Love_One_Another_One_Indian_Pastors_Example.pdf

In December 2010, I had the privilege to travel with a team of friends from Bethlehem to preach the gospel in partnership with churches ministering to some of the unreached people groups in Andhra Pradesh, India. One of my experiences there was a defining moment in my life—an unforgettable encounter with God’s love. 

It all started early one Sunday morning as I was preparing a message to preach from the book of 1 John on the topic, “Love One Another.” The Lord had burdened my heart with this message, and as I studied I became overwhelmed with a sense of God’s love. Things that I saw in the book of 1 John that morning I had never seen before in my life. The Holy Spirit was most certainly speaking to me through the Word. 

Later that week, we all traveled about three hours into a jungle to preach the gospel and to encourage the existing church there. When we arrived at our destination, we fellowshipped with some of the believers and prepared for an outreach that we were going to conduct later that night with the help of some of the indigenous pastors.

Our team leader, Justin Hoover, was at one of the believer’s homes about 15 minutes away from our outreach-meeting place, preparing to bring the evening’s message. Samuel, one of the indigenous pastors, volunteered to get Justin and bring him back for the outreach. It was late and dark that night, so I offered to walk with him to get Justin. 

We started on our way down a little path that was about three feet wide. Samuel cautioned me not to go off of the path. “Anything can happen off the path!” he warned, explaining that there were angry water buffalos, snakes, etc. in the tall grass on either side of us.

At least on the path we would be able to see what was walking out or slithering in front of us. Dangerous creatures were not all we had to watch out for—the trail was littered with feces. Since everyone knew not to go off of the path, if they had to use the bathroom they would go right on the trail.

As we walked, Samuel pulled out his cell phone, trying to light the way for our feet with its little bit of illumination. At the very beginning of our journey I had realized that I’d left my shoes back at our meeting place. Now seeing the piles on the path, I panicked: “Oh no! Samuel, I forgot my shoes!”

Before we had gone another step farther, Samuel replied, “Look, brother, there are some sandals right next to you!” I thought it was pretty strange that these sandals had appeared out of nowhere, but I wasn’t going to ask any questions. The last thing I wanted was to be stepping in feces the rest of the way, so I put on the sandals and reminded myself to return them on the way back. 

We proceeded on our way, and when we arrived at our destination I had a great sense of relief. As we were standing outside under a house light waiting for Justin, I noticed that Samuel did not have any shoes on. I was puzzled because I was sure he’d been wearing some when we left.

Then it hit me! In shock I cried, “No! Samuel, why did you do that, why did you do that?” To my amazement I realized that Samuel had sacrificed his sandals for me and walked in feces the whole way so that I would not have to. This was one of the most humbling gifts that I have ever experienced. Through Samuel, I saw a picture of Christ’s sacrificial love for the Church.

The experience reminded me of what the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 4:12, “No one has seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” The verse implies that when we love one another, God’s love is revealed; that love demonstrated to one another makes it possible for people to look at us and see the love of Christ.

How can one forget an experience like that? Thank God for Samuel’s example of Christlikeness. My mind and heart are forever marked by how much Christ sacrificially and unconditionally loves us, and how we are to follow his example by loving others just as he has loved us.

May I never forget the verse that came alive to me in India that day: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our life for the brothers” (1 John 3:16).

Jahill Richards

Jahill Richards was part of a team sent by Bethlehem to minister in Andhra Pradesh, India. See a trip slideshow presentation. Learn more about short term ministry opportunities.