William Carey, the Father of Modern Missions Part 1
 William
Carey with Krishna Pal, the first Indian convert after seven years of
work.
SECRET LANDING IN INDIA
"Father, wait up!" called eight-year-old Felix Carey as he ran along the
upper deck of the ship. "Mother won't do it. After all she's gone through
on this journey, she says that climbing overboard and getting into that
little fishing boat is just the last straw!"
William Carey turned and laid a hand on his son's shoulder. "Don't worry,
Felix. I know Mother is scared, but I'll help her."
Felix gazed down at the fishing boat bobbing in the waves. He knew missionaries
could not officially enter India and were not welcome here. But he still
had concerns.
"Father, what if I slip off the ladder and fall in the water?" asked
Felix.
William smiled down at his son. "Do you remember the stories about Captain
Cook?
Felix brightened. "Of course I do!"
"Well, think of this as an adventure from Captain Cook's journals, only
we're not going just to explore. We're here to share the Gospel with the
people of India. God has called us here!"
"Yes, I know," replied Felix triumphantly. "Expect great things from
God! Attempt great things for God!"
"I didn't know you listened so closely to my sermons!" said William with
a twinkle in his eye. "You call your brothers and I'll speak with Mother.
Before long, we'll be on Indian soil! And we'll see what great things
God will do!"
WHO'S THE STRANGER HERE?
The Indian fishermen put down their nets to watch the spectacle which
unfolded as the light-skinned family unloaded their belongings from a
fishing boat. "Why are they all staring at us?" Felix asked as he stepped
onto the shore in Calcutta.
"We look as strange to them as they do to us!" his father explained.
All eyes followed the family as they made their way through the town.
The smell of fish was heavy in the air, but soon other smells greeted
them. Indian spices, like curry, garlic, and ginger, wafted over from
the outdoor market. Indian women dressed in bright colors paused from
their shopping to stare, while the children giggled and pointed at the
foreigners.
"See all those people?" asked William. "They all need to learn about
Jesus!" It was November 11, 1793, and these pioneer English missionaries
to India had no idea of the troubles they would face.
WAITING FOR GREAT THINGS
Several months later, William sat on Felix's sleeping mat and stroked
his son's forehead. Felix held his knees tightly to his stomach, groaning
with the familiar pain.
"Feeling any better, son?"
"I think so, Father," Felix whispered. "I don't want to wait any longer."
Felix just wanted to get away from the horrible slum, even if he had to
travel while sick.
 "Father,
why isn't God doing any great things in India yet?"
Felix's words cut to William's heart. He understood the question perfectly.
They lived in horrible conditions with little to eat, and were often sick
with dysentery. William worked long hours to learn the language, and even
preached a little, yet no one seemed to care about the Gospel. Was this
what God intended for them in India?
"I know how you feel, Felix, but we must be patient. God is with us no
matter what, and surely that is a great thing."
The Careys moved not once, but five times during their first seven months
in India. Finally, they settled in the town of Mudnabatti, where William
found work running a factory. This helped to provide money for their family,
but their struggles with illness were far from over.
Will Carey find success in part 2 of this "Glimpses
for Kids" children's worship bulletin insert?
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