Sabbatical Day 17 - Wednesday

I have been invited to preach at two of he churches of Jeyaseelan's Pastorate this coming Sunday. The readings are:
Psalm 104
Job 38
Ephesians 1:3-14
Luke 12:22-34
Theme - Creation: Sign of God's Providence.

From conversation, I understand that ecology is an issue. Temperatures are rising in the summer; Superstars advertise eg Coca Cola which becomes popular to the detriment of locally produced fruit juice; you have to pay for pure drinking water whereas God gives it freely.

Christians are encouraged to get involved in politics and this has been happening. We met yesterday a Christian politician.

With reference to the Luke reading, people worry about what they will eat and wear. The majority of the congregations (around 500 in each case I gather) come from the slum areas.

On a visit to the slum area yesterday I was introduced to some of the Christians. Theirs is a lively faith. I'm told that there used to be many murders and much crime but this has changed since people have become Christians. I understand around 75% are now Christians. This speaks for itself. As well as at the Pastorate churches they worship at the many churches in the slums area, which I think are Pentecostal.

The homes in the slums area vary. Some are shacks around the size of a garage. Built on land belonging eg to the railway there is no security.

Other homes are more substantial, children going to College. I'm told that the (a?) definition of a slum is the overcrowding. Certainly this was true of the more substantial home. We kept being introduced to more and more people who lived under one roof.

Building going on at two of the churches: Sadhu Sundur Sing (named after the Indian evangelist of early in the last century) and St Peter's (new building, new Parsonage respectively).

In the gospel passage Jesus will have been speaking to people whose lifestyle and security were perhaps not a million miles removed from that of those we visited yesterday. It will be a challenge to speak to so many with real cause to worry, though outwardly all are well-dressed and have a real sense of dignity.

Interesting to speak on Job so soon after seeing The Tree of Life (see Day 11)

Great to have the Ephesians passage, which I have been dwelling in.

And Psalm 104 is a favourite, as the basis of the great hymn: Praise my soul the King of heaven. I have a sense God is preparing me for Sunday,

Prayers valued.

A view of the slum area. These are more substantial homes..

I didn't take any photographs in the more deprived areas for fear of prying. I did note in one area water down the middle of the street which from the smell probably included sewage. Other homes are little more than flimsy shacks.

Plans for later today: a trip to the shops and a wedding.