Go Beyond

   We are finally headed to Kashmir today. After an early breakfast and prayer time, we stuffed our bags into a cab and plunged into Delhi’s fast-moving current of traffic. The ride to the airport was an adventure in itself as cars and beggars and rickshaws and the occasional cow all competed for space on the too-narrow streets. But, our experienced driver skillfully shoved his way through and we arrived with time to spare. Our flight was vey pleasant. Within a short time we looked out the window to see the Himalayas signal our approach to the beautiful Kashmir Valley nestled in their shadow.

   Kashmir is located in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. This heavily populated valley is surrounded by some of the world’s highest mountain ranges, including the Karakoram Range, home to K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Kashmir is bounded to the north by Afghanistan and China, to the east by China, to the south by India, and to the west by Pakistan. More than a half-million Indian troops serve here. It seemed like we saw all but a few of these soldiers as we drove through Srinagar’s picturesque winding streets.

   We arrived at the home of one of the families serving here just in time for worship. We sat on the floor as we sang and prayed for a couple of hours. One of the coolest things about our prayer time is how those who serve here pray the Scripture as they intercede for Kashmiri Muslims. They love God and long to make His name famous among the nations. Following worship we enjoyed tea and some of the most delicious bagel-looking bread that I have ever tasted – all of this sweetened by conversation and laughter. Although road-weary, we were refreshed by this time of worship and fellowship with our new friends.

   As the sun disappeared behind the snow-covered peaks we drove down a very narrow road to meet with several Muslim-background believers. Each of these men has come to faith in Christ through the faithfulness of our friends and other Christ-followers who live here. Life is not easy for Muslim-background believers here or anywhere else. The decision to embrace and follow Christ immediately puts them under great pressure. One of the men told us that they suffer even if they are seen holding a Bible. “If someone saw us looking at a dirty magazine,” said one, “nobody would say a word.” He continued, “But if they see us holding or reading a Bible they tell us that we are evil.”

   Kingsland has invested in building a safe-house in another city for these men – a secure place where they can lodge and study the Scriptures to be better equipped to engage their culture. When one of the men asked who we were our host replied that we are from the church who gave the funds to build the safe-house. Their outpouring of heart-felt gratitude touched us deeply. After I shared a brief devotional message we prayed for our new friends. Before we left, each of these men thanked us again. The last man to do so took my hand in both of his and earnestly thanked me. As we were driving away, our host turned to me and said that the last man who thanked me had afterward approached him and said he could not understand why people from a church so far away would invest in building a building for people they had never met. He was overwhelmed by this practical expression of love and kindness.

   Please pray for those who labor for the kingdom in the fields of Kashmir, for the Muslim-background believers here, and for the final phase of the construction of the safe-house. Kashmir is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. It is indeed like heaven on earth. Please pray that Kashmiri Muslims will hear and embrace the message of Jesus, the One who has made provision for us to spend eternity in a heaven far more beautiful than Kashmir.

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