Daily sights in Varanasi:
Bath Time.
The heartbreak of so many street kids.
It was over 90 degrees F when we walked out of the hotel this morning. We took an auto rickshaw to meet with Pastor P at his home. His wife and kids were on vacation down south so he was spending this time alone in prayer. We shared our vision and exchanged stories. He was formerly crippled boy whom the doctors said would be bent over his entire life and never be able to stand straight in the air. He met Christ and was healed immediately and walked. He vowed to follow Jesus the rest of his life.
He share many things giving me valuable insight into the culture. He said Varanasi was the heart of India. If we can capture its heart, then we can capture the country for Christ. He said there were around 70 Christian groups working in and around this place, but all but 10-15 Christian organizations are doing social work with no gospel. They try to heal the physical body but will not talk about healing the soul.
He also said that those 10-15 evangelical churches are not very healthy. Some of those church leaders will go to service on Sunday and then turn around and celebrate the festivals of the Hindu gods (which means worshiping them). They have no clue what it means to follow Christ. And those are the good churches here!!!!!
We shared our vision to teach pastors how to read & study the Bible for themselves and for duplication through discipleship.
He looked me in the eye, smiled, and said that he has been praying that God bring men to this city to just teach the Word of God. We talked for a long time, then we prayed together for a time.
We continue to make new friends . . .
After lunch at a multi-story building that someone tried to model after an American-type mall, we drove by the burial place of Buddha. It was a giant structure with no doors. Buddha is still in there. He has not risen from the dead. We hired a tour guide for $0.50, but he did not realize what he was getting into.
Sam wouldn't pay him until Sam gave him a tour of history, so to speak. So right in front of a monument to Buddha with pilgrims all around, Sam gave the simple message of the gospel to our tour guide. Another young man came and listened in, and then an older man stood closely by. Pastor P helped translate.
Pastor P, tour guide (future follower of Christ), Sam
I am unclear about all that happened, but to our surprise, the old man leaned in afterwards and confirmed Sam's message. Then, our tour guide and the young man exchanged phone numbers with Pastor P. They committed to come to church this Sunday and Pastor P committed to call them and meet with them separately ib the next few days. Can I get and AMEN?
We went to the hotel, had dinner then off to bed. Tomorrow we get up and 5:30 for another busy day. Good night.
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