Guest Post: The Gospel In The Shell by Vilbert Vallance

NOTE: This post was sent to me by my friend, Vilbert. He is Indian and works as a chaplain for the Baptist Hospital in Bangalore. This is a wonderful testimony of how he shared the Gospel with a man who was dying. 

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Two days ago I was sitting beside a man who is in his 40’s and a palliative patient. [Similar to hospice care]. He was in good sense, was strong enough to speak, think and even to reflect. I was happy that the whole conversation was in our language, and the setting was a village.

I had to tell him the reality of Heaven and Hell, but I didn’t know how to start and make this important subject simple for him to understand.  Then, I noticed little chicks running across muddy and dusty path in front of his house.

I said, “Look Mr. Narayanapp. Look at those little chicks. If a little chick in the egg were to declare that nothing existed outside the egg, and its mother were to reply, “No. In the outside world there are mountains, flowers, rivers, blue sky”, the little chick might reply “You are talking nonsense. I can’t see any of these things.” But when the shell breaks suddenly, then the little chicken would see his mother was right!

I continued, saying, “It is same with us. We are still in the shell. We see neither heaven or hell. But one day our shell has to break and then we will see.” He kept nodding his head and even started to think. Rather, he started to think deeply by closing his eyes.

I said, “Mr. Narayanappa, you see in the shells the little chick has eyes and wings. That itself is a proof he would be needing those in the future. Eyes are created to see, but since it’s still in the shell, it thinks there is nothing to see. It has wings that are created to fly, but it can’t because it is in a shell.”

I said, “In the same way, we have many desires and longings which can never be satisfied here. There must be some way to satisfying them. This opportunity is Eternity. Just like little chick needs to be kept warm as long as he is in the shell, we need to be kept warm. This surety of eternal life is given to us when we confess our sins before the Lord Jesus and invite him to come into our life and heart. He will come and gives us Eternal Life.”

“Look how these little chicks are running with energy, freedom, and a sense of joy all the time,” I said. “They are also aware that their mother is watching them closely. And God watches us when we surrender to Him.”

Oh, this made a lot of sense to this man, and I led him to the Lord.

A Broken God For A Broken People

One of the more beautiful things God has done for me through my blog is to connect me with a dear brother in Christ who lives and serves people in India. His name is Vilbert Vallance. He works as a chaplain at the Baptist Hospital in Bangalore. We correspond back and forth pretty often, and most of the time his testimony of selflessness and humility brings me to my knees in awe. I am very thankful that the Lord brought Vilbert into my life.

Recently, he sent me an email about a visit he made with one of his patients to a Roman Catholic care center for those with mental disabilities. What he shared with me was so profound, and so moving, I had to share it with you.

Here’s what Vilbert shared:

“This evening I went along with a patient (and) other nursing staff to visit a Roman Catholic centre which provides care for people with mental disability. (We gathered) in a large community hall for Lord’s Supper (they call it a Holy Communion).

“When we got there, service had already started. Most of the people were in wheel chairs, others were crawling on the floor barely able to move or speak. (There were) involuntary movements of their bodies and on top of it uncontrollable noises and gestures. This kind of situation in our churches would be most unwelcomed, I thought.

“As I sat on the floor it was difficult to know whether anyone is listening to the priest, BUT when the priest held the bread and uttered the words (in our language), "The Broken God for Broken People”, there was a complete silence. To me the priest’s words were so peculiar to that situation. (We) all felt something very difficult.

“Even though I have attended and participated in Lords Supper in many churches (before), that service sharing broken bread with broken people made a profound impression in me.

“As I was returning home, leaving that person, I was thinking of my own brokenness. I said, “Lord, you have embarrassed all of the disabled, including me, which is not physical, but you know it Lord,” I prayed.

“I had such a wonderful time.”

What  a powerful picture of God’s love and mercy towards all of us! How beautiful to reflect on our own disabilities, and how we are all connected to one another’s brokenness and desperation.

Thank you, Jesus, for being the broken God for broken people like us. We are all broken. Only your broken body can make us whole again, as we find ourselves in you.

Halleluiah!

-kg

GUEST POST: "Beautiful Feet" by Vilbert Vallence

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news." Isaiah 52:7.

Feet are not the most noticed or the most pampered features of our body. They don't attract as much attention as the face or the hands. Yet Isaiah describes them as beautiful.

Paul shows his agreement with this by quoting Isaiah's words in Romans 10:15. They speak of the feet of the messengers of good news.

This is not true in the literal sense. In the Bible we see Jeremiah thrown into a cistern where his feet sank into the mud.( Jer. ch.37). John the Baptist, Peter, Paul and Silas were imprisoned and their feet chained or put in stocks. This must have left unsightly marks on their ankles and feet. Later when Peter was crucified upside down his feet were nailed to a cross.

Church history relates the lives of many Christians who were tortured, burnt or thrown to wild animals. Their feet were maimed and mangled, but not beautiful, though they were heralds of God's love and peace. Sadhu Sundar Singh who became a Christian after seeing a vision of Christ was known as "the apostle with the bleeding feet" as he walked far and wide bare footed to spread Christ's message. Mother Teresa's feet were 'calloused and twisted' as she went helping the sick and dying and unwanted on the roads of Kolkata often with ill fitting shoes.

Some could not even use their feet. Sarah Tucker was a cripple and never moved out of her house. Hearing of the condition of women in India through her missionary brother John Tucker she mobilized the churches in England to help educate Indian girls. Sarah Tucker College in Palayamkottai stands as a monument to her. It is the first women's college in Southern India. Amy Carmichael who founded the Dohnavur Fellowship to rescue and shelter girls sold into flesh trafficking, was for the last twenty years of her life confined to a wheelchair because of an accident. Many such instances can be quoted of useless or scarred feet in the service of God.

It is interesting to note that both Isaiah and Paul extol the feet and not the mouth of the messengers. It is the mouth that confesses the salvation got for us by Jesus and proclaims the good news to others. In general evangelists and preachers are good orators. Why are the feet then given more importance and praised? In Ephesians ch. 6 where God's armour for the Christian is given Paul speaks of the "feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace". It is the willingness and readiness of the messenger that is highlighted.

From the Old Testament prophets to the present day missionaries many pairs of willing feet have gone to places near and far taking the message of salvation.

At the Last Supper Jesus washed the feet of the disciples not only to cleanse them but also to strengthen, sanctify and prepare them for the long and arduous journeys they will have to make for the sake of the gospel. The Ascension is the last event in Christ's earthly life. Pictures of this event show Jesus being received above into the clouds while His feet with the nail prints point downwards, perhaps a reminder to the surprised disciples to use their feet" to go into all the world and preach the gospel".

The most beautiful feet belonged to Jesus. He willingly and eagerly walked the length and breadth of Judea from temple to house, from narrow paths to wide roads, on the seashore, even over the sea and on the hillsides with words of forgiveness and peace in His mouth and healing in His hands. Finally His feet took Him to Calvary to be nailed to the cross, but the feet crushed the Serpent's head. If we are to follow Jesus we must have willing feet like Him ready to love and serve. Then our feet will be beautiful in the sight of God and our whole life will be something beautiful for God.

"Oh, let me see Your footprints,

And in them plant mine own;

My hope to follow duly

Is in Your strength alone." ( by John E Bpde)


“Lord God, make me an encourager not a grumbler.

Lord, when I meet someone

Open my vision that I may see beyond their limitations to their potential

Open my lips that I may speak a word of praise and encouragement

Lord may they develop into the people that You would have them be, Amen."
( David C Morley)

Article by Rev. Vilbert Vallance
Pastoral Care
Bangalore Baptist Hospital
India

A LETTER FROM INDIA

For just over a year or so I've been corresponding with a brother in Christ who lives in India. His name is Vilbert Vallance. With his permission I wanted to share his most recent email with all of you. Please keep him in your prayers as he serves our Lord Jesus in India.
-kg
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My dear brother Keith,

Greetings in His name. These days are busy. I just reached back to Raichur after visiting about 6 villages. The reason I took this trip is, in India's towns and villages, right in front of the churches and mosques, even outside temples usually on Sundays in front of church, on Fridays in front of masques, and other days in from of hindu temple, we see beggars and lepers sit begging for alms.

well, many give to them after church, or after the friday prayers. I was trying to challenge the pastors, "how about making this Christmas different?" I told them after the Christmas service please invite these beggars, lepers INTO THE CHURCH to sing few songs, and pray for them and give them either money or clothing. This will make them happy and increase their dignity, and ultimately, after all, they too are made in the image of God. Let the lepers sit inside, the church, let the beggars enter into the church, etc.

Well I dont know if they will do it, however I challenged them to do. Please pray. This is the burden the Lord has placed in my heart to show our love to people who are deprived of their basic needs. Please do pray.

Well, brother Keith, I am a very small person. I do not wish to form an organization I just want to do what the Lord puts in me the most. We as family have decided to invite beggars into our home and share the love of Christ. On the Christmas afternoon we plan to have a Christmas with cousin's lunch, this is mainly for Muslim friends. Please continue to pray for us. Thank you so much for your love. Iam in the internet centre, people are wating for me to complete typing.

Thank you so much for your love.
We love you with the love Jesus

In Christ,
vilbert

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