Here is a thought that occurred to me over a chicken dinner
I had the other day, so I felt like sharing it with you…
After two-three hours of intense worship, stirring
testimonies, and riveting messages, we are always invited back to a pastor, or
an elder, or even a new believer’s house for dinner. We make our way over to
that individual’s home or just stay at the church. We then wash up, which
usually consists of well water dripped on your hands, and sit down to enjoy our
meal.
The biggest part of the meal for the Indians is usually what
type of meat that they choose or more poignantly, can afford to put in their
curry. Most of the time is chicken. In fact, it’s always chicken; usually the
same type of chicken curry, give or take the level of spiciness. Now please
don’t take me for ungrateful, I would just like to expound on the revelation I
received.
Chicken, here in India, is expensive for the average,
working-class individual. A single bird can cost around 250 rupees for 1 Kg. 1
Kg can feed around four to five people so in order to accommodate everyone who
will eat with you, you may need 2 Kgs which is 560 rupee. The average field
working can make around 70-100 rupees a day. This means a single chicken can
cost a person, three days work. 2 Kgs of chicken will cost you about a week’s
worth of pay, which is just to buy chicken. It does not include the cost of
rice, vegetables, or even spices; only the chicken. This means that a family
may have chicken every two-four weeks; not everyday, if you live in the United
States.
You see they want to bless us, missionaries, as well as
their pastor and his family. They are willing to spend a few days pay in order
to give us the very best they can offer. It’s quite humbling to that they are
splurging on us because they value us; because they want to give us their
heart.
We come into their world, their values, their mindset, and I
cannot help but be so grateful for everything. Sometimes I don’t always feel
like I am worth the best that someone can give. Yet in a country where people
live well below their means, I am showed honor and value…in short, a
Christ-like heart, Christ-like love. To them, my whole team, myself included,
are worth it, the very best they can offer.
As I eat the food that is prepared and enjoy every morsel of
that particular lunch or dinner, I am thankful. I am allowing others to bless
me, and I cannot rob them of their opportunity to bless me. God has been
teaching me quite a lot about not only about being a blessing to others, but
also receiving blessings from the very people I am blessing. In a way, I honor
them and God because I accept what they are doing to bless me. I think this is
why, the chicken in India tastes just a little better.
