Small cargo ships were tied off to a floating dock where day-laborers loaded and unloaded them across a well worn gangway. I didn’t see a single cart or dolly. Everything was handled by hand from workers in bare-feet or flip-flops at most – many in a traditional longi, similar to a wrap skirt.
CROSSING OVER
A RIVER COMMUTE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” – Psalm 1:3 – This is my prayer for the people of this city. It’s flanked by rivers on three sides. They’re vital veins of transportation and trade where local cargo ships and river taxis keep the heart of this urban jungle pumping. Come with me to the water’s edge.
With the city being the main commercial hub, the jetties are gateways to inland areas from the river network. Everything from bananas to beans and charcoal to cement comes and goes across the water. Could a captain or crew that has come to faith make an impact here?
Of all the things to cross the river, people were the most plentiful – particularly during rush hour. Local working-class commuters filled the boats – vendors, laborers, market sellers and more I suspect. I wonder about their stories, what were they facing that day?
There were several spots where a concrete path ran right to the water’s edge. I learned that the water taxis have a flat bottom and a low ‘free-board’ – the distance from the waterline to the deck. This allows them to pull right up to the shoreline and for passengers to disembark easily. Most of the boats immediately turned around and headed back to fetch more commuters. Some boats are said to serve about 200 people a day.
At the rear of each boat, a pilot was seated right next to the engine with bamboo oars within reach on either side. Most all of the pilots I saw wore green numbered vests – all in the employ of a single company I imagine. Well worn concrete stairs lined the shore with land transportation just beyond them.
Consider the volume of hopes and hurts and struggles in this one single boat. Our Heavenly Father longs to step into the midst of every single one. Yet statistically each of these passengers will live the rest of their lives and never meet a single follower of Christ – let alone hear the Good News in their heart language. Pray for laborers and this harvest field.
As boats bobbed at the shoreline, many passengers would stand in readiness to hop out. I’m pretty sure I would end up in the drink. Though chaotic at first glance there seemed an order and rhythm to the whole process and likely some unspoken cultural norms. I find those sorts of things fascinating. Can you talk to your seat mate? Is it OK to help an older person off the boat? Can you shade your head with an umbrella while crossing? What questions do you have?
People flowing into the city on the boats below and goods flowing out of the city on the bridge above. Where does the Good News intersect with this cycle? Business as mission? Childcare for working moms? Taking the same boat every day to be salt and light for a boat pilot? What do you think?
Does this scene give you anxiety or make your heart race in a good way? How about a river crossing as your daily commute? Let’s talk about it. Click here.
REFLECTIONS FROM PIONEERS SERVING HERE
What does the spiritual landscape look like here?
The gospel has been in this land for 200 years. An excellent Bible translation was done for the majority unreached people group, but since then, there’s been little to no growth among them. Millions have never heard the name of Jesus, known a believer, or had access to Christian materials. Some are so remote and unreached that they’ve never even heard of other religions existing. Many don’t use (or know of) the Georgian calendar. But some are going out to reach them. Pray for more faithful workers to go.
In your experience, what is the biggest obstacle to locals embracing the Good News?
Spiritual blindness, communication issues (getting hung up on different words or ideas), and pressure from the community. Lack of gospel/christian materials. Mixing religion and identity to the point where they are now one.
How can we pray for your host country / people group?
Pray the Lord will open the eyes of millions upon millions of people to see the glory of the Son and His gospel, and for them to be saved. Pray for us and others to continue to go and reach out. Pray for mercy on this region.
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