A few days ago Taylor and I were asked by someone we greatly respect (my greatest encourager and exhorter, aka Mom) why there had been no blogging activity for nearly a month by just about anyone on our team. We realized that we too were guilty of not sitting down to update our friends or family on the ministry here in India. She also challenged us, asking that rather than simply posting on all the personal growth and fun stuff, that she would like to hear about the individual growth of those that we are reaching out to with the love of Jesus. We've spent the last five days wrestling over this, trying to sort through what kind of growth we have seen in others because of our presence.
As we sit down to write, we still have no idea how to communicate it.
This question has been a really tough one to answer. After three months, we are just beginning to break down enough cultural barriers to really understand those around us. We are not here long enough to accurately identify the growth. It is frustrating to not be able to put our experiences of this past month in a box and wrap a pretty bow around it. This past month has been full of ups quickly followed by a down, or a door closing in our face. There has been much that has happened, good and bad, so instead of trying to recap it all we will try to share some of the change that we have seen in those around us.
Suresh is learning to say no to us. This is huge as it truly displays trust and a sense of family.
The McCalls have had a rough time with Lizzi's morning sickness here. Chris has stepped up in some incredible ways and is constantly serving her. Some of the Harvest India pastors sat down with them and praised the example that Chris has been setting for them. A few commented that it made them want to serve their wives more.
Suresh met some opposition with the Harvest India board here when we devised a plan to hold an English church service on the construction site of the future church building. Some adamantly opposed the idea of holding services until it could be blessed and dedicated as a church building. We have been spending time each week at the construction site, holding devotionals and praying that the site would be seen as a church even now, in it's beginning stages. Praying that the church body would rise up, even as there are no walls to meet between. Praying that this church would not be defined by the walls that surround them, or the weekend services, but rather by their passion to change this city. We stood with and prayed for Suresh as he continued to push back. Last Saturday, we held the first Youth Conference at the construction site (so it may have been a small compromise in name only; it was fully a church service). We ended our service asking the youth to stand if a) they were excited about and would like to join in praying for and working towards a future church plant b) if God had placed a specific call towards ministry on their lives.We spent time praying over them; that God would continue to shape and form the vision he had given them, grant them wisdom, discernment and obedience as they continue to walk forward.
It might not sound big, but one of the greatest changes we have seen is the shift in the HI staff's interactions with us. The Indian culture loves to serve foreigners. Every RH team that comes is thrown by the level of service that the HI staff provides. There is constant door opening, flower giving, loads of food being served. We have tried multiple times to get our friends to sit at our table with us to eat a meal, and the common response is "no, I will eat when you are finished." A few days ago I was in a car with Suresh and about 5 of his staff members. I was slightly zoned out as they were all talking in Telugu and were were in the whirlwind ministry tour with RH pastors Andrew and Chris. Suresh piped up, "Bethany, Wednesday is the Cricket World Cup Semi-finals; India against Pakistan. The men would like to come watch the game at your house, because it is big and they can all watch together." YES!!! FINALLY A CHANCE TO SERVE THEM! I quickly agreed and added that we would have snacks, chai and coffee service throughout the day. A cricket match goes from about 2 - 10pm. Yes, a possible 8+ hours. This opportunity increased to included three days of games I figured it would be fun as our white guys have also grown to love the game. As soon as they arrived, our friend Arnol asked if it was true that we would be serving chai. It was such a blessing to hear them laugh & exclaim every time we walked out with a tray of snacks and tea. Night two we took things a step further and cooked them dinner - Chicken Fajitas with really spicy salsa (yes, real salsa.) Night three was the World Cup finals; India against Sri Lanka. It was a great celebration with our friends. Most encouraging was the chance to simply hang out with them, laugh, cheer, and continually serve them in whatever ways we could find. It was well received by our friends, and by day three they were comfortable letting us know when they wanted chai tea, or when they did not want any more salsa.
It is hard to put it on paper. It is hard to communicate the complexities of the change we have seen. So much is in process. We do promise to share this process with you over the next few weeks; as we sort through what we see God doing around us and through us each day.
Love you, miss you, and are thankful for your love, support, friendship, and partnership
Taylor & Bethany
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