Daisai Adventure

The last few days I have been in a small village called Daisai, which is about a 45 minute drive away from the Bay of Bengal. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing that a couple friends asked me to be a part of. It turned out to be quite the adventure. Three others and myself took off from Kolkata on Wednesday night with a pastor and his family from the village. There was only one person in the bunch that knew decent English, so I was completely surrounded and immersed in Bengali. (This made it interesting in the beginning since we stopped in Kolkata for literally 2 hours or so while half the car went outside to grab folders, or so I found out after the 2 hours. No one thought it very important to let me know what was going on. Ha. During that time I had absolutely no clue what was going on besides little bits and pieces I could gather from my growing Bengali vocabulary. There was a big protest in the area where we were because of the raised fuel prices. On Thursday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. literally everybody in the state of West Bengal went on strike. Absolutely no shops or businesses were open both of the days, giving everybody a holiday of sorts. This supposedly happens anytime fuel prices go up.)

During Thursday and Friday we spent time at the orphanage (or dream center as they like to call it) that the pastor and his wife help run. In this time my three friends and I played cricket, sang songs (in Bengali, English, and Swahili), and just hung out with the children. I taught them all a couple songs in English with hand and body motions, which we ended up doing over and over again because the kids were having such a good time. I also taught them Baba Yetu, a Swahili song that my team last year learned in India, and sang time and time again. All in all we sang in three different languages lifting up praises to God, which is such a beautiful thing.

Also on the last night of being in Daisai, we held a service where only Hindu people of the village came, about 40 in all. We sang some Bengali worship songs, and I sang a couple in English. Then my friend Dileep, who’s life is such a testimony of God’s power and love, gave the message and presented the Gospel. Dileep grew up in a Hindu family, and when he came to know the Lord 6 years ago or so, he was kicked out of his house and told never to return. He also was a huge part of the RSS (a Hindu radical political party that does whatever it takes to literally wipe out anything that is not of Hinduism in India) before coming to know Christ. He is now in his last year at the theological school at the AG church and is being mentored in ministry under my host brother Sudip. He is gifted speaker, and a passionate and anointed preacher… To say the least, God showed up in a powerful and mighty way and His presence filled the room. Several people came to know the Lord for the first time, and many came forward for prayer for healing in various forms. It was absolutely beautiful and His presence was overflowing. Pray that this advancement of God’s kingdom spreads throughout the village and that there is follow up with the people within the pastor’s church. JoyJeshu (Bengali for Praise Jesus). Afterwards we went to Digha, which is the seaside of the Bay of Bengal. It was so refreshing to see the ocean waves, even though it was at night and dark.

On the way back we took a non AC train. Ive been on an Indian Railway before, but not like this. Non AC trains equal completely stuffed full of people and people hanging off because there is not enough room for everybody. Me and my three friends were those people hanging off the train for at least 20 or 30 minutes. It was quite the rush. We had to continually try to inch our way into the train, which took a little while, but with enough determination and time we succeeded in our attempts. There is not much sense of personal space in India. I was pretty much hovering over this tiny old man for about 15 minutes of the ride because we were so smashed inside the train. Eventually people got off the train here and there, and we were able to breathe once again. This was quite the experience.

I’m closing in on my first month here in India, and I am starting to get more and more adjusted. It has been starting to cool down a little bit the last few days, which has been really nice. It is still hot and humid, but its been a little more bearable. The last couple weeks at the AG church have been really great. God has been moving in me and encouraging me in ways that I need right now. Please pray for continued clarity of thoughts and mind in what God is moving inside of me, and that I utilize the outlets he has given me to express them. You are all appreciated. Your comments and notes have been very encouraging. The community of the body of Christ is such a beautiful thing.

I am going to go watch the 2nd game of the NBA finals at my house. This is a big game. The Lakers really need this one... Blessings and Peace.

Scott