After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the lamb of God.
Revelation 7:9
Have you ever been in a place where it is illegal or strongly discouraged (and made difficult) to practice your faith?
Would you pray, worship, and live with peace and joy regardless of the risk/consequence??
Hello friends!!
This newsletter will give a different type of update of life recently, as I was not in Ghana the past month. I was in India! The place where my sojourn began with The Lord. The place where I was truly transformed and burdened for the Nations. It has been many years since I lived there, but this is the second opportunity I have had to return for a visit. I spent the last month moving around from north to south in the most diverse country in the world. It is now the most populated as well! From the sights, smells, tastes, languages, and climate, India changes from places to place. But, what remains the same is the very low number of believers in Jesus. This is due to a very controversial and hostile environment towards those who have faith in Him. I want to be sensitive in my words during this update in protection of those who are there, but I feel it necessary to share such information to those who may read this and feel a burden to begin praying for our brothers and sisters there. I would even encourage you to do so…
I would like to share with you glimpses of my time in India that was such an overwhelming whirlwind of emotions, reunions, and new connections throughout my time there! I was joined for the first 2 weeks by an eclectic group of first timers to India, which can only be explained by the divine connections of God to make such connections happen! We traveled together, despite our different backgrounds, interests, perspectives, and were united through the same understanding that India is an overwhelmingly in-your-face spiritual place…. Which desperately lacks truth. But, despite the many different religions that are practiced, there are still believers that live and show light through their joy in Christ! This was the highlight of the trip for me. To be reunited and introduced to several brothers and sisters with such inspiring faith. As we were sojourners in their country, we were graciously hosted and provided for by these people of faith! From accommodation, meals to eat, sweet fellowship, and encouragement, I was so overwhelmed by the love and selflessness that was showered on our group. Here are some snapshots and short descriptions of some of the places and people we encountered along the way!
HIMALAYAS
We first landed in Delhi, which is the capital of India, where we all met together as a group of 8. We quickly got aquainted after all being previously mutually connected in one way or another. Our first area to visit in which I had a connection was the Himalayas ! From my first time in India, I still have a connection from this Himalayan mountain town called Manali. This dear friend hosted our group, and provided a “local” insight to life there through breath-taking hikes, views, and traveling through God’s creation. While there, I was able to re-connect with another brother that has a coffee shop in a back-packing town, where we had sweet conversations along with his famous sweet chocolate chip cookies!! We also crashed a wedding ceremony our last day there! We were warmly welcomed to attend and witness a beautiful celebration of a union in Christ among other (although few) believers from the whole area!
RUPAIDIHA
After traveling long nights on a train, we reached Rupaidiha, where I was connected to a children’s home right on the Indian/Nepal border. This area reminded me of where I currently live in Ghana, it being a border area! It is a unique area with a unique establishment of love and care for vulnerable children. We spent just a short time there, but the overflow of love filled our hearts ! We played games, laughed, sang songs, worshiped, and ate filling meals together as family.
ASANSOL
My connection to Rupaidiha was actually from my dear friend who now lives in Asansol. We knew each and become close friends while I lived in southern India in the city of Coimbatore. She now lives with her family in Asansol, where she teaches and invests in the lives of youth in her community. We got to spend a day in a park with some of these youth playing games, having fellowship, and sharing about each others lives. So grateful to how my friend hosted us!
BANGALORE
After 2 weeks together as a group of 8, we parted as some left India. Three of us continued down south, and our first stop of Bangalore. God connected me with a sweet sister a few years ago. We have stayed in contact since then, and now we have finally met ! She hosted the three of us and introduced us to so many others that our focusing on child development, education, care, and love. She started a small school in a slum several years ago, and we had the privilege of meeting and spending time with these precious children! Our time in Bangalore was full of similar stories of encounters with others doing such inspiring work with children. From Bangalore, this new sister of mine connected us to others in Mysore, where we stayed 2 days. We were hosted by another family there, which unfortunately I do not have photos due to security reasons, but it was another time of hearing about and witnissing such encouraging work happening there. We visited a center where trafficed girls have a safe haven and counseling towards recovery from traumatic situations. They are doing such an incredible and challenging work there.
COIMBATORE
Returning to Coimbatore was like returning home. Although, there were so many changes to the city itself, the relationships remained the same! Family. We had a reunion of those from the faith family my teammate and I was once part of while we lived there, and got to visit other auntie and uncles that treated us as family. My heart will always be grateful for Coimbatore!
As we winded down the trip, we made a few more stops before ending all travels in the city of Chennai. Throughout the trip we visited 16 different places and encountered believers in each place! All living with a risk and challenge of being believers…. My heart was full as well as heavy by the end of the trip. I was flooded with sweet memories, reunions, and new relationships that I am so grateful and humbled to now have. I do not take for granted the opportunity that I had to take such a trip. I know it was God-provided and designed. He worked in mysterious ways to make it happen, and I am expectant to what He will continue to do in my life as well as the others I traveled with as we adjust back to our various places and stations of life.
Now that I am back to Ghana, there is much to do as far as re-connecting with the people and work The Lord has had me doing here. As Christmas is nearly approaching, it is a great opportunity to unite and bring communities together through truth and light of celebrating Christ! As we can do that here more openly, my prayer is that no opportunity will go wasted. The physical needs are great here, Yes! But, the greatest need has already been met through the birth and resurrection of our Savior. That is worth celebrating and risking all for!!
Thank you all for the coveted prayers, love, and encouragement. No matter where The Lord has me, I have always felt a strong sense of unity among the family He has given me through all of you that have been on this journey with me.
God Bless!!
Chelsi
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