Preparing for a Festival of Lights

“A day of fun, festivities and joy for people of all ages … every … family is busy … decorating their homes, and shopping for gifts … mothers are busy preparing special dishes for the family feasts … Streets, stores and buildings are lit with electric lights … every street echoes with the laughter of children. People … visit relatives and friends to exchange greetings and gifts.” This is not a description of Christmas, but words describing Diwali, a Festival of Lights, at “Diwali Festival Fun” found on the web (the “w” in Diwali is usually pronounced as a “v” – each “i” is similar to the “i” in “did” and “wa” is sounded as “vah”). This Hindu festival will begin next week-end and the main celebration will be on Tuesday, October 28th. “Diwali Festival Fun” also shares that during the Diwali Festival “Late evening is the time for a special Pooja (worship) at home, and illuminating the exterior of their houses with the rows of oil lamps, candles and colourful lanterns.”

A group of Christian Believers in Kenya will celebrate this festival of lights next weekend in a unique way as they obediently follow their Saviour’s teachings in Matthew 5:14-16 and “let their light shine before men.” The United Church of Gujarat have planned two free “Gujarati Gospel Music Concerts” next weekend at Parklands Baptist Church to coincide with the Diwali activities of their Hindu friends. Four musicians are coming from Gujarat State in India to perform at the concert which is planned to be an opportunity for sharing God’s love, joy, peace and salvation.

Please begin praying for these concerts which will take place on Saturday, the 25th and Sunday, the 26th. Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom for members of the United Church of Gujarat and the Parklands Baptist Church as they invite their Hindu friends, business associates, neighbours to be their guests at this Christian concert. Pray that those who are invited will choose to attend the concerts. Pray for the seeds that will be sewn in the hearts of those who need to learn of our Saviour who is “the light of the world” and promises “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Begin praying also that as the Pooja services are held in Hindu homes during Diwali, the participants will hear our true God’s voice in their heart and boldly respond. Bert Yates
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Diwali Festival Fund: http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-festival-fun.html
To learn more about the United Church of Gujarat go to: http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/