Here's a video we put together to sum up our time with the Discover program. We're still processing all that we experienced. It was just 4 1/2 months but we've found since being back that our beliefs and way of life were stretched and challenged. Out of that a strong foundation was laid and lifelong friendships were made. Thank you for walking through life with us and for showing us Christ's love in so many ways. We are truly blessed.
Heading picture
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
India
India is different than anywhere we've ever been before. Mumbai, is a huge city. It has a distinct smell which I don't think we'll soon forget. The food is quite spicy. (We think we have hot food in LA, we don't have anything on these countries)
And traffic is like none other. Sure there are lanes painted but it's hard to recognize by the way the cars weave in and out. All you hear is honking while you stop and start. Surprisingly, we didn't see one wreck!
The language in Hindi and the major religion is Hinduism. They believe in 300+ million gods. Each family may choose to worship just a few but they believe in the others. They have temples where they go to worship their idol but statues can be found over doorways of homes and in almost every car. They will even accept that Jesus is a "god" but go on worshiping their idols as well. It made us think of how often we worship other things than the one true Lord. Things like people's approval, money/possessions or relationships. It's easy to see these people as lost but really when we look into our hearts are we worshiping things other than God??
Muslims praying
Hindu woman worshiping the sun
Ganesh, popular idol in Mumbai
There's about 20 million people and it's obvious. Everywhere you turn there are masses of people, day or night.
The amount of poverty and homelessness is overwhelming. We're used to going to large cities and seeing a few people sleeping on business' steps or someone walking between cars asking for money. But there, you see family after family along the street.
There are too many slums to count. Children are running around and being sent to beg aggressively for money. Looking at their helpless faces breaks your heart. You know that the majority aren't there because of their own doing but simply because they were born into it and never acquired any skills to get themselves out and the caste system keeps them there.
On a positive note the people are very friendly and there is major growth within the Church. It was so powerful to worship alongside Christians from the other side of the world! And many of them see it as their responsibility to reach out to their neighbors. We were able to do outreach with the New Life Church. We went into homes and prayed with people, which they are very receptive to no matter what their religion. And we were even able to share with some about the love of Jesus Christ. It was amazing that some had never heard about what He has done for us all! There's much more to tell. But hopefully for now this has given you a glimpse into another part of the world. There's no doubt we will be forever changed by what we've seen and experienced in just this one week alone.
Please pray for those we met: their health, but mainly that what we shared with them would pierce their hearts and that they'd be willing to let go of their idols and worship the One True God.
Also pray for New Life Church and those that are serving and spending themselves on behalf of the Gospel of Christ.
And traffic is like none other. Sure there are lanes painted but it's hard to recognize by the way the cars weave in and out. All you hear is honking while you stop and start. Surprisingly, we didn't see one wreck!
The language in Hindi and the major religion is Hinduism. They believe in 300+ million gods. Each family may choose to worship just a few but they believe in the others. They have temples where they go to worship their idol but statues can be found over doorways of homes and in almost every car. They will even accept that Jesus is a "god" but go on worshiping their idols as well. It made us think of how often we worship other things than the one true Lord. Things like people's approval, money/possessions or relationships. It's easy to see these people as lost but really when we look into our hearts are we worshiping things other than God??
Muslims praying
Hindu woman worshiping the sun
Ganesh, popular idol in Mumbai
There's about 20 million people and it's obvious. Everywhere you turn there are masses of people, day or night.
The amount of poverty and homelessness is overwhelming. We're used to going to large cities and seeing a few people sleeping on business' steps or someone walking between cars asking for money. But there, you see family after family along the street.
There are too many slums to count. Children are running around and being sent to beg aggressively for money. Looking at their helpless faces breaks your heart. You know that the majority aren't there because of their own doing but simply because they were born into it and never acquired any skills to get themselves out and the caste system keeps them there.
On a positive note the people are very friendly and there is major growth within the Church. It was so powerful to worship alongside Christians from the other side of the world! And many of them see it as their responsibility to reach out to their neighbors. We were able to do outreach with the New Life Church. We went into homes and prayed with people, which they are very receptive to no matter what their religion. And we were even able to share with some about the love of Jesus Christ. It was amazing that some had never heard about what He has done for us all! There's much more to tell. But hopefully for now this has given you a glimpse into another part of the world. There's no doubt we will be forever changed by what we've seen and experienced in just this one week alone.
Please pray for those we met: their health, but mainly that what we shared with them would pierce their hearts and that they'd be willing to let go of their idols and worship the One True God.
Also pray for New Life Church and those that are serving and spending themselves on behalf of the Gospel of Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)