There is so much to tell you but words cannot convey what I've experienced in these last 48 hours. Now I know why so many wonderful poets and mystics come from this area of the world.
We have had a whirlwind tour of the Church of South India in Chennai and I have seen God's kingdom at work. Bishop Deva's diocese is a witness to the Holy Spirit's ability to do miracles when people are willing to walk in faith. Bishop Deva said, "The Holy Spirit is like smoke, it rises from the bottom up." The majority of the people in the ministries and churches are Dalits--the untouchables of Hindu society. But this societal and class prejudice has not held them back. Their work is astonishing.
Here is a small list of the diocese's ministries we visited yesterday, July 29: a young boy's hostel and a young girl's hostel housing approximately 100 each--Bishop Deva gave witness that his education and his faith began and was nurtured in the Young Boy's Hostel; we visited a hospital annex site established for the poor so they would not have to travel long distances to receive excellent and affordable medical care; a school for more than 1,000 older students; and due to the growth of the local churches, new ones are being established and we participated in the consecration of a new church, "Church of the Holy Redeemer."
For I moment I will digress. The consecration of a new church is a momentous event in the life of every congregation. But I have never experienced anything like I experienced at the Church of the holy Redeemer, it was like stepping into a Bollywood movie. We arrived in the small town and stopped, completely blocking traffic on the main road that passes right through the middle of it. Cars, trucks, taxis, all the vehicles behind us became a parking lot. We all exited the vehicle, and it seemed like the whole town came out for the celebration. A dozen or so pastors, leaders in the church, local people, and even Hindus came forward for Bishop Deva to offer a blessing. Then all of us from of the Wesley delegation became honored guests, we received garlands of flowers and necklaces. The band struck up a march and we all began walking toward the church. Remember, the traffic jam behind us is still there. After about 10 minutes we finally got off the main road and under an awning where we were greeted by dancers and a vocal group. The marching band stopped and the dancers and singers began. After their performance we actually arrived at a point where we could see the front of the new church. Once up on the church's steps a traditional Indian band started. Finally the moment of prayer and consecration of the church arrived, the ribbons were cut, the plaques revealed and we started into the new church to the music from inside the church from another band.
The swelling and pride for this Christian community to have a new church was something to behold. The service that followed was quite spectacular also, children danced, youth danced and sang, and gifts were exchanged and given to those without whom this church could not be built. Afterwards the fellowship dinner ensued. I've never seen a larger pot of rice in my life and everyone was fed physically and spiritually.
Okay, now I return to the other ministries of Bishop Deva's diocese.
Looking back on these places and events and as memorable as each ministry was and is, it was the people's hospitality that touched my heart most deeply.
I felt as though I had fallen into the story of Abraham and Sarah at the tree of Mamre. But in that story, the strangers who showed up at Abraham and Sarah's tent and received such grace filled hospitality had an important message to deliver. In our story we are the strangers but I feel like I'm not only the one receiving the hospitality but I'm the one also receiving the important message from God: here's what the good news looks like and sounds like, pay attention!
And the whirlwind started again this morning.
Today, July 30, we worshipped with English Wesley Church, a Tamil congregation. Oh, and by the way, I've learned an important lesson about church, people arrive late regardless of where you are in the world! Of course, when the service is about 2.5 hours long you can arrive late and still get in a substantial time of worship.
The worship itself was great and, like the day before's service in the consecration service, the music ranged from the standard Methodist hymns, to contemporary music, to traditional Indian music. After worship we went to visit one of their significant ministries to the community. It is a center for the housing and development of children with mental disabilities. They receive children from the ages of 2 to 18 years old. They teach the children literally everything from basic hygiene when they are very young to vocational skills once they can begin working toward self-sufficiency. Some are learning how to assemble motorcycle parts, others work with flower vendors, and and so on. But most important about this school is it takes each child and believes that the child has a gift to give, something special to offer and works to help the child find it. Rather than seeing what the child cannot do they look for what the child can do and build on it. One of the children's favorite activities is to dance and they dance very well.
I will close by sharing this with you. The scripture from Luke 4:18-19 has kept coming back to me throughout these last two days.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Like Bishop Deva said, the Holy Spirit is like smoke rising from the bottom to the top. It is definitely so here. The Spirit of the Lord is upon these people and they are anointed and spreading the good news wherever they are and I'm trying to pay attention.
Blessings,
Perry
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