Unlike Cain who killed his brother Abel and said, “Am I my brother’s keeper,” (Genesis 4:9), we need to be like John the disciple, who stood at the foot of the cross as a sign of comfort during the painful moments of Jesus. No wonder, Jesus entrusted his earthly mother Mary to him. Miracles happen in our society when we do our responsibilities to our fellow brothers and sisters who are in need. The harvest (need) is plenty” is what I can say about interior villages in the Sunderban islands. Kids are not able to study properly for lack of good schools. But every good thing has to begin somewhere. So Charis Seva Mandal (CSM) has chosen this particular school to help.
Charis High School
The past visits my husband and I have made to this school have only increased our love towards it. The workers of this school have a high level of commitment. They live in houses similar to the poorly facilitated houses of the school kids. There are eight teachers who are graduates and three non-teaching staff. They do not get paid for their work. The school has no funds because it receives no fees from children. Cyclone “Aila” has devastated both the school building and the houses of the kids. There are 228 children, from class V to class X. Sixty percent are dalit children. They do not have an uniform dress for school. They do not have any mid-day meals program. Fathers of the children work as daily waged labourers and mothers work from homes by making and selling fishing nets.
"Aila" affected school building
Poor facilities at school
No wonder Aila swept this village!
Fathers do such jobs
Mothers make fishing nets
Charis Seva Mandal (CSM) is working towards making the school a government recognized one so that the school can avail facilities from the government. It would also do the following side by side: improve the existing building with an attractive structure and pay a decent salary for the teachers and the staff. Though this appears to be a mammoth task, we know with God all thingsare possible. It is he who brings in human rope holders.
People are willing to pay fees for a well facilitated school. Since computer training centres are a craze in the villages in the Sunderban islands, CSM plans to have a computer training centre in this school which can help the community both in learning and it would also be a source of income to the school. The existing management is willing to give the school in its entirety to CSM. They have accepted to rename the school as “Charis High School.”
Charis Institute of LeadershipExcellence (CILE)
CILE is the training wing of CSM. The second leadership training took place in the NF centre, Dakshin Barasat during 16-18 April, 2011 with thirty participants. Rev Noel Prabhuraj is a proud addition to the resource team of CILE. The following courses had their kick-starts: Old Testament, Prayer and Life-style Evangelism. We had two translators for the three days. The first day training went until midnight! Having worked in West Bengal earlier for nearly ten years I can only say “It’s God’s time for the Sunderban Islands!” The curiosity of the learners was appealing. The way they learnt for the Bible quizzes in the book of Genesis and the gospel of Luke was encouraging. They have now taken homework to prepare for quizzes in the books of Exodus and Acts.
April training session by CILE
Charis Churches
We also visited two house churches in the islands that are in need of a building. The locals have cheerfully donated lands for church buildings. The leaders of these house churches are getting trained through CILE.
A Charis house church
CSM welcomes the readers to suggest ideas through feedbacks, pray for the work at both Charis High School and CILE. You may support the needs in the following ways or even more:
Support a child in Charis High School for a year for Rs. 6,000.
Make a one-time endowment to renovate the Aila affected school.
Donate computers and other school needs.
Sponsor a monthly CILE's Leadership Training for Rs.20,000.
Sponsor to build a Church for Rs 300,000.
You may draw your cheques or DD’s in favour of “Charis Seva Mandal” payable at Coimbatore. For more information please feel free to contact us:
Loving my enemy is the hardest counsel to follow. It is easy to curse my opponent immediately and retaliate sooner or later when situations are in my favour. So, how then can I love my enemy?
Love your enemies by not rejoicing during their misfortunes
Proverbs 24:17 says, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice.” How can one hold from not rejoicing? In David we see a good model. King Saul attempted many times to kill David his sub-ordinate. He hunted for David’s life like how one hunts a partridge in the mountains (1 Samuel 26:20). But Saul failed every time he tried to kill David. However David did not rejoice when King Saul’s life came under the mercy of him in two different occasions (1 Samuel 24 & 26). He spared his enemy’s life. We do not find an iota of rejoicing during the troubled times of his enemy Saul. Even when King Saul died in a war, David was not happy about his death. He lamented for the death of his enemy (2 Samuel 1).
On the contrary Edom rejoiced when his enemy had a fall. The two nations that came out of Isaac were Edom and Israel. These brother nations remained enemies all through. On the day the capital city of Israel fell to the Babylonians, Edom prayed a wrong prayer, “Tear it down to its foundations!” (Psalm 137:7) This is condoned as a serious sin by God. He spoke through prophet Obadiah saying that the Edomites would be judged because they looked down its brother nation in the day of their destruction and boasted in the times of their enemies’ trouble (Obadiah 1:10-14).
So like David, I can choose to love my enemies by not rejoicing during their misfortunes.
Love your enemies by providing their needs
Jesus teaches us to do good to those who hate us (Luke 6:27). How is it possible? The older brothers of Joseph nearly murdered him but for the intervention of the grace of God in his life. But there came an opportunity in the life of Joseph when he became the ruler of Egypt, the number one nation of the then world. The brothers and their families had to look towards Joseph even for their basic need of food. Joseph did not retaliate in such a situation but provided for their needs. He said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them (Genesis 50:20-21).
The Bible teaches, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus defines a neighbor as a person who is in need through the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus even points out that this person in need could be his enemy. The “Good Samaritan” helped his injured neighbor who happened to be his enemy, a Jew. He provided for the immediate need of his enemy by caring for him, paying for his hospital expenses and gave him also a word that he would help him further. Proverbs 25:2 reiterates this counsel: If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. The next verse says that when we do so we would heap burning coals on his head and the Lord would reward us for this good deed!
So like Joseph and the Samaritan, I can choose to love my enemies by providing for their needs.
Love your enemies by praying for them
In Matthew 5:44 Jesus asks us to pray for our enemies. Apostle Paul counsels to bless a persecutor even (Romans 12:14). How can we pray and bless a persecutor? Jesus prayed for those who physically and mentally tortured him on the cross saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). A follower of Jesus, Stephen prayed the same when he was put to death unjustly. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." (Acts 7:59-60)
So like Jesus and Stephen, I can choose to love my enemies by praying for them !
The Bible expects us not to retaliate our enemies even when situations are favourable for us like we have found in the above examples. The above counsels from the Bible are not that easy to follow. But Jesus did not ask us to do things which he did not model. True followers have abided to the “Upside Down” teachings of Jesus over the years. Bitterness towards our enemies can melt away only by allowing the Spirit of God to work through us. I only ask for his grace to help me to abide by the teachings of the Bible.
The story of the blind men and the elephant is a good learning for any one who wants to look at "the big picture" in various circumstances of life. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and they asked, "Who is this?" (Matthew 21:10) This has also been the question asked by people through the generations in different contexts in different periods of time. I am attempting here, therefore to look at the big picture of Jesus from the story of the triumphal entry of Jesus.
Jesus- the Greatest Prophet
To the question, "Who is this?" the crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee" (Matthew 21:11).Was Jesus then, merely a prophet? Not only Jesus, there were prophets even in the Old Testament who told the truth of the past, the present and the future of individuals and communities.The Samaritan woman was astonished when Jesus pointed out her past and the present. She identified Jesus as a prophet (John 4:19). Some even said later that Jesus was Elijah the prophet. And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago."(Mark 6:15) Hebrews 3:3, however says that Jesus was more than a prophet , even more than Moses.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says that, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” So to me, Jesus is the greatest prophet of all, who can not only tell about my life but can transform my life! He did that to the Samaritan woman! He did that to me!
Jesus-the King of Kings
Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem in a donkey. The people took palm branches and went out to meet Jesus, shouting, "Hosanna! " "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!"(John 12:13). Such a welcome was usually given to a king who returned back to his country after a victory in a war in those days.The kingdom of Israel was then a remnant community spared from exile. They were ruled by Romans. In their despair they wanted Jesus to be a king who would dethrone the Roman rule and liberate them from their oppression from the Romans.
Even today some people want Jesus to be their king, who would deliver them from bondage of sickness, poverty, oppression and so on. How did Jesus react when people wanted him to be king? Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself (John 6:15). Jesus did not prefer a crown of gold but he preferred a crown of thorns. The good news is: Jesus took the death on the cross to die for our sins. He rose on the third day as a winner of the power of sin in one’s life (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). So to me, Jesus is king of kings who can deliver me from my sinful oppression, which no one else can do!
Jesus-More than a Miracle-worker
The third response of the crowd is seen in Luke 19:37. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they received from him. (food miracles, healing miracles, resurrection miracles and so on) This is so true even today that people choose Jesus for their daily livelihood needs like food and physical healing. Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." (John 6:26-27)
Jesus was the bread broken for us on the cross. He is the bread of life. Jesus still works miracles of all kinds for his glory. Howeverto me Jesus is more than a mere miracle-worker of physical needs. He works on my spiritual needs leading me to eternal happiness, which he only can do. Physical miracles may or may not happen. But the greatest of all miracles is the salvation of a soul which is guaranteed when an individual calls out to Jesus.
Zechariah in chapter 9 verse 9 prophesied rightly about the ride Jesus took on the streets of Jerusalem well ahead of time as a SAVIOR- KING: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” I am reminded of the whole picture of Jesus whenever I read about the triumphal entry of Jesus in the Bible.Jesus is more than any historical King. He is more than any historical prophet. He is more than any historical miracle worker. Because it is only Jesus who can heal me from my guilt of sins, can give me hope for this world and the world to come! No one else! He only is the sum total of all to me! Who is Jesus for you?
“I should not have married you!” is one agonizing accusation from a spouse anywhere in the time line of a married life. Some even would go further and say, “I should have married that person!” Such words make marriages a hell. “This should have never happened in my life”- is yet another repeated quote in our conversations. What can one do in unloved or adverse situations in life?
Jacob had to marry Leah, the “not so” beautiful girl whom he did not love. Poor Leah had to lead a life unloved by her husband. Proverbs 30:23 says that the earth cannot bear up a woman who is unloved by her husband. The marriage of Jacob and Leah grew worse because Jacob also married Rachel, the beautiful girl, his original lover who was also Leah’s sister. Because of his mad love for Rachael he gave fourteen years of hard labour for his father-in-law. In such a situation, how did Leah survive her marriage with Jacob? Did the increasing number of babies born out of their unloved relationship ever help Leah to win the love of her husband? Every time she named a baby, she had something to say to the world about her attitude.
Leah had a turning point in her life only at the birth of Judah, her fourth son. It was then she stopped being negative in life and started to talk positive words. The naming of the first three children carried meanings wanting her husband to love her and get attached to her (Genesis 29:32-34). But she named the fourth son saying, “This time I’ll praise the Lord” (Genesis 29:35). Praising the Lord while she was still not successful in earning her husband’s love was that positive turning point. We need to have a comparison of Rachael at this point who was very desperate to have a child, since she did not have one for her yet. A very negative statement arises from her conversation to Jacob, “Give me children or I’ll die!” (Genesis 30:1). We also see Rachael following the prevalent culture of the time, giving her own maid to Jacob to somehow get a child. When her maid gave birth to a son, Rachael said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister and have won!” (Genesis 30:8). Now turn to Leah! She would not give up either! She too followed the same cultural practice by giving her maid to beget children through Jacob. While naming the new arrival she bubbled with joy, “How happy I am. The women will call me happy!” (Genesis 30:13). While it was a “struggle” for Rachael to get a child, for Leah it was a happy event. Speaking positive words have power. The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) SPEAKING POSITIVE WORDS BY TRUSTING AND PRAISING THE LORD HELPS IN UNLOVED/ADVERSE SITUATIONS!
A positive attitude to life enabled Leah to talk pragmatic too. With the birth of the next son she said, “This time my husband will treat me with honour” (Genesis 30:20). Her expectancy from her husband had changed in the long-run. She understood that her status as a honoured one was better than an unloved wife. Though love is an important factor in a marriage, I believe that the most important and practical thing in a relationship is respect and honour for one another. Turning to Rachael we find that, her very longing for a child took her life! She named that son Benjamin meaning, “son of my sorrow” and then died (Genesis 35:18). She was beautiful, got all of her husband’s love but had struggles in getting children. In those biblical times the places of burial of a person had a connection to honour ascribed to the dead person. While Rachael died during a journey and had to buried on the way, it was Leah and Jacob who were laid together in their family tomb after their deaths! Those who believe in the Bible can also understand the fact that Leah in eternal glory came to know a progressive fact that she was the honourable mother of Levi (the priestly class) and Judah (the royal class) and Jesus, the God incarnate. Thinking practical (it has to be ethical too!) yields eternal dividends! Thinking impractical leads us to troubles and struggles. ‘Why do you want to set your eyes on that which is not?” (Proverbs 23:5) We are immortal beings headed to two destinations, either heaven or hell! THINKING PRACTICAL OF WHAT WOULD EVENTUALLY HAPPEN IN THIS LIFE AND LIFE AFTER DEATH HELPS IN UNLOVED/ADVERSE SITUATIONS!
Being content in their situations (either Leah’s or Rachael’s) would have been ideal. Leah lacked beauty and her husband’s love, but learnt to talk positive and think practical. This shows that she was content in her life. Rachael had beauty and her husband’s love, but struggled for children! It was Leah who learnt to feel pleased in an unloved situation! We worship a God who is sovereign and who controls the lives of his children. So may we too say like Paul, “….. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11) FEELING CONTENT BY TRUSTING IN THE SOVEREIGN GOD IN UNLOVED/ADVERSE SITUATIONS HELPS!
We are humans with our real feelings in unloved relationships and adverse situations. Who then gives strength for such humanely impossible attitudinal changes? Paul tells us the secret of such a strength. He says, “I can do everything through God who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13) The God who gave Leah the needed strength to survive an adverse situation can truly give the same to a true worshipper of Yahweh! I realize that any human love is insecure. But I have found that there is a secure love in Jesus. So I would suggest: Seek Jesus! He would help any one to live a happy and content life in unloved, adverse situations.
