Memoirs from India: Day 5

This was one of the more low-key days for me. The conference directors set-up men/women-specific workshops, which was different from the other days so far as we usually meet all together. Stuart and Dick were the speakers for the men's seminars, and Jill spoke for the women's seminars. Stuart focused on the dynamics of godly marriages and touched on the debate of "submission" of women to men. He pointed out that Paul teaches that we are to love each other as Christ loved the Church. In other words, we are to submit to one another. The question came up about how to love our wives and one another. Stuart pointed us to 1 Cor. 13, which spells out what Christ-like love looks. This passage is often read at weddings as a mission statement for the couple moving into a new chapter of life together.

Dick spoke on men and women's equality and differences between the sexes from the book of Genesis. He made the point that God created the world with distinct differences, but in perfect symmetry for His purposes.

- I think this something we forget all too often. -

The world and everything in it has been created for God's purposes. That fact in and of itself gives us as people purpose. When I think about it, if you and I weren't created, if we had come through an accidental process, or happenstance, we wouldn't have purpose. None at all that I can come with. Why do we seek purposeful lives, occupations, and existence? At some point in life, each of us asks the question "What am I here for?"

If God wasn't the creator, or if he wasn't the personal that he describes and emphasizes in Scripture, then I question whether we even care to know the answer to the question of purposeful existence. What makes us distinct from other creatures on the the earth is that we are made in God's image. At least, that's what he says in Genesis. The rest of creation is a picture of God's creativity and even love, as he gives us stewardship of what he made.

It seems to me that we often put the image humans on God, especially when misfortune and the unexpected takes place. We'll say things like, "How could a 'good' God let this happen?" I think God looks at us and says, "Because of sin, bad things happen. I am not punishing you necessarily, but come to me so you peace and new life, even in the midst of trials and misfortune. If you would allow for My image to shine through you, then this place would look much different - the way I originally intended - the way it will one day be in my timing. Trust in me. How then, do you let my image shine through you? Give your life - all of who you are, with all of your desires, passions, cares, fears - all to me, and I will renew your spirit with my Spirit. Then you will begin to see life in new ways, in ways that brings fresh life to others through a genuine heart, and in ways that brings reconciliation to a broken world, filled with broken lives... Come, follow Me!"

In the evening, our team met with Dr. Ann Thyle and her husband Sid. Ann is an anesthesiologist and obstetrician, and Sid is an eye surgeon. They studied in India and decided stay here to be missions doctors to the people here. Most of their peers left for the U.S. after med school to make the big bucks. Ann told a story about the work they are doing and some of their peers' responses to the work they do after so many years (30 in the field). She and her husband oversee hospitals in the EHA (Emmanuel Hospital Association), which is a ministry that provides medical help to the poor and respond to emergency evacuation situations. Recently a flood occurred in northern India, which has displaced more than 2 million people. They are working with teams of doctors and nurses to help with the tragedy. Outside organizations have also offered assistance with various resources.

Dr.'s Ann and Sid are models of compassion. They work for the good of people and their spiritual well-being throughout India. Ann told us about some of her friends who came back for a med. school reunion after 30 years. As she talked with some of them, they remarked with, "Well, now, why have you gone and wasted your life like that?!" Ann said she had to turn and laugh a bit. She said these people have completely missed the point - these wealthy, high-profile doctors with all of their intelligence and skill, have missed it. Their heads are in one place and their hearts a completely different one. They talked about their work being based on the premise of care and compassion - things that are missing in the Hindu community. As they have practiced these values, the culture around them is being transformed.

Following the dinner break, our team gathered on the patio of the dining hall, where we sat around a circle telling stories and laughing about humorous life experiences. Stuart and Jill had some outrageous stories from their travels around the world. It was awesome to sit in a casual environment, in a foreign country, and laugh and let loose with our team and the Briscoe's. I will never forget it.

I'm very grateful to have this opportunity to learn, observe, and serve these people and this organization on the other side of the world. It's a priceless, once-in-a-lifetime experience!