Love India with the heart of our Heavenly Father
Organized/Wu Xinhui/Photo courtesy/Keantong
Interview with Indian Pastor Anton Cruz
Editor's note: In the spring of 2021, the second wave of COVID-19 broke out rapidly in India. The editorial staff of this magazine made a special visit to Pastor Keantong, the founder of RoyalKids Ministry in India, to share first-hand information about the epidemic situation in India with readers of "Kingdom of God" magazine. And the pastor’s encouragement to people who are also fighting the epidemic during this period.
India under attack
As of May 2021, the epidemic in India is considered to be in a serious state of being under control. When the second wave of the epidemic broke out, everyone was shocked. No one could have expected the virus to spread so quickly, and even the government failed to respond immediately. Everyone has lost their direction in life in panic, and their hearts are filled with a sense of powerlessness and loss, with no hope. The death toll was high, corpses were everywhere, and even the cremation schedule was full.
The second wave of the epidemic spread rapidly in rural areas. Most people in India live in rural areas, and rural areas are the pulse of the entire India. If the rural people are attacked and disappeared by the virus, India will become a crumbling country. The new coronavirus is extremely contagious. If one person is infected, the whole family will become sick, and someone in almost every family will die. In many families, the whole family has been infected by the epidemic. Husbands and wives and children are struggling with the virus alone, unable to help or cheer each other up. Even if they die from the disease, they cannot see the bodies of their loved ones. It is really heartbreaking to hear.
Vaccines are very expensive medical resources, and there are no medical facilities in rural villages. The deficiencies I observed are: 1. Breathing assistance and oxygen equipment; 2. Hospital beds; 3. Medical personnel.
Thank God, medical resources are being sent from all over the country, but there are still not enough medical personnel. They work overtime and fight in an extremely stressful environment every day. In the community where I live, nearly a hundred health care workers have died due to the epidemic. We started praying for the medical staff and also sent food to the hospital. However, the virus has made many medical staff timid. Even if they are hired with huge sums of money, they are unwilling to take care of patients closely.
During the epidemic, many people lost their jobs and had no food to eat. Due to the lockdown, shops cannot open and daily necessities are difficult to buy. Countless people are just lying on the street, waiting for rescue. We can only give them a little food, but they are so grateful that they are overwhelmed with gratitude.
According to statistics in newspapers, there may be millions of people living on the streets and two to three million people without jobs. This creates serious economic and financial problems. Our God is so good. He has asked government officials to begin to face up to this situation and establish relief measures. We hope that the government can allocate resources according to needs.
people need god
As a Christian, from God's perspective, I was somewhat mentally prepared for this situation. But as an Indian experiencing the epidemic, I feel really lost, frightened and sad. I burst into tears almost every day. Relatives and friends around me are affected by the virus, and deaths can be seen everywhere. Rows of corpses were cremated collectively. According to Indian cultural customs, dealing with deceased relatives in this way is unimaginably sad.
I call this period the "period of darkness."
Loss is not just about physical departure, but also about psychological trauma. Treatment is not only about defeating the virus, but also physical recovery. Psychological healing of epidemic syndrome is equally important. People's fears and insecurities take a long time to heal, and we can only pray for God's mercy and grace.
A childhood friend of mine whom I haven’t seen in 55 years, only got in touch with him a while ago. He works in the government and expressed his support for our ministry. A few days ago, he said he was infected with the epidemic, and I prayed for him. The next day I read the news of his death in the newspaper. The friend who could still talk the day before yesterday and the day before was gone the next day. In India, almost everyone has a story like this.
The Bible says that when Jesus comes again, he will be like a thief in the night. I think God is speaking to the people of India through the epidemic: "Are you ready to meet the Lord Jesus face to face?"
India was founded on family, but in the past few decades, people have pursued IT technology, emphasized industries that make big money, pursued power and status, and lost their original aspirations and values. God is using the epidemic to shake up India's values and outlook on life. He hopes that everyone can seek God and return to their families in times of trouble.
▲Prayer is the source of strength.
Get strength from prayer
During this period of time, we cried every day, seeing the miserable situation outside but unable to do anything about it. Until this week, I feel that God is constantly saying to us from everywhere: "Don't be afraid, I am with you." Therefore, I feel increasingly empowered and ready to move forward, no longer imprisoned by various blows, and follow God's will. Walk forward.
I think God has the following intentions for India: First, God uses the epidemic to cleanse our country, not just Christians, but all Indian people. Second, forgiveness and mercy will flow throughout India, and God will heal this country. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin. Heal their land." This is also our sincere prayer.
Prayer allows us to look to God’s power. When we are upset and shouting, it becomes difficult to do anything. But when we are lacking, weak, without financial or medical resources, without manpower, or even isolated at home, God allows many wonderful things to happen. Now is not the time to act on our ability or wisdom, this is God’s time, and He is more powerful than we are. When your plans fail to keep up with changes, be quiet, humble, and obey God, and He will accomplish great things.
God's ways are higher than our ways
In the past 30 years, I have devoted myself to preaching in various places. I did not expect that when I was "locked" in India, I would be able to carry out more important ministry. In the past two years, the Indian church has gradually changed and grown. These transformations can only be achieved by God, as Isaiah chapter 55 verse 9 says, “My ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than you. idea."
I am 70 years old, which is retirement age in the eyes of others. But since I was healed, my body is as strong as a lion and full of energy. God also gave me a clear vision - to be a father to orphans, and that revival was coming. Go! Go! Go! The motivation in my head urged me to keep going.
First, I pray that God will use me in His own way; He will use me when I am healthy and He will use me when I am sick. Second, I asked God to give me 10,000 more children. Currently, there are many orphans in India who have no father or mother. God is the father of these children. We need fathers and mothers with a heavenly heart to love and teach these children. Third, earnestly pray to God to give India, just like "Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance" (refer to Psalm 2:8). I call it the "Give Me India Prayer Movement" . I feel a deep commitment to India's renaissance.
Love with the heart of the Father
During the epidemic, I saw pastors praying wholeheartedly and with tears for the kingdom of God and the next generation of India. I was encouraged to see the pastor’s urgency. “Operation Heavenly Father’s Heart” is gradually being launched in India.
I thank God that the epidemic has made the Indian church a house of prayer. The church is closed due to the epidemic, but all activities are conducted online. At the same time, many house churches, street prayer meetings and family prayer meetings also emerged. God brought the whole family together during the countless years of life.
India currently has more than 100,000 orphans due to the epidemic and will become a "fatherless nation", just like Egypt. I want to be the father of orphans and look across the country to find these orphans wandering the streets.
Many Indian churches have also become "fatherless churches". Leaders see themselves more as pastors and teachers and less as fathers. But I have recently observed that they have begun to shepherd with the heart of a father as a mother.
During the quarantine, we can still contact medical institutions across the country to look for children who have become orphans. We can accept as many as we want, so come! Many pastors and missionaries have also come to me to discuss how to do outreach or orphan ministry right now.
I have received from God that people in this generation are attacked and cleansed, but the next generation will be raised up. In fact, orphans have always been a problem in India. The epidemic has forced the government to no longer ignore these children and announced that it will provide special relief to this group in need of care.
We use money and food relief to meet immediate needs. We prepare food every day and distribute it to one or two thousand people. This will be an ongoing ministry.
Serving orphans is a long-term ministry. It is not only about caring for, taking care of their daily life, and educating them, but the most important thing is to teach God’s words so that they can become servants of God who have faith and can pray. God is faithful and none of the children in the orphanage contracted the disease. We have "hidden" many "picked-up" homeless orphans in certain places. If any children get sick, the government will definitely reveal the secret placement. But God protected the orphans and made them all well.
The children in the Children's Prayer Home worship God in prayer every day, pray for the epidemic and India's revival every day, and also pray for the country they "adopt". I hope that the children will grow up in God’s words and prayer, become future leaders in all walks of life, and change the future of India.
We plan to open three more orphanage homes. I called the relevant agencies to inquire about available resources. The clerk who answered the phone told me that he had "picked up" nine homeless girls on the street. The girls were likely to be taken as prostitutes, so he put them in a small room.
I called him again the next day. Unexpectedly, he was also infected with the disease and was hospitalized. I was shocked and sad, and asked God to heal him in prayer. Thank God, after he was discharged from the hospital, he called again and said, "I don't know who you are, but God has given me a burden for this group of homeless orphans. I heard that you are planning to set up an orphanage, and I want to participate in the orphan project." The work is urgent!" I encouraged him to continue to "pick up" street children. Even if we live in northern and southern India respectively, we can still work together.
God builds an army for India
For the future, our calling is to establish Children’s Houses of Prayer in every city in India. Before the epidemic, there was no progress in applying to the government to establish more orphanages. After the outbreak, government agencies were unable to handle such a large number of orphans, so they actually contacted us and asked us to carry out orphan placement work. Many procedures were simplified. Because of the epidemic, obstacles have become help. God’s actions are truly amazing!
A few years ago, I couldn't fully understand how God wanted me to do orphan ministry, but now I understand that God is raising an army for India. I no longer work alone, but work together with institutions, groups, and even government departments.
Next is community reconstruction. The connection between the church and the community here needs to be strengthened, and we need to conduct outreach in the community with the love of Christ. We will go to places where everyone goes; and we will support and pray for places where everyone does not want to go. We have God's presence and protection, don't be afraid. We are to love our neighbors in practical ways.
▲After the epidemic, communities need to be rebuilt. Where others go, we go; where no one goes, we need to go even more.
God sends resources from all directions
From the message I sent, everyone is concerned about India and has sent money, respirators, oxygen, medical equipment, etc. from everywhere. Many people also send us food.
The purpose of the intercession letter is not to raise funds, but to invite everyone to pray together. I do not promote our work. The only promotion is that if anyone knows of orphans who have no place to go and need food or medical resources, please contact us and we will ask someone to make arrangements.
Foreign materials need to go through many government checkpoints and the procedures are complicated, making it difficult to receive the items smoothly. During the epidemic, we took the customs clearance letter from the government agency and showed it to the staff at the airport, so that we could travel unimpeded and receive the love supplies sent by everyone. In the most difficult times, God makes a way for us.
We need manpower and co-workers to distribute food everywhere. In the coming days, there may be an influx of orphans. How will they be accommodated? The current facility has limited space and I have submitted a request for expansion. The government is currently relaxing application conditions and encouraging the private sector to handle these rescue matters. When the new orphanage center is not fully equipped, they need to live temporarily in a foster home, where they can have shelter from the wind and rain, and have food and clothing.
Ask God to give us manpower and resources so that we can feed the people on the streets and build children’s prayer homes and shelters. Believe that our Heavenly Father, who is willing to be kind to others, will fully supply what we need.
▲God has opened a way for resources from all over the country to enter India, and has simplified customs clearance procedures so that co-workers can go to hospitals to distribute medical resources.
Encountering God in sickness
In October 2020, I was infected with the epidemic. My whole family looked at me dying on the hospital bed and cried every day. I felt so peaceful in my heart that I could still pray with people on the phone even though I was wearing an oxygen mask. The doctor took the patient outside the glass door of the ward, and I raised my hands to pray for them.
One night, I had a high fever and couldn't open my eyes, but I felt someone beside me, laying hands on me. I thought it was a doctor, but usually doctors don't come to visit me at night. I opened my eyes and saw a man in a white robe turning away. I shouted, "Doctor! Doctor!" He didn't look back. I knew He was Jesus, and Jesus came to heal me! I saw Him walking around the ward, looking at the patients on the left and right beds, and then leaving.
I was sweating all over, and when I woke up, I felt refreshed both physically and mentally. I am healed! In the morning the doctor told me that 22 patients were treated that day. Thinking of this wonderful experience, Wow! I must do the work He wants me to do with all my heart.
I pray that God will forgive, comfort, heal, revive, and bless India. I look forward to India’s economic recovery and increased employment rate. Currently, India’s economy and finance are at rock bottom in all aspects. What is God telling us? How can we love India with the heart of our Heavenly Father? Perhaps people have not yet awakened from their slumber, but God will continue to shake India until His people are converted and the entire country is converted.
Despite the pain, I still have hope and maintain a positive attitude, because I have experienced "I heard about you in the past, but now I see you with my own eyes"!
Pastor Keantong, founder of RoyalKids India. In 1987, he met two little boys on the street in India. The little boys took Pastor Antong to see an abandoned baby they found abandoned on the road. The pastor rushed to the hospital with the baby in his arms, but the baby died in his arms. The pastor cried sadly and asked God: "Why did you take me to find this baby, but let the baby die in my arms?" God answered him: "You are a good preacher, you can preach to thousands of people , but can you love a baby?"
From then on, this baby changed Pastor Keantong’s life and missionary work. Over the past 25 years, RoyalKids ministry has served more than 8,000 disadvantaged children.
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