Go Beyond

   01 May 2009

   We will leave Kashmir tomorrow and head back to New Delhi. I leave with the beauty of Kashmir permanently etched into my memory and the needs of the people woven into my heart. I am grateful to our hosts for every kindness they have shown us and for facilitating introductions to many Kashmiri Muslims. Here are a few reflections on leaving Kashmir.

K = Knowledge | I have enjoyed the time with our hosts. They have a deep yearning for Kashmir to be filled with the knowledge of God and have devoted their lives to that end. Their presence and work here is important. As I have spoken with people from the highest academic circles to the poorest people on the streets, it is clear to me that many of these have little or no knowledge of Jesus — or inaccurate knowledge at best. Some made it a point to tell me that they believe Jesus visited, died, and was buried in Kashmir – a popular folk belief. As I leave Kashmir I do so determined to pray for the day that Kashmir is filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.

A = Access | The Kashmiri people have limited access to the gospel. The best antidote to a poor understanding of Jesus is to read and study the Gospels. As we walked through Srinagar’s back alleys I was again reminded of all of the inconvenient places where people live and die without ever hearing the gospel at least one time. Unless we are willing to venture into these inconvenient places, many people may never hear the story of Jesus. As I leave Kashmir I will remember my friends who have chosen to live here and to make the good news of Jesus Christ accessible to Kashmiri Muslims.

S = Seeking | Many Kashmiri Muslims are seeking answers to life’s deeper questions. As we walked through dimly-lit Sufi shrines we saw people praying at the graves of Sufi saints, earnestly imploring them to help. Kashmiri Muslims have the same concerns as we have. They are concerned about their daily needs, the political elections, what the future holds, the welfare of their families, and more. Many we met are disillusioned by religion and looking for something more meaningful. As I leave Kashmir I do so with the hope that the Kashmiri believers we met will help their peers understand that Christianity is not about religion but about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

H = Help | I am grateful for our hosts and for the Muslim-background believers who live and serve in Kashmir. Their presence and their initiatives are helping to advance the interests of God’s kingdom one life at a time. Like those who held the ropes for Paul when he was lowered over the wall in Damascus (Acts 9:23-25), we must hold the ropes for those who serve in Kashmir. They need our help. We must undergird them with our prayers, our gifts, and our presence. As I leave Kashmir I do so more determined than ever to be a voice for these faithful servants, to muster support for their work, and to one day return again to Kashmir.

M = Message | The Bible is available in Urdu, the trade language of the Kashmiris, and in their mother tongue of Kashmiri. However, Kashmir has one of the lowest literacy rates in India. Only 20% of Kashmiri women are literate. And, even those who know how to read don’t necessarily read with comprehension. I am grateful for our hosts and national believers who are working hard to communicate the gospel message in meaningful ways, including through audio and visual materials that utilize a story-telling format. As I leave Kashmir I pray that the written Word will find its ways into the hands of Kashmiris seeking the truth. And, I pray that creative new means of communicating the gospel message to non-literate people of the Kashmir Valley would be developed.

I = Innovation | Serving in inconvenient places requires innovative thinking. I was impressed by all of the ways in which those who serve in this beautiful valley are working to make meaningful connections with Kashmiri Muslims. I had the opportunity to share the meaning of John 3:16 with a group of Muslim men through a creative connection our hosts have made. As I leave Kashmir I do so having been challenged to think more creatively and strategically than ever before about ways to expose people to the good news of Jesus Christ.

R = Relationships | Our hosts have learned the importance of developing and nurturing meaningful relationships with others. They cannot fall back on conventional and less-personal Western methods like inviting people to church. They actually work hard to meet people, to follow-up on those they meet, and to maintain those relationships. They understand that the gospel travels best on the road of personal relationships. As I leave Kashmir I do so determined to do a better job of making and nurturing new friendships at home.

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

   30 April 2009 | Kashmir

   The government-ordered hartal is still in effect today. Security is high and travel on certain streets is forbidden. Shops are closed and there are only a few cars on the streets. We took a shikara (a small boat) from our houseboat hotel on Dal Lake to the main road where we met our hosts. Ours was one of the few cars on the road. We avoided the main part of town because of anticipated demonstrations and instead skirted around the lake to the home of a Muslim-background believer. As we approached his home, our friend met us on the road where we parked and then walked through back alleys to his modest home. This was another God-ordained meeting with a Christian who has suffered much for his faith. It’s hard for us to imagine the loneliness that often suffocates Christ-followers here. Our visit was indeed a breath of fresh air to this dear brother. Looking into his eyes, I felt ashamed because of how easily we dismiss the multiple opportunities we have to worship and interact with other believers.

   We enjoyed a hot cup of tea and delicious cookies with our new friend and then spent time together in prayer. Our visit and prayers revived him and reminded each of us that we are part of the same family of faith. Before we departed, we promised to remember him and his family in prayer, knowing the challenges they face living as Christ-followers in a Muslim neighborhood. After our prayer time, we walked down the dark stairway in his home and out into the alley that leads back to the main road where we said our good-byes.

   Lee and I then joined our host for an afternoon walk through Srinagar’s back alleys and streets, the places where tourists don’t venture. The houses here are at least three or more stories high and built to survive tough winters. These tall houses cast dark shadows on the narrow streets below where women buy bread and meat from local vendors and men sit smoking and discussing the current elections. Curious looks, whispers, nervous smiles, and giggling children greeted us everywhere we walked. With the exception of some boys who threw rocks at us, the people were generally happy to see us and to talk with us.

   We spoke with one man who screamed about all that is wrong with America. He finally calmed down and we turned the tide of conversation to Jesus. He was open to listening when he learned that we have read the Qu’ran. We challenged him with passages from the Qu’ran that talk of Jesus and tell Muslims that they should read the “before books.” He said that he did not have a copy of the Bible but promised to read the Gospels. Our host will later return with copies of the Bible for this man and the others we spoke with. This is a small but important step because the Psalmist said, “The entrance of Thy words gives light” (Ps. 119:130).

   As we waked through the littered alleys and by-ways I was moved by the faces of the people who call these streets home. They have no access to the Scripture and will not hear the message of Jesus unless Christ-followers venture to these inconvenient places and walk slowly among the people. Jesus expressed concern for the people on street corners (Matt. 22:9). We should be concerned about them, too. Please pray for the people who live in back alleys in inconvenient places around the planet. Remember those who live in the shadows and are so easily overlooked and neglected. Dare to go beyond the main roads and into the back alleys to tell those who live there that God loves them.

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

   29 April 2009 | Kashmir

   Our movement today was somewhat restricted by an unexpected “hartal” (a government-ordered strike and curfew). Shops were closed and public transportation was restricted throughout the day. This is just one of the many things that those who live in inconvenient places have to deal with. So, we modified our plans and had some wonderful experiences in local homes as a result.

Open Arms | We spent the morning with a remarkable couple whose expressions and conversation clearly revealed an intimate walk with God. The husband is a Christian from a Muslim-background married to a woman from a Christian family. Soon after they were married, this couple developed a concern about the plight of unwanted babies in Kashmir. They consequently sensed God leading them to work at an orphanage run by a Christian organization. However, soon afterward, the government closed the orphanage, claiming that the organization did not have the proper paperwork on file. Undaunted, this young couple found another way to care for unwanted babies. They decided to personally adopt these children and raise them as their own. Over the past few years they have adopted seven children and have had one more of their own. Their children range in age from ten months to seven years-old.

Raising nine little children is not easy. But, as soon as all of these children are in school, they plan to adopt more babies. This couple supports their growing family by making chain-stitch wall-hangings, carpets, and other items. They operate with the utmost integrity. We purchased several items from them to help with their support and I left an extra gift from Kingsland, telling them that what they are doing is something that our church family values. I shared with them that we are committed to loving God, loving people, and equipping the generations and have made a commitment to encourage our members to adopt and to raise their children to love God. So, I am thankful that the unexpected hartal altered our plans and directed us into the home of this sweet couple. I later met with our host to talk about how we can stay connected with this couple through the coming years. More on that to come!

Outstretched Hands | We concluded the day in a house church where those who serve here meet for worship once a week. I loved the intensity of their worship as they sang with outstretched hands reaching heavenward. One of the men played his guitar while one of his very young sons accompanied on a violin and the other played a small drum. The singing was interspersed with prayer and Scripture reading. I had the privilege of sharing a message from the Scripture. We concluded by dividing up into men’s and women’s prayer groups and enjoyed an intense and intimate time of prayer. One gentleman from Finland who has served in difficult and inconvenient places throughout the 10/40 Window thanked us for our presence. “You have refreshed us,” he said. Lee, Kelly, and I feel that we are the ones who have been refreshed by our new friends. Their love for God and determination to make Him known have blessed and inspired us.

The hartal continues through tomorrow. But, that’s ok. I know that God will once again direct our steps as we continue our journey in Kashmir.

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

   28 April 2009 | Kashmir

   I awoke to the sounds of the first call to prayer this morning. The sounds of these competing calls from different mosques overlap and become a cacophonous wake-up call. To say that these calls throughout the day are largely ignored would be an understatement. Daily life and commerce continue uninterrupted with the exception of a few faithful facing Mecca on their knees. This morning Kelly joined the wives of our hosts to learn about and engage with Muslim women. Lee and I joined our host and headed into the mountains. Our trek took us more than fifty kilometers on winding roads into some of the most beautiful geography I have ever seen. One Muslim friend we met today reminded us that Kashmir is often called heaven on earth. I have to agree that if there is a heaven on earth, this is closer to it than anything I have ever seen.

   As beautiful as Kashmir is, I find that the people are even more beautiful – not just in the physical sense of the word, but in the sense of their worth and value to God. The people who live in mud-plastered log homes in these breath-taking mountains have very little or no access to the gospel because they live in inconvenient places. Unless Christ-followers are willing to go beyond, the people who live in places like this may never have an opportunity to hear and make a decision about the claims of Christ. They deserve that opportunity. Our trek today allowed us to meet and to speak with many people. We enjoyed the most gracious hospitality and received sincere invitations to return.

   As we drove back to Srinagar, I could not help but reflect on the characteristics of those who serve the interests of the kingdom here and who are committed to taking the gospel to remote areas. These are just a few of the things that came to mind.

R = Resolve | The Christ-followers who live and serve here have an iron-clad resolve to tell the story of Jesus. This is the kind of resolve that loosens your grip on everything familiar to you so that you are free to venture to places that are unfamiliar to you. We don’t take resolutions as seriously as we should. We make them and quickly forget them every New Year. But, I have found that those who serve in inconvenient places have a tight grip on commitment – a grip that enables them to serve purposes higher than their own in places far from home. Resolve matters.

E = Endurance | The Christ-followers who live and serve in inconvenient places have remarkable stamina. This is the kind of stamina and acclimatization that is developed by living for long periods in inconvenient places. When Marco Polo’s father and uncle met with Kublai Khan, the great Mongol leader asked them to bring one-hundred wise men on their return trip so that his people could learn about God. Marco joined his father on the return journey, but the Pope sent only two priests instead of one-hundred. Within a short-time these priests turned back because the journey was too difficult. This stands as the greatest missed missiological opportunity in the history of Christianity. Endurance matters.

M = Motivated | I have observed over the years that Christ-followers who live and serve in inconvenient places are highly motivated, whether they are nationals or expats. They value every relationship, are proactive in meeting others, and pray fervently. Those who serve here cannot afford to be lazy. Slackers and sissies don’t survive in inconvenient places. Their lives are truly purpose-driven. They understand why they are here, embrace God’s call on their lives, and hold back nothing. Motivation matters.

O = Ownership | The Christ-followers who live and serve in inconvenient places take ownership. I often hear them refer to the people they serve as “their people.” They feel a personal sense of responsibility for them. After the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdrew to a lonely place to grieve but the crowds followed him. Jesus felt compassion for these people and spent time with them. When evening came the disciples said to Jesus: “Send the crowds away, so they can go the villages and buy themselves some food” (Mathew 14:15). In other words, “the welfare of these people is not our responsibility.” Jesus, however, told the disciples to take ownership – “You give them something to eat” (Matt. 14:16). Ownership matters.

T = Time | The Christ-followers who live and serve in inconvenient places know that it will take time before their investment yields fruit. As we were driving into the mountains today, our host said, “I want to be here thirty-years from now.” He talked about the fact that it will take time before many of their initiatives bear fruit. But, he is not discouraged and continues to serve and to sow with hope of the harvest He is patient and understands that time matters.

E = Expectation | The Christ-followers who live and serve in inconvenient places do so with expectation. They understand that their “labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58). They bathe every initiative in prayer and propel their prayers heavenward in the spirit of David, who prayed, “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation” (Ps. 5:3). How easy it is to grow discouraged or to become impatient when God does not answer as quickly or in the way we want Him to do so. Those who live and serve in inconvenient places learn to wait expectantly on the Lord. They understand that expectation matters.

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

   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.

   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.