India Trip, Day 4

A blessed Sunday from Vijayawada! Our day started in Segunderabad as we worshipped at the Lalagudda Baptist Church. Well, actually it stated with our hired bus driver arriving 45 minutes late, then getting lost on the way to the church. We polled a variety of local residents walking along the road who kept pointing us to the Catholic Church. One team member got a GPS reading and was finally able to direct us to the church, an hour and a half late. We were, however,  in time for the second service, spending time with the pastor and his family between services.  We shared special music and our team leader, Tony Cupit, preached. The people were wonderfully gracious before sending us on our way to the Hyperabad airport, each with a small bouquet of roses.  The adventure there centered around the extra weight in the bag I am carrying with the ServeTrust kits Westwood prepared on our fifth Sunday mission project a few weeks ago. I had to get out of line, go across the concourse, and try to negotiate with two airline agents who spoke little English and were obviously enjoying my plight as they calculated rupees by the second. We finally came to an agreement of their choosing and I handed over my credit card with the promise that any future grandchildren would be forwarded to them!!! The flight to V was a mere 30 minutes and Leena her nephews and cousins met us there with a bus. We hit the ground running and went to the housing development where the families displaced by the terrible fire under the train tracks a few weeks ago are housed. As we pulled in children came from everywhere, Leena's after school program. They sang and danced for us; we sang but didn't dance for them. Then an amazing prayer meeting broke out as the children one by one stepped up to the team and invited us to lay hands on their heads and pray for them. Individuals, siblings, moms and dads waited patiently for each blessing and we as a team were overwhelmed with the opportunity.  The Spirit of the Lord was present in a moment none of us will ever forget. From there we drove back through town for diner, and are now heading to our motel, about two hours drive. Should arrive about midnight and Leena has already scheduled our 7 am breakfast  and 7:30 departure from motel for tomorrow's adventure.

Weary but blessed. Looking forward to tomorrow's surprises!

Jim Abernathy

India Trip, Day 3

Friends,

While you are struggling with bitter cold in Northern Virginia, we are enjoying 95 degrees and sunshine here in Hyderabad. After breakfast this morning we drove into the city. I must say I caught up on my prayer life on the way in! To say they have an interesting traffic pattern would be to assume there is some pattern to it. The narrow streets, motorcycles and mopeds weaving in and out of busses and cars, pedestrians everywhere, and the occasional cow or goat wandering amongst them makes the beltway at rush hour seem like a quiet side street. (It would seem to me that the most important accessory on a moving vehicle here is the horn!) I understand Vejayawada, where we go tomorrow, is even more "exciting." I'll start praying tonight.

We visited a 16th century monument and mosque in the middle of the city. There was a three story spiral staircase leading to the top of the monument with a breathtaking view of the city. It was breathtaking, not in the sense of its fascinating architecture or the beauty of the city's natural environment, but because of the sheer volume of people in the streets below. In every direction, for as far as you could see, the city streets were teeming with people selling, buying, walking, riding (sometimes four to a motorcycle)...a mass of humanity like I have never seen! With every step we were solicited with everything from sunglasses to scarves, socks to pomegranates, to one gentlemen who scolded me for a block for not taking home to my wife the pearl necklace he dangled from his hand. (Sorry Cindy, I resisted!)

We had a two hour orientation this afternoon and made plans for our work together this week. Our team consists of two Australians, three North Carolinians, one Texan, and four Northern Virginians. We are bonding well and excited about our opportunities to work with ServeTrust ministries, beginning tomorrow.

We worship tomorrow with a congregation in Secunderabad, a city about an hour from where we are staying now. After two services we will head back to the airport for the flight to Vijayawada where Leena will take us to minister with the railroad yard community devastated by fire last week.

God is at work and I am fortunate to be here to witness and share in what is being done. Thanks for your prayers. Will talk with you again tomorrow.

Jim Abernathy

India Trip, Days 1-2

Blessings from a very warm Hyderabad, India. Arrived at hotel about an hour ago, nearly 26 hours of flying, layover, and getting through customs. What an adventure...for the must part, a smooth one. Thanks for your emails and texts of support. They are greatly appreciated.

It is 11:05 pm here, 10.5 hours ahead of you. Going to turn out lights and try to catch up on some sleep. Orientation meeting tomorrow.  Praying for you!

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...February 12

Ezekiel 18:25-32

“Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!”

(Ezekiel 18:31)

I love the smell of a new car.  It used to entice me to showrooms and car lots where an open door became yet another opportunity to dream.  Some have tried to bottle this tempting fragrance and sell it to those who want the illusion of a new car smell, but it’s a poor substitute for the real thing.

Today’s text calls the sinner to seek a new heart and spirit.  The old has been tainted by rebellious, self-centered ways. One cannot exchange the old body and spirit for new ones, for renewal here, comes from within.  The grace and mercy of God restores and renews, making all things new…not a poor substitute, but indeed, the real thing.

Prayer: Help me let go, dear Lord, of the sin that too often marks me.  Make me new once more by your grace and mercy. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional, February 11

Psalm 37:23-24

“Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way;

though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
    for the Lord holds us by the hand.”

I remember those “hand in hand days,” long, long ago. There are grainy, black and white photos of my father and I, walking together in the springtime of our relationship.  He has the firm and steady grip and gait…I, the uncertain toddling way.  These pictures capture a particular instance far removed from my memory, but now cherished in the evidence they offer of his sure and certain love.

The Psalmist offers evidence in today’s text of God’s love for a stumbling, sometimes falling human creation.  The differences are undeniable, but so too is the strength of One who holds tightly to the toddling, uncertain child. Herein is our hope, even in our sin, “for the Lord,” the Psalmist writes, “holds us by the hand.” 

Prayer: Gracious God, in my stumbling, hold tightly to my hand, that I may walk with you. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Ash Wednesday

Amos 5:12-15

“For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins…”

(Amos 5:12)

To be “found out” is a fearful thing.  The fine line between cover up and exposure often leaves one anxious and uneasy.  Speaking through the prophet Amos, God shatters the veil of secrecy and pulls away the false covering of righteousness to reveal a sinful people.  Sounds pretty dramatic, but confrontation often is. 

When the prophet Nathan confronts King David with his secret sins of murder and adultery, David confesses that his sin is first and foremost against God.  “Against you, you alone, have I sinned,” he cries, “and done what is evil in your sight…” Sin is ultimately an affront to the One who has made you Imago Dei, in the image of God.  God knows…you and I have been found out.

Prayer: Creator God, you know my sin. My Lenten journey begins today in ashes and brokenness.  Amen.

Jim Abernathy

God Remembers Us

I witnessed recently someone ask that pulse-stopping question we all fear when encountering a person we haven't seen in a long time...Do you remember me?  Sometimes the face is familiar, but the name...well that may be a different thing altogether.  One challenge for me is that as I mature, I am finding that everyone looks familiar! Maybe I have just met too many people along the way.

 

Jesus reminds us in the tenth chapter of Matthew's gospel that God knows and recognizes us. This isn't a casual familiarity that mixes names and faces and memories, but an intimate awareness, even down to the number of hairs on our heads.  The purpose of Jesus' words in Matthew's account is to offer encouragement to his followers in the midst of constant challenge.  He was telling them that as God knew and cared for the birds of the air, so much more God knew and cared for them.  We don't have to ask if God remembers us.  God knows everything about us and loves us still! That is good news on a cold, February Friday.

 

In a world that often seems cold and indifferent, remember that God never forgets a name or a face. See you Sunday!

 

Jim Abernathy