Evening, “Transformational Leadership Training” began at 7pm. My presentation cxed from 10:30 – 11:30 to 11:30 – 1:00, from a 1hr to a 1-1/2 hr presentation. Video about revival in Presbyterian churches in Shillong province which is far NE India state of Megahal (?). Much of it seems really authentic but some a bit strange. Like 4 y/o child in trance on floor supposedly interceding for parents. Maybe so; trying to avoid cynicism. Presbyterian ldrs verified events and that it was spontaneous HS outpouring that they had been praying for for long time. One more night till I leave. Mixed feelings, but mostly eager to start on my journey home to BW.
The fact is that there is a strain of Pentecostalism which opens the door to Charismatic elements in the Mission India arm of RIMI. This keeps me on alert. But at the same time, people are genuinely coming to Christ. God is changing lives. And I cannot and will not fault that. Still, I feel uncomfortable with some of the more extreme expressions--just as I feel unmoved by those who stifle all emotional expression.
At breakfast, prior to talk (duh), I called a student over to talk with him. Met him in Jodhpur on 1st wkd. Anil shared his testimony with us. Raju is very excited about him. But as Anil shared we realized that his wife is still Hindu and they with their baby boy are living with her Hindu parents who will not let his wife leave because they expect he will force her to become Christian. Well, the point of sharing testimony was that we would tell others about their need and recruit financial support for their ministry. Most of those who shared that Sat night I will have no prob at all telling others about them. But almost immediately I felt a check regarding Anil: I.e., he must resolve the divided household/marriage he is in. So I called him over during bfast and explained all this and the reasons and the options. Then we prayed. He smiled and thanked me and I started suspecting that he ha
d not understood what I had said. So after a while when Bijay came in I asked him to translate for us. Then Bijay asked Anil what I had told him. Anil said that I had encouraged him to pray for his wife Maya to become Christian and he appreciated that. So I said flatly, “Nehi” which is Hindi for “No.” Then I said the whole thing a second time, this time through an interpreter. Now his countenance became much more serious. He no longer had the dreamy expression on his face. Instead he felt the weight of the situation in front of him. In the process I had told him both times that I simply could not ask anyone to support his ministry until he resolves this divided home issue. Closed by illustrating that it was like he is trying to ride 2 camels, with 1 foot on 1 camel and the other foot on the other camel. And that just cannot be done because they will go different ways. He smiled at the mental picture. But he definitely seemed to get the message.
d not understood what I had said. So after a while when Bijay came in I asked him to translate for us. Then Bijay asked Anil what I had told him. Anil said that I had encouraged him to pray for his wife Maya to become Christian and he appreciated that. So I said flatly, “Nehi” which is Hindi for “No.” Then I said the whole thing a second time, this time through an interpreter. Now his countenance became much more serious. He no longer had the dreamy expression on his face. Instead he felt the weight of the situation in front of him. In the process I had told him both times that I simply could not ask anyone to support his ministry until he resolves this divided home issue. Closed by illustrating that it was like he is trying to ride 2 camels, with 1 foot on 1 camel and the other foot on the other camel. And that just cannot be done because they will go different ways. He smiled at the mental picture. But he definitely seemed to get the message.Perhaps I need to expand a little on what I shared with Anil. When he gave his testimony in Jodhpur, he mentioned that he was living with his in-laws because they would not allow their daughter (his wife) to leave t
heir home--fearing that he would convert her to Christianity. As a result, he is trying to lead others to Christ while his own household remains divided. You may disagree with me (won't be the first time). But I strongly felt at the time--and still feel now--that he must resolve this discord at home before he can effectively be used by God in a larger field of harvest. So as I talked with him in Nagpur, I tried to convey the seriousness of this divided home and his need to resolve the problem one way or another.
heir home--fearing that he would convert her to Christianity. As a result, he is trying to lead others to Christ while his own household remains divided. You may disagree with me (won't be the first time). But I strongly felt at the time--and still feel now--that he must resolve this discord at home before he can effectively be used by God in a larger field of harvest. So as I talked with him in Nagpur, I tried to convey the seriousness of this divided home and his need to resolve the problem one way or another.When I finished talking, we prayed. Then he smiled and thanked me. That's how I started to sense that he didn't understand what I had said. (I had forgotten that he hardly knows a little bit of English.) So about that time Bijay walked by and I asked him to sit down and translate. I asked Anil to summarize for Bijay what I had said. And it became obvious that my suspicion was correct. So I went through the whole thing again. And this time, Anil's expression was much more serious.
Later, during my sermon with the whole group, I made reference back to the conversation with Anil. Naturally I did not mention him. But I mentioned the closing illustration about trying to ride 2 camels. Anil was sitting toward the back of the group but directly in my line of vision. So we kept looking at each other as I was re-telling this illustration.
As you can see, he is a handsome young man, enthusiastic, intelligent and energetic. But he faces a very difficult decision. Will you join me in praying for Anil? Will you pray with me that God's grace will give him the strength to stand for Christ and lead his wife to this great faith?
Thank you,
ttfn
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