2 Women's Stories

Ramesh & Sampa

On Friday I went to a Mt. Carmel Church's Bible School Graduation in our village. After the ceremony, I was talking to a man and his wife (Ramesh and Sampa) who have been wanting to learn more English. They absolutely insisted (even after I had declined multiple times) that I come to their house so I would know where to come in the future. So they gave me water and bananas (pani and cayla in Hindi) and Ramesh told me how he became a Christian as well as the story of how they were married. At the end of our time, I agreed to come over at least once a week to help them with their English.

So this morning I went to their house, where Sampa was cooking lunch. Ramesh works with the Indian police and was unexpectedly called for duty. So I was able to talk with Sampa for more than an hour before she was called to the school where she works. She began to tell me her story. She became a Christians when she was 17, but her family is Hindu. When she got married, she had to live with her in-laws for 4 months because Ramesh had to do military training. During that time, his parents made her (at least externally) worship their household god. But because they knew she and Ramesh believed in Jesus and because she is of a lower caste, they treated her with much contempt. They provided her with only 2 pairs of clothes, which she wore many times every week. Ramesh told me of the physical and spiritual evil that is in his parents' house. The evil kingdom of darkness reigns where Jesus is not Lord of people's hearts. Thankfully, Ramesh and Sampa were able to get away from his family where they are now free to worship Jesus. Pray that they would be baptized soon and even have the courage to tell their families about it. Many Indian believers do not get baptized right away because of fear of what their family will say. But many are not allowed to receive baptism by the churches because either they are not "of age" (usually 18) or they haven't proven repentance. This is a practice which cripples many believers in regards to sharing the gospel with others. They feel unworthy/inadequate/not confident.

One more story...

Sophie with her class

Later that day I met with a dear sister, Sophie. She and her husband are from south India (Kerala, where supposedly Thomas first brought the gospel to India) but moved to Siliguri as missionaries. We talked for literally an hour straight about God's amazing provision. She barely even took a breath in between stories of God's goodness in providing for her family while they have been here. It is very difficult for many pastors here because their churches do not give enough to support them. So they often look for sponsors, similar to the way many people support me :) God uses many Indians who have given sacrificially to support Sophie and Titus. There was even one time where the principal of their daughter's school gave them 1000 rupees to cancel their debt. Sophie told me that she is a worrier...like most women :) But when she starts to fret, Titus says not to worry but to pray because our God is a big God and HE WILL PROVIDE. She just kept saying over and over, "Our God is great." And no one forced her to say it. It overflowed from her heart. She couldn't help but praise Him.

Isn't that what God wants? In the midst of uncertainty, to know that He will keep His promise somehow. When we can't see the road ahead, may we choose to keep walking, trusting that He will guide the way.

What if...

First, go read Donald Miller's blog post...

http://donmilleris.com/2010/03/25/the-single-most-powerful-question-you-can-ask/comment-page-2/#comments

I thought this was really inspiring and something we don't think about very often, so me and Victoria took the time to write a few ourselves. Here are 2 of 5 she came up with...

What if I shared my story with my youth group?

What if I started a band?

Here are a few of mine...although I could've gone on and on, I think. It was kinda fun!

I was a better teacher?

I could be still and wait on the Lord when all I want to do is go, go, go?

I actually talked to my brother more than once every 6 months?

I spent more time at home this summer than with other people?

I actually talked to the college girls just down the street?

I bought a bicycle?

People with disabilities became more than simply my college thesis?

My sister had curly hair?

I climbed a mountain?

I trusted God, even when my money was gone?

I really took God at His Word?

I started memorizing Scripture?

Victoria went to Belmont?

I stopped watching TV?

What if...you rode an elephant to work?

What if...you wore a sari every day?

What if...you got to look at this face every day? Oh wait! I do! This is Sammy and his family live below us and are the jolliest ones! I just had to find a way to put this picture up!

ok, now it's YOUR turn! What if...

Words of Wisdom from Dr. Byrd

He is demonstrating how people in Jesus' day reclined

My Greek professor and Honors' tutor in college, Dr. Bob Byrd, is a wise ole bird. He would be ok with me calling him a bird, considering he has a picture of big bird from Sesame Street on his office door :) He has been a professor in the Religion department at Belmont since before it was called Belmont College, and I greatly respect him. All that to say, he played a key role in my education...having sat in over 10 semesters of classes with him and countless hours in his office discussing my thesis.

However, one simple phrase has seemed to stick in my brain from first year Greek class. I wrote it on the back of my Greek book (created by Dr. Byrd...who reads his Greek Bible instead of an English version...yes ladies and gentlemen, he's legit) and it has been etched on my heart ever since...

We think we have to do EVERYTHING, so we end up doing NOTHING.

This phrase puts into words what I have been feeling over the past few months. Being in India, you're surrounded by obvious needs, both spiritual and physical. There are tons of needs in America, too (I don't mean to belittle them) but they seem more apparent here. Here are some visions I've been milling over in the past months...

*Sharing the gospel intentionally, specifically with youth

*Equipping Indian teachers with effective and engaging teaching methods

*Orphanage

*Discipling Indian Christians, specifically young people

Even things as simple as exercise can overwhelm us because when thinking of the 30 pounds we should lose, we set out an outrageous and overwhelming plan of working out 7 days a week and eating only raw vegetables. SO WE END UP DOING NOTHING.

I look at the above list and I think, "Megan, you're only 1 person!" Yes. I am. So, God, help me to be able to focus on one thing at a time, one step at a time. Because these things are important. They shouldn't simply be tossed aside because they seem overwhelming. Help me not to give in to what Satan wants...lukewarm-ness and giving up, satisfaction in the comfortable. And ultimately, You're gonna have to do it through me because I'm so prone to giving up and losing heart. Your kingdom come, Your will be done...on earth, as it is in heaven.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Phillippians 2:13)

Comparison

I don't know about you, but something I struggle with, regrettably frequently, is comparison to others (sometimes even those closest to me). I think this is probably one of the biggest struggles women, in particular, face. It creates discontentment, an inward focus, causes us to give up b/c we think we're not as good as someone else, causes us to deny our own unique-ness and image of God, etc...you can fill in the blank.

Comparison is Satan's attack at our IDENTITY

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Prov. 4:23)

We should guard our heart, our identity, because if we don't I believe we miss out on that abundant life Jesus talks about in John 10:10. We start believing lies like:

*"I don't look this way, so I won't be loved as much by others"

*"I'm a failure because I don't do as much as that person"

*"She's getting more attention than me...what can I do to get that kind of attention?"

*"God can't love you...you've done too much to hurt him. But maybe if you prove yourself worthy, he'll love you a little more or at least listen to your prayers."

*"He's a lot better at this or that, so I should just give up because I'll never be able to do it like that person."

*"Look at her. She's a better mother than you. She's judging you, so should stay away from her b/c she makes you feel inferior."

None of these come from God. They are lies from the world and Satan. But how often we listen to them! They are PARALYZING. And they keep us from God's specific call on each of our lives. These lies keep us from experiencing abundant life. So instead of comparing ourselves to one another, let's remind ourselves who we are in Christ and that ultimately Jesus is on the throne of our lives, not us. This is something I need to be reminded of often.

"Therefore, in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2)

Our plans and God's plans + I'm not the Holy Spirit

Me and Chokey

Tuesday I went with my friend Munnu to a hillstation 3 hours from Siliguri called Kalimpong. The climate is perfect and the water tastes...incredible! I couldn't believe how much cleaner it tasted. Gotta love that mountain spring water you can drink straight from the tap! Oh, and Michelle (IMB Missionary living in Kalimpong who drove us up) changed Caleb's diaper on the side of the mountain. Hysterical.

Jeff and Trish graciously allowed me to go so I could to see one of my friends, Chokey. She's a college student there (we met b/c her and her friends came to our house to play basketball one day when she was in town) and we've stayed in touch for the past 3 months. I've been able to share Jesus with her a few times...it seems like He always comes up in conversation. But I wanted to hang out with her in person. And my friend Munnu randomly wanted to come too.

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.

So I planned to go to Kalimpong to spend some time with Chokey and hopefully share the gospel with her. But it turned out I only really got to talk with her one time for lunch on Wednesday. When I got back to Siliguri I realized that maybe the main purpose of my trip was to grow closer to Munnu. We went all over Kalimpong shopping for stuff for her brother's shop in Siliguri and just had a jolly time. We've been friends since last October and are really starting to get close. She feels called to do ministry but is still praying for God's vision for her life. I'm excited to walk with her in this journey.

Brittany, Munnu, and Me

It's cool to see God calling Indians to different parts of India for His kingdom. Munnu, a Nepali, is originally from Kalimpong, where mostly Nepali's live. So moving to Siliguri was difficult. But God has used her in many people's lives here and it is obvious He is growing her faith. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide her steps into His will and not her own. Sometimes I get myself confused with the Holy Spirit, thinking it's my job to convict people or lead people into His will. But God continues to give me rest in the fact that He is God and accomplishes His purposes. His words are powerful and effective.

"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." (1 Cor. 2:4-5)

I have to remember this in regards to Chokey too. It's not my job to convince her of the truth. That's God's job. I'm only called to plant the seed of the gospel and love her. Pray that Chokey would know the forgiveness and freedom and life found only in Jesus.

ps - i'm so thankful for my sweet friend Brittany (journeyman for the IMB) and allowing us to stay with her. she's such an encouragement! (and makes incredible omelettes!)