Ministry of the Word to Srinagar, Kashmir

The Lord has burdened us to venture into this land for the ministry of the word. We have been praying for this and even attempted once in our previous trip, but due to the political turmoil we could not make it. But this time everything indeed worked together for good; for the spread of the ministry of the word into this land. 

As burdened by the Lord we started our journey from Leh in the afternoon by road. On the way as I considered our schedule in Srinagar with no schedule fixed, for a while, I was a little concerned. I did try to call people whom I knew and even texted a brother for prearrangement. But nothing worked, besides, I was completely out of mobile range as the route we took was on a remote location with no connectivity. At the moment, the Lord comforted me that He had made all the arrangements and that I would witness His work when I arrive there. 

The next day early morning we arrived at Srinagar. A sister from Leh who was so touched by the ministry of the word we ministered at Leh on Christian life gave me her sister's number. When I contacted her she gave me a Pastor's number who later became the key person, who then gave us hospitality in this city. We were accommodated at his guest house and as we fellowshipped over breakfast he invited us to minister the word on the Lord's day. 

On my first visit to Srinagar, Kashmir, the Lord opened the door in the only Christian protestant church for the ministry of the word. I prayed and ministered the word as the Lord burdened me. The Lord's speaking was on "God's Plan and Creation of Man" and the need to love one another as God is love. After the meeting we had fellowship with different believers. One most prominent meeting was with a young brother, an engineering student, who loves the Lord. I encouraged him to love the Lord more by testifying of the blessing and importance of loving the Lord when one is young with my personal testimony and that of others. 

We also met with a school Principal, a Headmaster and a Lecturer, and fellowshipped at length the importance of the proper understanding of the word of God for growth and transformation in the divine life. 

The most touching meeting was with a brother who gave up his government job and came to Srinagar to serve the Lord by faith. Though he has been serving for more than one and half decade he has not really brought even one local person to the Lord. The strict religious environment is one of the main reasons for hard ground for the gospel. But I was very much impressed by his burden, patience, and hope in the Lord. After listening to him I had the burden to share on 1 Timothy 2:4 Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth. He was so glad for the word; He testified that this described exactly his burden in his service to the Lord in this religious and dry land. We then became so close and dear to one another as Christian brothers. He wanted the ministry books so much that I gifted him few books and he purchased some too. The Lord indeed has a way to manifest His chosen ones.

Praise the Lord for His initiation in this city for His testimony! May the Lord gain and bless Kashmir, especially the capital city, Srinagar, and raise up His testimony!