During my stay in England one of my teeth started to ache and since I returned home it has gone worse and worse. I have even seen a dentist, but he didn't want to do anything, since it wasn't fully clear to him what caused my pain. He told me to wait for my personal dentist to return from vacation and let him examine me and decide what to do. I have been on painkillers ever since, and will continue that way while I am eagerly waiting for my dentist to be back to work. I must admit that I have very little tolerance for pain. I am no hero!
My tooth ache is really a very small problem. Millions of people suffer much worse pain over a much longer period of time than the pain in my tooth will last, and they have no painkillers to take for their sufferings. Now a days my thoughts go to my Christian brothers and sisters in Orissa, as well as all the persecuted believers in all the world.
At the World Watch conference in England we heard terrible details of the murder of Dibyah Singh, one of our co-workers in India. He was beaten to death, had his skull crushed and was eventually thrown into a river, only because he was a follower of Jesus Christ. His pain has ended. He is promoted to glory. But I think of the pain of loss his dear wife and children are going through. And I think of the pain inflicted on thousands of disciples of Jesus Christ that at this very moment are hiding in the jungles of Orissa.
I was able to speak to my friend Bimbadhar today. He was at a meeting in the jungle when I was able to speak to him on the mobile phone. He told that a new wave of violence has hit his area and that the believers run to the jungle to hide, or to meet with other believers for prayer and discussion on what to do in this difficult situation.
The problem with my tooth is actually a luxury problem. I have a deeper pain in my heart when I think of all the sufferings and pain of my friends in Orissa. Hopefully I will be able to meet some of them soon. I think I will spend some time in silence with them, letting my tears speak of my compassion on them.
