From our team in India working with children through our COI partner.

 

There aren't any words to properly describe what God did for me on Saturday morning of VBS. But I have to try and capture it anyway. As I am in a plane somewhere over Austria, early in the morning with babies crying and Delhi further in my rear view, I want to write now before any of the memory fades.

I taught in 7 different classes of 10-12 year olds this week. We taught about God's call, and I explained the gospel many times. We talked about sin and salvation. We talked about the Holy Spirit. We looked at Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection. We did as much as I hoped in 5 days.

There were so many children it was somewhat difficult to build very many relationships in one week. But out of the 7 classes I taught in, there were 3 that were primarily mine. And out of that there was one that was very special to me in particular all week.

The children in this class were so attentive and excited to hear about Jesus. They asked and answered questions. Sometimes I would walk by and the teachers would be leading them in worship. I loved teaching that class.

On Thursday I taught from Ephesians 2. I wanted to leave the children with the concept that it is by grace we have been saved through faith in Christ alone, and that it is God's gift and not our works that brings salvation.

I decided to teach the children the bridge section of Lord Always, one of our Brook Hills worship songs. I had all the classes repeat with me 'It's by Grace we've been saved' and then we sang it to the tune together. All my classes really enjoyed learning the song and learning the English words. But this class was different. They really got into it. I pumped them up again and every child was literally screaming it at the top of their lungs. It was amazing to hear these children shouting out a song that has also meant so much to me. I told them that the song was one way that helps me to remember that God's grace has saved me and not my works.

On Saturday, the children do a program for the teachers and for us. They do action songs and short dramas and other activities on the stage in the main worship area.

As each class came up I listened and watched in amazement. There was a drama about the Prodigal son. Psalm 23. The 10 Commandments. The death and resurrection of Jesus. Amazing!

Then it was my class's turn. They sang some in Hindi, and then for their final song, suddenly for me a huge surprise came.

'It's by Grace we've been saved, It's by Grace we've been saved!'

Breath gone. Overwhelmed with joy.

The program moved on. Some of the classes began returning to their rooms. Then one of the young boys in the class, Faisl, came to me and asked me if I liked the song. I told him I loved it, and asked where the class was so I could thank them all. He told me they were in the room and so I went with him back to the classroom.

When I arrived, all the children were there. When they saw me they mobbed me. I started to sing and we all sang the song again. I don't think I have the words to describe the emotion when we were jumping up and down together, thanking God for his grace. I gathered them all together and we prayed together in a big group. I don't remember what I said. It was like it wasn't even me praying. We sang again. The teacher took pictures of us. I think every boy in the class had climbed on top of me. I was so happy.

Finally I had to go. The children asked if I would be back. I told them if God allowed me to I would. As soon as it came, the moment was over. And VBS was over.

The trip was well worth the time and effort and money that was put into it. I can tell you with certainty that children from Hindu and other backgrounds now know about Jesus and are worshiping Him as Lord. Because our team was obedient the gospel was preached and received thousands of times by nearly 1200 people including volunteers and staff. Mission accomplished for this trip.

But on an even deeper level, I don't think a day will pass the rest of my life that I won't think about that class and that Saturday morning in Delhi. I think it's a picture of heaven.

Revelation 7

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
10 and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
12 saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

I read these verses in my quiet time on Saturday morning. Then a few hours later I experienced a real life taste of what it will be like. This is where the words fail.

God is blessing our obedience in going to the nations. There is no doubt. His promises are sure. If you haven't yet been or haven't yet sent someone else, the time is now. For the 1000 we proclaimed the gospel to, there are millions who have not yet heard. Go and tell them. Some will hear and will sing out to God. And God may even allow you to be blessed by seeing it happen in front of your eyes!

Pray for all the children who heard and believed. Pray that there will be churches and pastors to follow up with every one. Pray for the Word of God to make it into all their hands. Pray for increase in knowledge of God. Pray that they will multiply and that this 1000 will turn into tens or hundreds of thousands by God's work and in a way that He gets the glory.

1 Timothy 1

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,
13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.