David

“Here, there is something different.”  We just finished our latest artist residency, on the topic of ‘Men’s Behaviour and Attitudes towards Women’—exploring the roots of violence against women in India—and one of the three artists-in-residence, a recent Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) graduate, was describing her experience.  “Here, there is something different”—she was comparing our residency with the one she had earlier completed, at what is arguably the most cutting-edge secular arts organization in New Delhi.  In fact, I had been following that residency in the papers and when this young woman contacted us about our residency I was apprehensive that we would not live up to her expectations.  Yet I felt led to take the risk.  The result was a three-week residency that stretched into five weeks at the request of the artists, and this same artist claiming that our residency was far better than the other.  The reasons?  She felt a special peace here, she experienced trust and community with the other artists, she loved the staff, and she ‘got it.’ “I didn’t understand how my work fit with social issues. But now I see it.” And having participated in many painting events organized elsewhere, she admitted for the first time working on her painting as if it truly was her own, and not just something to get over and done with.

What are the indicators that we are having any impact as we seek to disciple a nation through art, “seeing art shape society with beauty and truth” as our vision statement states?  Besides numbers—e.g.  numbers of exhibitions held, articles about us in the newspapers, art and creativity classes run for the public, or art workshops done with the poor and marginalized—it has been hard to measure how art has impacted culture.  What is easier to see is the impact on individual lives, and in particular, the individual lives of artists. 

Over the years we have had the opportunity to share our personal testimonies with artists, to pray with artists about their needs, to introduce artists to church communities, to watch artists make life-giving choices, and to see artists begin to experience God in new and exciting ways.  As we explore how art shapes culture with beauty and truth we have seen artists’ worldviews shift, their attitudes and behavior towards the poor and marginalized change, and their values transform: One of the most profound moments for me during this last residency was to hear the same artist mentioned above describe how her paintings have changed.  As is currently fashionable in the contemporary art world, all her works depict a fictional ‘character’, in her case a middle-aged Indian man whom she paints in different public situations where men typically misbehave with women, in order “to see what he does.”  Earlier, she would be at pains to explain: “I am not saying that he is doing good or bad, I am only observing him.”  As a result of our residency she shared: “For the first time I have started saying that what he is doing is wrong.”  In the extreme relativism of the art world, she has made a stand for something absolute—truth.

“This is the first day of the rest of my life”.  Besides the artist residencies, the work of our ‘Made to Create’ project continues, led by my wonderful colleagues Chuck and Janis Lindley.  Teaching art and creativity classes to the public in a way that points people to the Creator, this project uses the proceeds to then turn around and help the poor and marginalized discover through art their God-given identity and purpose.  Core to this work is the team of 3-4 artists who volunteer to help run these activities, key, because Made to Create is equipping them as art educators, at the same time as giving them a chance to experience serving the poor.  Recently a brother in Christ from Tonga, who has moved to Delhi and is the only self-proclaimed ‘artist missionary’ I have ever met, joined the team to do an art workshop among destitute men.  I had met this brother years ago while he was still a student and had shared with him the vision of ‘art discipling a nation’.  Returning from the experience of using art to serve deeply broken and destitute lives he was profoundly moved.  As he shared, it was as if he had found what he was created to do.  His words were: “This is the first day of the rest of my life.”

By the end of the year Chuck and Janis, who over the last three years have spearheaded this effort and lovingly built up the team, will be leaving for the US due to family responsibilities.  We are excited to see the Made to Create project continue, in particular with an emphasis on reaching out to Delhi’s most marginalized and vulnerable. 

“That a Christian group like this is responding is very, very encouraging to me.” On October 1, ‘Salt Initiatives’ completed its first official year as a stand-alone organization.  Salt Initiatives is the church-training team I helped start twelve years ago with my colleague Raaj Mondol.  For most of those 12 years, providing wholistic ministry training to local churches and Christian organizations, we operated from within the ‘Evangelical Fellowship of India’, the umbrella group for all evangelical churches in India.  In the course of those 12 years, two of our initiatives spun out into their own organizations, the art initiative becoming the ‘Art for Change Foundation’ which I currently lead, and an initiative to bring a biblical worldview to the sphere of disabilities resulting in the ‘Ashish Center,’ an organization for children with autism run by Raaj’s wife Geeta.  A year ago we finally launched Salt Initiatives as its own organization, and together, Salt Initiatives, Ashish Center, and the Art for Change Foundation form the three expressions of Food for the Hungry’s work in India. To better focus on the Art for Change Foundation I have since transitioned from assisting Raaj run Salt Initiatives to being only a board member of the new organization.  

This one-year celebration marked a new focus for Salt Initiatives: providing a biblical and church-based response to the problem of female foeticide in our nation, called the ‘Let Her Live’ initiative.  Our chief guest was Dr. Nalini Abraham, a Christ-following doctor and activist who was instrumental in bringing about a nation-wide law against sex-determination banning among other things the use of ultrasound technology to target and kill unborn girls.  She recounted how at the time of writing the law, although she appealed to churches and Christian organizations for help, there was practically no response.  But now, “to see that a Christian group like Salt Initiatives is responding is very, very encouraging to me.”

“Don’t leave this place”.  In the last few months I’ve been surprised by the number of times I have heard those words from neighbours, artists, shopkeepers, businessmen, even landlords in the neighbourhood where four years ago we took the step of faith to set up the beautiful ‘Reflection Art Gallery & Studios’ space. With our four-year lease ending October, and the value of property having risen dramatically over the same period, we are simply unable to afford our landlord’s new rent.  But our ‘Lord-of-land’ opened up a wonderful new space on the outskirts of Delhi for almost half the rent.  Unfortunately, because it is on the city’s periphery and in the middle of an ‘urban village’, we will not run a dedicated ‘gallery space’ for the foreseeable future, although exhibitions will still take place in other venues.  The flip side is that with the extra space we can finally offer residential facilities to artists, making our artist residencies truly ‘residential’.  The combination of the lack of access, the residential capacity, and a personal decision to view this new year as a sabbatical of sorts, made me suddenly recognize this as an opportunity to pilot the vision of an ‘Art Ashram.’ 

An ashram in the Indian tradition is a place for spiritual reflection removed from the routine demands of life. An Art Ashram uses art to make the connections between God and a broken and beautiful world. One of the key learnings of these last four years is that ‘discipling a nation through art’ will require a deeper, longer, more sustainable engagement, and one focused particularly on mentoring artists.  More than just a couple of exhibitions, we realize it will take the life-work of artists compelled by a vision of the Kingdom to speak prophetically into Indian society.  An Art Ashram, as a permanent residential art center, plays a strategic role in intervening in the lives of artists already on trajectories that take them to the heart of the Indian art world.  

We are trusting God for the finances to eventually purchase a piece of land and establish an Art Ashram dedicated to: (1) creating art with the power to disciple culture, and (2) mentoring artists to become ‘nation disciplers’.  But in the meantime I am excited about piloting the idea in our new rented space.

“Today, are we going to get our baby?” The shift to a quieter neighbourhood and the subsequent slowing down comes at just the right moment.  Having been surprised by the joy that Ashish and Anjali are to us, and each other, Neeru and I have often discussed the idea of adopting child number three.  Having once playfully checked with Ashish he began enquiring, at regular intervals, “Today, are we going to get our baby?”  Well, as a result our hearts were very ready to discover that God had a surprise for us and was indeed giving us a third child, albeit biologically.  We are thrilled to share that our baby is due in January 2012! 

We appreciate your prayers for the delivery as Neeru and I are feeling a little old this time round.  Also do pray for the transitions in our work, for the Made to Create project, and for the piloting of the Art Ashram concept in the new studio venue. 

We are so deeply grateful for your friendship and interest in the work of the Kingdom here in Delhi!  

With much love, Stefan (and Neeru, Ashish, Anjali, and Life) 

If you would like to join our team by giving one-time or regularly, kindly make a check out to ‘Food for the Hungry’ with “India 60504” in the memo section, and a separate note that this is for Stefan Eicher’s support in India.  For gifts towards establishing a permanent Art Ashram, kindly put “India 32002” in the memo section. You can send the check to: Food for the Hungry, 1224 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA.  Bless you!

Are you sure that’s what you’d like to do Lord? We have other options today. We could have devotions together. We could pray with some of our buddies. We could tell a few strangers about you.

“Ya, we could. But every now and again I just like blessing you.  Let’s go to the cliff.”

The cliff. You know Lord, cliff and blessing don’t seem to belong in the same sentence. Cliff and danger work for me. I’ve got some friends who will say, “Cliff and stupid are a pair.” I know you like this kind of stuff. Just realize that I don’t have the luxury of seeing beyond the cliff.

“I know. Why do you think I want to take you there? When you get to the cliff, what do you think I want you to see?”

Well for one thing, it’s an invitation to the impossible. I guess that’s what I see.  That’s also my point of resistance.

“I don’t need to take you to the cliff for you to know it’s impossible. You know that now. What is it about going there, being there, actually stepping off the edge? What do you think I want you to see?”

My face on the canyon bottom?

“Nice one. That’s pretty good. Now be serious.”

To be honest Lord, every time we go to the cliff I ask you the same thing. Why are we doing this? You never tell me.

“That’s true. And every time you’ve survived. So what did you see in each of those times?”

Honestly? I don’t know. My eyes were closed. Honestly. I really hate heights.

“Fair enough...What did you sense?” 

You. I sensed you. You were with me. I could feel you holding me up. 

“Why do you think I want to take you to the cliff?”

Jesus tells two parables in Matthew 13 about the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure in a field.  While you are trespassing, you stumble across it and realize it is worth more than all you possess.  You promptly liquidate all your assets, purchase that field and now have more resources than you could ever have imagined. Complete freedom.  Asset rich, cash rich.

Parable #2 The Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  He finds one and sells everything he has to possess it.      It sounds very similar to the first.        

~  Look again  ~

#1 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure in a field

#2 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking...

#1 Asset Rich ~ Cash Rich

#2 Asset Rich ~ Cash Poor

In the second parable, the Kingdom of Heaven is not about the pearl.  It is about the merchant.  Who determines the value of the pearl?  What does the pearl have to do to become valuable?

Who is the Pearl?

Who is the Merchant?

our answer will reveal how you approach life; how you approach God; how you view yourself.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9

Can you believe what you are reading?

Having recently returned from a week in Haiti, I discovered that most Haitians are decedents of Africans forced into slavery. That history still leaves its mark.

Sitting with 15 leaders from a little congregation, I asked the question, “Who is the pearl?”

Stunned silence.  Two worldviews collided: Slavery vs. Pearl. “Who is the pearl?”  ~  Silence. 

“We are? We are.” One whispered

“Who is the merchant?”

They couldn’t speak it.  Slowly a young woman began to point to the ceiling. “God?”

The room felt the weight of the Spirit of God; like a heavy blanket falling on our shoulders.  Every person was literally bowed, wrapped in its revelation. 

Is it possible for a person, a culture, a people to believe a lie for centuries, never knowing the truth?  “Is it possible that we are actually pearls of great value and not defined by slavery?” 

Is it possible that every person is a pearl of great value? Is that the message of Christ? For so long we have been only sinners needing to be saved. What if we are actually pearls who have lost our true identity?  How would that truth change us? If we are all pearls, would that explain one of God’s reasons for praying for those who persecute you?  Could that be why God invites you to love your enemy?  Would that be the foundation upon which the two great commands rest?

Maybe so...

Do you know who you are?  Do you know that your value is not determined by what you do? Have you ever been told that it is God who declared you precious?  

You are not required to do anything in order for you to be declared precious. 

The consequences of not knowing how precious you are will result in years of wasted striving; years of guilt and condemnation.  

Are we sinners?  We are pearls who sin.  God’s invitation is to see ourselves defined by his definition.  Believe it. You are precious beyond measure.  When you begin to allow that truth to enter your heart and not just your mind, you will find yourself acting more like a pearl.  Your worth is a gift.  So now you are free. Those who Christ sets free are free indeed. 

You love because it’s good to love.  You love because he first loved you.  You don’t love because you have to.  You love because you are a pearl of great price.  It is in you to reflect the glory of your Creator.  If you say you love God but do not love your brother who you can see, you simply are missing the entire point.  (1 John 4:20-21)

"Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16b (NIV) 

"...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  John 10:10b (NIV)

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8 (NIV)

Maybe that’s not a fair question. But wouldn’t you like to do greater works than Jesus?

I would.  At least I think I would.

It reminds me of a conversation I had with a young man whose life purpose was to be a concert pianist.  He practiced hours a day.  I remember saying to him, “I wish I could play like you.”  A little annoyed, he said, “No you don’t. If you wanted to play like me, you would be willing to practice, like me, for hours a day. You just want the privilege without the work.”

And we all knew that was true.

Jesus' spoke about authority and power and influence. He prayed that his followers will be so full of the Presence and Power of the Spirit of God, they will be able to do even greater things than Jesus. And my heart says, "Ya, bring it on."

So why don't people line up outside our church doors so that they can receive prayer for healing?

I’m not sure how much I’ve changed since the days of talking to that budding concert pianist.  I don’t really want to put in the work required to be a concert pianist.  

I wonder if I approach my relationship to faith in the same way? Do I want the thrill of the power and authority of God in me, without any of the responsibility?

Verses comes to mind from the Beatitudes 

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

I’m one of those guys you might label as a bit of a couch potato. We’re into what Bill Johnson calls "convenient hunger."  When we’re watching the hockey playoffs. Someone says, “I’m hungry.” - It’s a trigger.  Like Pavlov's drooling dogs. Suddenly we’re all hungry.

“Yea, me too.  Honey, go get us some chips okay?”

Our wives may or may not say this but they’re thinking, “Why don’t you get them?”

“Come on honey. Just get us something.  Anything.  And while you’re at it, can you bring us something to drink.”

“I mean the fridge is way over there.”

The reality is, we don’t want to get up and walk all that way, the whole 30 feet to get ourselves some food. It’s not really hunger. It is convenient hunger.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Study the Gospel of John and discover how Jesus did the works he did because he knew what his Father was doing in heaven.  Jesus said the words he said because he heard what his Father was saying in heaven.  Jesus did nothing of his own initiative.  He only acted upon what his Father directed him to do.  He repeats that theme 6 times in the Gospel of John.

Why am I laboring this point? Because we need to ask ourselves how badly we really want a vibrant faith, intimacy with God, confidence in our inner being, credibility with others.  How badly do we want to live and act as Jesus?

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“Mr. Collins, you appear to be inadmissible to the United States pursuant to 212 (a) (7) (A) (i) (I) of the INA, as amended because you are entering the U.S. to speak at a Bible study in which you will receive monetary compensation.  Do you understand?”

Calmly, “No.”

“What do you not understand?”

Again, calmly, I answered. “I specifically inquired of US Customs before attempting to cross into the States and was told that churches were allowed to cover expenses.  That’s all they are doing. I have obeyed the instructions given to me by Customs officers to the letter.  I have been completely transparent at the gate and in here. Three days ago I did a preliminary walk in at two points of entry and asked what I needed to do to speak at this men’s Bible study.  I followed those instructions exactly.  This decision seems excessive and I do not understand it.”  

Four hours I sat in a customs office.  I had to make a sworn affidavit, got finger printed and picture taken. The customs officer seemed a little embarrassed at times as my case unfolded.  The irony is that my topic for the evening was going to be about how we live out our lives in society.  

Light has a way of removing darkness.  In fact, darkness is simply the absence of light.  Jesus’ invitation is simply to shine.  How do you shine when one little invite to speak at a men’s Bible study has consumed so much: one day of prep; one day being denied entry; one day doing a walk in inquiry at two ports of entry to find out what I needed to do to be allowed in; one day being denied a second time.  That’s a lot of hours and there was the knowing that 20 to 30 men just got stood up a second time.

Shining and anger have very little in common.  Was I angry? Actually not.  Very calm in reality as I reflected upon God’s control verses man’s. But I was concerned that my testimony not be damaged in any way.  I knew there were Christians who work at that border crossing.  I knew that all the officers on duty last night knew that I was a pastor and that I was asked to speak at the church where some of those officers or their associates attended.  I knew that if I acted in any way that allowed darkness to rule in a place rather than light, the implications would be significant. - After four hours, I asked to speak to the supervisor.

Everything you say in a place like that is witnessed by at least one other person.  The supervisor approached and said, “I’m told you want to speak to me.”

I said, “Yes. I’m concerned.  I have no difficulty with your decision to not allow me to enter the US.  It is a discretionary call that you needed to make.  I suspect that when you made that decision, you did not have all the information.”

She said that was true.  She had not been told about my walk in inquiries and the instructions I had been given.

I continue. “I am a clergyman and I know that we have often done things that have brought dishonour to God. My concern is that you might think negatively of this clergyman resulting in me bringing dishonour to God and his people.  I have been completely honest with you.  I have hidden nothing. I am hoping that my behaviour has not in any way damaged your opinion of the church and clergy.  I want to honour God in every aspect of my life.”

She smiled, ever so slightly.  Looked into my eyes and said, “You have not done anything to damage my opinion of the clergy.”

The point of the story is that light shines whenever we walk in dependency upon Jesus. I had asked God to guard my heart against frustration.  I had asked him to help me say what I needed to say in a respectful way.  He did both and more.  As I spoke to the supervisor, I knew the other officers were listening.  I knew that there was respect in the room.  I knew that my behaviour had not compromised the lives of the Christians who worked alongside these people. In fact, I suspect some of the officers were Christians and were both thankful and blessed that God had showed up at a border crossing.  

I was especially thankful, that although I had not been able to teach the men about the principles of living the presence of God in society, I had been given the blessing of being able to apply it.  Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”  His invitation is to abide in him.  When you do, you will shine.

One other note.  I am in the process of producing four worldview DVD's that will be a solid resource for you.  Your prayers in that regard are appreciated.  Delivery date is the end of March.

David