Broken For My Friends In India... Try #2

If you subscribe to this blog through a feeder, this may be the second time you're seeing this post. I had trouble getting the Vimeo version of the video to work.

As you know, India is very near and dear to my heart. I have been encouraged, challenged and inspired by the believers I have gotten to know in my 3 trips there. Today, I ran across this video put out by Francis Chan and Cornerstone Church that shows some of the persecution the believers in the Orissa region are facing. It broke me. I'm ticked at myself for what I see as "trials" and "tribulations" in my life. Father forgive me, and be with my brothers and sisters whose lives are truly on the line simply because of what they believe.

WARNING: These video is violent... very violent and unedited in. I'd encourage you to heed Francis's words at the begining of the first video even if you choose to watch


Thanks to DC Curry for posting this video.

12 Months/ 12 Memories - #5

Seperation Anxiety:
In January, I spent 10 days in India. Janelle and Katylynn stayed here in Indiana. As I said goodbye to my wife and baby that morning of departure, it was a new world for me when it came to international travel. Since getting married, all my previous international ministry trips had been done with the most important person to me at my side. This time around, I was not only leaving that person behind, I was leaving a second one that was so treasured.
While in India, I processed this new world, and I wrote this in my journal one morning. I actually posted it on this blog upon my return...

God has called me to spend my life on young people, both across the street and around the world.
God has called me to be a faithful, loyal, and loving husband.
God has called me to be a father who shows his daughter a glimpse of the love her Heavenly Father has.

Somehow, I'm convinced that all three of those callings, when submitted to Him, will be able to coexist!

Orissa, India... pray for Shane

Want to know how you can be praying. Reports today are that things are not settling down in the state of Orissa, India. One of our key contacts in India is Shane. This 30 year old pastor lives in Calcutta (15 hour train ride from Orissa) but is incredibly passionate about coming along our brothers and sisters.
Shane is heading into Orissa with some relief and resources. The pastors in the area have warned that they are concerned for him.

Would you join me in praying for Shane.
Pray that God would protect and guide him.
Pray for wisdom and courage.
Pray that God would use him.
Pray.

Perspective

This morning I found myself very stressed and frustrated with certain situations inside my life and the ministry around me.

As we went into our staff meeting we took time to pray for our brothers and sisters in Southern India. The Orissa state is in total turmoil, and Christians are under attack (read story here).

This hits so close to home for me.
This involves people I know.
I have eaten meals with these people.
I have laughed with these people.
I have opened God's word and prayed with these people.

I've read emails detailing churches being burnt, and all the homes of the families from the church being burnt. There are families hiding in the jungles.

In those emails, our brothers and sisters are asking for help. What kind of help? Prayer.

They are asking that we pray that they stay strong, and that the gospel moves forward.

Perspective.
suddenly the issues I'm facing have become petty.

Would you join me in praying that what is intended for evil in Southern India would somehow bring Glory to the Almighty?

2 Emails

Today I opened two emails that reminded me how much my heart beats and bleeds for the nations.

The first was from a friend weighing out a possible new venture to an unreached group in the 10/40 window. There's huge potential, but it's also a huge financial step. How do you go about this in a time of economic turmoil?

The second was concerning some of my dear friends in India who are facing significant persecution (beatings, burning of churches and homes) and are in need of help... prayer, financial, justice.

Our own little corner of the world has safe Christianity up to its ears.
There are regions who know nothing of Jesus.
There are other regions where peoples lives are at risk simply because they follow Christ.

Burdened and praying.

India Snapshots 4 - Some Pictures

My translator for our times together. This guy told us that he prays for our pastors regularly by name..

Dave preaching it up in an evening session. Meetings started at 8:00 am and ran till 8:00 pm with about 4 hours of breaks spaced throughout!

Seriously, she was a prayer warrior. She blew us all away.


Joel preaching in a morning session. About 700 Indians from all along the east side of India coming together... The last day they read the scripture in every language represented in the room. There were 8 different people who read.


The group I worked with. This picture can also be called, "Where is the White Boy?"


Absolutely adorable little gal. Although quite a bit older, she was my "little daughter" fix while I was away from Katylynn.

Did You Miss Her?

I had much thoughts and advice thrown my way concerning leaving my daughter and wife behind...

• It will be rough on her (Janelle), but easy on you. You won't have time to think about it.
• Don't be surprised if you cry at night, even if you're not a crier.
  
• Enjoy this last trip. You'll never want to go back.
• You're daughter will likely forget who you are.
• You're daughter likely won't even realize you are gone.

So, back home, and how am I feeling about it all?

I really didn't want to leave them that morning.
I missed my daughter terribly.
I wanted my wife there to experience with me and serve alongside me.
I prayed for them more than I ever do at home.
I had moments where I was ready to go home and see them.
BUT, above all, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be for the time I was supposed to be there.
I never want my daughter, my wife, or those I minister to see a man chose comfort over commission, or feelings over faith. I will not stay home simply because it's tough to leave those I love behind.

I will go again and have to leave my wife and family at home for a season... where? I don't know.
Sometimes Janelle will come with me.
Sometimes, Katylynn will come with me.
Sometimes, both will come.

I will make sure those I love know that I love them deeply in the midst of my absence. In fact, I spent a morning in India journaling on ways I am going to be faithful to minister to my wife and daughter when I'm gone in the future.

God has called me to spend my life on young people, both across the street and around the world.
God has called me to be a faithful, loyal, and loving husband.
God has called me to be a father who shows his daughter a glimpse of the love her Heavenly Father has.

Somehow, I'm convinced that all three of those callings, when submitted to him, will be able to coexist!

India Snapshots Part 3 - Persecution

I often ask the Indian Christians we are serving if they face any kind of persecution...

• I talked to one guy in his early 20s. He and several other youth from his church go into their community weekly and look for opportunities to serve and share their faith. On one occasion they prayed for a man who had a crippled arm. The arm was instantly healed. On that same day, a man walked up to them and showed them a gun. He told the group that if he saw them out sharing their faith again, he would use the gun.

• In Southeast India, some of our pastors are ministering in areas where children and youth are being sacrificed to "the gods" in order to have fertile soil for crop.
• One of our pastors had to leave the area he was attempting to plant a church due to continual looting and threats to their meeting place.
• Asking one evangelist if he was facing much persecution in the areas they are sharing the gospel, he replied, "No, no real persecution. Some Hindu families will turn their back on their children if they become Christians, but no persecution."

India Snapshots 2 - Unity

• 220 individuals from Northeast India traveled just under 30 hours by bus to be a part of the camp. Those 220 were crammed into 5 busses that had 28-30 seats. You can do the math and see how it doesn't add up. Talking with one of those brave travelers, he explained how he loved taking the journey crammed together, singing songs, playing games and praying together. I thanked him for his sacrifice of comfort to come. He didn't understand why I was thanking him.
• The Caste system in India is still alive in much of India. The church has made great efforts to keep this from being evident in the church. When it's been ingrained in your culture, this is hard to do (think American Church and consumerism). Add in the significant generation gap that is taking place between 40+ and the 40 under crowd. Also the difference lifestyle between those living in the city and those in tribal regions. Yet, on multiple moments during the family camp, I saw individuals sharing and praying together that would most likely not except for Christ.
• The Denominational lines are much less obvious in India. Many pastors of the Missionary Church were trained at the Assembly of God School in Calcutta. Dr Pronoy Sarkar (president of Missionary Church in India) worked hand in hand with Mother Teresa. I guess when you are truly waging war against darkness, you find common ground with those loyal to Jesus Christ.

India Snapshots

Over the next few days, I will attempt to share some of my experiences and takeaways from my trip to India.

Upon returning, I know I have more stories and pictures than many would be interested in hearing or seeing. My hope is to share those experiences/ pictures that made a profound impact on how I am living my consumeristic/ materialist American Christian life. Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home

It's 4:15 am. I got home at 1:30 am. Haven't fallen asleep yet.
In India, it's 2:45 pm.

My daughter was asleep when I got home, but I was able to feed her at 3:00. She was in and out of sleep at first, and then, all of the sudden, her eyes popped wide open. She gave me a big smile and grabbed my hand. I needed that.

A great experience. Some life-defining moments. Some significant opportunities and potential seem to be on the horizon.

More to come...

Another India Update

Janelle again, I talked with Derry this morning on the phone. Please visit my blog for the latest India news.

India Report

To hear the latest, go here.

India Update

This is Derry's wife Janelle writing on behalf of Derry.

I received a call on Sunday saying Derry and the team made it to India just fine. The flight was easy and they made it to their hotel.

I haven't heard from them since then, but right now I know that they are currently at camp. If the schedule is similar to last time's, Derry will be speaking at:

11 AM (12:30 AM Indiana Time)
2 PM (3:30 AM Indiana Time)

Evening Service: 7 PM (5:30 AM Indiana Time) Dave often speaks these, but I'm not sure if Derry will be taking one or not.

Please continue to pray for Derry's speaking, health, energy, and the Indian people.

Thanks!!

Off the Grid

For the next 10 days, a blogcation will likely take place. Internet access in India will be spotty at best. Over that time, what could regular blog visitors do with their time spent reading my musings?

Pray...
Traveling to Family Camp from January 18-21.
Family Camp January 22-27
Traveling home January 27,28.

Pray specifically...

• For Pastor Dave and Christy, Adam Cramer, Janelle Ashby, Cal and Judy Brenneman, and Joel Deselm.
• For the pastors and leadership of the Church of India.
• For wisdom and courage.
• For eyes and compassion of Christ.
  
• For a Spirit of encouragement that can be emparted to the Indian church.
• For the move of the spirit toward salvation, reconciliation, restoration, restitution, and Repentance.
• For my health.
• For hassel-free travel.
• For Janelle and Katylynn at home...
  
• For me as I wrestle through this new phase of doing ministry without these two special people around..
  
• For the miraculous.

Pray.... maybe even make it a point

A little India Preview

As I mentioned, I'm taking a little different approach to message presentation in India. Each talk will center around an image partnered with a scriptural principle. Below are the 8 images I'll be using.

Time is Ticking away

Was able to get a major chunk of my talks for India (8 2 hour sessions with 18-25) squared away today.
I'm trying something I think can help bridge the language gap and cultural barrier. I'm taking 8 "images" that match with a scripture concerning the character and person of God, or the mark of a follower of Christ.

We leave 8:00 am Saturday to fly out of Detroit.
Just under 30 hours of travel time to Calcutta. (Monday Morning 1:00 a.m. there)
About 30 hours in Calcutta.
6 hour train ride to Ragunathpur. (leave Calcutta 6:00 a.m. Tuesday)
6 days in Rgunathpur. (Tuesday through Sunday Morning)
6 hour train ride back to Calcutta. Straight to Airport for that about a 26 hour trip home (shorter layover in Frankfort, Germany).

I will post later this week how you , my blog friends can best be praying for this time!!!