Gratitude and Wonder

Many of you know the family that we partner with in NE India, Deepak and Dinah Bardewa. Deepak is an ethnic Nepali, but Dinah is from a tribe called the Thadou, or Kuki. The Kuki people are culturally Christian, having been reached with the Gospel through the efforts of American missionaries in the early 1900's.

The monument pictured below is just around the corner from Deepak's house.





The inscription reads, in part:

"To God be the Glory. In loving memory of the pioneer missionaries in Manipur

Reverend and Mrs. William Pettigrew, American Baptist Mission

Dr. and Mrs G. G. Grozier. American Baptist Mission

Mr. Watkin Robert, Welsh Presbyterian Mission

Sacrificing all, leaving dear and near ones, they came to Manipur and proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bring us from darkness to light."

It was the final part of the inscription that was particularly challenging. Here I stood, in a village 12,000 miles from home, where I had come for a 9-day visit. As I read these words, I remembered complaining before the trip about the 2 1/2 days it would take us to reach our destination. I also remembered the many people who have told me they couldn't come on a trip to India, because "they didn't want to be away from their family for that long".

And yet here I was, reading the names of those whose shoulders we stand on in the work. People who traveled more than 4 or 5 months, in very difficult circumstances, to reach the same location where I now stood. People who, when they left home, said goodbye forever to the dear friends and family they were leaving behind.

Now, a little more than 100 years after William Pettigrew's arrival in Manipur, we see the fruit of his labor and the gratitude of the people for his efforts on the Lord's behalf. I pray that the testimony of these faithful brothers and sisters would cause us to wonder at their faith, and consider their example. As we contemplate their sacrifice, may we re-commit ourselves to the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom.