In my time spent in India I've been awakened to a number of lessons that have changed me and made my ministry more effective for the Kingdom. One of those lessons is living out love as an action. I have been reading a book by Andrew Martin, called Love Is an Orientation, and while the book was written to elevate the conversation between Christ followers and the GLBT (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender) Community, it has really opened my eyes as a means to elevating the conversation with all those missing from the Kingdom of God. Jesus advised the followers in his midst to love and it's been the overarching lesson for my time in India.
An expert in the law asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matt 36-40
In his book Andrew writes,
The Bible is full of stories that teach us how to love, instead of just giving us instruction on how to verbally communicate love. Love is to be an action-not a word. Love is recognizing the power of Christ to do what we could only imagine, like physically going to him with the faith of a Roman centurion-greater than all other faith in Israel. Love is stepping outside the boat to meet your Savior by walking on water, when every ounce of your body is telling you otherwise. Love is cutting a whole in a roof and lowering your crippled friend to Jesus when there are no other accessible means to the one who can heal. Love is a poor widow dropping all she has-two very small copper coins worth nothing-into God's treasury with no guarantee she'll make it another day. Love is stepping out of all cultural norms to help a beaten-up man lying on the side of the street, despite the fact that his culture despises yours. And love is being the first one to drop the stone because you know your life and sins are no less than any other.
That's all I have to share today. I pray we have ears to hear the message Jesus died to convey.
I love you all!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Month Ago Today....
I boarded a plane headed to South India on a two week mission trip that was scheduled to land me back in the states on January 10, 2010. I never could have guessed that a month later I would be writing this blog from South India, but even more unpredictable was how remarkably easy this whole adjustment would be. A month ago, I by no means was a get up and go do a mission trip in the remote villages of India kind of person. Before India I questioned if I could even get through the two week journey. It's been almost too easy to do this, live here, eat the food, adjust to the drastically different culture, and not have my friends or my family nearby... I'm continually baffled that our God is so big and loves us so much that He can solely be responsible for making me feel so at home half way around the world because He's with me every step, everyday. I've never grown this much before in my whole life so to have so much growth in such a small period of time feels so weird. I feel like a different person and yet I know I'm the same. Today I wore a crazy outfit that is sooo unfashionable. I had a bad hair day and used no flat iron, blow dryer, or hair product. I ate food that I didn't recognize nor did I particularly like how it tasted. I slept in a mosquito net and yet counted over 50 mosquito bites. I hung out with people who are living in tents made of trash/straw huts and have nothing but Jesus. I learned life lessons that I never knew before India. I stored treasure in heaven. I counted someone else as more than myself. I loved bigger than I ever knew possible and I LOVE LIFE MORE AND MORE EVERY MINUTE! Talk about the old has gone and the new has come... WOW DO I FEEL NEW!!!
Monday, January 25, 2010
My HIstory Lesson in India
Today marks the 59th anniversary of the Republic Day of India. It celebrates India's transition from British power to a republic on January 26,1950 and the final construction of the Constitution of India.
Courtesy of Wikipedia:
Although India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947, it did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead, its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935, and the country was a Dominion, with George VI as head of state and Earl Mountbatten as Governor General. On August 29, 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as chairman.
A draft Constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on November 4, 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and one in English) on January 24, 1950. Two days later, the Constitution of India became the law of all the Indian lands. The Constitution of India came into effect only on January 26, 1950, at 10.18 AM IST.
In honor of such an occasion we went to the HI Campus this morning to celebrate what would most resemble an American "Flag Day" ceremony. The children sang songs and proclaimed their loyalty to the land and people of this great nation and at the conclusion of the ceremony some of the history teachers re-told accounts of the happenings leading up to India's republic structure. Then the flag was lifted high on the flagpole. As it was raised a small string bound the flag,, which was neatly folded, but as it reached it's destination the string broke, releasing hundreds of pink marigold petals as it stretched out to wave proudly. It was beautiful and yet another moment I'm amazed that these are the moments of my life here in India.
Courtesy of Wikipedia:
Although India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947, it did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead, its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935, and the country was a Dominion, with George VI as head of state and Earl Mountbatten as Governor General. On August 29, 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as chairman.
A draft Constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on November 4, 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and one in English) on January 24, 1950. Two days later, the Constitution of India became the law of all the Indian lands. The Constitution of India came into effect only on January 26, 1950, at 10.18 AM IST.
In honor of such an occasion we went to the HI Campus this morning to celebrate what would most resemble an American "Flag Day" ceremony. The children sang songs and proclaimed their loyalty to the land and people of this great nation and at the conclusion of the ceremony some of the history teachers re-told accounts of the happenings leading up to India's republic structure. Then the flag was lifted high on the flagpole. As it was raised a small string bound the flag,, which was neatly folded, but as it reached it's destination the string broke, releasing hundreds of pink marigold petals as it stretched out to wave proudly. It was beautiful and yet another moment I'm amazed that these are the moments of my life here in India.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
When Lukewarm Ceases to be Enough
I realized something today. I guess I’ve known for a long time now. I’ve been a lukewarm Christian most of my life and I’m tired of being lukewarm. Experiencing anything lukewarm is terrible in everything I have ever known. Lukewarm food and beverages are a unsatisfying and so are lukewarm Christians. In American culture we like to think lukewarm is a step in the right direction; that it’s better than being cold, right? No! The bible clearly tells us otherwise.
Revelation 3:14-22 “…These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
As we began ministering in India, for the first few days, if you felt led to do something at an outreach you asked if it was okay before you made a move because you didn’t want to offend anyone or disrupt the culture. But Harvest India is grounded in scripture so you are always affirmed to do as you feel led by the Holy Spirit. Eventually, you stop asking and you just do as you feel led, or at least it is there hope that you respond this way. It’s probably the best lesson I’ve learned in being here. It’s this sense of feeling as though because these people don’t know me and because I probably won’t be here permanently (and even if I am, the likelihood I‘ll ever see most of them again is rare) your feel free to speak openly however you feel led. That freedom has developed one step further in me, during my time in India. I now take that freedom with me wherever God calls me. The worst case scenario is obsolete because it just doesn‘t matter what people think about you when you’re being obedient to how the Holy Spirit is leading you. At home, in the states, this is not the case. Everything I do is up for scrutiny. I allow myself to be consumed by the fear of how I will be viewed if speak out openly and honestly as the Holy Spirit is leading. I let this fear hinder my potential for spiritual growth and rob Christ of moments He should be shining light into darkness, through his chosen child. God commands us to be hot. Not just at church, on Sundays, when we are in our element and free to be fired up about how amazing God is, but all the time. I know that there are times I’ll be waiting in line somewhere or in traffic with the windows down in my car and the car next to me and I just think… wouldn’t it be cool to just share the gospel with these people right now? And then terror strikes and I get consumed by how crazy I’ll look for speaking out in such faith. But that’s what get’s God so fired up about His kids! It’s when we are just crazy in love, in reckless abandon to His message of love, sacrifice and salvation that we are reflecting Christ’s love best! When we are acting out foolishness to the world we are living out scripture.
1 Cor 3:18-23 “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness;’ and again, ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.’ So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
It’s all throughout scripture. I feel compelled to share it often. I’m given opportunities regularly. Yet, I miss them almost every time. I’m crazy for God in India! Why does it feel like it can only exist here. I’m praying that God let’s me return to the states in March but there is much to learn in the coming months about how to live out my faith in all moments of my day. I hope and pray He doesn‘t let me leave this spiritual place of growth until I can grow in Him in the next place he takes me… wherever that is.
Convicted and growing, John
Revelation 3:14-22 “…These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
As we began ministering in India, for the first few days, if you felt led to do something at an outreach you asked if it was okay before you made a move because you didn’t want to offend anyone or disrupt the culture. But Harvest India is grounded in scripture so you are always affirmed to do as you feel led by the Holy Spirit. Eventually, you stop asking and you just do as you feel led, or at least it is there hope that you respond this way. It’s probably the best lesson I’ve learned in being here. It’s this sense of feeling as though because these people don’t know me and because I probably won’t be here permanently (and even if I am, the likelihood I‘ll ever see most of them again is rare) your feel free to speak openly however you feel led. That freedom has developed one step further in me, during my time in India. I now take that freedom with me wherever God calls me. The worst case scenario is obsolete because it just doesn‘t matter what people think about you when you’re being obedient to how the Holy Spirit is leading you. At home, in the states, this is not the case. Everything I do is up for scrutiny. I allow myself to be consumed by the fear of how I will be viewed if speak out openly and honestly as the Holy Spirit is leading. I let this fear hinder my potential for spiritual growth and rob Christ of moments He should be shining light into darkness, through his chosen child. God commands us to be hot. Not just at church, on Sundays, when we are in our element and free to be fired up about how amazing God is, but all the time. I know that there are times I’ll be waiting in line somewhere or in traffic with the windows down in my car and the car next to me and I just think… wouldn’t it be cool to just share the gospel with these people right now? And then terror strikes and I get consumed by how crazy I’ll look for speaking out in such faith. But that’s what get’s God so fired up about His kids! It’s when we are just crazy in love, in reckless abandon to His message of love, sacrifice and salvation that we are reflecting Christ’s love best! When we are acting out foolishness to the world we are living out scripture.
1 Cor 3:18-23 “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness;’ and again, ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.’ So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
It’s all throughout scripture. I feel compelled to share it often. I’m given opportunities regularly. Yet, I miss them almost every time. I’m crazy for God in India! Why does it feel like it can only exist here. I’m praying that God let’s me return to the states in March but there is much to learn in the coming months about how to live out my faith in all moments of my day. I hope and pray He doesn‘t let me leave this spiritual place of growth until I can grow in Him in the next place he takes me… wherever that is.
Convicted and growing, John
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
HIV/AIDS Hospice. A Home of Hope and Dignity
ROCKHARBOR TEAM VISIT IN JANUARY 2010
PRAYING FOR THE LIVES OF THOSE THAT WILL COME TO BE WITH THE LORD THROUGH THIS AMAZING PROJECT
Today was my second visit to the HIV/AIDS Hospice that is under construction here in Andhra Pradesh. The building has had much progress in the two weeks that have passed since my attendance with the RockHarbor team. There is still a long road ahead before the Hospice doors can be opened to receive patients. Harvest India is trusting God to provide all the medical supplies, workers, salaries, beds, food, and financial costs involved in completing and running the project. The costs have not been accounted for due to the God ordained acquisition of the property. An unaffiliated group, was building the project for HIV/AIDS purposes, but, after financial integrity was questioned, structure between the partners deteriorated. Facing opposition, they were forced to release the property and stop progress on their plans for India. God had other plans for the buildings purposes, for after researching the work at Harvest India the affiliates in possession of the building sought out Suresh Kumar to donate the building to God’s Kingdom work here in India. Although construction was not complete and the building still needed much preparation before it could be inhabited, Suresh saw vision and potential in this divine appointment. Trusting that God’s plans are perfect and that the Lord makes no mistakes, Suresh has continuously, passionately and intentionally stayed aware and available to all opportunities in his ministry. As time would prove, financial resources have come in on time and as needed for the construction thus far. While many resources and materials have yet to be provided we would be remiss to not press on with the plans God has revealed. According to plan, those affected by HIV/AIDS will be welcomed to Leugen Delacroix’s Hope Center as early as this March. A RockHarbor Team and Senior Pastor, Todd Proctor, will be officiating the dedication of this center, giving dignity and hope for an un-reached growing number of people here in India. The dedication will serve in what Harvest India hopes to be a revelation and turning point that benefits the millions of people here in India that have contracted this debilitating disease. It will provide comfort for their ailing bodies, refuge, miraculous healing and restoration, and most importantly salvation and hope to those that the world has abandoned to a miserable death. We pray that the building would stand as a visible testimony to the hope and freedom found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Please contact Suresh@harvestindia.org to find out how you can get involved in the Kingdom work of Harvest India and support this Hope Center
HARVEST INDIA'S LEUGEN DELACROIX HOPE CENTER TO OPEN MARCH 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Mr. Gilly
Today I met a man named Mr. Gilly! Based on appearance alone he is a man of good standing, fairly well off and in good health. As we entered his home we were greeted warmly. As he spoke, a sense of compassion and humility poured from his voice. He stared right at my chest as though he were looking into my eyes, if only I were five feet tall. As he concluded his sentence and reached for my hand I realized that he was blind. Instantly my eyes seemed opened to my surroundings and my heart weighed heavy for this man's affliction. My accusations at first glance would prove to be false. I looked around the room and noticed a small bed in what was clearly a living room, a small Christmas tree still in tact with native adornments, and a woman in a bright pink sari who was attentively watching, and waiting to aid him in his next movement. At this point humility seemed to read on his face. As we sat Suresh explained that more recently Mr. Gilly has become ill and through his ailment he had lost his sight. Mr. Gilly stated that in his health his home had been constructed with great purpose. The first floor, as was apparent, was designed for living quarters. The second floor was an orphanage and the upper level was constructed as guest quarters. His home is elaborate in design, very colorful and very well constructed. Though still very different from the homes in the western world, it has a presence about it that is expensive and an attention to detail that is distinct. Suresh later described Mr. Gilly as someone who has shared many trials similar to Job. Once a man of great popularity, wealth and stature a financial turn and deteriorating health has brought Mr. Gilly quickly to his knees. As I would later come to know, Mr. Gilly was raised in the ministry. He was bought up in a time of great growth in Christianity and God provided many blessings to flow richly into his life. His ministry grew quickly and brought much financial gain. In his abundance Mr. Gilly's heart hardened for the needy and he began to rely on his own provisions, disregarding that all good things come from the Lord and that money is the root of all evil. Once a man with many properties Mr. Gilly now resides in his last. Soon also this too will be taken from his possession and he will leave this area of India to retire in a place where he is unknown, until his time on earth has come to pass and He goes to be with the Lord. For through his struggle he has been humbled and has once again given back to the Lord what was always rightfully His. Some giving through force and now in his near final days through generosity once more. Harvest India will come to acquire this elaborate home in about a months time as it is Mr. Gilly's final wish that his final property go to serve in the work God is doing here in India. It was a blessing to be in the presence of such a man as Mr. Gilly and as we prepared to depart from our short visit I was given an opportunity to pray over him. It blessed me immensely. I believe that through God's strict and enforced corrections in Mr. Gilly's lifetime I have benefited from knowing him even for only a day. Although it is hard to see any man deteriorate, Mr. Gilly is remarkably at peace with where his current situation rests. I firmly believe that it is through our most extreme struggles in this life that we experience the closeness and dependence on the Lord He has so perfectly designed for his children. May we learn through the Lord's example in Mr. Gilly that "...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48
Friday, January 15, 2010
Meet a Harvester in India
Get an inside look as we interview one of the many men who have answered God’s calling, “…The harvest is great but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37 We thank you for your support and faithfulness in prayer. God is equipping and sending out new workers daily to share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ!
Location: Guruvindapalli
Church Plant Date: September 14, 2006
Pastor: Yasu Padam which means the “the feet of Jesus”
Favorite Scripture: Job 1:21 “…Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
January 14, 2010
We travel for hours on unpaved roads of rock and dirt until we come to a small village called Guruvindapali. There we are greeted by Pastor Yasu Padam; a man I have come to recognize in the few weeks I’ve been in India for his high spirit, warm welcoming nature and faded orange and white collar shirt which he has worn all three times I’ve been in his presence. It is not his favorite, but rather his only shirt that is in a condition suitable for wearing while out in ministry. We are greeted in the Indian tradition with beautiful floral leis and hand tied bouquets as the people congregate, both believers and non-believers, to get their first look at white westerners in their village. They ask our photographer if they may take a picture with us and we oblige. It’s as if by taking the picture the memory will be captured eternally although the likelihood of them ever seeing the picture again is improbable. It’s humbling, to say the least, that in this poverty stricken town where the people can barely provide for their earthly bodies that we are welcomed in such grandeur. Inside the church sits one woman and in the background there is one speaker, one small piece of audio equipment and a Christian CD that plays worship songs in the native tongue which radiate throughout the village via a megaphone that sits atop the church. The structure itself brings a whole new meaning to the word “church.” The foundation is a solid dirt floor that is covered in tarps. Six concrete pillars are the sole permanent materials used to support the structure. It’s walls and ceiling are comprised of sticks, straw and other raw materials found in this indigenous landscape. The more we learn of the construction the more we come to appreciate this House of the Lord. Pastor Yasu has built this church with his hands alone a total of three times. The first was just prior to the church plant in 2006 and then twice more after being completely demolished and brought to the ground by Hindu militants. Through God’s provision the most recent version of the building has been standing since the rebuild which took place after the last devastating demolish on May 9, 2008. With a smile on his face Pastor Yasu tells of God’s faithfulness in allowing him to rebuild the church stronger and better after each militant attack. We walk through the village until we come upon a small, humble, rather empty home where we meet the rest of the Padam family. Pastor Yasu and his wife Miriam, have been blessed with two children. Sindhu their 7 year old daughter, and Manohar their 5 year old son. Yasu’s mother Esther joins us as we sit down to get the untold story of how Yasu was first called to the Lord’s service and the journey he and the Padam family have faithfully embarked upon to further the Kingdom of God.
GURUVINDIPALLI CHURCH LEVELED TO THE GROUND AFTER HINDU MILITANT ATTACK IN MAY 2008
THE PADAM FAMILY IN THEIR SINGLE ROOM HOME IN GURUVINDIPALLI
Pastor Yasu describes his youth as a time of chaos and disobedience as he caused many problems for his family and became involved in heavy drug and alcohol abuse. His parents, which at the time were of strong Hindu faith, prayed to the gods that they would deliver their child from his afflictions and restore peace to the Padam family. But to their disappointment Yasu remained resistant to change. He did eventually continue on the path set by his parents and married Mariam, a young woman who at the time was also young in her Christian faith. In viewing his wife’s faithfulness Yasu’s heart was softened to the voice of the Lord and it was in a dream that Yasu came to know the calling God had for his life on earth. He immediately repented of his sins and began faithfully carrying out the plans God had revealed. A connection with Harvest India was established later that same year and he and his wife began to attend Harvest India’s Bible College. Yasu was again called to his knees as he cried out to the Lord to provide in his pursuit of biblical knowledge. Because of Yasu’s rebellion in his youth he had not retained the skills of proficient writing or reading. Miraculously, God provided and Yasu began to excel in his studies at the college. Because of the Lords provision through financial support, Harvest India was able to provide resources to sustain this young family as Yasu and Miriam faithfully leaned to the Lord for all their need. While still attending the Bible college Yasu was called by God to start a ministry in his home town of Guruvindipalli. He sought the wise counsel of Bishop Suresh Kumar, Director of Harvest India, and shared his calling. It was in his counsel that he was asked to pray continuously and that God would provide an opportunity when the time was right. Yasu’s prayers were answered on September 14, 2006 when Harvest India partnered with it’s supporters to open a church in Guruvindipalli. It was there, while still attending bible college that Yasu began his ministry. Upon the completion of his studies, Yasu graduated on February 17, 2007 and became the pastor of the church plant in his home town. Harvest India provides opportunities to support pastor’s who have completed the studies conducted at their bible colleges. For between 50 and 100 US dollars a month your contribution can support one of the many Harvesters like Yasu and his family, in India.
Since Yasu’s ministry began in 2006 he’s been burdened to start two additional churches in the surrounding Hindu villages of Davarpalli, and Pedisenagal. Through his determination to spread the good news and gospel message of Jesus Christ Yasu has been faithful to taking his needs before the Lord in prayer and he is hopeful that you will join him in his ministry. Yasu is trusting God will provide the financial support for he and his family‘s well-being, financial support to build churches in the surrounding villages of Davarpalli, and Pedisenagal, and to provide abundant opportunities to make great the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The congregations of those in the villages are growing and a permanent place of hope and salvation is key to nurturing the needs of these new Christ followers. The cost of building a permanent church home in the village would be 15,000 US dollars and would provide both a 300 person church and living accommodations for the pastor and his family, which would free the family from renting their current housing. If you feel called to join in the work God is doing through his children at Harvest India we encourage you to join us in supporting the Padam‘s and countless others that God is equipping through the ministries at Harvest India. It is through men and women like these that we will take the name of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Please visit Harvest India online at www.HarvestIndia.org for further information.
Though Yasu has faced many oppositions, he remains strong in spirit as he lives out the scriptures. The people in the villages where Yasu is administering the gospel are primarily of strong Hindu faith yet just last night as we broke bread with the Padam family and shared the gospel with those that attended the service nearly 30 men, women and children gave their lives to the Lord. And for this reason alone we will not slow our pace. We will proclaim the good news! Jesus Christ has died for the salvation of the lost, and until all of India has heard the truth and been given an opportunity to repent of their sins and find eternal life in Christ’s sacrifice we walk faithfully forward.
Location: Guruvindapalli
Church Plant Date: September 14, 2006
Pastor: Yasu Padam which means the “the feet of Jesus”
Favorite Scripture: Job 1:21 “…Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
January 14, 2010
We travel for hours on unpaved roads of rock and dirt until we come to a small village called Guruvindapali. There we are greeted by Pastor Yasu Padam; a man I have come to recognize in the few weeks I’ve been in India for his high spirit, warm welcoming nature and faded orange and white collar shirt which he has worn all three times I’ve been in his presence. It is not his favorite, but rather his only shirt that is in a condition suitable for wearing while out in ministry. We are greeted in the Indian tradition with beautiful floral leis and hand tied bouquets as the people congregate, both believers and non-believers, to get their first look at white westerners in their village. They ask our photographer if they may take a picture with us and we oblige. It’s as if by taking the picture the memory will be captured eternally although the likelihood of them ever seeing the picture again is improbable. It’s humbling, to say the least, that in this poverty stricken town where the people can barely provide for their earthly bodies that we are welcomed in such grandeur. Inside the church sits one woman and in the background there is one speaker, one small piece of audio equipment and a Christian CD that plays worship songs in the native tongue which radiate throughout the village via a megaphone that sits atop the church. The structure itself brings a whole new meaning to the word “church.” The foundation is a solid dirt floor that is covered in tarps. Six concrete pillars are the sole permanent materials used to support the structure. It’s walls and ceiling are comprised of sticks, straw and other raw materials found in this indigenous landscape. The more we learn of the construction the more we come to appreciate this House of the Lord. Pastor Yasu has built this church with his hands alone a total of three times. The first was just prior to the church plant in 2006 and then twice more after being completely demolished and brought to the ground by Hindu militants. Through God’s provision the most recent version of the building has been standing since the rebuild which took place after the last devastating demolish on May 9, 2008. With a smile on his face Pastor Yasu tells of God’s faithfulness in allowing him to rebuild the church stronger and better after each militant attack. We walk through the village until we come upon a small, humble, rather empty home where we meet the rest of the Padam family. Pastor Yasu and his wife Miriam, have been blessed with two children. Sindhu their 7 year old daughter, and Manohar their 5 year old son. Yasu’s mother Esther joins us as we sit down to get the untold story of how Yasu was first called to the Lord’s service and the journey he and the Padam family have faithfully embarked upon to further the Kingdom of God.
GURUVINDIPALLI CHURCH LEVELED TO THE GROUND AFTER HINDU MILITANT ATTACK IN MAY 2008
THE PADAM FAMILY IN THEIR SINGLE ROOM HOME IN GURUVINDIPALLI
Pastor Yasu describes his youth as a time of chaos and disobedience as he caused many problems for his family and became involved in heavy drug and alcohol abuse. His parents, which at the time were of strong Hindu faith, prayed to the gods that they would deliver their child from his afflictions and restore peace to the Padam family. But to their disappointment Yasu remained resistant to change. He did eventually continue on the path set by his parents and married Mariam, a young woman who at the time was also young in her Christian faith. In viewing his wife’s faithfulness Yasu’s heart was softened to the voice of the Lord and it was in a dream that Yasu came to know the calling God had for his life on earth. He immediately repented of his sins and began faithfully carrying out the plans God had revealed. A connection with Harvest India was established later that same year and he and his wife began to attend Harvest India’s Bible College. Yasu was again called to his knees as he cried out to the Lord to provide in his pursuit of biblical knowledge. Because of Yasu’s rebellion in his youth he had not retained the skills of proficient writing or reading. Miraculously, God provided and Yasu began to excel in his studies at the college. Because of the Lords provision through financial support, Harvest India was able to provide resources to sustain this young family as Yasu and Miriam faithfully leaned to the Lord for all their need. While still attending the Bible college Yasu was called by God to start a ministry in his home town of Guruvindipalli. He sought the wise counsel of Bishop Suresh Kumar, Director of Harvest India, and shared his calling. It was in his counsel that he was asked to pray continuously and that God would provide an opportunity when the time was right. Yasu’s prayers were answered on September 14, 2006 when Harvest India partnered with it’s supporters to open a church in Guruvindipalli. It was there, while still attending bible college that Yasu began his ministry. Upon the completion of his studies, Yasu graduated on February 17, 2007 and became the pastor of the church plant in his home town. Harvest India provides opportunities to support pastor’s who have completed the studies conducted at their bible colleges. For between 50 and 100 US dollars a month your contribution can support one of the many Harvesters like Yasu and his family, in India.
Since Yasu’s ministry began in 2006 he’s been burdened to start two additional churches in the surrounding Hindu villages of Davarpalli, and Pedisenagal. Through his determination to spread the good news and gospel message of Jesus Christ Yasu has been faithful to taking his needs before the Lord in prayer and he is hopeful that you will join him in his ministry. Yasu is trusting God will provide the financial support for he and his family‘s well-being, financial support to build churches in the surrounding villages of Davarpalli, and Pedisenagal, and to provide abundant opportunities to make great the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The congregations of those in the villages are growing and a permanent place of hope and salvation is key to nurturing the needs of these new Christ followers. The cost of building a permanent church home in the village would be 15,000 US dollars and would provide both a 300 person church and living accommodations for the pastor and his family, which would free the family from renting their current housing. If you feel called to join in the work God is doing through his children at Harvest India we encourage you to join us in supporting the Padam‘s and countless others that God is equipping through the ministries at Harvest India. It is through men and women like these that we will take the name of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Please visit Harvest India online at www.HarvestIndia.org for further information.
Though Yasu has faced many oppositions, he remains strong in spirit as he lives out the scriptures. The people in the villages where Yasu is administering the gospel are primarily of strong Hindu faith yet just last night as we broke bread with the Padam family and shared the gospel with those that attended the service nearly 30 men, women and children gave their lives to the Lord. And for this reason alone we will not slow our pace. We will proclaim the good news! Jesus Christ has died for the salvation of the lost, and until all of India has heard the truth and been given an opportunity to repent of their sins and find eternal life in Christ’s sacrifice we walk faithfully forward.
Play Day in India
While Mercy and David are home for the week we spent some time just being a family. Suresh and Christina took us to HI Campus to check the construction on their housing project. I had a chance to play with the Kumar kids while the adults tended to business. We performed the songs and dances that the team taught at the VBS which is always a great joy to see that they remember them so well. Then we looked for other outlets of entertainment like rock-throwing contests, playing on the orphanage playground, climbing construction materials and as pictured above jumping off rock piles. It was so much fun to watch and participate in the unique ways children entertain themselves regardless of surroundings or environment.
Suresh says that if all goes according to plan the new house should be completed in about 20 days! It's been amazing to see how the construction has progressed so quickly since the RockHarbor team gathered for lunch there just a few short days ago. The Kumar family is excited to relocate just a few kilometers down the road to live at the Campus because they feel that by living there they will be able to be more involved in the goings on there and will be in immediate proximity to insure that all is running properly and efficiently. HI Campus houses one of the largest orphan homes, Ashrya/IPP project, bible college, and is the location of the 40,000 square foot, cross-shaped church which is under construction. Once completed this church will seat 3,000+ people and be used in many capacities to better aid the operations and daily needs of the several thousand men, women and children that congregate and live there. Harvest India is trusting God to provide $500,000 for the completion of the project which is scheduled to be completed in about 18 months.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A Kumar Family Day
Last night was probably one of the most real life, I’m in India, nights you can have as an American. Today we ran errands and went to the bank which is in Vijayawada about 45 minutes away. After errands we went to David and Mercy’s school for a awards assembly Indian style, There school is one of the most academically strong schools in Andhra Pradesh. A public school that is almost completely Hindu in belief and as the Hindu people prepare for a religious celebration this week, the children performed dances and cultural songs. It was a great joy to watch the festivities unfold and surprisingly most of the event was done in English. The hardest part of the night was a 40 minute skit about a god in the Hindu faith as the prepare to worship their gods this week. I’m reminded constantly of the lack of Christians in this great nation. But, I was comforted by God’s gentle reminder of why I’m here. To seek and save the lost, to show through my action Christ’s love for those who He loved first. A sure highlight of the evening was a Michael Jackson performance of Dangerous. Oh yes, full MJ costumes and all. It was awesome! Mercy danced and looked beautiful as always and the evening program ran late into the night. It was about 10pm when we finally left the school and so Suresh and the family decided to stop at a nearby restaurant for what they call “fast food.” A world apart from what I have come to know as fast food we arrived at a small bustling restaurant on the street that had pictures all across it’s walls of food I neither recognized nor understood. My stomach was once again surrendered to this new culture. As Suresh ordered for the family he spoke in native tongue. From what I could make out we were getting at least one vegetable curry. Through food presentation alone I have no idea which was the vegetable curry but the food filled our hunger and after a liter of water the taste buds on my tongue began to recover. I‘ve decided ignorance is bliss when it comes to what I eat here. “Only in India,” it’s what I think the motto should be. Only in India do you eat various curries, see a Michael Jackson performance, see Hindu festival preparation, and call it a regular day. It’s my new life… at least for the moment. 
Photos by Kelan Severe at http://www.severephotography.com/c/severephotography
Monday, January 11, 2010
Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?
A question God has placed on my heart for the last weeks in India. First and foremost I would like to thank everyone for supporting me both financially and in prayer. Without your support I wouldn't have made it this far. India is an amazing place. The people here are beautiful. During my time with my RockHarbor family we were blessed to be a part of many things that grew the Kingdom of God. During the time spent with the RockHarbor Team God placed it on my heart to remain in Tenali. I will join Harvest India as a volunteer member of it's staff until late March in an act of obedience to the way I feel the Lord has called me. Our 3 day Vacation Bible School for the orphan children was a huge sucess! We had a chance to teach them Bible memory verses, sing songs play games and make wonderful crafts. The children blessed us far greater than we possibly could have blessed them and even now as I see them they sing the songs we taught them and wear the bracelets we made together. The work here is taking root and it is encouraging to see God's children growing in faith. We also visited a few of the elderly homes that Harvest India has founded. The elderly in India are some of the lowest caste. Most often if your spouse dies your children take your possesions and abandon you to the streets. It is so shocking I didn't understand how it could be at first but over and over again we heard stories of how these women were left with nothing and thrown into the streets with nowhere to go. Harvest India counts them as a prized possesion. They welcome these women, and some men, into the body of Christ and provide food for there bodies, shelter for there safety, and most importantly Godly teaching for there eternal well being. Harvest India counts these women as some of the most crucial in their ministries. It's through there diligence in prayer joined with countless other supporters that all things are made possible here in India. The power of prayer is amazing here. Harvest India takes ALL things to prayer and through their seeking of the Lord He is blessing them continously. The work here is groing rapidly and thus the need for workers in great. A need at Harvest India that has been in prayer for months was for someone from the states to be in India to act as an outlet of communication between Harvest India and the Western World. As soon as the need was shared it weighed heavy on my heart. I now know that this is where I should be and so I have faithfully embraced India as my home until the Lord advises me otherwise. I have committed through the end of March. Because of the Lord's timing, which is never ours, this call has left me in complete reliance on the Lord for his provision. In order for me to remain in India I will need to raise support once more. In faith I am praying that God will provide to sustain my resposibilities at home and living costs here in India. I ask that you please pray about what supporting me might look like for you. Prayer is most important! However, if you are able to continue to financially support my ministry in India I am in need. I have started a blog that I will be updating regularly to keep you all informed on the ministries happening in India and you are welcome to view the team blog to get more information on what the past two weeks have been like for the team. Please visit www.rockharborindiateam.blogspot.com and www.johnbrokenshire.blogspot.com for further information. Blessings, John
India changes everything!
What if this changes everything? What if because I'm not the same it means that nothing else can be either? What if God being enough means I end up with ONLY GOD ALONE? In India, I like that no matter what I do I never feel completely clean and the fact that I have 20 plus mosquito bites on my face removes the vanity I used to see when I looked in the mirror, that I have no designer labels to wear and no distractions from God... but will it last? When I'm home in Orange County and loving the Lord less than I even love myself how can I pretend like I could ever love my neighbor more than me. I want to love God like the John in India loves Him. I want to be a man that spends all day loving on others so that they might come to know Jesus died for them to have a relationship. I could care less what I look like, smell like, or feel like because those things don't matter here! They don't matter anywhere! God loves us SO MUCH that regardless of my status or feelings or circumstance He deserves my full attention, my full ministry and full worship. I'm dying here! My flesh is dying and so my spiritual growth is increasing abundantly. I've never felt more at peace with God and his timing and his work. Here everything is God. Suresh has this great thing he say's, "Plan A is God, plan B is god, and plan C is God." There are no options in India! No menus, you don't get to choose what you eat (and I miss it terribly). No choices on even who or how you worship, in Hinduism there is a god for every specific thing you need and a Hindu priest tells you where to go and what to do in order to make things right. We are so blessed in our relationship with the Lord. He gives grace and no other God does that! Grace is an amazing thing and it's something you have to learn in India. The motto here is "Hurry up and wait!" Seriously, nothing ever happens on time and they wouldn’t have it any other way. The people sometimes would wait hours to see us because we were running late or the bus broke down or whatever but they would sit for hours just for us to come for a few minutes. When you arrive you get doused in flower lays and petals and never do they begrudgingly make you feel as though you've changed the course of their entire day, even though you have. It is unreal the kind of grace that you are shown here and amazingly it's the kind of grace you show in return because of the way it's been extended to you. God's been trying to teach me that one for 23 years and here I am half way round the world and finally listening. He's speaking alright, saying, "Let go of the life you planned for yourself because that life leads you to suburban bliss and that's not what I want for my children. If you're going to live a life that demands an explanation you're going to have to get way outside of yourself and not in a help the poor on your day off kind of way but loving others that hate you, not from a distance, but loving them in an overbearing, in your face I LOVE YOU kind of way. In giving to the Kingdom not in 10 percent of your wages but in the capacity that says I would rather starve so that someone else might see that in my sacrifice God is glorified. To be willing to die that others might live." To be honest I'm not at the place with those words I'd like to be by the end of my time here but I'm working on it! I want to be reckless in my faith. To be seen as crazy because I love God so much that it makes people feel uncomfortable. The kind of love that makes the skin of the unsaved burn to be around me. To live a life that demands an explanation not a life that can produce an explanation if asked the right question. Here you have to live that way... because you cant speak the language your actions are all you have. The people in India don't use a ton of facial expression but when you smile and wave most of the time the do too! I love being here! It's the best decision I've ever made. Being in the presence of a man that lives the way most Christian people aspire to live is, I pray, going to change the way I live.
Suresh Kumar is:
S Selfless. His home is always open, to anyone, and if he has it he will give it to you in faith that when he needs it God will provide it... again
U Universal. His love for God translates to all people through all cultural differences.
R Ready. To answer the call God places on his Heart no matter what it is.
E Energizing. You can't help but get fired up when you are in his presence.
S Spiritual. There may be someone in history that takes the cake but I've never met them.
H Honest and Humble
K Kind.
U Undeserving. Humbled that God has chose him for this work in India.
M Married. To his Kingdom work and his beautiful wife Christina. One of the most amazing couples you'll ever meet this side of God's Kingdom
A Abandoned. To the love of Jesus Christ
R Respected.
I'm so honored to be here! Humbled to be a part of God's work in India. Though I know it's hard to not be home... the man who I hope to return home as will be far better than the person who left home in December. God, I love you with all my heart! I’ll remain encouraged!
Mal 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
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