Greetings dear Friends,

We make many trips around the country and abroad for various reasons but there are few which remain close to your heart. This one trip to Orissa goes down the memory lane for me personally, simply because of the immense love, care, faith, courage and servant-hood of the people.

It was Oct 27th 2010 and it was my first trip to the Central part of India. There were a few hiccups before the day of travel as one Brother dropped out due to ill-ness. We had one ticket left and did not know whom to take. My wife was already in a state of discomfort because I would be away for 7 days and she would be left alone. But when she got to know that one of the brothers was not going to turn up she was more than willing to cover for us. So we finally decided after a few talks that my wife would come along. It was three of us who (Sridhar, Cleophas David and my wife Lumina) were going to travel the next day. We packed our bags late night and after a short sleep we were up and ready the next morning to travel 1500 kms to a place called Bargargh in Orissa. Not sure of what to expect and being a bit doubtful about enduring a long journey we embarked with the grace of God. It was a 27 hour journey and we spend time talking, eating and having good conversations through the trip. It was lovely seeing the beautiful scenery outside the train and the smell of rain from time to time. The weather was different everywhere at times cold and at times really hot. Looking up to the heavens just whispered a quiet prayer in my heart to the Father saying how wonderful and majestic is your creation. It speaks about your splendor and Glory. We finally reached Bargarh district in Orissa on Oct 28th 2010. By now we were all totally exhausted and tired but deep down in our hearts there was an excitement about the whole thing. There were 2 pastors waiting for us at the station. They were warm in their welcome and very courteous too. The part where I felt most touched was when one of the pastors offered to take my luggage and carry it. I was so moved in my heart that I told the Pastor “No please don’t do that”. But he looked at me and said these words which I will never forget it – He said “I am your security guard”. It was a very humbling experience for me personally and I kept telling the pastor please don’t carry my luggage. But I learnt about the spirit of servant-hood from these pastors. They were extremely down to earth and so loving.

Level of and Courage and Faith: It was amazing to see the level of Courage and Faith in Orissa. They were sold out for the cause of Christ. One Pastor said “It does not matter if we have to die we will die for the sake of Christ”. We will preach the Gospel even if there are threats and persecution. We are not really worried about our lives. The most moving time was when we visited a school and children’s home where a 12 year old girl was burnt alive. She was taking care of the little children there but the extremists killed her for being a Christian. They burnt the vehicle which was outside and the Catholic priest was badly injured. One of the Pastors took us into the place where the 12 year old girl was burnt and burst out crying. Our hearts broke down when the pastor cried and we immediately were led of the Holy Spirit to say a small prayer in that place. We prayed the Lord will bring revival in the same place and the there would be bigger school and university which will cater to many more children and the name of Jesus will be glorified again. The extremists had cut off the electricity in a village nearby where there many Christians. They broke a church down and the pastor of the church was badly injured. We held torches and prayed in the dark for the people in that village. The hunger was so great and presence of God touched each of them whom we prayed for. One old grandma wept as we prayed for saying that she did not have anybody. Her Husband died and her children were no more. It was quite helpless to see her condition. But we hugged this woman and whispered a small prayer saying “Lord hug this old grandma everyday so she never feels alone”. The Love of the Holy Spirit was so strong in their midst and we knew the Lord loved the people of Orissa in a very special way.

Battling with thoughts: As we moved out of that village and we got back into our cars. There was a sense of quietness everywhere. Nobody spoke much. Looked up into the sky and it was full of stars bright and dazzling. It was beautiful above but not very beautiful down in that village. There was fear tension and smell of death and persecution everywhere. But the people still trusted the God of heaven. It was a great lesson for me personally. We blame and murmur with God even in our comfort and blessings. But these people had nothing left. They lived to die someday for their faith. I asked God why this was allowed in Orissa. There was no answer. Asked him again – Father what made you sit still on the Throne when your people down here were persecuted, raped, & burnt alive for no mistake of theirs. Then heard a soft still voice which said “The same thing that made me sit still when my own Son was Crucified on the Cross 2000 years ago”. Immediately I was filled with a fear and awe of God.Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”  The message of Jesus is alive today because of his death and sacrifice on the Cross 2000 years ago. Every drop of blood shed for the sake of the Gospel will be avenged soon. Death, Sacrifice and Persecution will bring about a greater revival in Orissa. The Blood of the Saints in Orissa is crying for justice. The Lord God will soon hear their cry and release a downpour of his Glory and Fire on this Land.

A greater burden: As we went back to our Hotel there was a greater burden and cry in my heart for Orissa. I sat on my chair praying softly within my heart for the people. We knew the Lord brought us to this Land to stand in the Gap for the people. Standing in the Gap is not just sitting in a room and praying for the people. It is going out there and reaching out to them with love of Christ. A smile, A little prayer, a hug, being the hands and feet of Jesus to a people who need the love of Christ. We knew what we did for them was very little compared to the plan the Lord had for these people. 5 days in Orissa gave me a new glimpse of what Courage, Faith and Hope is all about. It has nothing to do with all the money and blessings we have.

A renewed passion: The places where we ministered where places which were so dry. There were no lights, no music, no speakers, no mikes, and no stage. The Land of Orissa was our stage. No resources but only the source available. We were welcomed everywhere and they treated us like kings. With the little they had they did much to honor us. I heard the Holy Spirit tell me “You will step into places where nobody steps into and you will reap what others have labored for”. We preached in a village which had no pastor, no church, no fellowships etc…for the last 12 years. The Lord has raised a Ex-RSS leader as Pastor who used to persecute churches and beat up the pastors. Mysterious are his ways and that’s the God we serve. When nobody was available the Lord had to strike a RSS leader off his horse and call him out to build his Church. He has a church now with 30 people. He has a vision to build to 100 churches and help school children. Please pray for him his name is Pastor Eliya. Another Pastor also a former RSS leader now works amongst Muslims. Their vision is to do something for Jesus before they go away to be with the Lord. A Pastor who was a former Hindu is now converted radically to serve the Lord. His wife sold all her Jewellery for his Bible education. He is now a Theologian and has finished his Master’s in Divinity. He has a home church where many families gather every Sunday. It is the beginning of the great things that are in store for these pastors. The Lord gave us the opportunity to step into their small beginnings and sow a seed of encouragement which will bear fruit in the coming days. They are sold out to win Orissa for Christ. What are we sold out for? Is it for the riches and honor of this world? The Holy Spirit is calling us to surrender our body, soul and spirit into his Hands. If the Son of righteousness surrendered his life to redeem us from our sins, why are we holding back? Release yourself and receive a fresh renewed passion to serve the King of Kings. Your life is precious but it is more precious when you give to our Lord Jesus Christ. Go where nobody goes, Do what nobody else does, Pray with zeal and Fire, Speak what God wants you to speak and continuously endeavor to be like Christ to a people who have not seen him. I’ve tried to capture as much as possible about our experience in Orissa. Let Jesus increase and we decrease.

Glory and Honor to the Lord Jesus alone.

IN HIS SERVICE

Cleophas David.

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