BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST

By Katie Guthrie, intern from Manhattan Christian College

There have certainly been a variety of children raised under these hostel roofs. They are now spread out all over India and beyond, weaving this sort of web that is intricately connected. Some have become teachers, nurses, and even doctors. Others have not made it past second grade, but are excellent knitters. Some have not come home for a decade and others come home every Christmas. Some are working in Ministry in India, and others are working in ministry in other countries. Some are still on this campus with the sole objective of consuming resources and causing trouble. Others are serving this mission with hearts full of joy. Some have grandchildren, and others have just grown out of their childhood not so long ago. Some are thankful for their upbringing, while others have chosen to walk another path. But the fact remains: they are all family.
Jesus said that his family is made up of those who do the will of God (Matthew 12:50; Mark 3:35). He had relatives whom he called “mother”, “father” and “brother”, but his words imply that his family extends beyond these. So this must be true for us as well. If I wasn’t convinced of this vast family before I came to India, I certainly am convinced now. In these last ten months I have become acquainted with dozens of family members whom I had never known before; family members whose hearts are set on God’s will. Let me tell you about a few of them…
Jolly Herbert and I share a love for pretty penmanship. Occasionally, he stopped by my desk at school, corrected my Hindi writing, and sometimes told me of his preaching adventures in remote parts of Northern India. Jolly told me stories of people who had responded to this message of Christ. He is my brother.
Leena Singh has gone out of her way so that I might know that I’m loved. Her acts of kindness toward me have been countless. She has taught me a bit of Hindi, assured me that I am welcome at her home anytime, discerned some of my difficult days and inquired about my well-being, introduced me to Christian families, and threw me a specially personalized birthday tea with several women. I especially loved hearing Leena’s stories about the ways that Kulpahar kids are making an impact for Christ in the homes of unbelievers in the community. She is my sister.
I sat in the living room of Sheila Herbert and listened to her stories of growing up as a Kulpahar kid. She kept emphasizing the tremendous love she has been given from the Aunties. Because of that love she has received, she felt compelled to give that same love to others, so she committed to being a nurse at the hospital here. She is my sister.
There weren’t very many days when I missed play time with the hostel kids. I can’t begin to express in one paragraph the joy they brought to my days here. The boys even taught me how to swing a cricket bat! Their combination education (from KCS and from this community’s teaching of Christ) is forming them into children who will have great potential to make an impact for Christ in India. These are my brothers and sisters.
I have had the honor of serving beside three women whose depth of love has shown me a bit more about the depth of our Father’s love. This is the kind of love that is supposed to permeate the world. I am so thankful for the way this love has touched the lives of children, who are now touching the lives of those who have no opportunity to know Christ. These are my sisters.
Since Sharon has been traveling in the States, she has told me that several people have asked about me and my time here. Many of you have been praying for me and have genuine concerns for me. For that I want to thank you. You are my brothers and sisters.
The love that exists through the bond of Christ is precious. May the Lord continue to be glorified in and through each member of our beautiful family.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through out all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21