• Oh, How They Prayed!
“Come and help us.” The Lord led us to some remote villages in India, beyond where the paved road ends. Not many outsiders go there, it is just too far off the trail. No American evangelists have ever been there. So when someone specifically comes to minister to the children, can you imagine just how special that was to the village and the children? Everyone in the village knew we were there and no one stayed home. They all came out to see “the tall white guy from America.” I have never been so well received, like a celebrity, even before I did anything with them. The enthusiasm and excitement was very contagious. I will always remember how happy the children were to see me.
Noah had arranged an advance team to set up lights and sound for our evening Village Meetings. They were the music team too. So by the time we arrived, everything was set up and ready to begin. The excited expectant children were already gathered and seated on the ground. Parents were also there, but around the perimeter waiting. Some of the Village Leaders who were Christians, that had worked with Noah before, were front and center with a kind of pride that they helped to arrange this event for their people. Afterwards, they were eager to have their pictures taken with us.
When we were all set, Noah would begin with his enthusiastic music leading with motions for the children. He handed out song sheets with the words, so all could learn and sing the songs, many he wrote himself. One of the sound crew accompanied Noah on a keyboard. Then the dance team that came with us would perform a couple of numbers to Christian music. They were colorfully dressed and they were well rehearsed and choreographed to be in sync with each other. It was very nice. By the time I stood up to speak, they were warmed up with anticipation. They would cheer and clap for me.
I was the best magician they had ever seen! Of course, I was the only magician they had ever seen! I was able to unpack the illustrated gospel message and teach it with Noah’s enthusiastic translation help. The children and adults responded to everything. There was this kind of sustained joy on their faces, as they intently watched my every move and listened to Noah. Of course, Noah was so animated, you would think he had never seen the tricks before, even though after a few shows, he had. The kids loved Barnacle when He sang Jesus Loves the Little Chickens! Of course, I had to correct him! The simplest objects and magic tricks were HUGE for holding their attention, from the youngest to the oldest. It was so fun for me, everything was working. Then it was time to pray. Oh, how they prayed!
However, the best part of these meetings for me was the invitation prayers. It was the prayers of the children that was so moving for me, beyond words to describe. Of course, during the prayer I was busy and could not take any pictures then. So I had to depend on others to capture those moments. Maybe you can capture some of the intensity and fervency of the children praying by viewing some of these photos. My counseling book was available for the many who prayed to receive the Lord. Then when we thought we were done, mothers with their babies in arms came to the front. I learned that they wanted me to pray for their babies and children. So I laid my hand upon the child’s head and prayed for their children, and more would come. It was almost impossible to leave these villages until all who wanted prayer were prayed for individually, including the men. This is just something that I do not experience at home.
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