ADVANCING THE KINGDOM

She looked about 19, this slight Hindu girl in the bright sari at the sewing class. She had come up for prayer after I had related the Bible story of Naaman the Syrian being healed through the testimony of a servant girl. Prabha had interpreted.

Larry and I prayed for her, her father’s healing, for finances—then felt impressed to encourage her to read the Bible to her father. “Yes,” Prabha affirmed. “I can get her a Hindi Bible.”

Old fashioned sewing machines lined the small room where the tailoring classes were held. Mary, Prabha’s wife, was teaching in this slum where they also had English classes, and a clinic. Small churches were growing from new converts.

We were three weeks in India, travelling from Lonavala (east of Bombay) to Bangalore, teaching at three venues to YWAM staff and students. Prabha’s staff in Lonavala seemed the most mature, but even younger students in Bangalore were eager, open—trusting God for finances to press forward in spreading the Gospel on their two month outreach, after their three month school. They would all be ministering in north India or Nepal. I was humbled by their wholehearted fervor in worship and prayer. It was an honor to teach them, the fingers and feet of Jesus advancing into the darkness with His light.

Arriving home I have mused over these young warriors, and the staff who persevere to lead them. Each of us have a post on the front line. “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” Mt. 11:12.

How can we be forceful at our posts? The Holy Spirit has to show us how to pray and give and go in our world. So that our neighbors and more like this young Hindu girl can know Jesus.