Detroit Church of Christ - Articles

Mission India 2005 Report #1

July 20, 2005

From Tim and Wendy Sherrill

 First we would like to say thanks to Brian and the church for having the vision, heart and faith to make this trip possible.

Every American disciple would benefit from a visit to a developing or third world country to meet and work with our brothers and sisters elsewhere. You get an incredible perspective in just how wealthy we are in this country, not just money, but in opportunity and freedoms. The challenge for each of us is, "what are we doing with them"?

 To give some immediate perspective of India:  India would only fill up about 1/3 of the US land mass, not including AK and HI. There are 28 states, 7 different territories and about 13 major languages spoken. 80% of the country is Hindu, 13% Muslim, about 2% some kind of Christianity and the balance, assorted religions. Now factor in that India has over 4 times our population. 1/4 of the people in India live below India’s poverty level.  Most of the disciples in the state of Kerala, where we spent most of our time and where our special contribution goes, live on less than $2,000 US per year and many less than $1,000.

 The Indian disciples are a fantastic group of people. We were so well taken care of, not just in terms of comforts, but in the planning and organizing of our time for maximum productivity. I don't know the exact number of homes we were all in, or how many disciples and non-disciples we visited, but my estimate is around 300 homes and 1000 people were visited by the 18 of us who made the trip (In just three days in Coimbatore Wendy and I personally visited 27 homes). The churches would divide us up each day in groups of 2-3, accompanied by a local disciple, and we would take off in taxi's or auto rickshaws to visit from home to home, returning for meals.  We really felt personally connected to the disciples whose homes, family members and neighbors we were able to visit.

 From Ben and Jen Weatherston

 As the trip in India came to an end and we were making our way back home, our hearts were really hurting.  We had become so attached, and could have easily stayed.  We received so much love and encouragement from the disciples.  But our hearts also hurt because we were faced with the overwhelming task of returning to our American lifestyles while trying to retain our Indian convictions.

If you asked each of the 18 participants about the “one thing” that they wanted to take away from India, you could easily get 18 different answers.  Aside from the amazing experiences, Mission India 2005 was a wake-up call to all the ways we need to grow as Christians.  It was three weeks of lesson after lesson on how we are not like Jesus.  And, yes, the temptation to feel a spiritual depression was there.  But right when I wanted to start moping about my sinfulness, we were put in a situation that would be so encouraging that we were overcome by the love of our brothers and sisters.

We are so rich and I would never have really understood that unless I saw the conditions in the third world.  Even the poorest people in America have an easier life than many of those we saw.  If a homeless person in America gets hit by a car, they would still be taken to a hospital (by ambulance) and receive some of the best medical care in the world.  If you tour one of the government-run hospitals in India, you will understand just how lucky that homeless person really is.

If I could throw out one challenge to the Detroit church, it would be to really step it up in our giving.  These churches rely on us for 80% of their budgeted expenses.  The ministry staff plays a critical role in the spiritual well-being of the church.  If you are struggling in your giving, please come and talk to one of the team members.  Ask us questions and let God soften your heart to share out of your wealth.

From Kevin and Christy Krawczyk

 Our visit to the Indian churches was called ‘Mission Possible’ and God made it possible for us to serve in many different situations.  The Indian brothers and sisters carefully scheduled our trip to include many volunteer opportunities at several of the HOPE worldwide work sites. 

During the first few days of our arrival in Chennai, we were so fortunate to serve at a Leprosy Colony, and an HIV/AIDS home that served affected mothers and children, and a community that was greatly affected by the Tsunami. 

During the Leprosy colony visit, all of us treated and bandaged the lepers and fed those who were unable to feed themselves.  During the HIV/AIDS home visit, we were able to fellowship with mothers and children.  We made creative paper crafts with the children! 

When we visited the community that was damaged by the Tsunami, many of us played with the children in the local school, while others planted coconut trees near the shore!  Mary Belgan, from Lansing, was able to medically treat some of the people at the community clinic.  During our visit to Coimbatore, some of us visited a HOPE worldwide computer training center. 

During our visit to Cochin, we were able to visit a home that housed homeless elderly women.  Some of us volunteered to make home visits with the HOPE worldwide staff to people with tuberculosis. 

Lastly, during our visit to Trivandrum, some of us were able to make home visits with the HOPE worldwide staff to visit and encourage some cancer patients.  This program was just developed one month ago! 

Many of the India disciples work in these HOPE projects.  As a result, many people within these HOPE worldwide programs have become disciples because of the impact of the love of the Indian brothers and sisters!   Serving for HOPE worldwide is an everyday lifestyle for some of Indian brothers and sisters.