Off to India

At the moment of this writing our son is in New York waiting for the plane that will take him to Delhi, India so that he can become familiar with the work that his new mission is doing in that significant country.
India is a land that has been what we might call “Gospel-resistant” for many years. It was under the control of the British empire for a long time. It had been touched by people who would know much about the Word of God, but once the land became independent it has been virtually closed to the outside influence of missions.
That is not to say that there have been no Indian Christians. Some of the finest believers that I have met over the years have been Indian Christians. At least two Indian students have touched my life in a most unusual way. They have been young men who have shown startling commitment and significant passion about their service for Jesus Christ. In both cases they have had a wife that shared that vision and were really a beautiful Christian lady.
To add to these contacts I met George and Pat Moodly in South Africa. They were both South African Indians who had sacrificed greatly to serve their Lord and their people.
Even thought the danger to foreign Christian workers was always great, it seems as if there is a movement that makes it very dangerous for Indian believers to live in this large country. Persecution has taken on gigantic proportions and believers have had their lives threatened, their homes burned, and their jobs taken away.
Persecution in the name of religion is an unthinkable thing. What kind of a god would inspire, murder, rape, and beatings? It is never right to persecute a person because of what he or she is. I don’t say this because in thise case the ones persecuted are Christians. It is true in any circumstance for any people.
Our son is going to minister to people who have faced this kind of persecution where they are laboring for Christ. Many of them will have paid a price that none of us has been asked to pay. Ministering there will not be easy for him and will be challenging to say the least. Those Indian workers to whom he will speak will be hurting, discouraged, and disheartened by what has been taking place. Evan (our son) will need wisdom and a special touch by the heavenly father to be sensitive, caring, and challenging to these believers.
He can well face dangers he has never had to face before. I am proud that he is willing to go. I am concerned that he could be in danger. I am convinced that God has a purpose in his going that will revealed in the days to come.