Well, it's over.
I'm sitting on a plane headed to Amsterdam. To say that the time flew would be a lie. It crept along. In my mind, I've been here for years. It has been awhile since the last post and quite a bit has happened so I'll get right into it.
In short, we uncovered a massive conspiracy involving the family we lived with and learned their ministry was corrupt. Our pastor who lead the slum guys to Christ is now completely invested in the lives of those young men and a church plant is underway. That's all you need to know about it, honestly. It was a stressful and shocking end to our relationship with them and we have ensured a complete termination of our company's partnership with the family. I think that contribution alone was worth the trip. But God did so much more.
The beauty of this story is that it didn't end on a negative note. God wrapped up our time here as only He can. The villains were caught, the meek and loving man of God has been rewarded after years of labor, justice will be served, and dozens of people came to Christ through the chaos. We worked out that ministry till the day we left Bangalore. Six of those slum boys were baptized just before we left. We saw it through to the very end. One of the original six, from January 31st, was baptized. I looked back in my journal and found his name with a picture beside it. He claimed back then that he is far from a follower of Jesus and has serious doubts about all faiths. He is now the leader of a wave of salvation falling upon that neighborhood. Don't think God is powerless to do anything. He redeems men. He redeems situations.
That's how we wanted to leave. With God being exalted in justice over evil and in the praise of His beloved children.
In Delhi, we had "reverse-field training" essentially teaching us how to tell you guys what happened (as if we had no idea how to do so). All in all, it was refreshing. In the advent of this flight, we've had ample time to reflect and pray through what just happened. We daydream about home and have begun planning our first days back.
Here are some things that we miss (some of these may come as a shock to you):
-Family and Friends
-Proper English
-Order
-Cleanliness
-Not having to explain why I'm here
-Driving
-Paying by card
-Chick-Fil-A (obviously)
-Weather
-Theme Parks
-Grass
-American coffee shops
-American Sports
-Logic
-Free Refills
-Phone service
-College
-Parking Lots
-many, many more
That's just a fraction of things we reminisce about in the late hours of the night. Don't let me fool you, though! India has been a great stage for a trip that I've treasured and loved! But words can't express how much I miss the faces in Kentucky. I have a great family waiting for me back home and they aren't just my family in blood. God has blessed me immensely and my appreciation for that as increased a hundredfold.
So, what did I learn? Telling the lessons God taught me is a necessity as I close out. You know the stories and you know my ups and downs. Anything I left out can and will be told in person. But there are still those monumental teachings God gave me to help mold my faith into something more pure and right. They are simple. Their simplicity doesn't lessen the truth or power, though.
-There is power in the name of Jesus
-Sometimes God stretches you and pushes you to utter desperation in order to increase your faith.
-Intercessory prayer must be a pastime for us; as it is a powerful tool God longs for us to use.
-Viewing segments of your life from a bird's eye allow you to see the intricacies of God's plans. They're meticulous, brilliant and they're way better than yours.
-Wait on The Lord. I usually tend to want something before I can handle it. He gives when we need to receive.
-Ask anything in His name and in his will and it'll be given to you.
-We don't save anyone (especially
ourselves).
-He'll humble you if you ask Him to. If you don't, you'll be humiliated.
-Anyone can be saved.
-Not everyone will be saved.
-People, in general, love their sin and claim to.
-Satan is working too and this should concern the Bride. We must work as well.
-He isn't boring.
-He's a good Father.
-Jesus is a good King.
-Far too many people don't know this.
All of those can be fleshed out and made into posts of their own. The point is consistent. God is powerful and loving. Did I know that before? Obviously, but I now know it with far more depth than I could have ever hoped for. If you look back to those first few posts, you'll see ambition. Some thought it misplaced. We were reaching too far and were being set up for disappointment. Had we come out to work in our own strength, those people would have been right. We would have returned with tails between our legs and sheepishly admitting it time wasted. But we didn't do that. We gave it up to God and He delivered haymakers on a daily basis that did more than we could have done in decades over here.
There are so many crucial moments. Meeting those guys in the slum. Being pulled to the village and seeking God on the mountain. Returning and meeting new ministers and opportunities. Seeing God put the pieces back together in impossible and powerful ways. I knew it would be good back in December when I wrote those posts. I had no idea. He did.
I also am going on record to say that this will not be my last trip to India. Both me and my partner have been given a vision for ministry that will bring us back and forth throughout our lives. When will I come back? I don't know. How long will my stay be? I can't tell you that either. What I can say is that India, though it is unlovable and rigid on so many levels, is the last battleground on this planet for the Gospel. This place needs Christ. All nations do; and I'll do what I can for them as long as I live. But India will be on my ministerial docket for the rest of my life. Anyone who wants to join is more than welcome.
Bear with me as I readjust to America. As much as I think about it, I'm not ready for it per say. There is a whole new adventure waiting for me in the Bluegrass state. One that God has prepared for me. One that will glorify Him. He is worthy.
