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India Trip 2008
As has been the case in the last 3 years, a group from Gabalfa Baptist Church had the privilege of visiting India for just over 2 weeks, the goal being to come alongside our brothers and sisters, and encourage them in the work they are doing. Below is just a brief outline of some of the highlights of what was once again an amazing trip.
Agra
Varanasi
Samalkot
Over all it was once again a privilege and a great encouragement to spend time with our brothers and sisters with whom we have a great unity in the Gospel. The challenge to us from their completely dedicated lives in not the easiest circumstances is always there, and we thank God for the opportunity to be an encouragement in return through the speaking of God’s Word and simply being able to spend time in fellowship together.
Photos
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As
in a couple of the previous years we began our travels in Agra -
arriving at an unearthly time in the morning after a solid day and a
half of travelling. Once again our host was Emmanuel Lodge, a church
planter in the area who is involved in one main church in the city, and
many other smaller fellowships in the surrounding area. A number of
humorous things happened in Agra - we rode and some fell off a camel, we
also rode & thankfully didn’t fall off an elephant! However it was
really brought home to us the privilege we had, not just of seeing a
country and experiencing its culture, which was incredible, but we had
the opportunity to preach the life-changing message of Jesus to many
people who have not had anywhere near as much chance of hearing it as
all of us here in Britain. We spoke in a number of meetings,
one
village quite far from the main city where there are a number of people
coming close to, if not already responding to the gospel. We also spoke
in one meeting where something quite amusing happened - all of the
lights went out in the middle of the preaching. The great thing was
though that it didn’t throw anyone at all - we just continued on in the
semi-darkness. Nothing was going to stop these people hearing from God’s
Word and worshiping Him - it was great to see.
We
returned for the 3rd time to Varanasi to stay with Patsy and
Neha David and the team of workers in Shekinah Ministries. Again we were
able to speak in villages and take a church service on the Sunday (which
lasted from 10 in the morning to about 2:30 in the afternoon with only a
small break), but the highlight of our time there had to be the Monday
morning. We rose at 4am and went down to the banks of the river Ganges -
the Hindu holy river where it is believed that just a wash in the water
will grant you forgiveness of sins. We weren’t there to see all that was
going on this time though, as we had the privilege of baptising 7 new
converts in the river. The cost that these young men and women are
facing in the centre of Hinduism is very real, and this was brought home
to us even more so when we taught at a small meeting for some of the
full-time
workers
in and around Varanasi. Many of the testimonies that we heard were of
great difficulties, and much opposition - to the point of lives being
threatened, but it was such a challenge to us to hear how these workers
are persevering and seeing God do amazing things in their situations.
Churches are being raised up and many are being saved through their
witness, and it was all we could do to simply encourage them through
God’s Word to keep on going in the work they are doing.
After
a couple of evenings speaking at a couple of churches near a place
called Rajahmundry, we arrived at what was our 3rd main place
for ministry - Samalkot. This is the 4th time we have stayed
with Suvartha and Sharon Raju and their family, but this time was
slightly different to previous years. In the past we have spoken at
large public meetings which in India they refer to as crusades, however
because of pressure on foreign people coming to speak this time we held
meetings in the church building for the church members to attend. We
were asked basically to encourage the believers there in their
day-to-day walks with God, especially in the area of reaching out to
those around them.
We
ended up doing 3 evenings of meetings where we covered a variety of
subjects, ending with sessions on evangelism. As in other places these
sessions began at 7 in the evening, and the people were willing to sit
and listen until after 10pm - it was a privilege to come alongside, and
there were great reports of the encouragement received from the
sessions. Along with attending a baptismal service, a wedding and
preaching in a number of churches on the Sunday, it was great just to
spend the time with Suvartha and Sharon, and
especially
to see the progress on the ‘River of Life’ prayer centre that they are
constructing - intended to be a place where people can come in at any
time for prayer, and also a centre for a Bible School to be run.