Israel found me and we headed off on the motorcycle toward the place where I would be staying. He told me that we were headed that night by bus to a place called Udamalpet. So he said I could rest during the day, when we got to his house. I enjoyed riding the bike, weaving through the cars. When there was a traffic stop we just kind of went through the spaces in between cars until there was a car in front of us. This is quite different than in the US because all the traffic does this also, not just the motorcycles. So you have autos, buses, trucks, and cars all taking whatever space they can to get as close to the intersection as possible! It’s actually more organized than in Cameroon, as they have stoplights and they stop for them! So there’s some semblance of order! I then realized that this was a video opportunity! I got my video camera out and got some nice shots! With no glass in between me and the vehicles on the road I was able to get good video shots. I even got creative, shooting the traffic behind us.

Soon we got to the house where Israel’s mother lives, and I took my suitcase inside. He showed me my room, and introduced me to his mother and nephew. His mom didn’t speak any English, but his nephew did. Israel then told me that he had some things he had to do in town but that he would be back in the afternoon. I got some rest, until it was time for lunch. They brought me a huge plate, and filled it with rice and other Indian food. It was very good. I packed and got my things ready to leave that night on the bus, as I would only take my camera bag and backpack.

It was 7:15pm and we were heading to the bus station in an auto. This is what they call these three wheeled motorized vehicles. We soon arrived at the bus station and found our bus. This was a sleeper bus. It had beds instead of seats. Our places were on the top level. I got up into the space, and found it was so small I couldn’t even sit up strait! It was about 6 feet long, and about 1 1/2 to 2 feet wide and about 2 to 2 /12 feet high! There were two bars on the isle side to keep you from rolling off the bed when the bus made corners! I got settled in and got my stuff to you. We soon were on our way, and I watched from my window as the Indian roads and traffic go by on the road below. I slept fitfully, seeming to wake with each stop. At last morning came and at about 6:45 we reached our destination. We disembarked and headed for the hotel where we would rest for several hours before the worship service with the JFA Bible workers at 10am. Israel got us each a single room, it seems to be an Indian custom. I found the room to be nicer than I expected, but still conformed to the Indian standards! It was a good price, and I had nothing to complain about.

At 9:30 we went down to a small local restaurant and ate a good Indian breakfast. A couple of the JFA workers met us there with their motorbikes and gave us a ride to the JFA office. We slipped off our shoes and went inside and sat in the two seats saved for us at the front. About 10 Bible workers from the areas nearby had come. They each had their specific area to work. No sooner had we taken our seats than Israel turned to me and asked me to have the devotion! I hadn’t even brought my Bible! I couldn’t understand Tamil anyway, and so I figured I would just get video and pictures. He was willing to let me take the next day instead, which I gave me some time to prepare. Instead a couple of the workers shared some devotional thoughts. After the worship was over, they planned out a schedule for me to visit several of the different villages and get video shots of them going from house to house giving Bible studies and praying with people. It was a busy morning, and in the afternoon we were able to rest a little before leaving at 4pm for another village. After getting more video there, we headed for one of the evening schools. The evening schools give a chance to many children and young people who for one reason or another wouldn’t otherwise have a chance of getting an education otherwise. They come for two hours in the evening and learn some basics about reading, and writing, etc. and then after the class then we give them a meal. The schools give us a chance to witness to these people in a state where open evangelism is not safe. I had a wonderful time getting pictures and video. The light was low, and that made it a little challenging, but my 50mm 1.8 prime lens got some good shots nonetheless.

The next day at worship I was ready. I shared something that I had shared at GMI for worship. It was based on the story of the spring of bitter water that the people came and asked Elisha help. Elisha poured in salt to cure the waters. In the same way Jesus sends us as salt to the people in the world. Then we examined what is meant by the savor of the salt, mentioned in Matthew 5:13, finding that it represents God’s unselfish love. In the same way God want’s us to keep our savor, and not become as salt without savor.

After another day on the same schedule, it was Friday. I had finally decided what subject my message on sabbath should be. Israel asked me to have the message for the divine service on sabbath! I told him I wasn’t a good preacher, but I didn’t refuse. I would be glad later after I saw how spiritually hungry and thirsty the people were. I prayed that God would help me to give the message that He wanted me to give. Finally I decided to tell the story of Elijah leading up to the climax on Mt Carmel. I would draw from the story how God is calling each of us today, asking who we will serve. I prepared as I could, but still felt unprepared. I prayed that God would speak through me. He gave me peace about it…. Friday was a day off so to speak from our busy schedule, we just had worship in the morning, and then nothing planned until vespers in the evening. It was nice to get some rest, and I was also able to go to the internet cafe to get email, and catch up with people. In the evening we went to Brother Suresh’s church, where once again they had asked me to share. I shared with them the story of the Infidel Lawyer, and how if you break just the 4th commandment you have broken all the other 9. After they served us food, then we were on our way back to the hotel. After a good night’s sleep, I did some last minute preparing before we had breakfast and headed off to the church. We arrived just in time for Sabbath School. When it was finished the Divine Service started, and soon the preliminaries were over. It was time for me to give the message. With Brother Israel translating for me I told the story of Elijah, starting in 1Kings 17, and going on to chapter 18. I told how God showed which god was the true God. Then I drew the application from it, how God is asking the same question today that Elijah asked the Israelites on Mt Carmel. He is asking whom will you serve? I told how we can have idols in our lives today. Anything that comes ahead of God is an idol. I asked how many wanted to make God first in their life… The Holy Spirit was there, and a good number of people raised their hands. After the service was over, people came up and asked for me to pray for them. So I prayed for them one by one. Some had ailments, some wanted healing, and some simply wanted God’s blessing on their lives. For close to a half hour, I prayed with one after another, lifting up their requests to God. I’m guessing that this happens often when foreigners come and preach in India. When I finished they were already serving the lunch of rice and vegetable sauce on banana leaves.

From the Front Lines of India,

~ Daniel