The tragedy in Gujarat, when so many people were killed when the plane crashed, has been very much in my mind and in my heart. When I lived in Belfast the church I attended had a big connection with Gujarat. One of the church members was the great great grandson of the first Presbyterian Missionary, the Rev.James Glasgow, who went to Gujarat in 1841.
Another member was the great great great nephew of the Rev. Robert Montgomery who arrived there in 1842. A group from the church travelled there in 2010 and spent 2 weeks visiting 30 groups and organisations and attending 23 church services, quite a few of which were in or around Ahmedabad. At the time I wasn’t able to go with the group but I was asked to make a banner which they could take with them on their visits. So, even though I wasn’t there physically I was there in spirit and with prayer.
I’m using some words from a report which was written by my very good friend Denise when the group returned.
“Everywhere we went we were greeted by the most amazing and colourful welcoming celebrations–flower garlands, music, singing, dancing, drums, rides on horses and bullock carts, even gunfire and fireworks. All the congregations we visited displayed wonderful enthusiasm for their Christian faith and we certainly have much to learn from them. Their spontaneity and generosity was amazing to experience and all this from people who materially had very little compared to us but who displayed and shared their faith so openly.”
How do we greet visitors? Are we warm and welcoming? I’m not suggesting that we let off fireworks or fire guns but do we show our faith openly and with enthusiasm.
Prayer – Heavenly Father, help us to welcome everyone and to live our faith with openness and thankfulness.