part of the message that we bring back to the US.
And for the first time that morning, I think we connected. We understood each other - the proper roles we needed to play that morning. It wasn't for me to teach them marvelous truths... it was for me to listen to the heart of my friends. To somehow remind them that they weren't alone. And to receive a needed admonition for forgetting our brothers/sisters who toil for the kingdom among Dalits in India.
After Dave's afternoon session of studying the Bible and prayer, I felt like God was directing me towards 2 Chronicles 7:14:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
I've always thought that this needs to be the prayer of the church in the West, myself included. I feel that we as the church in the West are very far from humility and a desperation for the heart of God. So I shared that as a confession from us in the West; but I sensed that it should also be the cry of my Dalit pastor friends. That though they are reminded constantly of their low status and are under the fear of constant persecution, all of us... followers of Jesus everywhere are called to humbly repent and desperately yearn for God to bring a healing that only He can bring.
It was probably the only other time we were really on the same page. It felt like we were family for once... that we were no longer foreigners, that we were both longing and crying for the same thing and to the same God. Both Dave and I got a few affirming nods with the stuff we taught that day. But again I think we needed to understand why we were there that day. And when we did, God gave us a glimpse of everything we had hoped we would see.
To be continued...
FYI - This photo is me demonstrating Galatians 3:26 by putting on a new dhoty [a skirt-like thing] which is standard issue for many men in southern India.
Saturday, 22 November 2008
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Reflections [Kalam]
During one of our flights into India, a sudden thought of awareness dawned on me. I looked at David and Elton and thought "what in the world am I doing traveling thousands of miles across the world with these guys??".
A similar line of thought reoccurred when we were met by our host family on the first day of arrival. We were total strangers to them, yet they opened up their homes and received us into their lives.
Whether it is here or all the way across the world, Jesus is the same. We are no longer strangers, but friends of Jesus. All around the world, we are all a part of His beloved family. Jesus is what brings people together. He is our link.
During this short visit to India, the host family and our team have come to share our lives with one another. Through the love of Jesus, we shared in vulnerability and trust. We each took turns listening, asking questions, testifying, encouraging, praying, serving, etc... Though we are all so different, yet we are all so similar.
As the only female on our team, I had special privileges. I get to learn about the heart and struggles of some of these women and their families. I also get to hang out in sort of the bridal chamber during the engagement ceremony for our host's extended family member which the men were not permitted to enter [shown below]. As the man and his entire family arrived to meet his new fiance for the second time with colorful gifts and a new sari, the excitement blossomed amongst the women in the chamber while her feelings of nervousness finally surfaced. Though the woman was nervous to meet her fiance, her face glowed =)
During our short stay in India, we learned a lot about the culture and oppression amongst the Dalits as well as the heart of Jesus that desires to free them from bondage in all respects of life. Just as I thought I comprehended something, everything else seems to become much more complex the more we learn about the various facets of this population. Definitely still more to chew on and digest.
-Kalam
Friday, 21 November 2008
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Reflections [Tom]
Well, we have just returned to our beloved homes in San Jose. While it’s great to travel, there’s no place like home.
As I reflect on what God did through and in us while we were in India we are very grateful. I believe the trip was successful by every measure. The Bishop was very pleased with all of our meetings. He was already receiving very favorable feedback from the pastors of the churches we served. While we were not able to serve all of the people in all the 200 churches in the BFM [Bible Faith Mission] network we were able to serve a representation from many of the local churches. We had a workshop for Pastors, visited the school, did a camp for the children, met with the youth and offered training for parents. We also were able to preach and give testimonies in four of their local churches. Apparently they felt that every group in their churches was served. We are grateful that everything went as it should, even if not according to our original plans.
I think the most important thing we did was just love the people. The Dalits live in difficult circumstances under the weight of poverty and oppression. We were able to express this love not only through serving them by also when we stopped and just listened to the people. The people were very grateful for the time we spent with them. We hope we also left them with some practical things they will find useful and pray the children who received Christ will continue to walk in Him.
Traveling in India is difficult because of the complexity of their cultures and dissimilarity to our own. Fortunately the team worked together very well and provided support for one another even while most of us were living in the same room. We all felt we grew through the experience, some in significant ways. The Bishop is a very godly man and we were blessed to spend time with him and his family and were challenged to dream big by this visionary.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all you who lifted us up in prayer and for the financial support we received.
Love,
Tom
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The Perfect Church! [Mike]
So, our team split up both Sundays for church. Crossroads taught the 1st Sunday and Haven taught the 2nd Sunday. I had the GRAND privilage to be with David and Kalam. (Great people by the way...CK!) Anyways, we road in the Bishops hoopty. As we drove up this dirt road, honking at everything, we pulled up to a crowd. The only thing that I could think of at that moment was...I'M GONNA DIE! Life was racing through my mind and I was scared.
As we pulled up to the crowd, men started to gather around the car but no one in the car moved. My window was down a little and a man started speaking into it at the Bishop and the driver. (Side note...all the drivers we had were employed by the Mission and they didn't go by their names but went by Driver??? Weird!) Still no one moved and Bishop didn't say a word. SO I didn't move. Suddenly Davids door flung open and he got out. Kalam followed him. Still the Bishop didn't move. Then the drive got out. The Bishop DIDN'T move. Then they pulled my door open and I got out...very slowly! Still not knowing what was going on...finally the Bishop and his wife got out.
These people were here to greet us. They had a parade that closed the whole street. They greeted us with and friendly handshake and a plastic Indian pooka shell necklace. As we walked down the street there were drums, trumpets, symbols and other instruments. It was awesome to see people excited for our arrival:) I got a little mad, cause this girl came running up through the crowd with a red umbrella with tassels and covered the Bishops head. I wanted one really bad:( It was pretty cool.
So we walked throught the crowd of Indians. We got to the church and Bishop dedicated the new church building. We walked in and sat in front. Sitting in front means on the stage, looking at everyone and having everyone watching our everymove. They gave us all a beautiful flower arrangement.
This church was over 200 people. They had a choir and mic'ed drums...it's pretty big in India. The pastor lead us in prayer. Then is happened...we all got BISHOPED! (Getting Bishoped is good and bad. More good than bad:)) David spoke the WORD! Kalam wanted to do a solo...but no go.
I was just thinking that this church was perfect! A warm greating. Loving people. And the Word was spoken. Great day!!! The perfect church only exits at Haven...I mean Heaven!
- Mike
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