I had the privilege of witnessing how an arranged marriage works in a christian family in India. It was a normal Tuesday at the Ambati house when Raju the oldest son recieved a call from a friend. This friend said that he had a young man (36) studying his masters in divinity that was interested in marrying his sister (Hepsiba age 35). So a meeting was arranged that evening for the two to meet. As Raju was interogating the young man, Hepsiba could only serve drinks to the men. She could not speak to Joseph. The next day was quite tense to see if Joseph was still interested after seeing Hepsiba the previous night. He was up front to let the family know that he was poor and had nothing to offer her. Well, the response was affirmative. Hepsiba also agreed and plans started for the wedding. On Friday night of the same week the ceremony took place. The couple were forbidden to speak to each other only to respond to the minister as he tied the knot. Afterwards, word came to the family from Raju that the house had to be vacated for the honeymooners that night. The whole family slept on mats on the dirt floor of the church just up the street. I was asked to stay a few extra days to share at the reception the following Saturday. It was a joy for me to witness this strange event and also to see in the following days some affection and friendship be established between the two. India is a stange place with still ancient traditions and culture. The people though are so beautiful and in need of a saviour. One billion souls and the vast majority are lost without Christ. The prophet Isaiah wrote, Who will I send, who will go? and he reponded to the call, Here I am send me.
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