In
Bundi I
met the pastor who has a developing ministry with a new congregation
that so
far meets in the homes of the members while hoping and praying to have a
church
building. The churches call these meetings in homes “Cottage Prayer” or
“Cottage Services.” Especially in the season of Lent all over the
Diocese there
are cottage prayer meetings every day of the week led by lay leaders. In
Bundi I had a wonderful guided tour of the Fort and Palace. The
magnificent paintings, some of which have been preserved were a delight
to behold.
Then
yesterday in
Kota I met the pastor, Rev. Naharmal Barnabas, his Associate Pastor Rev.
Reena
Massey, and lay leadership of a big and thriving congregation that had
accomplished two major building projects in the last decade – an
extension of
the length of the sanctuary at the chancel end and later an addition of a
bell tower at the main entrance. Both projects funded by the giving of
the congregation.
I was greeted and honored with multiple garlands of flowers and a tour
of the
church. Then it was on to Piploda and small entirely Christian village
that has
been blessed with good farmland being originally established by the
missionaries close to five rivers. The name of the Congregation is Jangal Mangal Mandi which translates to Light in the Forest or Happiness in the Forest (this is in the green part of Rajasthan). The Pastor Rev. Akhlendra Singh
together
with church leaders and many villagers met me again with garlands of
flowers
but also with a procession led by a wonderful drummer playing a drum
specific
to such welcoming processions. The procession stopped while I was taken
into
their recently built church hall and then again as we stopped to view
the
Church, and once again to view the now somewhat derelict mission
bungalow of
which they are very proud even in its dilapidated state, then back in
procession
to the church hall where I was treated to a wonderful lunch in my honor.
I was remembering later in the day that one of JWD's nicknames for Aunt Rhoda was Rhoda Piploda. Then
we made our way back the 100 km to Kota where I met the family of my
guide Mr.
Anil Paul, who as well as serving as the Diocesan representative on the
Synod Council
and the Diocesan Executive Committee was the organizing secretary for
major anniversary
celebrations in Piploda and in Kota in recent years. Then my driver and I
went
on to spend the night in Udaipur, getting up early to attend the Hindi
service
at Shepherd Memorial Church. I was presented with a beautiful marble
plaque
depicting the church and invited to bring greetings. Later in the
service
during communion I helped to distribute the bread. There must have been
upwards
of 400 people in the congregation. The church was packed and about a
hundred were
seated outside the church building. This congregation also had plans for
building an extension. It is wonderful to see the impact of the faithful
ministry and outreach in this congregation and in Kota. At the time of
the service
this morning I was invited to preach this evening and upon my request
was given
the lectionary texts for tonight’s service. So after lunch I have been
preparing for tonight’s sermon and actually relishing the prospect.
Today West
End Church completes its retreat experience at Mount Manresa in Staten
Island with
worship at West End and with Rev. Krystin Granberg preaching. My
thoughts have been
with them all during this weekend.
Bundi Fort, Palace and Lake. My hotel in yellow on the lakeside
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