인도 마드라스에서 역사하신 주님
인도 마드라스의 K. Muthalaly 대표가 보낸 보고서는 1998년 1월 한국의 동계 단기 선교팀이 한국의 IMF 외환위기 속에서도 믿음으로 인도에 파견되어 현지인들에게 복음과 기쁨을 전했음을 기록하고 있다. 문화와 언어의 장벽에도 불구하고 성령 충만함과 헌신으로 사역한 이 팀의 활약은 하나님이 순종하는 자들을 어떻게 사용하시는지 보여주는 증거이며,
이 보고서 속에는 우리 팀이 直面하고 있었던 文化的 혹은 言語의 障壁과偏見이 기록이 되어 있다. 그럼에도 불구하고, 우리는
- 이 보고서 속에는 그들의 기쁨과 성령 충만과 헌신과 自願하는 신앙이 들어 있는 것을 알 수 있으며,
- 하나님은 이들을 통하여, 인도의 수많은 사람들에게 복음과 함께 큰 기쁨을 전 할 수 있도록 하셨으며, 그리고
- 앞으로 인도를 향하신 K.C.C.C.의 봉사의 문을 열어 주신 것을 알 수 있다.
우리의 단기 선교 팀이 인도까지 派送되어, 奉仕하기 까지에는 여러 가지 難關이 있었다. 사실은, 지금 한국은 IMF 救濟 金融의 支援을 받는 立場에 있으며, 나라가 不渡 直前인 經濟 恐慌的 苦痛에 直面하고 있다. 그럼에도 불구하고 우리는 이번의 인도 동계 단기 선교팀을 보내는 것이 하나님의 뜻인가를 물었다. 그리고 우리는 이것이 하나님이 가장 기뻐하시는 뜻이면 하나님께 順從하고져 했다.
1998년 12월 24일! 한국의 원화의 달라화에 대한 가치가 한달 사이에, 2.2배 이하로 (1달라 당 920원이 2,040원으로) 폭락하고 있을 때, 우리는 아래와 같은 FAX를 South Asia Area of Affairs Office에 보냈다.
"Greetings once again from Seoul, Korea. . . As you may know, Korea is faced with a financial crisis. And our team have been in difficulties for raising support. However, we know that God wants us to go to India for His kingdom. Therefore, we decided to accept everything, including the proposed budget (25 dollars a day), that you had suggested to us. We know that God will use you and us as His wonderful tools for extending His kingdom in India."
우리는 이 Report는 우리가 지상 명령과 세계 선교에 겸허히 순종하려하면, 우리가 직면하고 있는 경제적 혹은 언어와 문화의 장벽등이 있음에도 불구하고, 하나님은 그들을 기꺼히 사용하시며, 복음을 위하여 쓰임바 되는 특권을 허락하신다는 증거중의 하나라고 생각한다.
이와같은 뜻에서 우리는 지금까지 우리가 가장 중요한 일로 추진해 온 "至上命令 성취에 순종하는 제자들을 양육하고, 전세계로 파송하는 일"을 계속해서 할 것을 다짐하며, 끝으로 우리 모두 (More Macadonian project people) 의 激勵로 삼고자 Mr. Muthalaly의 Report 全文을 紹介한다.
KOREAN TEAM IN MADRAS - A REPORT
"We really thank and praise God for the privilege of having the Korean team here in Madras. Their involvement in our ministry in Madras was a real blessing.
"When I met them in the airport on 5th Jan. I was wondering what this people are going to do here. But in the very first programme itself, they changed my mind. Because wherever they go and whatever they do, whether its in a campus or a programme, they make real impact upon the listeners. Their smiling faces and willingness to do anything for the LORD, the way they do aggressive evangelism all these thing really encouraged the people those who worked with them or those who involved in their ministry.
Over all what I want to say is that they make a tremendous impact upon the people whom they meet. The principal of Grace senior school said like this: 'I have seen many team coming here and performing programmes. But the first time I see a group of people making real influence and mingling so much with students.' Wherever we had programme all the authorities said something similar like this.Some one said like this: 'Definitely this was a New Year Gift for us.'
They could personally share with 42 college students and 27 of them accepted Christ. Address is given to the Campus Director for follow up ministry.
"We had evngelistic programmes in four colleges (YMCA, WCC, MMM, MCC). All together 265 college students attended this programme. 60% of them are non Christians students. Many of them prayed and accepted Christ. In WCC after taking talking to one of the team members one Christian girl came and told me that she want to become a CCC men.
"Then we had Evangelistic programmes in 6 senior schools (Green Valley, Grace, FES, UCA, Sparten, Vidyodaya). In which 1785 students were attended. 70% of them are non Christian students. In the prayer with invitation time, most of the students prayed loudly and received Christ.
"Then we had one programme in a Church. Which attended by 200 people. Three days we seperated for village ministry. It was a real blessing. We covered three villages fully with the Gospel. We had 9 evangelistic meetings in the villages and 3 Jesus film shows. Altogether 1800 people reached with the Gospel.
Whole village follow the team from one programme to another. All these three villages we had programmes in association with the Pastors. So the Pastors will do the follow up. One Pastor said like this: 'I never seen before people gather like this in this villages.' All the three Pastors were really happy by seeing the result. In this 1800 people heard the Gospel 98% of them are non Christians.
"The Team was able to contact 3892 people in this city during their three weeks. Finally I want to thank and praise the LORD for all what He has done through this ministry. We thank each of the team members for their decision to come to Madras. Continue to pray for one another.
"Thank God for their life and commitment. Anticipating more Macadonian project people to minister in South East India. We are praying for at least three Hubcities Teams to come for a longer term to start Campus Ministry. Please inform us about your next team visit."