The conversation we looked at the menu in an Indian restaurant took a turn. I did not see it coming.
“I just got back from a trip to India.”
“Fantastic! How was the trip?”
“Horrible! We left with most of the group and came home early.”
“What are you doing in an Indian restaurant?”
“I am wondering the same thing.”
“Was it food related?”
“Partially, we had lousy food.”
“Would you like a few suggestions?”
“Yes, I want to avoid my last experience.”
As we talked over dinner, it seemed as though the group had gone on a trip without any information beyond the schedule. They had relied on a single recommendation and it had gone terribly wrong. While there was one highlight, most were events that everyone wanted to forget.
As we began to explore the menu, I struggled to guess at what lessons I could take from the untold story that ended in disaster. It did not help when a question was thrown across the table.
“Do you like India?”
How does one respond in context of the disaster memories sitting beside me?
“Yes. I love India.” I had no idea how this was going to be understood.
I knew I had to do something different than what others had done before me. Others had mimicked what they had seen worked. When the clueless “pronounced the name of the Master Jesus over victims of evil spirits, saying, ‘I command you by the Jesus preached by Paul!’” (Acts 19.14) They had no idea what would or could happen. I did not know what others had done. I just knew I needed to do something different.
“Did anyone talked to you about India when making your plans?”
“No, they just made suggestions.”
“About the menu, what kinds of food do you like? Do you enjoy cooking?”
“I love spicy food but not curry flavor. It was the first smell I remember from the trip. I enjoy cooking.”
“OK. Walk with me. Let’s talk about the different dishes, how they are made, and what makes them special.”
