Of all the places in India He chose one of the most beautiful.
Just to recap… We have been in India for the last 5 weeks. Ministries have been set out for our time up to now but the last week in India was very much unplanned. We are only flying out to Bangkok on Sunday morning.
Our travel budget is very limited and all odds seemed to be against us going to the mountains in the North of India. We prayed together and trusted God to lead us. In short the team received the following from the Lord (and many more) while praying during our time in Kota and Varanasi:
- "The word ‘Bengle’"
- "Crowded train station, not being pushed onto the right train."
- "Boats"
- & nbsp; "We have to wait, not make a rushed decision. He will show us."
- "Water and a fishing boat"
- "Matt 10:16 ‘Be wise and gentle…’"
- "He is the wind in our sails"
- "Flying, not seeing anything but thinking about Mount Everest."
- "Clouds"
- "Tiger"
A few also saw what looked like churches and a mosque.
Through a contact in Varanasi we heard of a Northern District, Uttarakhad, with a ‘Bengle Hotel’ in a small town called Nainital next to a big lake. As a team we felt at peace about the destination and decided to take a step of faith towards this Northern town& hellip; Train tickets ‘surprisingly’ within budget.
And so we arrived in Uttarakhad on the 12/04. After spending our first night sleeping at the train station (late arrival) we took two taxis with bags strapped to the roof all the way up the steep mountain toad to Nainital.
Occupying a steeps forested valley around the deep, green volcanic lake Naini, Nainital is an attractive, upbeat town with many boats, different churches and a few mosques! There is also a tiger park and you can see the Himalayan peaks from a point only 2km from here. We sent out our accommodation scouts after a few dozen Indian business cards and much bargaining we found our new home for the week. A humble ‘guest house’ at Rs1100 for 3 rooms/night (R1 = around Rs6).
It started to rain just as we had settled in. Rain to me is a symbol of blessing. In my weak human opinion this country would rank among the first to be almost undeserving of blessing and grace – and still the Creator of the Universe continues to pour His grace and blessing out on the land without restraint.
According to the locals it is the first rain in a long time especially it not being rainy season… It has rained every afternoon since our arrival. What a mighty God we serve!
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’. " (Isaiah 52:7)
"Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness, as you are enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us." (2 Cor 9:10-11)