Thursday 28 February 2008

What am I choosing?

Bro J challenged us with this story which brought tears to my eyes.
While travelling on trains in India you will come across child sweepers cleaning railway coaches.They belong to impoverished backgrounds, many of them are orphans or run-aways.They come into the coaches and clean them and then stretch out their hands before passengers who grace them with a few pennies.Many times they are abused and thrown out.
On one of his journeys Bro. J was travelling in a train when a little boy sweeper about 8 years old came in and started cleaning the floor.The ticket checker saw him and gave him a vicious kick and told him to get out at the next stoppage otherwise he would get another beating.Bro. J who is taking care of 1500 orphans and polio stricken children stopped the official and asked him not to hit the child. the TC angrily retorted saying its because of do-gooders like him that these urchins get on the trains and if they steal from the passengers everybody gets into trouble.
The little boy fearfully went and sat in front of the train toilet . As the train slowed down for a rural station he prepared himself to alight. Bro J approached the child and said; Son, you don 't have to live this kind of life . I take care of many children.
Come with me and I will give you clean clothes, good food, education and you can live in a a nice house. The child looked at him with amazement, thought for a moment and replied; Uncle you are making such a fantastic offer. If I come with you my whole life will be changed and I will live comfortably. But how can I leave my family.My father was blinded in a factory in which he was working, my mother has tuberculosis and I have a one and a half year old brother. I am the only bread earner in my family. If I come with you who will look after my family. I cannot come. Bro J said he started trembling when he heard this from the mouth of an 8 year old boy.He dug into his pocket and gave him whatever money he had. The last he saw of the child was him smiling and waving the money he got, standing on the railway platform.
What choices do I make for my Heavenly Father as a Christian? Do I pray Lord send me and keep me in a safe, comfortable place where all my needs will be fulfilled and I don 't have to worry about anything..Or do I pray Lord send me to a needy place, I don 't need comfort, I need You. I want to die for You. Unless a grain of wheat dies it cannot bear fruit Jesus said. this was really soul-searching for me. I want to be in my comfort zone with everything shipshape.Am I willing to lay my life down for Jesus? Accept my trials, because God sends trials in our lives to make us holy and more like Him.
Since the past few days I 've been suffering from a seasonal vertigo problem.This morning it was quite severe - giddiness, nausea, headache etc. I lurched into the bathroom, but was unable to brush, went back to bed and lay for a while praying for healing and God had mercy . I was able to get up with less difficulty and prepared breakfast and bathed Aunt S. etc. I took medication which helped me.No house help still.
I kept listening to good old Gospel music - "I must Jesus all of my troubles" and that really gave me the strength to complete all my chores and get ready for the evening meeting.
Dr John who has left his medical work to serve the Lord wants us to have a lady from N America for 2 days in our home. ( Sat and Sun)She is studying Hindi in another city and we have met her twice at our monthly prayer meetings . She has a burden for India and encourages prayer groups.She has been to India on short visits over 20 times and knows a lot about our country.
She over 60 years old and a very simple person. But still I was hesitant to accommodate her as our house is very simple compared to the luxurious and beautiful homes people have in N America.
I tried to wriggled out of it saying I don 't have a servant. and there is Aunt S and my house is not up to the American standard etc, etc.But John wouldn 't take no for an answer. He said this sister has lived in very primitive conditions (good compliment to my house LOL). Actually my house is OK and my friends from Europe, Australia and America have been here. But they knew India, I guess this lady knows India too. But still I am nervous. And I 've got this vertigo prob. and no house help.Please pray very hard for me.The Bible says show hospitality towards strangers because in doing so you may be entertaining angels. I must obey that, no matter how uncomfortable I am.
I must practice what I am learning this week.
Please pray for us.

20 Fertilize my soul:

the mother of this lot said...

Oh Amrita, I do hope she turns out to be an angel. And I hope that little boy on the train finds an angel to help his family.

Louise said...

I ask our Father in heaven to heal your vertigo problems, to give you strength and energy, comfort and peace. You are doing what Scripture tells us we're to do...show hospitality. May this woman be an encourager to you my friend. Rest in the Lord. Give your concerns to Him and He will direct your path and work all things for His glory and your good.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

There are countless problems in the world. We cannot solve all of them. We're supposed to deal with people the Lord will send to us. That's our ministry. We are where the Lord wants us to be. Your friend John happened to be in the train to help that young child. And the Lord is sending somebody to your house to minister to your spiritual needs. You will be amazed that you will be the recipient of God's love and mercy and not that American lady. Accept her to your house and see what God has in store for both of you. Thanks for your wonderful post. God bless you and your family always.

Roo said...

thank you for sharing this story. it touched my heart deeply. xoxo hope and pray you are feeling better soon.

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
I am praying for your medical problems and that your hospitality may turn to be a blessing to both your family and the American lady.
I wish I was so obedient as you. I meet foreign refugees, they scare me, homeless narcotic addicts and I'm fleeing..
The needy are always around us, so Jesus said. I ask him help me not to turn the blind eye to phyciccal and spiritual powerty when I meet it.
Amrita, you are a pathfinder to me.
Yours Felisol

Susan Skitt said...

Praying dear friend for your medical needs. I have had similar troubles off and on for the last 7 years. I am convinced it is partially hormonal. It can be very frustrating and limiting.

And as for the orphans and their families? It must seem like a daunting task, but as each of us reach out, it makes a difference. Our church supports a Christian orphange and school in Mysore, (I'm not sure if I spelled the town right) India. It is so good to see God's people at work throughout the world.

Kate said...

Hey! Be proud of your house! It's beautiful, and your garden is enviable by any standard. Americans who love and want to explore other cultures WANT to live the same life, see the same sights, eat the same food, share the same home that you have. In fact, I would advise doing something that may be difficult for you, as I know you want to be a good hostess. Let her help, if she offers. If it were me, I wouldn't just want to stay with you at your house; I would want to come along to buy food, to help wash the dishes, to learn how to fill your water tank. You have to do your part in teaching us soft Americans about what luxury REALLY is: loving what you have. :)

Sara said...

may the Lord bless and heal you. your tender heart is so very precious my sister.

Apun Ka Desh said...

hmm... thoughtful.

monsoon dreams said...

amrita,
i just couldnt control my tears reading the lil boy's story.its my biggest dream to do something for kids like him.hope u are better now.shall kepp u in my prayers.

Rebecca said...

I remember coming back to North America after living in Europe - which was also luxury compared probably to what you are describing. But I even felt uncomfortable with all the luxury here. Now I am living here for good and has been for me 'starting all over again' which means that I do not have all that others do. I have chosen to invite people in no matter what and that has blessed me incredibly....I do nto have to live up to someone elses standard...I can offer hospitality, and that is what most people are looking for. Not luxury. Hospitality is an incredible gift, and it opens the door for many other things. Maybe this lady will be just the help you need at this time.

Jeanette said...

Amrita, the story made me cry, too. Thank you for sharing it with us. It is heartbreaking and uplifting and challenging all at the same time.

I am so similar to you because it is very intimidating to me, for some reason, to have visitors in my home when I feel that I don't have what they are used to or that they will look at my housekeeping abilities with a critical eye. That is very hard for me, too. Maybe many ladies are like that, so that is why God put the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible -- just for us! In spite of how I feel when I am the hostess (!), when I am the guest I know that when the hostess is delighted to see me and takes a personal interest in me, my family, my children, my struggles, my work, my joys...all the surroundings fade away, and I feel so at ease and blessed and would describe my visit as "wonderful" to anyone who would ask me, no matter what state her house is in. Focus on her as a person, and nothing else will really matter all that much to her. She sounds like she might be a kindred spirit for you! (Dr. John might know that!)

Amrita said...

Thank you so much for your encouragement friends. Mrs K arrived this morning.We welcomed her and made her as comfortable as possible. I just asked her to drink bottled water so that she might not fall sick.

She has been to India several times and understands our culture and way of life and has seen the real side of India. She 's going to do some language and cultural studies on this trip.We have lent her our car so that she can move around our city in comfort and safety.She was very busy the whole day visiting various places of interest.She 'll be occupied tomorrow too and will leave for the city of her studies tomorrow afternoon.

You 're right friends its not the luxury or comfort or stuff, its the heart, and in Christ we are kindred spirits.

I know a hippie from the UK who has been living on an Himalayan hillside in a plastic tent since years - rain , hail and snow.He grows his own organic vegetables.I find that a bit extreme though.

Like the story of the little boy, i read another story in our newspaper a few days ago, maybe i should share it with you...this one is about a teenage girl.

You could be right Susan, this vertigo etc. could be hormonal thing. I am feeling a lot better, thank you for your prayers.

Sorry due to shortage of time I was not able to visit you but I 'll catch up.

My keyboard letters are worn out,i can hardly see what i am typing as i don 't do touch typing.I make so many typos.

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Aura said...

Very touching story Amrita! Sad to say, we cannot help them all.There are so many child like this all over the world...

God Bless

Natalie said...

that broke my heart!

Simply Shelley said...

Hello Dear Amrita, I pray the vertigo will leave you In the name of Jesus, and you will be feeling perfectly well.
Thanks so much for sharing the story of the little boy, although it broke my heart. Most children here in America are so spoiled with so many ~THINGS~. To think this small child is trying to support his whole family on such little means. God bless his little heart.

I am sure the woman will feel very welcomed in your home and you will be the most sincere hostess. I pray you both will be blessed one from another.

Blessings,Shelley

Saija said...

thank you for sharing that story ... i know that the least of us, living in N.America - are wealthy compared to so many ... what do we do with that wealth is the question ...

"sweet Jesus, give us more compassion ... "

Anonymous said...

Oh, this was wonderful reading...I can really feel it as I also have been many times in those similar situations...it feels so nice when we share bit of our happiness and most importantly see others smile and be happy due to our activities...Wishing you all the best with your health...Have a nice time!

Shari said...

What a sad story about that little boy. And I know that he represents many other children who don't get to live as children should. I couldn't believe that he is only 8 and feels the responsibility for providing for his family.