Our trip was so rich, meeting new friends and renewing old ones, representing the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), our Synod, Presbytery and congregation, learning more about the Church of North India, visiting schools, hospitals, an orphanage, participating in worship, and visiting sites historical, beautiful, religious.
All of which was tempered with good food, great shopping and the fun of one another's company.
The people we met, each in their own way, presented to us the face of Christ. Their faith and desire to be an embodiment of Christian ideals touched us all. We were successful in that we met the goals we had initially set forth:
To strengthen ties between PCUSA and the Church of North India (CNI), especially during this time of transition to a new General Secretary, Alwin Maseh.
To show solidarity, support and increased vigilance among Christians during a time of persecution.
To develop a greater understanding of the political challenges faced by Indian Christians and by Dalit Christians in particular.
To further our own understanding of the religions in India.
To reach out to all who are interested at home to share what we have learned, seen and felt and to develop ways to further support our brothers and sisters.
We have been enriched far beyond any contributions we may have made during our time in India. As much as people appreciated our interest and support, they touched our hearts and strengthened our faith in a loving God who answers prayer. I was particularly interested in the many references to the role of missionaries in the establishment of the church. People we met were quick to acknowledge the foundations of medical care and education they established. The gift of Christianity, a religion that espouses the equality and worth of all humankind was welcomed by downtrodden and excluded people. Of course things are never as clean as that; and we heard about injustices perpetrated long ago that continue today as well as current problems with evangelicals.
Preparations are underway for a presentation at the Smithtown Church on January 23, 2011. We will use the sermon time at both services, host the fellowship hour, and invite folks to stay after the 11:00 service for further sharing. This will serve as the prototype for further presentations. We have been invited by the Long Island Council of Churches and expect to present at a meeting of the Presbytery of Long Island. We will also share our impressions with fellow members of the India Mission Network of PCUSA.
Perhaps most exciting of all is that I have started exploratory conversations with an eye toward establishing a 501C3 not for profit, India Journey with Grace. The mission of the foundation will be to increase educational and cultural awareness between Americans and Indians through future visits. I do plan to host a trip in October of 2011 and invite you to learn more about that. If you have an interest in coming with me, I can be contacted at gsimonette@verizon.net
And for now a heartfelt Namaste to each of you.
