Lynette Grubbs is working her way around India and has been sending in updates for us all to see how she is doing. Right now she is visiting the Tacoma Rescue Mission project in Bangalore, India. Pastor Swapan has been working his heart out for the poor for many years, Lynette is there to lend a hand and to help him develop a strategic plan for the years to come. Here is some info from Lynette: Feb 23, 2009
Hi everybody!
I have been in Bangalore since the 14th except for the day I spent in
Bijapur. Here in Bangalore, Pastor Swapan and his wife Nutan and
their sons have been very nice to me. Pastor Swapan and his wife
Nutan are very spiritual people, and love and serve the Lord Jesus
with all their hearts. Many people come to them for prayer: not only
Christian people, but also Muslim and Hindu people.
Pastor Swapan was from Calcutta, and he grew up in a Hindu family of
the Brahmin caste (the highest caste). His family had money, and he
lived in a three-story house. He became a Christian through the
ministry of Mark and Huldah Buntain, who founded Calcutta Mercy
Hospital for which I volunteered a couple weeks ago. Joe Ellis
(former TRM director) spent years involved with the Buntain ministry,
also, which is how Swapan first became associated with TRM, from my
understanding.
When Pastor Swapan became a Christian, he was thrown out of his house,
and was disinherited by his father, so the Buntains took him in. I
talked with Huldah, and she still remembers him. Swapan can’t say
enough good things about Huldah and Mark and what they have meant in
his life. He considers them his spiritual parents, and he models his
life on what he observed in Mark.
The Buntains introduced Pastor Swapan to Nutan, who had grown up in a
Hindu family in Bangalore. Her father was a judge, and her family had
even more money than Swapan’s family. She also left home when she
became a Christian. She has taught school for about 25 years now. She
has to teach ten more years before she will be old enough to retire
with benefits. She is on her feet all day teaching a classroom of 47
first graders. Her English is excellent. She teaches in a private
Christian school in which all lessons are taught in English (called an
English-medium school).
Pastor Swapan and his wife have ministered in Bangalore for about
thirty years, now. Pastor Swapan has also travelled to many other
countries including the USA, the Philippines, Peru, Kenya, and more.
He has done all this on a very small budget, often lacking even
necessities, but has not requested money from anyone. He said that it
is the Lord who called him to ministry, so it is up to the Lord to
provide the way. He has great faith and dependence on the Lord.
Nutan is a bit more “down to earth” and practical, but she, also, has
great faith and women of all religious backgrounds come asking her for
prayer. After teaching all day on her feet, she tutors children at
night, some for pay and some free, and prays with and counsels the
women who come to her for help.
Blessings and love to all,
Lynette
