He is sovereign in South Asia

Friday evening and Yesterday, we spent time  at Philip & Gabriella's Pink House

(tuition center for children of peddle rickshaw drivers) and at the Mughalsarai

rail care center. 

We taught the same lesson at both places, "Resisting Temptation".  In both

cases, The Lord was clearly present and certainly taught us far more than we

were able to share with them, especially that He is sovereign.

The young men at the Pink House whom in previous years we had perceived as so

sharp and so close to accepting The Lord have returned to the street. And the

young men we had great concerns and doubts about have risen and are inquiring

deeply. God is sovereign, we don't have a clue.

At Mughalsarai, most of the older boys from the past had hopped a train to Mumbai for the wedding season there to ply their "trade" there. Only a couple older boys from the past were there, one being Ajay. There is an unhealthy

environment among the boys now. A young man named Buppy (age 23 and married) comes and refutes the Bible teaching. With Akshay as my translator, it was the

first time I had ever encountered such false teaching and blasphemy while teaching - it was right from 1 Timothy. The older boys have aligned with Buppy and together they dominate the younger boys. They have expelled him in the past and each time he so dominates the others that when he leaves, they all leave - he takes them with him and doesn't allow them to return, lest they pay the price at the rail station. There are only a couple boys who will stand up to his

heretical teaching, one being Amar Jeet, whom we have known for many years from a small boy. But those who stand up to Buppy were in Mumbai. So, God showed us something yesterday. Buppy is clearly intelligent.  He could be powerful for The Lord.  Pray that his heart will be pierced like Paul. 

And while the boys at Mughalsarai are struggling with Buppy, The Lord has blessed this care center with a new ministry to young girls from the neighborhood, all Muslim. It this thriving and their lesson and inquiry yesterday was rich. Philip's team of nationals has actually met with the families and The Lord has touched their hearts to allow this ministry to their children (sounds like Treehouse).

Another great story. Roshan, who dramatically came to know The Lord a few years ago is growing his faith enormously and is now in discipleship and Bible training. He is on fire. He plans to return to Mughalsarai as part of Philip’s

staff and a witness to the rail kids. How powerful will that be!!  We just neverknow what God is doing. He is sovereign.

A few short notes:

 - the Muslim presence in and around this city has increased materially over the last 2 years. It is our understanding that this is an intentional strategy since this city is a Hindu holy place.

- Ravindra is getting married March 11. Wish we could be here. His is marrying a Hindu to fulfill his promise to his mother on her death bed, but believes the Lord has shown him that she will become a believer in marriage. Pray for that.

Off to church this morning and back to Rahul's Contonement Center tomorrow.

~Robert, for the team