Marlene and I recently returned from India. We had opportunity for a few days to do some sightseeing. That is something I have not yet really done since I have been a bishop. I generally go to a country and meet, preach, teach, lead, counsel, plan and work on issues. This time I did all of that. But, since my primary reason to be there (a missions congress and meeting with the Indian bishops) took only four days, the turnaround flight warranted a little longer time to adjust. So, we looked around, studied India's rich history and culture and witnessed some ancient and significant sights.
Among the sights we saw are Ghandi's lifelong residence and Mumbai residence and memorial, an ancient Jain temple carved into a mountain, the Gateway of India, numerous Hindu shrines, some Farsi historic places and a host of conventional country and city sights- gardens, museums, mansions, national parks and the like.
But, when I close my eyes and try to recall my experience, none of those sights come to mind. Instead, I see Bishops Gollapalli, Narendra and Joab. I see Shirish, Samuel and Moses. I see Prabakr and John. I see leader after leader who love Jesus, hurt for the poor, care for the church, reach the lost and do it all with the profound love of God that shines through them. And, they represent a church that is full of everything one would hope to see in the church. They are full of life and histories of sacrifice, miracle and blessing.
The Taj Mahal is a monument to what people can build. These brothers and sisters are monuments and testimonies to what God can build. And, it is my hope that more and more people from the U.S. get connected with my friends from India. If you want to see what is going on and how to engage, become a "friend of India." Send an email to wabashfm@aol.com and request to become a "Friend of India" so you can get an e-letter for prayer and information.
I am inspired by our friends from India.