Chapter Four, Section III
How excited we were to have Budhna back with stores and mail. We shared the concern of Janice and Ruth over the Missionary Committee's letter, which they had forwarded to us. Frantically, James and I searched in the Minutes for any resolution on Surgapam, but there was not a mention. It was incredible that, after six months of anxious waiting, there was still no clear directive for us to enter the new field, but here we were, already camped in Surgapam, with our roots going deeper day by day!
Following the return of Laxshman and his companions from the police station and our decision to stop development of Laxshman's land as a mission compound, we were in a quandary as to what we should do. Without land, there was no way we could introduce medical, educational and agricultural programs. We needed a base and it seemed that only a miracle could overcome our problem.
Our nightly prayer meetings around the campfire were always a great inspiration, but this night it was an unforgettable experience. As usual, we were joined by the team of karmcharis - Matifat, Golighat, Prabhu Das, Jai Kharima and Emasai. Laxshman also was present. When the land issue was raised, Golighat first suggested that we make it a matter of prayer. "We don't know where land is available," he said, "but the Lord does. "There is no chance whatsoever that other people will sell or give us land," commented Prabhu Das. "Only the other day, in my village, a man was badly beaten with a shoe because he had shown me friendship." One of the most humiliating ways of insulting an Indian is to beat him with a shoe. "People are so afraid of what may happen to them if they give us any help, and for that reason I am unable to get accommodation in some villages," joined in Emasai.
After all of us had expressed our various points of view, we discussed it with the Lord, as though he were seated with us around the fire. We talked over each problem and when we had reached the limits of our human understanding, we asked him to do the impossible. We asked for miracles and experienced them, time and time again. The officials may have been able to force Laxshman to turn us from his piece of agricultural land, but they could not prevent him carrying out the plan he believed God had given him.
We hear a lot these days about miracles. Christians yearn for the Return of Christ. They want to see him working wonders as of old. But the days of miracles are still with us because Christ is still with us. He is incarnate in the lives of women and men who have taken him into their hearts by faith. In fact, the lord is doing greater things today than when he was here as a human. At that time, he was very much limited geographically, but today, he is to be found throughout the whole world, even in such remote parts as Champapur, Surgapam.
The environment where miracles are most likely to occur is where there has been a complete surrender of self - of one's pride and ego. The treasures of this world are to be regarded as refuse and our trust in Christ and his way of life must go beyond the limits of our human resources. We must love others - all people, even unlovely people - enough to die for them, just as Jesus did. We must be content in whatever situation we find ourselves, believing that however great may be the hardship, we are always in the centre of his will. And at all times, we must be prepared to be led by him into paths of service and suffering, however great the cost. When these conditions are met, the Power of God will be manifest and miracles will follow. It is as simple as that!
Unfortunately, some people try to induce miracles. Psychological and emotional stimuli can sometimes help to deceive us into believing that a certain event is one of divine intervention. One thing is certain in my experience and that came through observing the beginnings of the Surgapam work. When the criteria previously mentioned are fulfilled, we may expect to see things happening that are beyond the limits of human possibilities. The conditions may seem to be very severe and demanding, but it should be remembered that the Lord requires of us no more than he himself has endured.
People talk of a
"charismatic" experience as though it is some "extra" to
the Christian faith - a sort of "second blessing". Actually, it is the
normal Christian life. The reason why it appears to be abnormal is not only due
to the associated emotional and psychological excesses but because the
Paul, in Phil. 1: 29 (N.E.B.), uses the rich word "privilege" in relation to Christian service. We are "granted the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also of suffering for him." The Greek word from which the phrase "granted the privilege" is derived is "Charis", which is generally translated "Grace", being the unmerited gift of God himself, poured out in Jesus. Grace is the loving of the unlovely, the forgiving of the unforgivable, and the acceptance of the unacceptable.
Of course, if we fully understand that Christian belief or faith is total commitment to the way of life that Jesus lived in human relationships, it is quite superfluous for the apostle to have mentioned anything about us sharing in his sufferings, for faith covers everything. If we are stewards of grace, then we are the channels through which the very life of God in Christ flows. In fellowship with these simple devout Indian aboriginal people, it was now quite clear where the Secret to Life is found. "God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the Glory of this Mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27 - R.S.V.)
It should not be imagined that our little company of believers in Surgapam constantly lived in the "seventh heaven". In the years that followed, so long as we remained a caring, sharing, supportive, humble, serving and suffering band of disciples, the Lord continued to bless. However, when pride, self-seeking and a craving for human comforts were allowed the pre-eminence, it was as though the Lord had withdrawn his presence. So it was that our prayers were answered in a most remarkable way. For use by the Mission as a base, Laxshman offered portion of his own small mud house, located right in the middle of Karanja village!
Few cultured Westerners would be able to adjust to life in the heart of an Indian village, especially in an extremely isolated rural area and in the midst of “primitive” people. But we believed that this was an answer to our prayers. It was the gift of God and James and his Indian colleagues accepted it as such. Had this provision been rejected because of human pride and the desire for comfort, the miracles would have ceased. But they did not cease because every moment was lived in the presence of the Lord - at least in those days! Times of spiritual depression came when complacency set in, spiritually returning us to square one. Then we would have another revival and a consequent blessing.
Maybe our Western society has yet to prove the viability and feasibility of the Christian Faith. Perhaps we have not yet put Jesus to the test to prove that the Gospel really "works".
Let us take Jesus at his word, and that too, is faith. When he promised, in Matt. 18:9 (N.E.B.)... "If two of you agree on earth about any request you have to make, that request will be granted by my , heavenly Father. For where two or three have met together in my name, I am there among them." The key to the realization of this promise is in the phrase - "IN MY NAME".
However, for our prayer life really to be efficacious, it must be relational - "where two, three or more of you agree in my Name " A dynamic Christian experience is never lived in isolation from people. Togetherness or fellowship with others of like faith is fundamental to a close relationship with Christ. (Ephes. 2:6). Our understanding of spiritual matters is gained "with all God's people". (Ephes. 3:18). Our healing is also conditional on a humble relationship with others. (James 5:16). We also meet the Lord in gracious service to those less fortunate than ourselves. (Matt. 25:36).
We had our ups and downs, for sure, but in those early pioneering days, talking with the Lord was as natural as breathing, as when Jai Kherima quite spontaneously said, "We must not forget to pray for Burton Sahib on his way to Nagpur." We also had to remember the purpose for which Lionel had made that long trip - to seek justice for these simple tribal people in their desperate struggle to achieve human dignity.
With Lionel, we all believed that there was justice in India. It may not have been manifest at the local village level, but we were confident that in the higher echelons of the Administration, it would be found. We had an implicit faith in the Indian Constitution, which, in many respects, is far more liberal than some of the more advanced nations. No prejudice and discrimination is to be found in India's Constitution.