As far as I am aware, no significant security risks exist in posting updates about the labors here. While Christianity is an extreme minority, and substantial political opposition and hostility to the Christian faith is rising, the Bible training facility where I am teaching is very visible to the public. At present, India is relatively indifferent to Christians teaching other Christians about their own faith. The problem comes when you proselytize Hindus and/or try to persuade other Indians to convert to Christianity. Then the hammer comes down. Since Hinduism already has umpteen zillion gods, they are happy for us to have ours — as long as we do not interfere with the worship of their idols. In other words, they are more like America than we might think.

The increase in political opposition to Christianity stems from the fact that many Hindus are turning to Christ, and thereby undermining the influence of the Hindu dominated government. The common man on the street views Christianity as distinctively western and as a white man’s religion. Apparently they exhibit shock when they are told that Christianity began in Asia.

The religious profile in Sri Lanka differs greatly from India. I will find out when I get to Sri Lanka whether any precautions are necessary for posting to the blog.

In India, 80% are Hindu, 13% Muslim, 2% Christian, 2% Sikhism, less than 1% Buddhist.

In Sri Lanka, a close neighbor to India, 70% are Buddhists, 12% Hindus, 10% Muslim, 7% Christian.

May the Lord increase the faith and fervency of our prayers for the advance of his cause in this land. “Thy kingdom come.”

Warm Regards,
Pastor Rob McCurley

I am alive and well, thanks to the Lord’s kind upholding. We arrived in Ahmedabad around 4 a.m. today. Contrary to what I expected, I did not have any Internet access on any of my flights or in the various airports throughout the journey (except for the Greenville airport — please note that NYC and Dubai are apparently less advanced than South Carolina!). I do have intermittent access from my hotel. I did not sleep on the plane (other than a tiny bit of semi-comatose dozing), but the flights/connections went without a hitch and my luggage arrived safely on this end. In an effort to switch over to the new time zone, I only slept for about three and a half hours once I arrived at the hotel. I’ll stay awake today and get to bed early tonight, D.V. So hopefully I will have “fully flipped” by tomorrow. I feel amazingly well despite the lack of sleep. We are spending the day today at the hotel to rest, pray and prepare for the teaching load. We will also meet our local contacts for the first time at supper this evening. The sight of the traffic out my window is something to behold — a myriad of souls, most of whom are easily recognized as either Hindu or Muslim by their dress. Randy and I spent some time in prayer together, petitioning our Sovereign to overthrow the strongholds of superstition through the propagation of Christ’s glorious gospel and the advance of his kingdom.

I am happy to hear about the bustle of activity at GPC since my departure — two new babies. Praise the Lord for these merciful blessings! Please convey my love to all.

With all Christian affection,
Pastor Rob McCurley