Go Beyond

   We arrived in Delhi late Saturday night and are now one flight closer to Kashmir. There is something about being seated on packed international flights and walking through crowded airports far from home that stirs my heart. There is perhaps no better place to hear so many different languages being spoken at the same time than at an airport. And, airports feature more than tarmac covered runways for jumbo jets. They also feature fashion runways where the colorful clothing of the nations is on proud display. Every time I venture far from home I am reminded of how much I love the nations — the peoples of the world.

   Delhi is one of my favorite cities. It is a fascinating synthesis of past and present and old and new. It is a place where skyscrapers cast shadows on the strata of ancient ruins and where the poor swim in the dangerous currents of traffic hoping to catch something to survive another day. Everything is crowded in Delhi — the streets, the markets, the sites, the parks, and the restaurants. Delhi is a feast for the senses. Our midnight cab ride from the airport to our guesthouse reminded me once again that New York is not the only city that never sleeps. I am glad to be back in Delhi.

   I am grateful to be in Delhi with friends. Lee Pullin and I have traveled together to many far-away places – from trans-Himalayan rivers to the mountains of Pakistan to the steppes of Mongolia and more. We have seen God at work around the world among those who have little or no access to the gospel. Kelly Isenberger is a first-timer. This mother of two little girls approached me months ago about getting involved with Muslim women and expressed her to desire to join God at work in Kashmir. I am glad she is here. She wept this morning because she misses her family and she cares for the nations. Her tears were refreshing and reminded me that it always costs us something  to go beyond – to step across the line to advance God’s purposes in the world. Please take a moment to read Kelly’s blog.

   I am grateful for new friends. We spent our day with a young couple who work with Sufi Muslims. They are raising two of the cutest preschool children I have ever seen far from home because they long for the day when “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9). They understand that the kingdom only advances at our inconvenience and have, therefore, chosen to be inconvenienced. They blessed us today.

   I am especially excited about being in Delhi for another reason. This week Jon Davis, our missions associate, led a team from Kingsland to Mexico. And, we had two Kingsland teams serving our community through local initiatives under the leadership of Malcolm McMullen. All of this at the same time! Our involvement with more than a dozen people groups and as many local partners mean that the sun never sets on our work around the world. We are able do all of this because of the unceasing prayers and unselfish giving to our missions ministry by the Kingsland family. Thanks Pastor Alex and Kingsland family for loving God and loving the nations. In a few hours we will leave Delhi and fly to Kashmir. Thanks for your continued prayers.

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Note | For more on Kashmir, please read Kelly Isenberger’s blog.