The Untouchable Journey: India Part 2
On the last episode of Travel the Road, "The Untouchable Journey: India Part Two"
Seeing India
Tim and Will take a day to see the sights. Their tour isn't quite what they hoped for-consisting mostly of souvenir shops and relentless street vendors. But they get to see the world-famous Taj Mahal, if only for a short time. Later, Tim's brother, Mike (executive producer for the show), arrives in New Delhi. During his stay, he discovers that first impressions can quickly change. What seems to be a wonderful place with good food ultimately turns out to be a difficult place with terrible food (at least to some tastes). While the missionaries enjoyed the time they spent with Mike, they looked forward to getting back to missionary work. They went from the high-priced tourist life in India, straight to the slums of New Delhi. They get to see the ministry of the medical missionaries in those parts.
See a clip from the show: "Seeing India"
Back from the Dead
The two move from New Delhi to Udaipor. They go village to village on scooters to minister to the people there. Due to recent attacks on Christians in the area, they must travel in relative secrecy. While they would have much rather worn short-sleeves in the heat of the day, they deferred to the local believers who advised them on this matter, and dressed in long sleeves. In the summertime this is a pretty miserable experience. They preach and minister to the people, and Tim enjoys some fresh bread cooked in cow dung. Will sits with one of the oldest believers in the village as he recounts his story of how the people came to Christ. It is the powerful story of God bringing a girl back to life. Just a few years earlier, the old man was the one of the only believers in the village. Some of the people told him that a girl had died, and he went to her. He prayed over her, and God brought her back from the dead. The girl was now married and living in a nearby village, so the guys didn't get the chance to interview her. But the evidence of this miracle is in the many people in town who came to Christ as a result of her resurrection.
See a clip from the show: "Back From The Dead"
The Slums
The guys travel to Mumbai (Bombay). When they get there, the first order of business is to buy new clothes at the night bazaar. Traveling the road can really wear on one's wardrobe, especially if you're wearing the same shirt every day. With their contact's information, they try to get set up with a translator. The little task turns into quite an ordeal, because the kids (who don't speak any English) keep answering the phone. After they get someone to talk on the phone for them, they finally get their contact. But if it's not one thing, then it's another, and their contacts don't meet them at the right time. Things eventually work out, and they arrive in the Mumbai slums. The Mumbai slums are among the largest in the world, and the poverty is overwhelming. Once there, Tim and Will visit the schools and some of the families. In the schools they get to teach the kids English, and they see the expansive children's ministry operating in the slums. They learn that despite the poverty around them, many people are coming to Christ. The hope is in the children that are being ministered to. As they come to know the Lord, and as they grow up, they will become a powerful influence for the kingdom.
See a clip from the show: "The Slums"
The Desert
From Mumbai, the guys go back to Devarkonda, by way of Hyderbad. The missionaries learn the true meaning of heat as they travel in an old, beat-up jalopy to go village to village. Despite the harsh climate, they preach and minister to the locals. They revisit places they already ministered in, and see some of the fruits of their ministry. One highlight in particular was the woman who was exorcised of her demon who now attends Bible studies. In one village they get to share the Jesus film. Showing the film was a lot trickier than simply plugging in the equipment. They had to wire the electric connection without an outlet. The village was riveted by it, but some of the Hindus in town cut the power. Tim rose to the occasion, and fell into an impromptu sermon. The evening proved fruitful, as one boy came to Christ through it.