Standing In Gap

As we lead teams in India, often we find ourselves standing between two cultures, each one trying to understand the other. On one hand, Americans have their own ideas about how something should be done, and done more effectively. On the other, our Indian hosts assumed that if these Americans can travel halfway around the world to India, they must be rich and had money to spare.

Leaving any preconceived notions aside, one side needed to understand their purpose was to come alongside the native workers and assist them to achieve their vision, not take over the process; making suggestions and learning from each other, but focused on serving. 

At the time, our hosts saw American "wealth" in the light of their own economic standards where 75% of the people live on a dollar a day or less. They needed help understanding that while Americans earn annual incomes far above their own, day to day living expenses can be considerably higher. Neither side is right or wrong; they simply had not had the opportunity to see the world through the eyes and experiences of the other.

At Asia International Mission, we often find ourselves standing in the gap between two cultures. We see this as a role God has given us. Jesus stood in the gap between heaven and earth; by doing this He made a way for us to reach God. Now, we are not comparing ourselves to Jesus, but we see a parallel in that we are helping both cultures to understand the spiritual moorings of the other.

Through shared experiences, reflection, and dialogue, understanding is developed between both cultures and, as a result, mutual relationships of love and trust are built. At the end of the day, AIM serves as a bridge over which both communities are able to navigate. 

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Prayer Points:
That God would raise up a new generation of workers for the harvest
That past seeds planted would bear fruit
That God would continue to provide for the children's home

Pray for the Bhoi, Hindu of India
The Bhoi community is mainly a landowning one, but a few are                    

landless. A Brahman priest officiates at marriages. At the wedding, 

the bride and groom walk around the fire seven times. They work 

in temples and are therefore accorded a high status in society. 

Every house has an altar to Manasamata. Beside this, there are 

images of Khandoba and a few other gods and goddesses. Every 

family has a number of deities.

Outreach Ideas
Workers are needed. Jesus said to pray for workers, for the harvest is ripe.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray that the Bhoi community will be able to care adequately for their
families. Pray they will make schooling a priority for their children, so the
children will be equipped to live in modern times.

Scripture Focus
"That all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no one else." 1 Kings 8:60

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