Six people traveled from SRBA to New Delhi, India. The team consisted of Ralph Gibson, Alice Reaves and Jeanette Kilpatrick from Shell Point Baptist and Steve Scudder, Mary Ellen Hill and Jan Oliver from First Bluffton. The team researched several communities, looking at who lived in the communities, what faith groups were present there, and finding friends with whom to share their stories. The team also got to visit many house churches and teach seminars on the Christian family. 

One team member researched a community with Sadhu, a Hindu monk who is a follower of Jesus. It was late afternoon and they were in a predominately Muslim community. They approached two men leaning against a wall. Sadhu spoke to them for a moment then invited the team member to share a story. She told the story of the Prodigal Son. As she shared, they were joined by 20 more men who listened intently. Just as the story finished, 2 police officers arrived and dispersed the crowd. As the two walked away, the men followed. Sadhu shared more stories with them as they walked. When they reached the point where they had to go separate ways, the team member asked if the men would like someone to come back to share more stories. The men said enthusiastically “Yes!”

Two team members were to lead a family seminar at an open meeting in one of the house churches. The room was filled with women, teens, and children while 8-10 men stood outside pretending not to listen. Besides the pastor and presenters, only five of those present were Christians. The first speaker shared the Gospel through the story of Nicodemus. Although the next was to talk about Christian parenting, he shared his personal story instead along with the story of the Prodigal Son. The IMB worker wrapped up by sharing the story of the woman caught in adultery and the story of the Philippian jailor. They all listened intently and considered the good news they heard. As a result, 12-14 new young people and two new adults are actively attending services at the house church.

One team member researched a community of rag pickers. Rag pickers are adults and children who pick through the garbage cans in market areas salvaging discarded pieces of cloth that they can try to sell. The community looked like a land fill and their homes were tents made from tarps and cardboard. The team member was deeply touched as 25 children gathered around her and sang songs they learned in Sunday school.

Another team member met three men in a local park (see picture at right.) The eldest of the three told that member that his 115-year-old guru had given him a phrase to chant that would lead him to complete joy. The man had yet to encounter that joy. The team member shared how he had encountered complete joy through Jesus. The men listened closely. Although they did not embrace the joy offered, they left knowing of one who had.

Pray for the work in India. SRBA will send another team of 4-6 missionaries October 27-November 7, 2008. Anyone interested in joining the team next year should contact Steve Scudder (stevescudder@islc.net or 843-726-8294).

 

Pictured below: Left - Pastor Ralph Gibson leads prayer at an area house church; Right - Team members visit the Taj Mahal
Bottom Left - Jeannine Kilpatrick leads a lesson on the Christian family with Mary Ellen Hill at an area house church.