SERVE India

Dear Epray Friends,

We were so grateful for the opportunity that Josh had to share of some of his experiences while on his trips to Thailand & India he did through his internship last year. One story was really amazing and he said that I could share it with you. It is just SO encouraging to see how the Lord has plans for us and for those around us and for those in unreached villages! I will have to do some summarizing so I will do my best!

There were just a handful of guys on the team, mostly young men in their 20’s, and one really great guy who is in his 60’s, we will call J. One of the purposes of the trip was to bring gifts & shoes to the people of a very remote village in the mountains, and get a better understanding of how receptive they would be for more visits. Once they arrived at the spot where their vehicle could go no further, they unloaded and waited for a long time for the arranged travel companions to join them to help carry all of their supplies down the mountain to the village. Well, as often happens in India, and by that I mean always, things didn’t go according to plan so the people waiting with them told them to go on ahead and they would send the companions after them with the supplies as soon as they showed up. So, they started on their journey.

It was a very difficult trek, even for the strong young guys. The terrain was very steep, and at some points really dropped straight down, with jagged rocks and scratchy tree branches across the paths. This climb really took its toll on J. He had slipped several times, his legs & arms were bleeding, and his muscles were quivering. What made it all even more challenging was that it was hot and they had finished up almost all of the water that they had with them. They had more but it was up waiting for the helpers to carry down.

They had already hiked what was supposed to be a 3-hour-hike for 5 hours and there was one occasion that J told the young men to just go on without him. He just didn’t know if he could go any more. The boys didn’t say anything, but Josh & one other just sat with him and rested. After about ½ hour they all started out again.

They felt a great relief when they saw that they had finally reached the village! They entered with their guide, but couldn’t really talk with the people, as their translator was coming with the others. They sat, rested, & waited… they were pretty hungry & very thirsty, but they still had to wait for their supply of water to come as there was no clean water in the village available for them to drink. They waited & waited. Finally when darkness came they made themselves a spot to sleep on an empty slab of concrete and slept as best they could. Morning brought the same waiting, and finally, after several hours, their companions arrived with the supplies! Josh said that he has never been so appreciative of clean water!

Finally, they were able to do what they came to do… they handed out the gifts and supplies and then a few of them shared some short messages and they did a skit for them, but what they experienced from the villagers was actually very little interest or interaction. Josh & the others were wondering… was this whole trip worth it?? After all the effort they had made there were only a few people who even cared to listen.

It was time to head out, back to their vehicle, but there was NO way they felt they could go back up the very difficult terrain that they had come down, so… hmm… then a villager from the next village suggested that they hike there. He would guide them. The path was less treacherous, and the next village would give them access to motorcycles which could bring them to the next village where they could catch a bus back up to their vehicle. That was the plan they settled on and they started out. This was much easier trekking, less difficult but very long. After 8 hours they were finally almost there.

One thing the team began to notice as they were getting closer was that their guide was beginning to feel hesitant about bringing them there. In fact, when they reached the village, the guide had them sit & wait in the outskirts for hours until it was dark. Then they entered in very quietly so no one would see them. The few people who did see them were shocked & amazed to have these strangers walking in their village. The team’s plan was to sleep there that night and rise very early the next morning and go on their way.

This village, like the last, was very remote, but this village also, for reasons they found out later, never had visitors. Outsiders were never allowed in. The team felt very unsure and uncomfortable about being there.

The next morning they were quietly packing up to leave when 2 younger guys came. They had talked with the guide who had explained why they had come and what they did in the last village. Now these young guys wanted the team to share their message with them, too. The team agreed to share with these 2 young guys… but instead of just the 2 young guys 100% of the village came to hear them!!

The team was happy to share what supplies they had left and even more so to share their messages of Hope and Truth. The people of this village were so moved by their messages. They had never heard such a Message. Some of the women were crying, and they all wanted to hear more! The team was able to spend very special time with these dear people. The Lord was really at work in them. When it came time for the team to leave, which they found a ride out literally on the top of a truckload of coconuts, several of the villagers followed after them and pleaded with the Pastor who was with them to come back somehow. They wanted to know more. He said that he would try to get some sort of plan in place. It will be challenging since others are not usually allowed in. This is definitely something we can pray for with them!

So, all of that, all of the hours of preparation, the traveling, the tiring effort, the waiting, the hunger & thirst, the wondering in the dark, was all worth it!!!!!! This little village who had never heard and may not have ever heard, was cared for by our Father, and He sent this team who was willing, to share His love with them. SO great!!

I asked Josh what he learned from this trip and he wrote,

‘I learned a lot of things, but most importantly, I learned the power of being lead by my God and the power that honest, diligent prayer can have. As we were in it we felt like we were in constant contact with Him, and that He was taking care of us and using us for His purpose. He created a plan for us that we discovered step by step as we obeyed. It was far more complex and amazing than anything we could have orchestrated on our own. God loves those people and He loves us.’

It is really a joy to belong to our Lord and always an adventure to walk in obedience, whether we understand what He is doing at the time or not! He is faithful and His purposes are always good and His love is great. We are so thankful!

Thank you, as always, for caring and praying for us and all the ministries of SERVE India! Please keep praying for the land deal to be finished up this month, it is looking hopeful that it just might! We should have the good news by next e-pray. Blessings!!

His joy, Love,
The Nanda’s