Atlanta Intercultural Ministries (2005)

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest
commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:36-40

"Who is your neighbor?" is a favored discussion topic among Christian
groups today, to which many answers arise. A next-door neighbor easily
fits the bill, as do the boys at Kroger who faithfully bags groceries day
after day, your spouse, siblings, friends, or even a stranger on the
street. Sam Bandela, a long-time attendee of CityLights and devoted
minister to Atlanta's international communities, has chosen, over the
years, to love and serve his neighbors in the Doraville community through
the founding of Atlanta Intercultural Ministries (AIM), a church-planting
project and outreach to the multicultural groups that convene in that
little corner of the city. At one point during his time with AIM, Sam
pastored a monthly worship service for the seven churches - nationalities
of which included Indian, Chinese, and Spanish - he initiated.

Today, Sam's heart has turned towards his home country, India, and its
neighboring regions, all of which were devastated by the horrific
tsunamis on December 26th. Despite the great distances he must travel in
order to administer aid and offer comfort, Sam sees these people as his
neighbors. On Tuesday, April 5th, he shared with CityLights some
photographs and information from his January trip to India and Sri Lanka, and
spoke of the spiritual opportunities that have arisen from the recent
catastrophes there.

The first series of photographs Sam showed the group were of the
general devastation suffered in India and Sri Lanka, not dissimilar to the
video reels shown on national television. Warped train tracks and an
overturned train, a crumpled electrical tower with three or four cars
"wrapped" up inside it, and a bright red telephone booth miles from where it
should have been appeared on the dimly lit conference room's projector
screen.

The most striking and emotional pictures, however, were of those who
were left behind to sort through the rubble and rebuild their lives. Sam
showed a mother and her son, standing side by side in a posture
reflecting both anger and shock; both had lost their spouses when the
thirty-foot-wave broke. He then flipped to a slide of a young girl in a neatly
pressed school uniform standing inside the "walls" of what was once her
home. What was left of the concrete structure came up to her waist, and
a tiny goddess - one of 330 million gods and goddesses worshiped in the
Hindu faith - sat on the tattered book shelf behind her. Amid the
overwhelming rescue and recovery efforts around her, this young girl was
studying for her final exams. Sam also showed photos of the four medical
camps where he and his friends worked while in Sri Lanka. He said that
the people there could not believe that Americans would come to wash
their feet and said that they "must be gods," - offering the perfect
opportunity to share with them the truth about our one, true, loving God.

Despite the devastation in that region, Sam insisted that wonderful
opportunities now exist to encourage the people there to pursue the truth
and learn about Christ. Prior to the tsunamis, Sam said, the people of
India and Sri Lanka looked to the sea as their god. Now, they feel that
god has turned its back on them, and they are desperate for answers. He
is most excited about his efforts to plant churches in a place he says
is bound by the "utter darkness" of Hindu gods and goddesses and
superstitions. During Sam's time in a town called Cuddalore, he came upon a
home with a Bible verse taped inside its window. Intrigued, he and his
companion knocked on the door of the home. They were so blessed by what
they found there that Sam intends to build the family a church if and
when the town council approves of the move. Here, in his words, is the
story: "During a house-to-house survey, we found out that there is an
'underground church' with 28 families and 100 or more members in
Cuddalore. Since their new-found faith, these fishermen were treated as
untouchables and were not allowed to go to sea to catch fish. However, they
remained true to their faith in Jesus Christ, even though it cost them
their livelihood. There seems to be an opposition for Christian worship
[in Cuddalore], but now, with all the volunteers' work, we hope there
will be openness in the village. We want to build a church for these
believers when it is the right time."

Sam will return to Sri Lanka and India this month - on April 12th, and
will return to the United States on April 28th. He requested your most
ardent prayers for his time there. Below are the specific goals he and
hopes to accomplish:

-- 250 families (1,000 people) will be reached in Cuddalore with
various needs
-- 6 villages will receive an ongoing medical follow-up for Tsunami
victims
-- 6,000 homes: repairs/new construction in partnership with Habitat
-- 100 families will receive bathrooms for the first time
-- 75 families will receive new kitchen supplies
-- 25 families with home furnishings
-- 12 micro enterprise projects
-- 10 village documentaries
-- 4 Tsunami churches
-- 12 sewing centers
-- 2 orphanages

Many thanks to the staff at AIM for the wonderful Danishes, fruit, and
hot breakfast they provided our group! Please join us in prayer for
Sam Bandela and his time away, as well as for the continued efforts of
AIM in the Doraville community.

Please join us next month on Tuesday, May 3rd, for a hard-hat tour of
the 24/7 Gateway Center for the homeless, downtown! The Gateway tour will be our last CityLights of the season; we'll resume our happy urban wanderings again in September. Thanks for coming!

Until next time ...

Towles Kintz