God is so good. He works in Mysterious Ways.

Mar 3, 2006

Tonight was the first night of the crusade.

We found out on Wednesday during orientation that we were assigned to Allywn Colony. We went to the site earlier this morning and were surprised at the scarcity of the site! We were told we would all be preaching in local churches around the city.

On the way to our site, we dropped off one of the other speakers at his site. He was at a beautiful church facility in a small town. We traveled past many bustling city towns, past smaller village-market areas, then turned off the paved road on to a bumpy dirt road that continued through rural looking neighborhoods. After driving for nearly to two hours, our driver stopped and parked next to a large unkempt, plowed field. There we saw a small tent erected in the middle of a dusty field covered with weeds, litter and brush.

Allwyn Colony, the area that we have been assigned, used to be a strong industrial community. A large corporation, the Allwyn Company used to manufacture refrigerators, but the company packed up and left. The former workers were given the houses and still live there years later. The community appears to be a collection of 6 to 7 dozen houses tucked away off this dusty road.

Upon closer inspection, we realize the tent is comprised of large pieces of carpet supported by four wooded branches used as posts and tied down with rope held in place with tent stakes. They were putting it together as we arrived.


We learn that there is a “local church group”, but they do not have a church as yet. The 15 members meet in the Pastor’s home. The room they worshiped in is no more than 6 by 9 feet. Just about the size of my bathroom, if not smaller. I was wondering how all 15 members fit in there. We later find out that they have already purchased some land for building a church.


When we came back in the evening, a few dozen plastic chairs were set up outside in front of the tent. A table and platform had also been set up under the tent. And a plastic tarp had also been spread out and the children were encouraged to sit on it. And the children did come. First one or two, then a few more, then dozens more, they sat on the tarp; girls on one side, boys on the other.

We began the program by showing a few minutes from the Jesus Film. It is the story on the life of Christ that we projected from our computer onto a white sheet that had been set up as a screen. The film is in the native Tangalu language and is a real draw for the community. The country of India itself is only 5% Christian. The majority, 65% are Muslim the others are mostly Hindu. The Jesus Film is a great opportunity to introduce Christ in an “entertaining and non-threatening” way.

As we were setting up the equipment, my Dad asked, “Do you think it is going to rain?” We saw some sparse lighting in the distance. But being it was the beginning of the Indian summer season, which started on March 1 and the rainy season doesn’t begin till June, July or August, I quickly said, “no”.

After showing the Jesus Film, the natives had a beautiful Indian song service complete with drums and tambourine. They were singing in Tangalu. It was very beautiful.

We were then introduced and called up on the stage. Then as according to Indian tradition, we were presented with beautiful flower garlands. They were made of various fresh flowers and mint leaves sewn together. It was very heavy and fragrant as various children placed the large garlands around our neck.

Dad was given the microphone to say a few words. He thanked everyone, then handed the microphone to Mom. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a strong wind rose up. Before she could even say a word, one end of the tent came up as the wind lifted the stake that was holding down one corner of the tent. Some of the men ran quickly to grab it and secure it back in place. Before they could catch it, another gush of wind began to blow the whole tent down. The men motioned for us to come off the stage; we were still underneath the tent trying to hold it up over our heads. They got us safely out the tent and the whole thing blew over. As they tried to get everything back in place, the wind blew harder and stronger. Lightening flashed closer and closer and thunder rumbled. The screen blew down and the electricity went out.

Meanwhile we were busy turning off the computer and projector and packing up our electrical equipment. When questioned by one of the pastors, Mom mentioned that we could set everything back up once the tent and screen were reconstructed. We completed putting everything away and realized that due to the strong winds, the men were unable to reconstruct the tent. Also they were unable to keep the electricity on. The electricity was being provided from an electrical pole across the field that one of the men had climbed and had rigged some wires. The wind kept blowing the wires down.

Through this ordeal, the children came to us with smiles and laughter and kept shaking our hands over and over again. Most of them introduced themselves in the dark. None of the names I could remember except Meshack, since it was the only name that was familiar. The children were happy to practice their English and kept saying “Good night” to us over and over again. They were so precious and beautiful, and had such open spirits.

I had my hair braided that night. A few children came to me and said I really like your hairstyle. Is that how they wear it in your country? I giggled and said yes. “We like, we like” they exclaimed.

It didn’t look like things would get back on track. The winds were blowing, the lightening was flashing, the men were trying to get everything pinned down, the children were running and playing, so we packed up everything in the car and begun the long drive back to the hotel. I felt disappointed that we did not get to have our program. Except for a short thank you, we didn’t get to say anything. It felt like some force, purposely caused this distraction so that we would not get to the message. On the drive back, it didn’t even look windy although, I noticed many of the towns and villages we passed did not have electricity. By the time we got settled in the hotel the rains came and came and came. Had we been outside, we would have been drenched. Our equipment would have been damaged or destroyed. God saw fit to get us and our equipment inside so that we can use it again another day; which of course we will! Tomorrow is a new day. We are doing two services tomorrow-- one for divine hour and also the evening program. I look forward to worshipping with my new friends.