And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

-Romans 10:15 (NIV84)We had the highlight of the trip (to me) on our trip here to Damoh yesterday. Originally we were in two vehicles -- 4 US team members, plus three Indian ministry people and our mountain of luggage. Partway thru the trip, we transferred all the luggage to one car and six of us piled in Davidson van for a detour.

David told us of an old man he'd been introduced to several years ago. This man was in his 80's. He was nothing extraordinary -- just a typical village man. This man, however, he had given up practicing Hinduism in favor of worshipping the Creator God. But he knew nothing about the Creator God. David was introduced to him and gave him a New Testament. The man read the NT and the next time David saw him exclaimed, "This is the God I have been searching for!!!"

They have been developing a relationship with the whole village by helping them get safe water by drilling a well and tutoring children after school. They have been teaching and developing a body of believers while allowing their own culture to shape the form of worship. I'm not sure I'm explaining this very well.

Anyway, we stopped by to meet this gentleman, the children from the village and the village leaders. In a ceremony they presented us garlands of marigolds. Men presented to men, a young girl presented to me.

The little man I spoke of is teeny tiny wizened little man with big glasses. Dressed in a purple sheet thing drawn up into pants or shorts -- I don't know what they are called. Upon meeting us he drew the men into a huge bear hug. He grabbed my hands together into his and bowing drew them to his forehead. David told us this gentleman would just radiate love, and that he did!

The children were waiting, seated on the ground from youngest in the front to oldest in the back. The village men were seated on the side with the exception of the village leaders who were seated at the front with us.

A group of girls sang a song for us. Then came the treat of a lifetime. A group of men with instruments sang for us. This was an example of how this little congregation has developed without outside cultural influence. The main singer accompanied himself with an ektaara (a one stringed instrument -- no way to have more than one note, but he adds some rhythm by tapping his ring on the gourd-shaped body of the instrument). As he sang, different instruments came in -- drums, tambourine, tiny hand cymbals, some other rhythm pieces, plus a harmonium (a tiny keyboard that is powered by a bellows on the back that you operate with one hand while playing with the other. By the way the guy pumped the bellows, it also added more rhythm).

The music was pure Indian and it was pure JOY'!!!!!!!!! There was hand clapping; there were the times the singer danced. It was all praises to "the Most High God" is how David translated it. The music took all of us to this side of heaven to know the pure joy they were expressing was to the same Lord that we worship. Then, the most humbling and meaningful part of it was when the little man addressed each of us. He looked directly into each of our eyes and spoke directly of love holy feet (it reminded me of, "And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

-Romans 10:15 (NIV84)"). It was incredible, joyous, humbling, incredible.

Gotta run. David is taking us somewhere.