Thursday, February 25, 5 pm

Raymond and I arrived at the village for the house dedication and I immediately spotted the new house with its beautiful, fresh coat of blue paint. I thought of the Lexington couple who had paid off their mortgage and gave their house payment money to build this simple 215 sq. ft. stucco house for a destitute widow.  The villagers were already gathered around, and as we walked up, the widow Lakshmi, her father and her sister all placed garlands around my neck. Then they all knelt down and, much to my chagrin, kissed my feet.

After Raymond started the service, we prayed and sang.  Then he introduced the village leader, the builder, and a local Christian who had been instrumental in getting the house built. Raymond had previously recounted to me how the whole village had come together to help build this house for this destitute widow,  her sister and her elderly father. Next I shared the Bible story of Mary and Martha and described how the worship of Jesus in their home had resulted in their house being filled with the fragrant smell of perfume. I prayed that Lakshmi’s house would also be filled with the fragrant worship of Jesus.

We then all moved to the front door where I was honored to cut the ribbon and to use yellow sandalwood paste to mark crosses above each doorway. Lakshmi and her father and sister came inside and couldn’t stop smiling. They were so happy to have a safe, durable place to live. I think the snafus were limited to the white man (that would be me) walking into the new house with my shoes on and then using my left hand (unclean!) to paint the crosses. Hopefully I learned something and it won’t happen again. But in spite of my blunders, It was a great time of celebration, and I am so thankful that the couple from Lexington listened to the Spirit as He led them in a selfless act of love.