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May 2007 - Doug Pearson, India
Mumbai, India
I find that ministry is God's activity, and my cooperation is the key. I pray I am available to show up when God is working.
Mumbai has 20 million so it can feel a little lonely as you fight to move about (like in New York City). Looking out of your jostling rickshaw ride you see random makeshift shacks with blue and black tarp for ceiling in every available space. Some just sleep on the sidewalks with their family. I've passed families begging and doing their laundry on the sidewalk. I am praying for someone to go with me talk to the homeless, to listen to them, and just to understand their story, and maybe give a little help. Sometimes I can feel helpless.
It is dirty and trashy everywhere. In a sense, the whole city looks like a slum with nice, ten-story apartment buildings and hotels scattered here and there. The other day I went to Pizza Hut for a little refuge. But God is my refuge and strength. And He is working in our midst. Through Greater Grace church we are making real relationships among the millions. One family at a time; as they introduce us to their friends, we see the Gospel changing lives.
Monday nights is Asalpha slum Bible Study at Sukdev and Sunita's home. Other key men are Prakash, Samuel, Nagesh, and Sharvan who plays the "Tumbla", a small drum. Singing praise to God in Hindi is heard all over the slum as the walls are thin with shack upon shack on the hill. People start looking in and some come in.
Sunday mornings is the main Mumbai Greater Grace church service in Andheri West. I think about 150 attend. I have made lots of friends and visit in their homes. Lots of potential in the young men here. Pastor Karl asked me to preach next Sunday morning as he will be in Goa for a ministry trip. Sunday nights I help Pastor Suhas with the church in Kurla. Key men who help are Trevor, Swithin, Mervin, and Pastor Melvin. Rachel Wileczek and the wives help, too. We meet at 5:30 and walk around Kurla making friends with the good news of Christ. We just introduce ourselves, show friendship and expect God to do something.
A couple of weeks ago, Trevor was sharing the gospel in a narrow lane when a bed-ridden lady overheard him and called out from her house, "please come in and share with me". She cannot leave her bed for a long time. She is a Catholic and yet did not have assurance of knowing Christ. Trevor explained the finished work of Christ and how it is not a ritual religion but a relationship of love receiving. She asked Christ to save her and she got full of joy. So much that she began inviting her friends and family in the area to come and hear the message.
I was asked me to teach a Bible study at her home. She had invited about 12 ladies to hear this Grace message. I shared from Ephesians and Romans how we died with him, were buried with him, raised up with Him, ascended and seated with Him in heavenly places. I explained salvation by receiving Christ Himself. Love - not a ritual religion. Christ did all the work, and He said in John 6:29 "This is the work of God that you believe on Him whom He hath sent." Just receive the unspeakable Gift! And you don't have to wait till you die and go to heaven, you will have heaven right now even on your sickbed! You will have Heaven because Jesus is Heaven. The Kingdom of God is here in Kurla! All the ladies received the Gift. Two of them came to church that night. Pastor Suhas and I preached, with testimonies shared, along with a great praise time. It feels good to praise the Lord especially among these precious people of Kurla.
November 5-15 we are travelling to Nepal to disciple tribal pastors and also our church in Kathmandu. I will get to celebrate my 37th birthday in Nepal. What a way to celebrate, huh?
Doug Pearson
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