Opportunities for Christ in an Ancient Land

By Jay Walsh

I never visit a developing nation without wondering, Why did God, in His providence, allow me to be born in America and not in India where the majority of its one billion people live on less than $2 a day? There is no easy answer to this mind-boggling question. Then I remember the verse, "To whom much is given, much shall be required."

In October 1999, a super-cyclone with winds exceeding 200 m.p.h. swept off the Bay of Bengal to ravage coastal villages in Orissa, India. A tidal wave over 20 ft. high pushed inland, inundating hundreds of villages and drowning an estimated 100,000 helpless people.

When news of this tragedy reached ABWE, we were alert to the possibility of helping the survivors while opening a door for future witness. After discussing the situation with ABWE's corporate counsel, Don Davis, and director of GAP ministries, we determined our first step should be an onsite survey with Indian Baptist leaders.

My visit to the coastal areas confirmed the magnitude of destruction and the miserable condition of the survivors. On my return, ABWE launched a $50,000 fund-raising program to assist 419 families in five villages. In a miraculous indication that God supported our decision, His people provided exactly $50,000!

In June 2000, I met with our partners in Orissa to spend the donations. We agreed our main goal was to provide a long-term witness in our target area, but we gave immediate assistance by providing each family with mosquito nets and blankets. Since all the farmers' working cattle had drowned, we purchased seed rice, two large diesel rototillers and other machinery to plant crops before the monsoon rains descended. Lastly, we purchased a 4-wheel-drive Jeep ambulance to serve the people of these isolated villages.

Rev. Charles Reed and I flew to India and, with our Indian partners, revisited the afflicted villages. On December 5th our partners picked us up early in the morning. Three hours later, we arrived at base camp. The plan was for us to visit a nearby village. The road was so bad the hired driver refused to take us any farther. That's when our ambulance driver came to the rescue with the new 4-wheel-drive ambulance.

The proud villagers showed us their golden rice crops. A woman whose husband had drowned insisted we see her potato crop. Wherever we went, people expressed gratitude for the help we gave, including new technology for growing bamboo, a good income-producing crop.

Our most moving experience was a visit to the village of people afflicted with leprosy where we have provided a small bamboo schoolroom for over 30 children. None of these kids have leprosy, but their future is bleak if they don't get an education.

Thank you for responding so generously to the plight of people in Orissa. Pray that our combined efforts will bring forth much fruit for God's glory.