Dancing in Bangladesh

Note: Gary and Marlene serve in a region with high security concerns. Please consult Nicole Gerkins at (800) 728-7228, ext. 5611, before publicizing their ministry in any print or broadcast medium.

 “We stayed up dancing until 3 a.m. last night!”  Those are rather unusual words to come out of the mouth of a dedicated, upstanding minister of the Church of Bangladesh but it shows that the Holy Spirit is doing some unusual things in the Kushtia diocese of the Church of Bangladesh, where Rev. Simson Mazumder ministers.

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We met Reverend Mazumder through our mission co-workers, the Morgans.  Les and Cindy Morgan are both physicians who have faithfully served in Bangladesh for 26 years.  We were privileged to join them in attending the helmel gathering in Paitapukar, Rajshahi, in northwest Bangladesh.  This gathering celebrated 50 years of ministry of the Church of Bangladesh among the Santal people, the original dwellers in that area. The celebration included four days of fellowship, feasting, Scripture readings and reflections, songs and dances of praise to the LORD, and prayers for healing. There was a lot to celebrate since more than 300 believers were confirmed in the faith last year and those days of fellowship are a great source of strength and hope for those who struggle under the yoke of poverty, disease, illiteracy, and discrimination.

Two years ago Rev. Mazumder began losing sight in one eye. He learned that he had a large, benign pituitary tumor that needed immediate attention.  What happened during the next few weeks and months is a beautiful testimony of our Sovereign LORD at work.  One of our mission colleagues was able to arrange for Reverend Mazumder to be sent to a world-class eye hospital in India, Vellore Christian Medical College and Hospital, which is another international partner of the PC(USA).  A fellow Bangladeshi priest was able to accompany Simson by train on the several-day journey to southern India. They were warmly received in Vellore and the delicate surgery was successful. Simson was back riding his motorcycle to make pastoral visits in the Rajshahi area within the year. We can certainly understand his jubilation during this 50th anniversary celebration of the Paitapukar church and his desire to dance in the joy of the LORD with other believers until 3 a.m. that night!

It was quite a sight to watch more than 1,000 believers from 24 village congregations gather for the grand event.  Imagine the scene as dozens of students from the nearby Nursing Institute pour out of a large bus, many dressed in salwar kameez of vibrant colors. Hundreds of well-groomed young men and women walk up and down the main street to see and be seen. Many wizened men and women who work as day laborers in the rice paddies take some time off during a break in the

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harvest schedule to sleep out under the starry sky.  A few are carried in their sick beds by a dozen relatives to receive special prayer during the healing service.  The Reverend Salku Murmu, the first Santal priest to be ordained in the Church of Bangladesh, opens his nearby home to parishioners he has served for 40 years. The square of grass that is surrounded by the church building, a school, dormitories and the parish priest’s home was covered with an awning and we had our meeting room.  A large pit is dug in the ground to make a fire on which to cook the vegetable stews and rice to feed such an enormous group.

The helmel gathering officially begins with the Bishop Mankin, in his flowing white robe, walking gracefully through the brightly colored two-story entrance.  He is followed by his official entourage as well as young women in their traditional red and orange outfits swaying rhythmically to the festive music, which joyfully announces, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below.”   The truth be told, I even saw some grey-haired Westerners dancing to the music at times. It was hard not to be seized by God’s Spirit of boundless Grace.

Many thanks for giving us this opportunity to celebrate with the Santal people. If you have not already made a commitment to this work, please consider joining with us and our Bangladeshi partners in ministry in being a part of what our Sovereign Lord is doing in South Asia. The love, prayers and giving of so many faithful supporters is making a difference halfway around the world!

In the Joy of the Resurrection,

Gary and Marlene Van Brocklin