The year was 1987. I was invited to speak in a Summer Bible Conference for 27 days in Bombay, India. It was held for the “Jesus Saves Mission” in India, for the training of Full Time Christian Workers. Among those who came from both Malaysia were Ms Liew Kwai Fong & Brother Hong Fun Shun. And for the next 3 weeks I could hardly see another Chinese on this India nation.
On arrival in Bombay (Now Mumbai) I was greeted by Rev Chandrashekar Eda. And lived on the first floor of an old building. The next morning when I opened my eyes I felt very strange in a new land with new food and new language which I could not understand.
Then we were brought to a fairly new building which was rented for The Summer Bible School. There were about 20 students. I lectured in English while Rev Chandrashekar Edar translated into Hindi. It was a very happy occasion , though we live with very frugally. The food was usually vegetarian and we had a little meat twice a week. But the days were indeed very blessed and happy.
Looking back I found the reason for my deep happiness!
It was during those times of fervent BLESSED PRAYING TIMES.
Although I don’t understand a word of their prayers except “Pratera” which they called God Father, I was totally at home in the Holy Spirit.
So many times when they sang
Sweet Hour or Prayer, Sweet Hour of Prayer
What A Friend We Have In Jesus or
Nearer My God to Thee, Nearer To Thee
I felt I was with the brethren back in Malaysia or Singapore!
If I did not open my eyes to see I felt as I was right back home!
In THE PRESENCE OF GOD TIME, SPACE, LANGUAGE, RACE AND ALL OTHER CONSTRAIN AND TRAPPINGS OF LIFE ARE ALL BROKEN
As Madam Guyon experienced, though men could confine her body behind bars her soul is free and cannot be bound by bars or chains.
So wherever we are on earth, whether land, sea or mountain or height or depth THE SWEET PRESENCE OF GOD follows Us.
And every place is a Holy Place – Every Bush a Burning Bush!
I am happy to note that Rev Chandrashekar Eda still faithfully serve the LORD after all these years
See
Open Door Bible Church
Rev. Chandrashekar and Irene Eda
Chandrashekar and Irene are natives of India and serve the Lord in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay; Mumbai is named after the Hindu goddess Mumba Devi. The Edas came to Mumbai in 1981. Despite the odds against them (they slept on a concrete floor with no mattress for months), the Lord was good, and they began to plant Baptist churches. During the last twenty years of their ministry, they were able to plant 125 churches and evangelize more than 300 villages with a team of 51 committed fundamental Baptist preachers. India is the 2nd largest country in the world with a population of more than one billion people, and Hinduism is the major religion. Christians are often soft targets of these groups, but amidst the suffering and threats, the Lord is doing a mighty work. There are approximately 600,000 villages in India, with one pastor responsible for 150 to 200 villages. India’s doors are closed to foreign missionaries, and the need of the hour is to train more nationals to preach the gospel. It would not surprise anyone who knows him to see Brother Shekar knee-deep in water passing out tracts during the monsoon season! He and Irene have also worked tirelessly to see new students come to Calvary Baptist Bible College, and they have begun a Christian college building project; the Lord provided two acres of land in Karjat, and buildings are under construction. The Edas have recently founded the Bethesda Children's Home, a refuge for orphans and other needy children. The Edas’ goals are simple: to train up Nationals, to build fundamental Baptist bible believing churches, and to spread the gospel throughout India. They oppose liberal theology and stand fundamental in doctrine, Baptist by conviction, and militant in defense of the Gospel and the Word of God.