It was field trip day today. One of the team members for my village and his pastor took me and their six children sightseeing today. We went to a temple in the mountains that was covered with wild monkeys.
The monkeys were everywhere and they weren’t shy! They climbed on top of cars or buildings to get an advantage. If you had food, whether in your hand or a bag, they were on you like flies on dead fish. They would run up and grab your bag or food or even you! The bigger males were very aggressive and the females were around but not as bold. The females (those that have given birth have a bright red face.
I took some video of Isaac (one of my village team members) throwing bananas up in the air or taunting the monkeys by jerking stuff away when the monkeys tried to grab them. It was good. The six children surrounded me and kept the monkeys away with their sticks. They were my body guards.
We walked halfway up a mountain and when we got tired, came back. On the way up we saw places where there were piles of hair. I saw a holy man shaving heads as a means of worship. Men, woman and children had their heads shorn bald. The hair would be left lying on the ground where it was cut off. There were little streams coming down the mountain and people were taking a holy or ceremonial baths; women in one location and men in another.
We also saw a tree where women would tie pieces of fabric or hang small replicas of cribs as a means of asking the gods for pregnancy. While taking a picture of the tree, a snake came out of a hole at the base of the tree and slithered up the hill. It was my first snake that I’ve seen in country. I couldn’t run up the hill fast enough to get its picture though. Think of the symbolism of the snake living in a hole in the base of the tree that they believe will bring them fertility.
At the entrance to the main temple on the bottom of the hill I saw something that could have come right out of scripture. A man was sitting by the gate begging and he was blind. His eyes were clouded up and he was crying out for help. I couldn’t help but think of the story of blind Bartimaeus in scripture (Mark 10:46). I couldn’t help but give him coins.
We ate a picnic lunch at the car. We had to sit inside because the monkeys were all over the place; under the car, on top of the car in the trees above the cars. And then there were the beggars. I’ve never had a picnic lunch like that.
Driving home I saw winnowing of barley on the roads. They were beating out the grain and laying it on the road to dry. It blocked a whole lane. Again, except for the paved road, this was something you might envision from the Bible. We went to the palace and another temple in the middle of a man-made lake. I took so many pictures that I ran out of room on two memory sticks.
We got word today in our meeting that as of Tuesday, there were 1,860 baptisms from around all the sites. We have baptisms scheduled at various locations every day this week. We may not hit the 5000 projected but no one seems disappointed.
One more quick story that I want to share that is in process. The man who is letting us use his property to hold the meetings is not the chief of the village, but is the wealthiest man in the village. He has a lot of authority; he is also Hindu. At first he didn’t attend any of my meetings but late last week he started coming late. Each day he has been coming earlier and earlier. I asked my translator how he is responding. My translator said he is a very smart man and is understanding and agreeing with our teachings. But, he will not quickly respond to baptism because of his status in the village.
Reminds me of Paul when he stood before Agrippa found in Acts 26. Paul almost persuaded him. Think of the ramification if this man accepts Jesus and our message. This will free those in the village who are afraid of the Hindus to make an open confession of their faith. If only one is converted, that one will become a witness to the village. The God who began a good work will bring it to its proper conclusion.
There will probably only be one or two more blogs after this one because of the schedule. I really hope to write one after Sabbath but we leave very early in the morning to fly out to Delhi and I don’t know if I can get it on the web or not. I will continue to write as it avails me and post when I can get on. Sorry that the novel is coming to an end, but I’m ready to come home and eat food other than Indian, take a hot shower whenever I want and to sleep in my bed (not to mention drive on streets where my anxiety level is greatly reduced).
God bless and keep your eyes on Jesus.
Pastor Kevin
The monkeys were everywhere and they weren’t shy! They climbed on top of cars or buildings to get an advantage. If you had food, whether in your hand or a bag, they were on you like flies on dead fish. They would run up and grab your bag or food or even you! The bigger males were very aggressive and the females were around but not as bold. The females (those that have given birth have a bright red face.
I took some video of Isaac (one of my village team members) throwing bananas up in the air or taunting the monkeys by jerking stuff away when the monkeys tried to grab them. It was good. The six children surrounded me and kept the monkeys away with their sticks. They were my body guards.
We walked halfway up a mountain and when we got tired, came back. On the way up we saw places where there were piles of hair. I saw a holy man shaving heads as a means of worship. Men, woman and children had their heads shorn bald. The hair would be left lying on the ground where it was cut off. There were little streams coming down the mountain and people were taking a holy or ceremonial baths; women in one location and men in another.
We also saw a tree where women would tie pieces of fabric or hang small replicas of cribs as a means of asking the gods for pregnancy. While taking a picture of the tree, a snake came out of a hole at the base of the tree and slithered up the hill. It was my first snake that I’ve seen in country. I couldn’t run up the hill fast enough to get its picture though. Think of the symbolism of the snake living in a hole in the base of the tree that they believe will bring them fertility.
At the entrance to the main temple on the bottom of the hill I saw something that could have come right out of scripture. A man was sitting by the gate begging and he was blind. His eyes were clouded up and he was crying out for help. I couldn’t help but think of the story of blind Bartimaeus in scripture (Mark 10:46). I couldn’t help but give him coins.
We ate a picnic lunch at the car. We had to sit inside because the monkeys were all over the place; under the car, on top of the car in the trees above the cars. And then there were the beggars. I’ve never had a picnic lunch like that.
Driving home I saw winnowing of barley on the roads. They were beating out the grain and laying it on the road to dry. It blocked a whole lane. Again, except for the paved road, this was something you might envision from the Bible. We went to the palace and another temple in the middle of a man-made lake. I took so many pictures that I ran out of room on two memory sticks.
We got word today in our meeting that as of Tuesday, there were 1,860 baptisms from around all the sites. We have baptisms scheduled at various locations every day this week. We may not hit the 5000 projected but no one seems disappointed.
One more quick story that I want to share that is in process. The man who is letting us use his property to hold the meetings is not the chief of the village, but is the wealthiest man in the village. He has a lot of authority; he is also Hindu. At first he didn’t attend any of my meetings but late last week he started coming late. Each day he has been coming earlier and earlier. I asked my translator how he is responding. My translator said he is a very smart man and is understanding and agreeing with our teachings. But, he will not quickly respond to baptism because of his status in the village.
Reminds me of Paul when he stood before Agrippa found in Acts 26. Paul almost persuaded him. Think of the ramification if this man accepts Jesus and our message. This will free those in the village who are afraid of the Hindus to make an open confession of their faith. If only one is converted, that one will become a witness to the village. The God who began a good work will bring it to its proper conclusion.
There will probably only be one or two more blogs after this one because of the schedule. I really hope to write one after Sabbath but we leave very early in the morning to fly out to Delhi and I don’t know if I can get it on the web or not. I will continue to write as it avails me and post when I can get on. Sorry that the novel is coming to an end, but I’m ready to come home and eat food other than Indian, take a hot shower whenever I want and to sleep in my bed (not to mention drive on streets where my anxiety level is greatly reduced).
God bless and keep your eyes on Jesus.
Pastor Kevin
2 comments:
Hi Kevin,
Did they also tell you how Angry those monkeys can get Haha.
Seeing your journey has made me see some things in a different light.
I have seen may different locations through out the world (but under a military mind set)
now seeing these same locations as a Christian really changes the way I see them now and how I feel towards the people.
You have almost come full circle my friend, Finish strong. Stay in prayer. And know that all of us await your return. with joy
The man with the yard you are using,he is being convicted by the Spirit, to convert Much prayer will be dedicated to him.
This one man can impact that whole village.
GOD bless you Kevin.
Your Brother In Christ Jesus
George
I'm sad to know the end of the blogs is near, but happy that you will be returning. I can't wait for all the stories you will tell when you return about Christ's work and the pictures....can't wait for the hundreds (maybe thousands??)of pics!!
Baptism numbers are just that...numbers. You may never know how many people have truely excepted Christ these past few week and that's ok, Christ knows!!! And of those thousands I wonder how many they will help convert for the Lord and so on? It could end up in the hundreds of thousands. God is good!!
You have been a good and faithful servant. Savor these last few days in India. Prayers are being sent your way:)
God Bless,
Lisa
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