Because you prayed- the time of ministry in India and the Middle East was near perfect! It was by far the best time away for ministry ever! And I firmly believe it was because you prayed! In fact the roughest part of the entire time was on my final international flight back from Amman to Chicago. I still do not know how the adorable little 5 year old girl who sat behind me could kick the back of my seat for 13 consecutive hours!
At any rate, as I settled in for that Royal Jordanian flight for home out of Amman, I was overwhelmed with the events of the past several weeks of ministry. There was a rush of contradictory feelings- I was filled with joy and sadness; strength and weakness; and a fulfilling sense of accomplishment along with the foreboding sense of needing to do more! That’s what ministry does for you.
India was good to me. That has been the somewhat sardonic phrase that comes back to my heart over and over again. What makes it all a bit cynical is that in so many ways, India is not good to anyone. On the first take it can appear generally harsh, unforgiving, crude, blunt, and shocking. With it’s seemingly often lack of gentility and its common criminality, India can quickly turn the hardiest of heroes into the mightiest of mush. I will never forget the drive one day with Dr. Mark Buntain from Calcutta (now called Kolkata) on the way in from the airport. He looked at me and with all sincerity said, “Dean, you would be amazed how many big name preachers and pastors that I have had to take back to the airport on this ride to my apartment- because they couldn't stomach India- and they wanted to leave!”
My first visit to India was over 23 years ago- I will never forget my arrival into Bombay. After cramming into a taxi with three other riders (with all of our luggage), I was fortunate to get a window seat- I thought. As we sped off to our hotel, I remember looking at my watch- it was 3:00 a.m. Each one of my senses was assaulted over and over again.
Even all the years of preparing me for India by my mentor, David Grant, didn’t prepare me for what I was about to see. There in the triangle of light coming down from a street lamp; I saw the figure of a small child perched on top of a garbage heap sifting through it- foraging for food. With jet lag overwhelming me, the sight, smell, and sensation of it all nearly caused me to throw up. I could understand those words of Mark Buntain very well.
But now, over 23 years later, I don’t notice the dirt as much, the odors are not so strong, and I am not nearly as aware of the harshness of India as I used to be! But what I do know of is this- There are one billion plus people who are lost and on their way to a Christless eternity- and that haunts me whether I am in India or not. Indians are precious, genuine, and sincere; they have manners galore, kindness to kill you with, and love to laugh.
When you are with the believers, you will know right away they display an authentic and deep passion for serving God; as well as an absolute willingness to worship their savior. If you ever go to India and visit one of the churches, you will never be the same after you meet them. Your life will become all the richer because a huge part of their heart will go with you.
My burden and passion for the lost of India has been enlarging; I think that is what this time of ministry was all about. It was such a privilege to minister to the wonderful people of Global Christian Life Center; to the Bible College students at CBC in Delhi; to the pastors from South India at the General Council; and to the executive leadership of North India. God willing, I would like to spend much more time in North India and want to specifically focus on Delhi- teh capital city.
Finally, when I was in Amman, Jordan on the way home, there was sad news that overwhelmed us all. You may have heard of the two women in Baghdad (just several hundred miles away next door) who came too close to a military convoy and were shot and killed by an Australian security team. (http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-10-10-iraq-wednesday_N.htm?csp=34) Well, both of these women were from the New Life Assembly of God church in Baghdad. One of them, Geneva, was the main interpreter for the Bible College there. I believe the other, Marou, was also involved in the women’s ministry of the church.
The pastor of the church said, “The enemy doesn’t want to kill Geneva, he doesn’t want to kill me- he wants to kill the dream!” He said the church is very saddened by this tragedy but so very grateful to God for His faithfulness. We do not know what happened- but we must continue to pray for New Life Assembly there in Baghdad and the other 3 churches in Iraq.
There is a powerful church there in Amman with a beautiful congregation of about 250. The senior pastor, Dikran and his wife, Ani, are absolutely precious. Please pray for them as they continue to face persecution on a daily basis in this Muslim nation.
Thank you again, for going with me to India and the Middle East. How you say? As I have said many times, because you gave and prayed, darkness was destroyed and God was glorified! I would like to plan a trip in the future, perhaps in 2008 or 2009 and take you to India for ministry with me! So let me know if you would like to go on an Abounding Hope Mission to India!
Below are some pictures of the time in India and Jordan- Thank you again for your partnership in ministry with us!
Oh yes, one final thing- Murphy, our dog, is still with us, and better now that the "big dog" is back. Thanks to those who prayed for our "entire" family during my absence!
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