Our trip to India in February was a God-thing in many ways. I want to tell you one story that has been burning on my heart ever since the day it happened. I met a pastor when I was there that is a member of the Banjara Gypsy tribe in India. His name is Chandu. One day Chandu brought our team to a Gypsy village where they had never before seen a white person or heard the name Jesus. As our car slowly made its way along the path (not quite a road) to the little village of about 3000 people a man jumped off of a large rock that was alongside the road. He jumped right in front of our car in an obvious attempt at suicide. Our driver jammed on his brakes just in time to stop inches from this man who then picked up a large stone and began to smash himself in the forehead. Chandu and his friend Nova quickly jumped out of the car and escorted the 
man to the side of the road. We continued the 100 yards or so to the village. In the village the people looked at us with a bewilderment that was probably on our faces as well. What strange looking people they (and we) are. As a small group gathered, I talked to them about the one true God who sent us to their village with the message of His love. As I talked with the people Legion (that’s what we had nicknamed him) walked over to where we were standing. I noticed several village people hit him as he walked by them. They treated him like a wild animal and frankly he looked the part. As I presented the gospel Legion sat down on the ground in front of me. After we lead several people to the Lord I asked Chandu about Legion. “What is wrong with this man?” I asked. “He is demon possessed” said Chandu. “Gypsy witchcraft!” But then I looked at this young man sitting on the ground in front of me and I saw something else. In those wild eyes I saw something that probably only I would recognize. I saw a shame that I used to see in the mirror before Jesus washed it away. I sat down on the ground next to this man. He looked at me and then he unbuttoned his shirt to show me his withered left arm. In that instant I knew this man’s story and I knew why I was in India this year. This man was c
rippled with polio. Because the gypsy people are very superstitious they took his deformity to be evil and he became the village outcast. His only purpose in life was to be beat-on by everyone else. My heart was broken. The only difference between that young man and me was that he was born in Sabavath village in India and I was born in America. I talked with him. I told him how Jesus loved him so much and wanted to heal him as he has me. I prayed that God would give him peace, heal him of any evil spirits, and burst into his life with the assurance and confidence that comes with knowing that the God who created him loves him just the way he is. As I prayed we all saw a change in his face. The wild look left and he just lay down on the ground and closed his eyes. Ever since we left that village I have felt that I failed that young man…that I should have stayed longer…that I should have done more. A few days ago I received an e-mail from pastor Chandu. The e-mail reminded me (again) that it’s not about what I do but that Jesus is faithful to take even our inadequate attempts and to use them for great gain.
Excerpt from Chandu’s e-mail:
“Brother Bob, the boy whom you prayed in Sabavath thanda ( village) is well and all demons went from him. This is fact. All village tribal people praising lord for this great healing.” After your prayer that boy healed physically. Demon spirit went away from him and he became well. Physically. He is well. Brother, thanking you for your love to this boy and to us also. brother kindly pray for us as we are going to village for gospal among TRIBAL PEOPLE.
Sabavath Village, Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh India – Former unreached village – Now touched by the love of God.
man to the side of the road. We continued the 100 yards or so to the village. In the village the people looked at us with a bewilderment that was probably on our faces as well. What strange looking people they (and we) are. As a small group gathered, I talked to them about the one true God who sent us to their village with the message of His love. As I talked with the people Legion (that’s what we had nicknamed him) walked over to where we were standing. I noticed several village people hit him as he walked by them. They treated him like a wild animal and frankly he looked the part. As I presented the gospel Legion sat down on the ground in front of me. After we lead several people to the Lord I asked Chandu about Legion. “What is wrong with this man?” I asked. “He is demon possessed” said Chandu. “Gypsy witchcraft!” But then I looked at this young man sitting on the ground in front of me and I saw something else. In those wild eyes I saw something that probably only I would recognize. I saw a shame that I used to see in the mirror before Jesus washed it away. I sat down on the ground next to this man. He looked at me and then he unbuttoned his shirt to show me his withered left arm. In that instant I knew this man’s story and I knew why I was in India this year. This man was c
rippled with polio. Because the gypsy people are very superstitious they took his deformity to be evil and he became the village outcast. His only purpose in life was to be beat-on by everyone else. My heart was broken. The only difference between that young man and me was that he was born in Sabavath village in India and I was born in America. I talked with him. I told him how Jesus loved him so much and wanted to heal him as he has me. I prayed that God would give him peace, heal him of any evil spirits, and burst into his life with the assurance and confidence that comes with knowing that the God who created him loves him just the way he is. As I prayed we all saw a change in his face. The wild look left and he just lay down on the ground and closed his eyes. Ever since we left that village I have felt that I failed that young man…that I should have stayed longer…that I should have done more. A few days ago I received an e-mail from pastor Chandu. The e-mail reminded me (again) that it’s not about what I do but that Jesus is faithful to take even our inadequate attempts and to use them for great gain.Excerpt from Chandu’s e-mail:
“Brother Bob, the boy whom you prayed in Sabavath thanda ( village) is well and all demons went from him. This is fact. All village tribal people praising lord for this great healing.” After your prayer that boy healed physically. Demon spirit went away from him and he became well. Physically. He is well. Brother, thanking you for your love to this boy and to us also. brother kindly pray for us as we are going to village for gospal among TRIBAL PEOPLE.
Sabavath Village, Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh India – Former unreached village – Now touched by the love of God.
