Sensory overload was the phrase I first used to describe my experience in India when I traveled the country for nearly one month in 2010. More than 1.3 billion people occupy a landmass one-third that of the United States. Sights, sounds, and smells grow beyond what most westerners experience on a daily basis.
My visit to India takes me to Hyderabad, a metropolitan area of more than 9,000,000. In Hyderabad our friends and gospel partners, Solomon and Sandyha Raju serve the Lord in a Bible college, local churches, a children’s home, and mercy ministries. When I arrive Thursday morning, my task is to train seminarians, help local pastors, and encourage Solomon, Sandyha and their family.
I ask for your prayer support. Would you pray for physical health and strength? Beyond the actual travel to the other side of the globe, I will hit the ground running when I arrive. The meetings with students and pastors to train them in the work of the local church and the evening gospel meetings will put a strain on my voice, body, and mind. I will need the Lord’s strength to complete the tasks.
Would you pray for salvation of people? I will, without question, preach to people who do not know the good news of Jesus Christ. We read in Romans that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Will you ask God to save people?
Would you pray God encourages the Christians I meet? I want to lift the spirits of our mission partners. I want to help the dad trying to lead their families. I want to show the children and students the joy of following Jesus faithfully. I want to lend a hand to the pastors who fight discouragement, who wonder if God is blessing their small congregation, and for whom the pressures of life a real.
I look forward to telling you about my trip both when I return and at points along the way.
As always I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.