When we arrived at the little building that served as the home of the preacher as well as the church, there were several men, women and children waiting for us. Each of our men took turns bringing a brief word of encouragement and Bible lesson for them.
During the service, the lights went out, making the starry sky above seem more spectacular. After the service, we walked back to the bus, pausing for a photo op with a young water buffalo.
On Saturday we visited Jakkula Nekkalem, a "church without walls." Donations are made for a foundation and roof where the church can meet and fill in the walls as they can afford to. The two elderly men pictured here are 73 and 80 years old.
One of the ladies, Malleswari, told us that she formerly worshipped idols.
Her husband beat her and she appealed to her idols with no result. She decided to take her life by throwing herself into a well. The minister, Elisha, rescued her and began teaching her about the one true God. She and her husband were both baptized and now she says he is a very good man!
We walked through the village seeing how life is lived. Here we see how they make their cooking fuel by mixing cow dung with rice straw, then pressing these disks to a wall to bake dry in the hot sun.
Later in the day we drove to another place where a group was having a meeting.
Though a people of very meager means, they welcomed us with leis made of marigolds.
The women were all seated on the ground listening intently. Incidentally, as I spoke to the women about the parable of the lost sheep, a woman passed by on the street, leading a lamb by a rope.
Lunch of rice with curry sauce was served.
- Laurel Sewell
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