India is fast becoming industrialized, but it is still fun to see rickshaws, ox-drawn carts, goat herds crossing the street, and cows grazing freely in highway medians. I'm not sure how many more years these sights will be seen. Today we drove five hours north of Chennai to a village of 500 families. Here there is a Presbyterian church which today innaugurated the Presbyterian Theological Institute and which will share the same block building.
The music of the innauguration service was beautiful--Christian lyrics with a hint of traditionally Indian style and sound. The crowd was overflowing out the doors, and after the message 25 students came up front to receive a gift (a notebook and pen) as they begin their studies. In most cases these are current pastors of various denominations who are glad to have the training. Classes will be one full week, once each month for a year. It was unreal to see so many young pastors gathered in a small, rural village, commited to teach and study their faith in a country so dominated by Hinduism for many centuries.
I spoke with one young pastor after the service who converted from Hinduism at age 19, and now he pastors a church of 80 people 12 hours away. He came for this innauguration service, to get his notebook and pen, and he will return once a month for a year. Twelve hours. And I get frustrated on my way to church if I catch the light at the Super Target.
1 comment:
You already have gained a perspective those of us who went on previous trips to India didn't see. The missionary spirit among the Indian Christians is inspiring! Enjoy the end of your time there, and travel well, friend.
Remember - hydrate! And a little gum / hand sanitizer goes a long way toward capturing the feel of the antibacterial comforts of home.
Praying now,
Bill Martin
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