A Broken Heart

 
India is a land rich in history and culture, and for many years has been experiencing an incredible economic boom. Yet there is still a tremendous gap between the wealthy and the poor.

As I've traveled across this country, with it's herds of goats and water buffalo, I prayed that God would help me see the reality of these people's lives; and that my heart would be broken for their physical and spiritual condition.

Sadly, I've seen more poverty here than any one person should ever have to see in a lifetime. And I thought I had seen it all, ramshackle, tarp covered shelters sitting alongside canals, where the people cooked, washed, and drank stinking, disease-filled water. But then came Kolkata. It is here that God has finally and totally broken my heart for these people.

I can barely describe the sight that met my eyes as we took a "shortcut" into the city. The broken down old buildings, the flimsy, tottering huts with tarp covered roofs, the filth and garbage that lined the streets, with stray dogs and cattle rummaging through it, and smell unlike anything I have ever experienced in my whole life. But most importantly, the vacant stares of hopelessness and despair in the eyes of the people.

I have never felt so much brokenness over the world in my entire life!  I pray and ask God to break chains and give people freedom from their sicknesses and sin, having faith that God listens and will answer my prayers. Even when I feel weak, like somebody who can't make a difference, I have faith that God will be made strong in my weakness.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.    

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)   

Yet, after seeing what I've seen, I sometimes wonder  if anything real is being achieved in what we are attempting to do?  But then I remind myself that it is God who will carry out His purpose, and that Satan is just trying to lessen my faith. But it will not work!  I will rejoice, give thanks, and continue to have faith in all circumstances.  Even in Kolkata, when I don't feel like anything is being accomplished, I am not going to let my feelings get in the way of the truth. I pray God will use AIM to accomplish His purpose in the midst of all this brokenness.

In 1 Corinthians 15:58 we are reminded that, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."  

Prayer Requests 
Pray for a harvest of salvation in India, that the lost millions will hear the name of Jesus and believe in Him.

Pray for progress, wisdom and supernatural provision for the projects meeting the spiritual, practical and financial needs of the persecuted and impoverished church in India.
Pray for each of the men and women who faithfully serve the Lord on the front lines in India.