Why is it that so many people disbelieve God because they cannot see him and then quickly argue that aliens exist dispite never seeing them?

I'm not trying to argue either point here, I'm just curious. Why is it we hold a different requirement for God's existence than for aliens?

Many say that aliens must exist based upon probability in light of unprovable presuppositions. Others argue that God must exist based upon probability in light of unprovable presuppositions.

With that said, many Christians deny aliens while many who argue in favor of aliens are atheists. Why is it so often a person believes one or the other but never accepts both or denies both.

What are the presuppositions that causes this to happen? Why is it that so often people either argue for God or aliens but have no middle ground?

Just over a week ago I started working in a popular coffee shop chain. While I still have a lot left to learn, I am enjoying the job.

However, I wish I were able to do is open up more with others. I wish it were fine for me to say "God bless," "have a blessed day," etc. I wish it were fine for me to openly talk about Jesus. Despite my wishes, I am not capable of doing this (assuming I do not want to be fired).

While I expected these things, it's actually worse than I expected. You see, I carry a small pocket Bible with me everywhere I go. This Bible fits in my back pocket but about an inch sticks out of the top.

Apparently, a customer saw my Bible in my back pocket and complained to my manager. I had not mentioned anything spiritual. I had not openly promoted my religious beliefs. Regardless, a self-proclaimed atheist felt offended enough by the sight of my Bible to complain. I was not in trouble for this, but I have been asked to hide my Bible better.

While I completely see why a buisiness would want to be neutral about such things, I find it odd that it would go to this level. I am in no way complaining or ranting, I just do not understand how the mere sight of a religious text is offensive and wish to know what others think about this.

So tell me, what is offensive about the mere sight of a religious text like the Bible?

Ever wanted your dreams to be accomplished overnight? Ever actually been upset when they did not actually happen overnight?

Well as you can probably guess, the way God seems to be working on me recently is by giving me patience. I so desire to make my life's dreams happen overnight that God seems to have slowed my life down a bit. Apparently, I had the mentality that in entering into seminary, I'd find a church to pastor immediately, get married, have kids, and start a few churches all within a month or two (slight exaggeration).

What happened instead is that I never found a job, became burned out from having very little stress relieve while in school thus becoming burned out, and had to take this Spring semester off from seminary for financial reasons. Due to my take-things-as-they-come personality, I'm not depressed about it but this certainly isn't what I expected.

Thus, the past three months has in-part been defined as a time of waiting and rejuvenation. I have pretty much felt like a bum being that I've been a jobless 23 year old college graduate living at his parent's house. The economy sucks horribly where I live so it's been difficult finding a job but I've tried to do what I can to "relaxingly use my time wisely."

As such, I've been able to become more active in my home church by volunteering my time for events, occasionally preaching, and starting a weekly Bible study. Relationally I've been able to reestablish old friendships with people from high school, learn how to deal with seeing family on a daily basis (moving back home after having your own apartment is interesting to say the least), and I've seen a good friend come to know Christ.

This friend, well she happens to be a female I had a major crush on while in high school. The problem was that she was not following Christ at the time. Since then she has had a child and desired to turn her life around as a result, wanting the child to be raised as best as she could. Since she's only ever attended my church when I'm there, my steady attendance has increased her own. Recently she has repented before God, joined my church, and will be baptized in about a week. Since she is now seriously following Christ, my old reasons for not dating her are gone, but I in no way want to be aggressive in this since her spiritual welfare is more important to me than my relationship status on facebook. Will we end up together? I'm not sure but she's a beautiful girl who genuinely wants to follow Christ so I'm certainly not against it!

As far as my weekly Bible study, we've been going through the book of Acts. In that this is the start of a ministry which might evolve into a future youth/college ministry, I desired to look through a book that dealt heavily with growth. Being that I'm no longer on a Christian university campus, the idea of a weekly Bible study during the week is a strange concept. Regardless, the Bible study seems to have become a good thing. Large crowds are not brought out, but it's been cool trying to take Scripture out of their church-life (e.g. gaving a Bible study on Thursdays at a fast-food restaurant is very different than a Sunday morning church service).

Outside of that, my time has mostly been spent by playing World of Warcraft and looking for jobs. Because of this, I am now "warcrafted out" and am sick of that game since I've spent so much time playing it. Thankfully, I have finally found a job. Starting Monday morning I shall start working at the Starbucks in Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach. I will have to drive a distance to get there, but I need the job and will enjoy it I'd think.

Even though life is going in a direction I was not expecting, I cannot complain too much about recent especially after seeing a good friend come to know Christ (heck, the joy of it has literally brought me to tears).

The past year has also been the time that I've questioned whether I should become a pastor the most. Lately, even though I feel as though every waking moment has not been productive, my call has been rejuvenated with this break. As an example of why I say this, a week and a half ago, a Saturday night at about 8:30, I received a phone call asking me to preach both services of my church the following day since the pastor was unable. Though it was short notice, I agreed and did what I could to prepare my sermons. Thus, I had about 3 hours to prepare each sermon which consisted of figuring out an outline for passages I was familiar with.

As far as the sermons went, I think I did well in light of being on short notice. I was essentially able to stand in front of people for two 30 minute sessions while poring my heart out. While some people may get a rush from jumping out of plains or riding roller coasters, my greatest rush comes from preaching Scripture. It's not that I enjoy the recognition (I prefer that no one even speak to me after I preach, actually. My sermons are a worship experience between me and God, and I'd prefer that a person's like or dislike not effect the message.) but I simply want the message to be lived out by the people I love.

Being given the opportunity to preach on short notice like this was highly beneficial to me. While I typically dislike recognition or being thought too highly, one particular old man's compliment stuck with me. My sermons examined the text of the Scripture (Psalm 51 in the morning and Acts 4 in the evening), seeking to understand it word-for-word. He, a quiet man who rarely speaks, came to me and told me how much he enjoyed my sermons. While I dislike the "good job" compliments in that the only thing they do is increas my pride, he said he liked it because I did my best to preach the text, not my opinion. This compliment was one that I respected and appreciated. Another person also gave me a compliment that touched me. She's been going through a lot lately and was almost in tears as she told me how much she needed to hear the message. Being complimented that I stay close to the text and that it was useful for everyday life in the same sermon are not two things one would think would often be together. Thankfully, God was able to use me in such a way that it was possible.

In light of that oppritunity to preach and being involved in this Bible study has helped motivate me to continue moving forward. Being that God seemed to not want me in seminary this semester, I would have questioned my calling much more severely if he did not allow me to be appart of those experiences. I do a lot of questioning of myself, but God seems to constantly be showing me that where my faith should be is in him, not my own ability or expectations.

Resurrection.

One would think it to be an important word for Christians. Even still, it is a word not mentioned enough within the average church. Aside from the fact that the typical Jesus preached is a moral, this-is-how-you-live-your-life-Jesus as opposed to an eternal though crucified, resurrected, and glorified Jesus, the annoyance I wish to mention in this particular note is the lack of teaching regarding the resurrection of all believers.

When was the last time you've ever heard a point made regarding the fact that those who are in Christ will be raised again into new glorified bodies? Sure, you may hear a lot about leaving this earthly body to go to heaven but when have you actually, if ever, heard a sermon regarding the resurrection of the dead? Is it simply not a fundamental topic within Christendom?

What does Scripture say about the topic. Does God hold the resurrection of the dead in high regard? 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 goes as far as to say the following, "But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."

Oh wait, that can't be right! Let's read 16-17 again to be sure that is correct, "For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." I suppose the resurrection of the dead is actually important then.

If the resurrection of the dead is indeed so important, then why is it so rarely mentioned? Is this only a doctrine for those who are already followers of Christ maybe? Well not according to Paul. Apparently it's a part of the Gospel message itself since he stresses it so much in Acts 17:31-32, "'For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.' When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, 'We want to hear you again on this subject.'"

Peter and John also show their commitment to the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead in Acts 4:1-4, "The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand."

Being that Peter and John went to jail for preaching the resurrection of the dead, I'd imagine they thought it important as well. As seen in the last verse, apparently preaching this doctrine will also help in church growth (that was a joke... somewhat).

Could it be that we too should mention the resurrection of the dead on a more regular basis? When did our hope to come become the rapture as opposed to Jesus restoring his creation (and with that, restoring our bodies to a glorified form)? When did our "pet doctrines" become more fundamental than this one?

/end rant

Recently I've been studying for a Bible study that I will be leading at my church for college age people. I'm doing the study on Acts 1:1-11 and I noticed something in the very first verse that I found quite amazing. Acts 1:1 simply reads:

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.

Just this passage alone has so much "preaching material" that I've grown giddy with excitement. For this blog I simply wish to give you an exposition of this single passage.

"In my former book," - Here we see that this book is the second of two books, the first being the Gospel of Luke. Simple enough.

"Theophilus," - This is the name of the person Luke writes to in both this book and his previous. The introduction to Luke reads as follows:

(1) Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, (2) just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. (3) Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, (4) so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

We see that in both books the person Luke is writing to is both the same individual, Theophilus. Some try to argue that this is but a title, one given to any who is a friend of God. The very name literally means "friend of God." 'Theo' means God while 'philus' comes from the same root as Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. This could very well mean that Luke is addressing any who describe themselves as a friend of God, or one who is seeking after God in some manner.

I take a different view. As seen in Luke 1:3, Theophilus is given the title of "most excellent." This would imply that this is not only a singular individual but is also someone of political influence. The only other times Luke uses this phrase is in Acts 24:3 and Acts 26:25, both times speaking of an individual of high political standing. Because of this I do believe Theophilus is an actual and singular person, possibly the one who financed Luke's investigations as mentioned in the introduction to his first book. However, Theophilus might not be his true name but merely a title given to him for safety reasons as converting to Christianity would not be of benefit to anyone in politics until the time of Constantine many years later.

However, one could also argue that this title has double meaning. It could very well mean that the books are both specifically addressed to this singular individual and any who might be searching after God. If the latter is not true then that does not mean the book was not intended for anyone else however. One can see this from looking at Acts's universal acceptance as divine Scripture throughout the early church.

"I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach." - Now here is where I truly become giddy. We see here that Luke did not say, "I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught." Rather, he points out that the work of Jesus Christ from birth, to death, to resurrection was only the beginning of his work and teaching as it continues through the book of Acts until today. This is something to be excited about!

You see, Jesus did not merely live a life of miracles and resurrect from the dead but he is alive and well, continuing a good work in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. This introduction is extremely fitting for a book such as Acts, a book that addresses some of the actions of the early church as they first work in Jerusalem, then in all Judea and Samaria, and finally with Paul to "the ends of the earth."

We see clearly here that in his life, Jesus had only just begun his work. But what did he begin to do? Well let's see what Doctor Luke says about it in Luke 24:26-27:

He [Jesus] told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

He obviously did more in his life as be performed miricles and taught but this passage in his conclusion to his previous book certainly does give an overview verly much related to Acts 1:1.

If you were to study the book of Acts, you can see quickly that throughout the book the Apostles first start in Jerusalem and eventually spread out all across the Roman Empire. Some early church documents even say that some even went as far as India and parts of Africa.

This growth of the kingdom of God does not end in the book of Acts but has continued to this day. Jesus Christ has not yet finished his work upon the earth and has not yet finished teaching through his Word and Holy Spirit. Not until repentance and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ is preached to every nation, every tongue, every tribe, every person, will this be finished.

With that, I shall leave you with one of Jesus' many parables from Mark 4:30-32:

What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.

The following was written by some fellow students from my seminary. If you've paid attention to some of my recent blogs, you'd see that some fellow students from my seminary have been in Mumbai, India. Here is another story they recently released. I'm sure some of you will not believe these things are truly happening, but I do.

The host explained that the elderly woman had broken her leg.

"When they brought the woman in, she really couldn't stand on her own," John, a member of the Southeastern team, said. "She could barely sit up on her own."

John and David, another member of the Southeastern team, had been sharing the gospel in a slum in the city of Mumbai, India. *Deepak and *Charan, two national pastors, were accompanying them. The team had already led one man to Christ when another man approached and asked them to visit his home, a small 5-foot by 6-foot room.

When they arrived in the home, Deepak began to share the Gospel. But, the host had other things on his mind. He called to someone in the back of the home. Several people appeared carrying an elderly woman. She seemed to be his mother or grandmother.

The man asked for prayer for the woman. The group laid hands on her and prayed and then proceeded with the Gospel presentation.

After a few minutes, John began to notice a change in the woman.

"I looked at her, and she kind of had a puzzled look on her face. And she started feeling her shin as if she didn't know what was going on," John said. "So then, all of a sudden, she stands up and runs to the back room."

She returned a few minutes later, standing up straight, looking healthy and chipper. She began serving the group tea and biscuits.

"It's just like what happened to Peter's mother-in –law, she was healed, got up and started serving the guests in her house!" John said.

Then, a third man, a rickshaw driver, popped his head through the front door. It was only a few minutes before he too had made a profession of faith.

Within a 30-minute time frame, three heads of households prayed to receive Christ. But the story doesn't stop there. Another woman appeared from the back room. She had been listening the entire time to the events that unfolded in the front room. She too, needed healing, and after seeing what happened, was convinced she was in the right place. It was her lower back, she said, that was giving her trouble. The Southeastern students, Deepak and Charan prayed over her.

"Wow, the pain's gone," she said. She too was healed.

The New Testament is coming to life on the streets of Mumbai. Households are coming to know the Lord. People are being healed. A demon has been cast out. This isn't stuff from the yellowed, tattered pages of history books.

It's happening right now.

*names changed

For some unknown reason, many are clueless to the fact that slavery has yet to be abolished from the world. Yes, laws are in place around the world that prohibit slavery. However, there is an underground blackmarket for selling young girls and women to the highest bidder. Slavery is not abolished but is one of the major issues still plaguing this world. In fact, it is perhaps worse than it ever has been in the history of the world. Here is a video posted by some from my seminary showing the horrors of this blackmarket industry.

The past few days have been rather interesting. Sunday I wrote a note dealing with a sort of spiritual renewal within me. Every since then crazy things seem to be happening. Here is just a short list of recent events that has been happening.

The new pastor (started only a week ago) of my church came to me Sunday about the possibility of leading a college ministry at my home church. At this news I became rather excited but was also saddened that it would be difficult since I go to school two and a half hours a way.

I found out Monday that due to things that are completely out of my control, I am not going to receive certain scholarships this semester and am thus not able to attend seminary this semester. At this news I was somewhat let down but I'm actually rather excited about it. I've been in school studying for the ministry for the past 4 and half years and because I have yet to do much "real ministry" my effort in my studies has decreased. Time off actually doing something will be quite nice. Since I'm not able attend school, I'll be able to devote more time to any ministry I might be apart of at my school.

Since I'm an impatient person apparently, I'm already trying to get things started even though nothing is official. If I end up starting a college ministry, I figured it'd be a good thing if I'd contact many of my old friends.

An old friend of mine from high school visited church for the first time in 4 and a half years. She contacted me herself Sunday to let me know. She is one of many old friends I'm now trying to reconnect and she will very likely be apart of any ministry I might be apart of.

Another friend of mine that I contacted yesterday has been growing in his walk lately. He stuggles with homosexuality but is active within his church, especially the music department. His grandmother has been waking up in the middle of the night every night for the past several weeks with him on her mind. She feels as if God wants her grandson to be a minister. My friend does not know what to think of that but wants to investigate the possibility of doing something like that. So long as he continually tries to live a sanctified life, he could be of major benifit to anything that might happen in the future.

Also, my parents lost their business sometime last year. As a result, they've struggled financially and have had some difficulty paying basic bills. However, just a little while ago today an old business partner visited their house saying that he will do whatever he can to help their business start back up. He drove four hours to their house unexpectantly. This may very well be an answer to many of their prayers.

If I'm able to start a college ministry at my church, it can turn out to be a rather amazing thing. No other church in my county has a ministry specifically designed to reach college age people despite 3-4 colleges being within a 30 minute drive. Due to this being my home town, I have connections with people in each of the schools. Thus, through them I should be able to build a group of people from each school.

My church can handle such a ministry. Sometime ago my church renovated an old building that belongs to the church for the purpose of having dramas. This building has a completely different atmosphere than the traditional sanctuary where the congregation meets. Such a building is one of the most ideal spots in the area for a college ministry. The room has tables and chairs that would be great for small group discussions and their is a nice stage with spotlights, projectors, microphones, etc.

Not to mention there is a wealth of anxious people within my church that are willing and able to help with such a ministry. Because of things out of the church's control, certain ministries have stopped almost immediately. Any ministry like this will require people whose time has now been made free.

I do not know what is down the road ahead but I'm excited. So many things seem to be falling into place as if God is guiding each and every step. Much of this has only happened in the last few days. I can only imagine what happens in the coming days. This are exciting times and I hope they end no time soon. :D

The last few years I've obsessed with the grace that God has bestowed upon me. Today I shall begin a new obsession, seeing the grace of God bestowed upon others.

Though I have been a follower of Christ for many years prior, only a few years ago did I have a spiritual renewal that led me to become obsessed with the grace of God. Though I had already accepted the Gospel message, I had then begun to truly love the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The thought that God would save me despite my sin has caused many grateful tears. Every since that transition I've made many mistakes and my love was not always apparent (if to anyone but me). Regardless, I've grown greatly in my walk with Christ.

However, the last few months I have not been content. I've tried to read my Bible as much as I should, I've tried to be active, and I've tried to pray as much as I should. Even with that, something has been missing lately. Even though I've been studying under some brilliant minds, I have not been satisfied with that alone.

As a result of this dissatisfaction, I began to grow rather absentminded, antisocial, and lazy. I did the bare minimum that was required of me, I let people down, and did nothing about it aside from evading the issue while living in denial.

Today, I shall renew the joy of my salvation (Psalms 51:12) but with that, add something more: reinvigorate my desire for others to find the joy of their own salvation. Yes, we should watch for our own spiritual welfare but we are also to "assemble the people—men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law" (Deut. 31:21).

I have "gone with the flow" in the past and brought up Christ whenever possible, but I never intentionally seek people out so that they Gospel message might be presented to them. I've been aware of the task we have been called and I've gained a burning desire for others to know Christ. However, it has not been the same obsession that I've had for my own welfare. Why have I not had the same passion as Paul: "I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers" (Romans 9:2-3a)?

Why oh why have I been so concerned with my welfare alone? Should not my passion for others be greater than for myself?

The last few years I've obsessed with the grace that God has bestowed upon me. Today I shall begin a new obsession, seeing the grace of God bestowed upon others. Join me.

MUMBAI, INDIA – Volunteer teams are reporting positive encounters as they share their stories and seek people of peace in the streets and slums of Mumbai. The teams arrived in Mumbai earlier this week, and following the principles outlined in Luke 10, they broke into small groups. With the aid of a translator, they visited different locations within the city, and at the end of the day, each had a story to share.

"We went into a slum and we told our translator to take us to the temple," *Ethan recalled.

When the team arrived, the door to the temple was locked, but a child found the key and let them in. Once inside, the child set up chairs for the volunteers, and a group of twenty to twenty-five people came into the temple and sat down on the floor.

"I said, 'Do you want to hear a story?'" Ethan said. The villagers nodded, and for the next several minutes, the team shared stories from the Bible.

"None of them had ever heard the stories of creation, the prodigal son, or the man named Jesus," Ethan said. "It was a surreal experience."

From the temple, the team moved deeper into the slum. In one house they met a Christian family. When *Sita, the woman of the house, learned the purpose of their visit, she began taking them from house to house, introducing them to her neighbors. In every home, the team asked, "Do you want to hear a story?"

*Lalit and his wife, *Uma are Sita's neighbors. Lalit recently quit his job because of chest pains. As Ethan shared the gospel with Lalit and Uma, the couple paid close attention.

"I asked them if they were interested in what I had to say," Ethan said, "and they were really excited." After a little more discussion, both Lalit and Uma prayed to receive Christ.

Another team found openness as they shared on the city streets.

"One man wanted to know what we were doing," *Juliet said.

When the group explained their purpose, the man said, "Ok. Tell me about Jesus."

"I was a little hesitant," Juliet explained. "I mean it was me, a white girl, with this man."

But the man was insistent. "He told me had been going through a hard time and that he had both a wife and a girlfriend. 'Nothing gives me peace,' he said. 'Please just tell me.'" Juliet recalled.

So Juliet told the man about Jesus.

"When I finished, he said, 'This is something I want. I want to know Jesus is real.'" Juliet recalled. "He didn't pray to receive Christ, but I challenged him to pray only to Jesus for two weeks."

Juliet's challenge is significant in a Hindu culture that believes Jesus is just one of many gods. Several of the teams encountered this argument as they shared.

"We were talking with a Hindu college student and he told us that all roads lead to the same god and the same place," Mike said.

Mike laughed as he continued, "I told him I disagreed with that statement."

As Mike talked with the student, other students gathered to listen and began following that team as they moved from house to house.

"One of the students asked, 'Can you share this message with all of our friends?'" Mike recalled. "We asked, 'How many?' 'A lot,' the student said.'"

The team agreed to return to the same place on Friday night to share. At this point, they do not know what that gathering may involve, but they are open and flexible.

All of the volunteers agreed that the level of openness and acceptance they had experienced surprised them.

"Everywhere we went [today] we drew an audience," James said. "And there was interest in every crowd."

"We can see the way that God has prepared us, and we can see that God has been preparing these moments for us," James said. "It is truly a neat thing."

*some names have been changed for security reasons

The above story is from fellow students from my seminary. Those of you who know Christ, I ask that you pray for God's merciful hand to be at work in the lives of the people encountered. Here is another story:

"I am taking you to the red-light district," our translator says, "so we must pray because there is much spiritual battle there." We pray, then dodge auto rickshaws and taxis and goats, crossing the main road. We step around the corner, into a lane and I see them: women in front of narrow doorways on a dark street. Some just sitting and staring, others taking care of daily tasks—cooking rice, washing clothes. Ordinary things. We stop to talk with them, asking if they know of Jesus and would they like to hear His story, asking how we can pray for them.

As *Martha and *Laura sit on a rope bed to share the Story with one lady, I find a bench nearby and sit beside two women who are engaged in animated conversation. They stop, greet me—and I try out Hindi phrases, much to their amusement. As they rise to go, a thin woman dressed in red and gold shalwar kameez is rushing towards me, speaking broken English nonstop. "Hi mem. I am sick, mem. My body is paining me. I tell my madam I not want 'work baby'. They take my baby. I have TB…" When she stops to take a breath I quickly speak of Jesus' love for her…and does she know of Jesus? "Oh yes, mem. I love Jesus. I love Jesus." Again the litany of troubles and she holds my arm. I ask if I can pray for her in the name of Jesus. "Oh no, mem. I must go." But what is your name? "Sudah." She runs off, down the lane. The dark lane. My brain that has been struggling to think of Hindhi words remembers another language from another time. "Sudah" in that language means "finished." Her life story feels like that—torn, bleeding, brief, finished. Lord, have mercy. Healer of the broken, touch Sudah and make her whole.

*names have been changed for security reasons

And I shall leave you with a short video from the trip.