Monday, March 2, 2009
I’m not ready to make the parallel between this Indian social reformer and say, Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela or Martin Luther King or Abraham Lincoln or William Wilberforce or Martin Luther for that matter. It would be a stretch to suggest that he is poised to have this level of national impact. But there is the clear sense that his inspiration comes from leaders like these; and perhaps the revolutionary course he has carved out for himself will lead him in this direction. Maybe someday, the entire nation will know his name. Maybe the world.
As a young collegian, I was content to be an observer. I was not prepared to accept the consequences of a headlong jump into the protest movements of our time. There was tumult all around. Assassinations. Marches. Speeches. Riots. Action groups. Sit-ins. Shut-downs. The generation gap split families apart – sons and daughters writing off their parents as hopeless conformers. Parents writing off their children as hopeless dropouts. Me? Generally, I played it safe.
I was curious enough. I read the literature. I spent two years on a university campus embroiled in the student revolution. My classmates were anti-war, anti-establishment, anti-industrial military complex, anti-capitalist and anti-government. Freedom showed up on banners and generally meant freedom from oppressive rules and restrictions so there was free love, free drugs and free concerts. The other six years of formal education I hid away in Christian schools with students and faculty who were pretty much like me.
So for the most part, I kept my distance. I knew about the civil rights movement. But I didn’t give it a lot of thought. I came close to being drafted, but truth be told, I did what I could to avoid it.
And somehow, it was easier just to stay aloof. Now, a little later in my life, I’ve come across a real life Christian who has done anything but play it safe, keep his distance, stay aloof. He has dedicated his life to securing the freedom of a people from a dreadful systemic injustice that has been in place for three thousand years. His work has inspired me to rethink some things.
We met with him on the day of our arrival in India in his spacious office. We are here because it is a week of significant celebration for Dr. Joseph D’souza and his staff. For most of his career as a Christian missionary, he has studied the plight of some three hundred million Indians who have been labeled by their Hindu religion as “untouchables.” Dalits. He even married one. She’s an elegant woman with bright eyes and a quick wit and the racial divide that keeps people segregated in this country had no affect on his determination to make her his bride. Now after all these years, D’souza’s team has made substantial progress in bringing an entire people group to a place of dignity and opportunity. And in many ways, it is only the beginning.
So we gathered with over a thousand people last night, many of them here from distant parts around the world, to celebrate an impossible milestone – the high school graduation of a collection of Dalit children. When they started, there were no schools for Dalits. They don’t even rank to be included in Hinduism’s caste system. They are excluded from religious life, political life, economic life and social life.
It’s an injustice that D’souza finds intolerable. So he started schools. He recruited teachers. He brought a message of hope and new identity. He talked about freedom – freedom from the tyranny of an ancient system of cultural norms that robbed an entire people group of their dignity as human beings. His message is rooted in biblical truth and the love of Jesus. He’s not out to forcibly convert these vulnerable people, as his Hindu critics have charged. He simply declares that Jesus loves the Dalits. They are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. They bear the imprint of their creator; and they have full access.
There has been opposition. But is has not deterred Dr. D’souza; or those who share his conviction. And now, some twelve years later, there are over eighty schools providing education in English, in the basic disciplines, good nutrition and most of all a strong foundation in healthy self-awareness and confidence in a future brimming with opportunity.
To say that I’ve been inspired would be a serious understatement.
As a fellow leader with you on this Monday morning, I’m asking myself some serious questions. The headlong pursuit of material accumulation this past decade has brought us all to a precarious place. Maybe it’s time to rethink.
Dr. D’souza’s commitment to the children of the Dalit world inspires a new way to think about investing in a new generation. Not so much our money (there’s less of that to go around these days). But our values. Our faith. Our confidence that comes from the God who made us for a purpose.
As we immerse ourselves in the lives of those who are far away (as I write, I am on the other side of the globe), it impacts the way we think about those who are around us. These children are teaching us.
They’ve moved to hope from hopelessness. To vision from despair. To enthusiasm from misery.
We need to hear their voices. Sense their joy. Share in their accomplishment.
Maybe these Dalits will show us the way.
Copyright Kenneth E. Kemp 2009
In Hyderabad, India
Ken, I am missing you lots and wish I could be there with you for this life-changing time for you, but am so excited to know God is working in such amazing ways for these people He loves as much as He loves us. We’ve read the book about Dr. D’souza, now you are experiencing it first hand. And to be there for the graduation is such a great opportunity. This is the making of history.
Love you,
Carolyn
WOW Ken, what an experience. Thanks for sharing it such a way that I feel like I can celebrate with the Dalits. No there is no Jew, no gentile, no dalit, etc. We are all one, equal and beautiful creation in God’s eyes.
Karin
Uncle Ken,
AMAZING stories, I can’t wait to hear more. I think I have a million questions in my head, but for space, one quick thought. The power of God to reconcile man to himslef to me is most illuminated when we reconcile man to man. Reconcilation is not simply forgivness, it is about dinigty, liberty and justice as Plato would say “justice of the soul”. I am jealous of you having an eyewitness account of the power of reconciliation. Love you and keep the stories coming.
Heidi
Hi, Ken. As God’s love and wisdom surrounds you, His protection is extended to this other world, a world we in this country only see “in the movies.” You are on an amazing journey, one that will last a lifetime in your heart and actions. I would be honored to hear about your experience and see your wonderful pictures when you return. Meanwhile, I see a documentary here. Our media needs to focus on people like Dr. D’souza to share his compassion and inspire that in others. Blessings to you all……
Ken:
May the Lord give you insight as you write about the Dalits, and how He raises up individuals like Dr. D’souza to go against history and the caste system. Regards,
George
Hi Ken,
Thanks for sharing … for sharing what God can and will do with just one man who not only has a vision, but moves to put feet to vision, such as Dr. D’souza — now there are many whose heads are raising and see “It is no secret what God can do…what He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.” Also, thanks for persisting, Ken, when internet fails…you just keep on trying. Blessings! Have a safe trip home.
Bethyl
Hey Kemper…
So glad you’ve had the opportunity to visit India and see a significant contribution to such a needy people group! I’m sure it will have a huge impact on your life and make a difference in the way you view the world. Maybe now I can get you to come to Ethiopia!
Appreciate your weekly column…keep it coming…you’ve got great insight and a wonderful way of expressing yourself.
Rick
Ken,
As I read your article I relived my experience last year in India. I can see the picture clearly of where you are staying, the graduation, and celebration of what God is doing through OM, Dr. D’souza, and partners. We are laying new tracks in history and of Christiandom. The privilege is ours with front row seats… “The world has yet to see what God can do through one man committed to him.”
Chris
Ken,
I have been anxiously awaiting this week’s LeaderFocus. This is so exciting. What a great work is being done! What a life changing experience for those grads and schooled Dalits. It is time. I am so grateful to Dr. D’souza for sticking with it.
Dear Ken, I don’t know how to respond to this amazing story. So many times I have felt the need to get out of my comfort zone and really live life. It sounds like Dr. D’souza and those working with him have done that, to the glory of God. I heard a definition of courage this week that sounded right to me. “Courage is walking toward the problem and not running from it.” Perhaps hearing the report that you bring back to us will cause more of us to have courage to step out and share the love of God with those in our sphere of influence.
It will be great to read more… and do more.
Blessings,
Gloria
Ken. Thanks for being part of and sharing a remarkable story. I did not realize the extent of social segregation still existing in India. Looking forward to hearing more from you.
Ken: Praying for a safe trip back for your team, and we are anxious to hear more…. Nick
your article was a call for me to educate myself on whatever parts within me I’ve labeled “untouchable”. once I gentle myself with this learning, then I can graduate into effective outer action that is missionable. not before. thanks for the hand up to this awareness platform.
Ken,
I find that most of the Christians I know share the ambivalence that you had most of your life about getting involved in politics.
I worry about that, because I’ve studied what happened in Nazi Germany. In the Church. The desire to stay out of politics caused Christians to acquiesce in exiling “non-Aryan” Christians–that is, their brothers and sisters in the Lord–Jewish Christians–from their congregations and their communities in the 1930s. They didn’t see these “others” in their own churches as their neighbors, their responsibility, and ultimately, themselves. And so they were blind to the killing machine that would soon envelop them and all of Europe in flames.
May your reflection on Dr. D’Souza’s immersion into the lives of the Dalits inspire others to get involved in their communities to speak up against the evils of our times.
Ken,
I am very inspired by Dr. D’Souza. I would love to learn more about him and perhaps there is an opportunity for Newsong to connect with him regarding their India initiatives. Look forward to getting together when you return.
Dr. D’souza is one of God’s great warriors. It’s so good to hear and almost be able to see what you are seeing on your trip. Can’t wait to see what God is up to in your life, and the lives of many of us with what is happening in India.
Love You Ken…..Gary
Hi, Ken. So happy that you have been called to be a part of this ministry. Those of us who attend YLF are so grateful to be a part of what’s happening with the Dalits. I think fear often stops us from pursuing what may be God’s direction. Fear that we’ll see something that will haunt us, fear that our lives will change when we’re already challenged with this life when God wants us to look at reality dead on. I love how Miss Alice explains it in the book “Christy,” when dealing with a tragedy — “God has been gently, steadily, prying the little girl’s hand off the little girl’s eyes.” May we allow Him to do that!
God’s blessings to you, Ken, as you serve Him.