Sunshine On My Shoulders

"Scratching" Out the GOOD NEWS

 

Look closely at my little treasure... and wonder. See the intricate little drawings on this scratch cross? With so much grace, the young boy who "scratched" out this beautiful Nativity scene presented this work of art and labor of love to me. It is a gift that is filed in my memory under the category of "one of the most special gifts I've ever received."

The boy was among INDIA's poorest and neediest children, when he was found by The Platform Kids. This organization rescues children from a life of begging on the railway platforms of INDIA. They provide them with a loving Christian home and a fine education. Visiting there to try to be a blessing... I was the one who came away the most blessed. The word that comes to mind for this place is "haven" A Peaceful, blessed haven. One of my friends in INDIA will go visit there when she needs a rest... or needs to revive her spirits.

Aren't you glad this young man now understands the true meaning of Christmas? This season is especially significant for believers in INDIA, as is stated so well by one of my friends:

"This is the time of year more than any other time, when believers in India have the most opportunities to share the Good News that alone can change lives, change communities and change nations...all to the glory of God. Believers and churches here are all busy with preparations...please pray for safety, protection and peace even at a time when there is increasing unrest and upheaval against anything that remotely sounds Christian...that believers would be sensitive and use wisdom and discernment even as they begin planning outreaches and celebrations."

 

The Good News... scratched upon a cross... by a child in far away INDIA. A wonderful treasure  to me!

Entrance of HOPE

 
My friend is serving... somewhere in the vast country of India. She deals with the extreme heat and humidity... power cuts and open sewers... exhaustion and discouragement thinking of the coming holidays so far from family.

And then a child, a precious little girl, enters her life. And once again my friend is able to push on through the hardships, being washed with the joy of seeing a life transformed.

This child had lost her right arm... the loss of a right hand placing her lower than the lowest untouchable... and erasing any hope of future marriage. She and her mother were in such poverty, they picked peanuts daily to buy food. The child never in her life owned a pair of shoes... or a toy of any kind. She had no concept of sleeping in a bed.

Then hope entered her life, as a servant of God reached out to her with Christ's arms of love. She was placed in a good English speaking school, and, though never having studied English before, only two months later, reads the Bible with my friend. She has lovely school clothes and shoes.  She feels she has a great life ahead. Her mother and this child are thanking Jesus, Whom they know sent help.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

The 10K Cake

 

 
This is the most valuable cake in existence... a 10K cake. It is valued, not because of the cost, but for what it represents.

It is decorated with little beads. Black ones... red ones... white, gold, blue and green ones. Sound familiar? They are the colors of the Wordless Book, which is used to simply present the Gospel story. Since no baking is done in homes in INDIA, the cake was ordered from one of their numerous bakeries. They customized it to order, a cake unlike any this bakery had ever created.

The Team who celebrated with this cake had good reason to rejoice, for they were recognizing the completion of their "10K Project," an ambitious and exhausting undertaking which, at times, seemed unattainable. But the weary Team pressed on. Their leaders had led the charge, with the challenge to reach 10,000 of INDIA's children with the Gospel during a five to six month outreach period. The huge volume of beads had been donated, and were formed into Wordless Book bracelets.

Weekly, the Team would travel to slums, outlying villages, schools and hostels... teaching with songs, puppets, Bible lessons, and of course...using the Wordless Book. They would be flooded with enthusiastic crowds wherever they went. They were able to count the children reached by how many bracelets they passed out.

Having worked in schools and slums in INDIA, I know somewhat of the problems they endured. The oppressive heat. Constant need for water. The throngs of people vying for your attention. The challenge of transportation... the Team could not all ride on the only moped available. Public transportation such as buses, taxis and auto rickshaws cost money and by using, chew up large chunks of time in one's day. To borrow a vehicle still requires expensive petrol. Feeding the Team would be a challenge, as you do not find a MacDonald's on every corner, and the street vendor food is not always available or affordable. People have to rise at dawn to cook curries, rice and chapati, and pack a meal for a special outing.

You might think this "10K Project" would take a huge Team. No... rather I would liken the Team to Gideon's army. As I understand, the Team consisted mainly of five brave soldiers, with two others who came to serve for a time. And one valiant warrior manning the home station, staying by the stuff, and providing organization and inspiration... and prayer cover.

The day the Team reached their goal was one none of them will forget. Enduring to the finish line... what joy! Praises to God were expressed again and again.

The statistics are amazing: 
Project Duration: April - Sept 2010
Project Scope: 55 Villages, 11 Slums, 19 Schools, 7 Hostels, 10,017 Kids 1,086 Adults 

Among so many of the nationals in INDIA is a level of Christianity which shines so brightly in the spiritual darkness. Such it is with the 10K Team. Their leader joked that the street leading to their mansions in Heaven would surely be paved with Wordless Book beads!

The Team is witnessing even more fruit, as they are being begged to return, to start village Sunday Schools, and to tell more about Jesus. People are looking them up... approaching them... hungry for Truth.

So now you understand the value of the 10K cake, as it represents over 10,000 children who were clearly given the Gospel... 10,000 souls loved by Jesus Christ, Who gave His life for them. And it is a tribute to that faithful Team, who would be careful to point "up," giving all glory and praise to God above.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." ~Matthew 5:16

Blessings Are Busting Out All Over

See the little squirty fishies? Don't you think the chilren will just adore them when they are used while teaching a VBS in INDIA, with a "Treasures of the Sea" theme? I can't wait until January! Lord willing, of course.

While sorting through bags and bags chocked full craft supplies, I kept singing in my head, "June is Busting Out All Over," but I replaced the words "June is" with "Blessings are."  

A huge thanks to Melanie and the kind folks at Children's Conferences International for the donated supplies! The "busting out blessings" are still bringing a smile to my face, and I know they will bring joy to many a child in INDIA.
 

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah."  ~Psalm 68:19

"His mouth has much sin."

"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication our of your mouth." ~Colossians 3:8

These days when I hear teaching about putting off "filthy communication" (as did my pastor recently... timely and from his heart, I might add)), these two incidents come immediately to my mind. 

First, a family anecdote which took place years ago. We chuckle about this one to this day.

FAMILY ANECDOTE

This "filthy communication" incident took place when my children were very young. We were in a long cafeteria line at Luby's here in Houston. (I so overdid eating there vs. MacDonald's, that to this day they don't like the place.)

As we stood in line, a man in front of us was talking... loudly... and angrily... using one expletive after another. I looked down sadly at my children. Little Joshie was shaking his head, making one of his pitiful little faces.

 When we reached the register, out of earshot of the offensive man, Josh tugged at my arm, looking up with his huge blue eyes, saying in all seriousness, "Mommy. That man must be a... he must be a... DEMOCRAT!"

 

This next incident, a sobering one, took place just last January, while I was ministering in India.

NARRATIVE from INDIA

One particular day, my friends and I teamed up for Village Evangelism, at one point veering way back into the country, walking quite a distance down a long pathway to a remote village. We were an unusual team, a mixture of youth and adults, mostly nationals, which made me stand out like a sore thumb. But we all had one thing in common... an intense love for God and a desire to spread His Good News.

Our Village Evangelism Team

I watched from the end of our queue, as those from our group reached the huts up ahead. Suddenly, I heard a man yelling in the Telugu language, and I could tell from the tone, and the fact that the man was running at our group with a distorted, angry countenance, that the situation was not a good one. Our group began running away, signaling for those of us in the rear to make our way out of there... quickly.

When I asked one of our teen girls just what the man was saying, she shook her head and answered, "His mouth has much sin, Sister."

The village leader did not like Christians, and in addition to yelling obscenities, he actually struck our little 2-year old, who had innocently run ahead of our group. (The lad in the yellow shirt, held up by his uncle.) Believers in this land are taught to expect persecution, and experience it from a young age. Yet their joy is so evident... so real.

You know, I can still hear that man's voice in my mind... it was so filled with hate.

In stark contrast, my friends' responses were ones of... gentleness... composure... not willing to even repeat an obscenity... and instead of focusing on the incident, moving quickly to the next village.

This was certainly a lesson concerning "filthy communication" that I will not soon forget! 

The Faith of a Dying Child

This morning I received news from a friend in India that a little girl they had been attending in a burn unit, had died in the night. Thankfully, she had trusted Christ while in the hospital. On a visit to her on Tuesday, she was sleeping with her Bible tucked under her pillow. My friend was rejoicing, thinking of this child being welcomed into the arms of Jesus.

That news caused me to reflect upon another dying child in this same city... but many years earlier.

It seems that a little girl was bit by a rabid dog, and lay dying. My pastor friend, then but a youth himself, having led this precious child to a saving knowledge of Christ much earlier, would visit her regularly. On one of her final days, he wept aloud while standing over her bed and praying for her.

She looked up at him, reaching up to take hold of his hand, and said, "Pastor, do not weep for me. I am going to live with Jesus in Heaven. Weep for my family, please! None of them know Christ."

Soon thereafter, she passed on into eternity. Her family marveled at the peace, and the lack of fear at her death. Their religion fosters much fear. And so... because of the LIGHT of Jesus within their child... they asked how they too, could know a Christ who could give such dying peace. The entire family became Christians.

It has been my joy each time I visit India, to fellowship with this little girl's father, now an elderly man, and a deacon in a Baptist Church. He is the second gentleman from the right.

   
Standing to his right, in the tan polo shirt, you see his grandson, a fine Christian young man, working hard in preparation to become a medical doctor. Their family tree is now full of Christians... because of the faith of that dying child.

A Mother's Heart

 

Houston is "geared up" for this Mother's Day weekend. Restaurants will be packed out...shops are profusely selling cards, flowers and gifts...mail and delivery services are especially busy. It seems like even nature has prepared for the occasion, as the magnolias are in full, fragrant bloom, with flowerbeds in residential and business areas showcasing exquisite color and beauty.

I am a blessed Mama, having qualified to receive recognition at church on Mother's Day morning for the past 27 years. The 10 years prior, tears would flow on that significant morning, as I wanted so badly to become a mother. Every Mother's Day card my children have given me through the years has been tucked away in my treasure box.

As happy as I am during this special time...my heart aches for many of the struggling mothers I met in the slums of India. They have never heard of anything such as a holiday called Mother's Day...and could not conceive of ever receiving even the most simple of gifts that we mothers enjoy.

One mother especially stands out in my mind.

This lady followed me around on the morning I came to hold a Bible Club for the children of her village. Noticing her bright, smiling countenance, I stopped to visit. As she could not speak English, and I could not speak Telugu, we spoke in "sign-language," a language, I learned, which could communicate volumes. She pointed to the cross on her necklace...and then to her heart...telling me clearly that Christ lived within her. VERY unusual in that village. We enjoyed a time of sweet fellowship together, as she joyfully introduced me to the pride of her life...her precious daughter.

As my team was preparing to leave, this mother came running toward me, handing me a scrap of paper (a precious commodity), containing Telugu writing.

She placed her hands in a "praying hands" position...pointed to me...then to her child. She did not ask for a hand-out (some did). She did not ask me to pray for her. Her only concern was that I pray for her child. Then she pointed to the paper...then to her child...signifying that she had written her child's name on the paper.

Yes...I will enjoy Mother's Day with my family, and my church family. But I will also spend some extra time in prayer for the one God placed in my path...the dear Indian lady with a true mother's heart.

Fishing for Men

Hereafter, whenever I think of Christ's command, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," I will recall my day at a fishing village in INDIA, and the two who regularly "fish for men" by their ministry to children and families along these Bay of Bengal shores.

I observed them serve Christ...without pretense...as naturally as breathing is to life, motivated by love of their Saviour. And, as happens to me so often during my trips to INDIA, these encounters with sincere believers "provoke" me to "love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24)

Supriya, with the green scarf, and her co-worker, dressed in the yellow and purple sari, hold regular Bible Clubs in numerous slum areas of their city. They have earned the children's love and trust.

After holding our Bible Club that day in the fishing village, my friends moved with ease among the fishermen families along the shore, sharing the Gospel...offering hope.

Children listened, responding to these loving ladies.

The joy of Jesus shone brightly that day. 

And then Supriya translated as I tried to explain to a man about the fishermen in the New Testament who left their nets to follow THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. He was intently listening...until distracted by his buddies.

These scoffing men bodily pulled him away...to join them in a game of poker. I am reminded of words from an old hymn, "Throw Out the Lifeline." 

This is the lifeline, oh, tempest-tossed men,
Baffled by waves of temptation and sin;
Wild winds of passion, your strength cannot brave,
But Jesus is mighty, and Jesus can save.

Jesus is able! To you who are driv’n
Farther and farther from God and from Heav’n,
Helpless and hopeless, o’erwhelmed by the wave,
We throw out the lifeline—’tis, “Jesus can save.”

 
  
These two girls were full of spiritual questions, which were carefully and lovingly answered. My friends will follow-up on them, of that I am sure.

Fishing...among INDIA's fishermen...what a blessed way to spend a day!  

Carrying THE LIGHT to the Slums of India

On that memorable February afternoon, four of us (Crystal and I from USA...&  local believers, Supriya, with another lady from her church) met to "carry THE LIGHT" to a slum fishing village of INDIA. After we trekked through their village, feeling like the Pied Piper of Hamelin with droves of children following us, we packed into a small cement church building to begin our Bible Club. The room filled to capacity, and the overflow peered in through the windows.   

 

The children already knew and loved Supriya and her friend, and participated with enthusiasm to the song time they led. Although not having the English skills of other groups where we taught, they still listened intently to the message I gave, which centered around how to go to Heaven. Supriya was the best of interpreters!

 

They were all eyes and ears...and I was keenly aware that we ladies were representing Jesus to them.

Having a rocket theme to my Gospel lesson, I brought along a NASA suit for a fun visual aid. This young man was thrilled beyond words to be our Spaceship Commander, and to participate in the "Blast-Off." These children did not have a concept of space travel...or astronauts...so I was glad I had a picture with me of man walking on the moon. It still required a lot of explaining for the interpreter. 

It took a bit of doing in that overcrowded, hot building, but each child (and mother) was able to complete the scratch cross craft brought by Crystal. Excitement ran high!

 

Proudly, this girl displays the results of her scratch cross.

Here is part of the crowd happily participating in "Clap...Don't Clap," a little attention game. 

What a thrill it was to work with faithful, dedicated Christian sisters, and have a part in spreading the Sunlight of Christ's love in this needy village. 

Not Ashamed

 
While visiting a young Christian couple in India, I stopped to photograph this poster on the front door of their apartment. They explained to me that the door contained spiritualistic, Hindu carvings that they as Christians could not have. So...they used this poster to cover the door...and to boldly proclaim their faith.

Like Martin Luther almost 500 years ago, when he nailed his 95 Theses of Contention to the Wittenburg Church door, this couple is boldly standing on the authority of God's Word against the spiritual darkness in their land.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation." ~ROMANS 1:16

"The Goodness of the LORD" Within INDIA's Slums

Walking through the fishing village slum along the Bay of Bengal, mothers or relatives began holding their children up for me to take their photo. If you take out your camera in INDIA...watch out! You will draw a crowd.

 

As my desire was to make friends, I did not mind snapping shot after shot.

 

I began to notice that so many of my photos were of little boys. Boys are treasured among India's poor...so they are pushed proudly forward.

This old fisherman was intent that I not miss his grandson.

 
Unfortunately, among the poorest of INDIA's peoples, very often a girl child will not be cared for properly, or worse yet, turned out on the streets...or sold.

 
Conditions are heartbreaking in this slum. The day we visited, a mother begged us, through our interpreter, to take her baby girl home with us...to keep. It may not have been, we hoped, that she wanted to rid herself of this child, but rather she loved her, and wanted her delivered from this life.

The children of this area, especially the girls, have many health and safety risks. But the local Christians are not complacent...they continually reach out all they can. These Christians are GIANTS of the faith, in my book!

From this very slum fishing village, little girls were rescued, and placed in a local Christian operated Children's Home, where 49 girls are tenderly cared for...given medical attention, schooled, loved, and taught the Gospel.

I was thrilled to find out that several of these girls from that Children's Home, thanks to a generous donor, are attending the wonderful school where I have been teaching each time I visit INDIA. Discovering I had already made friends with them in my classroom, I asked them to sing for me.

Here they are, in a video clip, singing, "There's No-one Like Jesus."

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." ~Psalms 27:13
 

Glimpses...Inside the Slums of an INDIA Fishing Village

 
Along this beach on the Bay of Bengal in India lies an extremely poor fishing village. I was struck by the contrast...beautiful shoreline with dozens of picturesque boats dotting the horizon, waves gently splashing...and a bit farther back on the beach, an incredible amount of filth and trash. 

Pigs run wild throughout the garbage. Water buffalo are allowed to "graze" in the filth, and I'm told they still give rich milk which is "good for the health." I had no desire to put that to the test.

 

A slum area (one of several hundred slums in this area of India) has grown up on this beach, which gives shelter to the impoverished fishermen and their families. It consists of a tightly compacted group of thatched huts, with just a few tiny homes constructed from concrete with sheets of corrugated metal for roofs. Most of the day-to-day living takes place outside.

 



The fishermen stay busy along the seashore.

 

And they work hard, fishing from their ships. (Indians call even a small boat, a ship.)

 

It was to this village that Crystal (my team partner), and I, along with two others, came to hold a Bible Club for the children. My friend and hostess, Supriya, had worked hard to get established in this area, and I could tell that the people loved and trusted her, as well as her co-worker, a lady from her church.

Word spread quickly that we had arrived, and children, as well as many mothers, began lining up to watch us enter their village.

I was delighted to be here...feeling a strong desire to show love and play with the children...overwhelmed with gratefulness for the opportunity to speak with them about Jesus.

In coming posts, I will tell you more about our day in the fishing village slum of India, the memorable Bible Club held there, and the special people who work so diligently to bring the Gospel to this area. 

Sunrise...Sunset

 

During my recent India trip, I placed a phone call to my husband. It was evening for me...morning for him...as there is a 12 1/2 hour time difference. He told me that he had just finished his morning prayer walk outside, and I related to him how we had just come back from a ministry time at the Children's Home.

Upon reflection of our conversation, this verse came to my mind, found in Psalms 113:3, "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised."

That verse held such meaning for me the entire trip, and I shared it with others whenever possible.

Observing a magnificent sun appearing on the horizon early one morning as I walked on a rooftop, I dashed for my camera to try and capture some of the splendor.

There it was, "From the rising of the sun...". And I did indeed praise God.
  

AND...while I photographed that beautiful India sunrise...my husband was in Texas, at Big Bend National Park.

Where he reverently witnessed "the going down of the same."

In all parts of the world "...the LORD'S name is to be praised."

Singing Praise to the GOD of Gods

A VBS during my recent INDIA trip was memorable in many ways, but I think what stayed with me the most was the incredible singing.  Especially this one song, sung In the Telugu language, with motions which helped tell the story, showing that only God gives the victory. (Culturally, this is important...the motions and movements to help convey the message.) The song refers to Joshua's victory...and that only the true JEHOVAH GOD can break the chain of sin, etc. The children LOVED singing this. And I loved the truth it taught! Singing TRUTH...they will never forget it!

This video shows 500 village children learning to sing "The Victory Song." Many, if not most of these children, have been taught to worship gods and idols. Significantly, this VBS was held during the height of India's national Hindu festival.

This verse kept coming to my heart, "I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee." ~Psalm 138:1

The children were doing just that, singing praise...and jumping with arms raised in victory...to the GOD of all gods...the KING of kings and LORD of lords.

Thirsting for GOD in a Dry Land

Nothing thrills me more than to witness spiritual hunger and thirst among God's people...in any land. The following incidents involving two precious boys occurred recently after a church service in an extremely poor village of INDIA...and became encouraging "touch-points" in my life.

This young man is about 10 years old, one of the children who mischievously played with me during the long evening church service in the village. Although his spoken English was very limited, he tried so hard to speak with me, first, to thank me for teaching him the previous week in VBS, and next, to tell me what he had remembered.

I was so impressed, and searched to find a small reward for him. Not realizing I would be among children that night, I had almost nothing with me. However, in my bag I found one of my Texas quarters, and so I offered it to him, with an explanation about my state. He beamed. 

And then I met JONATHAN, who wanted to also share what he remembered from VBS. He proceeded to relate all of the "C's" from my teaching...CREATION, CORRUPTION, CATASTROPHE, CONFUSION, CHRIST, CROSS, & CONSUMMATION...with pertinent facts about each one. Amazing.

I wanted to reward him as well...but had no more prizes. Inside my bag I carried a little New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs, a nice leather, soul winner's edition. I took it and inscribed in the front, "TO JONATHAN, AN EXCELLENT VBS STUDENT. LOVE IN CHRIST, CINDY MESSICK, 10-19-2010."

As I presented it to him, his eyes spoke volumes to me. This boy, the son of a very poor village pastor, had a depth of soul, an anointing from God like few I've ever met. I challenged him to use his Bible to know God more...and to lead many to the Saviour.

I sensed that perhaps I would never see this lad again...in this life...and so I asked him, "Jonathan, one day when we are in HEAVEN, will you find me? And will you tell me how you were able to use this Bible?'

He looked directly at me, the eyes of his soul touching mine, and answered in all seriousness, "I will not forget."

 
A small gift in our eyes...this tiny Bible which he held reverently in his hands...but a treasure to this precious boy.

As I learned a bit about his family, I discovered his humble, pastor-father, after learning about the life of Jonathan Edwards, was so impressed that he named his son for him. And JERUSHA, the name of Edward's daughter, became the name of his daughter as well.

Psalm 63:1 reads, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."

These two young boys in INDIA are thirsting after God in their dry land. And their thirst touches me, stimulating me to a "thirst to be made more thisty still." (A. W. Tozer)