There were many lasts this week, our last days of ministry, of seeing the boys, of interactions with the neighbors. We wanted to be super intentional with the short time we had left. We went to see Rupa, the Hindu pastor that we made friends with early on in the trip, wanting to share Jesus but not knowing how to and scared how she would receive it. So we went to her house and we talked for awhile. There was a lot of awkward silence and repeated conversations from past interactions about school, weather, and the states. Because of the language barrier we didn’t know what else to talk about or if she would understand us if we talked about Jesus. She went to make us coffee while Raelyn, Hannah, and I tried to plot how to share Jesus. Maybe we can sing a song, then ask her to sing a song, and then we can talk about Jesus? But we dont want to leave her with a bad taste in her mouth sharing Jesus and her getting mad and shooing us out of her house the last time we see her. But then we don’t want to use that as an excuse to not share Jesus. Maybe we could ask her how to pray for her and tell her we pray to Jesus. So many thoughts and so many ways we planned to share. She came back with coffee and we sang “I love you Lord” and then silence after. Fail. She asked if we were coming back to India and Rae said, if God brings me back here. She said ohhh. Still no conversation came from it. More awkward silence, I was ready to get out of there, thinking it’s not going to happen. It was 12 and we told her we had to get back for lunch. I was pretty disappointed. Hannah got up and her bible was still left on the bed. All of a sudden Rupa grabs the bible, turns to Exodus and starts reading it in English out loud. I’m freaking out. She is reading the story of Moses and we ask, do you know this story? She says no. Hannah asked do you know the story of Jesus and she said no. So Hannah flipped the bible to Matthew and Rupa began reading the story of the crucifixion and resurrection then handed the bible to Hannah and said read this to me. When she finished reading Rupa says, “I understand, I like Jesus.” Then I proceeded to say Yes, we believe that God created this world and sent his only son Jesus to die on the cross and save us from our sins and all the bad that we do so that we can have eternal life with him and live with him in Heaven. Then Rae shared a bit of her testimony saying, Yes i used to be a very sad and bad person when i was young and then i came to know Jesus and he saved my life and i am very happy now i have a relationship with him and a purpose here on earth. Rupa had never met Christians, had never seen a bible, and had never heard the Gospel and the Lord allowed us to share with her. We left so humbled and laughing at ourselves for trying to plan how to share Jesus and the Lord just opened up a door by Rupa grabbing the bible and we didn’t have to do anything. She gave us bracelets before we left and we took pictures with her one last time. She watched us walk down her street as we waved goodbye one last time. Praise Jesus for his work through us and in Rupa’s life!
