Tuesday night, March 24

Funny thing happened Tuesday night. We attended a "cottage church," kind of like a house church I guess. At this point, we did not know who was who really. At least for my part, I assumed everyone attending was from the RIMI/Mission India work in the area. Turns out that believers from whatever denomination attend whichever gathering fits their shedule. Of course, that is just fine; it's just different from the strict denominationalism practiced in the U.S.

Well, that is neither here nor there, except that the "funny" thing that happened centers around the man picture here, Mr. John Bihari, who happens to attend the large Methodist church in the neighborhood. He came to the cottage meeting on Tuesday night. He is a 3rd generation believer. His grandfather had a little stall at dockside when a missionary landed in Calcutta/Kolkata in the 1800s. I forget the details but that grandfather became a believer. And now more than 100 years later, John and his wife have a lovely, large home across the street from where Manoj Paul lives and works.

Mr. Bihari participated respectfully throughout the gathering, singing and listening as events progressed. I had neglected to bring my Bible that evening, because it really had not registered to me that we were going to an organized chuch service where I might be called on to preach. So Jim preached and Dean gave his testimony. And both did a commendable job. Afterward, I apologized sincerely for not bringing my Bible. And through the rest of the week, it was kind of a running joke whether or not I had my Bible with me at any given event.

Well, after the service was over, John Bihari approached us from his front row seat. He did not specifically address any of us, but he looked right at me as he spoke. I forget exactly what he said, but it was obvious from his comment that he thought I was about the same age as he. I felt surprised because he appeared much older than I. So I asked his age and he said he is 81 years old. Well, I did not want to offend him and did not want to make him think that I was offended. After all, we were guests in his community and just starting to get acquainted. Still, I did not want him to go on thinking that I was/am the same age as he. The others on our team complimented him for not appearing his age (although I thought he looked it). And while they chatted very briefly about his looking so young, I scrambled for what to say.


Soon he turned back to me, still oblivious to the difference in our ages. So I just informed him that my mother is 84. I figured he could do that math from that point and that would save me having to tell him directly that I am 21 years his junior. LOL Yes, we had a good laugh over that. In fact we had a few good laughs over that through the next few days.

Thank you for reading and for any replies/comments....

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