Journey to South Asia

One of our CMF staff members left for a trip to South Asia recently with a group exploring the country and our ministries there and considering possibilities. This is a closed country where, because of political, social, and religious reasons, traditional missionary activity is not allowed, but where God is working in incredible ways. 

Today I will hug my wife and our daughters goodbye and head to the airport. I will check my bags, sit down at the gate and then people watch until they call my seating zone.

Three flights and two continents later, our partially assembled team, having connected in a desert airport of the Middle East, will stumble out of a Boeing 787, wearied from travel, smell the musty night air of this island country, and collect our bags before reuniting with our local friends.

From there, we’ll drive 3 hours in pre-dawn darkness to arrive at the center of the island. Rest is something you do on planes; on the ground, we roll. We will freshen up with showers and a coffee and then navigate a dozen switchbacks to worship together at the local church atop the hill.

A world without christ

A minuscule percentage of the people in this country follow Jesus Christ. Those with whom we gather are the faithful few. They have been privileged to hear this good news and have believed it. They are few and yet they are the key to the need of an island of both tremendous beauty – lush valleys, golden beaches, Asian elephants and curious macaques – and tremendous brokenness. A world without Christ.

God’s answer to this brokenness is a Person, a Son. And that message is carried by people that he sends to point them to the good news that he has not forgotten them.

Our team that receives us is that group of people. Locals: Mr. Personality, the apostle with the British accent and the cool tattoos. The Musician, their answer to Bob Marley. The Movie Star Servant, a preacher with Bollywood good looks and perfect, full stop, hair. Hospitality’s Queen, Mr. Personality’s wife who exudes kindness and welcome. And dozens more.

My burden is that I never can quite tell you what I experience in a place like this. The colors are too vivid. The sounds and smells are too lively. Local religion is too foreign – and yet the humanity of everyone is all too real. The believer’s experience is too relatable – going from the emptiness of praying without an object and without hope, or the hatred of an abusive father – to the unexpected redemption of that old life to suddenly having a meaning and a purpose.

Praying for a movement

We are praying for a Movement of God’s Spirit throughout this ineffably beautiful island. And part of God’s answer is this small team – Mr. Personality, The Musician, Hospitality’s Queen, and the others. The way that they are gaining traction training the church to be effective on mission, reaching its neighbors, is a gift to behold.

Behold it with us. I hope you will join us on this journey by praying for this Movement over the next few weeks.