People, Bikes and Locusts!
Together with Viv Penfold and Alan Bolton (Chairman of the Missionary Ventures GB Board of Trustees), I recently made a short trip to Andhra Pradesh in India. The work of Missionary Ventures there has grown so much in recent years that I really felt a visit was overdue.
The population of India is over one billion now and I admit that I have never seen so many people ... or bicycles ... or motor bikes ... even a swarm of locusts on one occasion! I also got to travel in ways I am not used to. We caught an overnight train from Hyderabad to Eluru sharing a small cabin with six other people.
I was precariously balanced on the top bunk! We used auto-rickshaw taxis that weaved in and out of the crazy traffic. I even got transported to church on the back of a motor bike ... not the norm for me on a Sunday morning!
Viv has been faithfully involved there for over 20 years. Together with other MV colleagues such as Luther and Sandy Meier he has been instrumental in establishing three leadership training centres. These have produced dozens of men and women passionate to spread the gospel and many churches have been planted, sometimes in completely un-reached areas. It was great to meet the key leaders who are running with the vision. Men like Joel Abrahams in Eluru, Prabakarroa up in Visak and Adams down in Pakala. They are doing a great job and we committed their plans to the Lord as we prayed together.
It was a privilege to be present as another local Bible School was opened at a church in Tanaku. In this same place we got to meet the 14 orphans being cared for by Enoch the Pastor and his family in very basic conditions. We saw the plans for the building of the orphanage that will provide much batter facilities. The money for this has already been donated by the grace of God.
One of the main reasons for going was to meet, appoint and give some initial training to Mr. Malaki Dara as a Missionary Ventures Field Administrator. This experienced and committed man will be a big help to Viv and MV particularly as the work in India grows. As he settles into the role it will open the way for short-term mission teams to go and be personally involved in what God is doing in India.
On the day we left for home I preached at New Life Church in Hyderabad. The service was in the local Telegu language but we understood the passion of the hearts of the worshippers! After giving a simple gospel message I gave an invitation for people to give their lives to Christ. Many responded but I suspect something might have been lost in translation as most were already Christians - however Pastor Anthony said afterwards that at least twelve precious souls were saved. There was a party going on in heaven that day!
India was different to anything I have seen so far on my missionary 'adventures' but I look forward to returning with a team in the future.