The Role of Motorbikes in Combating Wild Animal Attacks

In the vast and rugged terrain of rural India, where the call to spread the word of God meets the untamed wilderness, church planters face a myriad of challenges, including the threat of wild animal attacks. These courageous individuals dedicate their lives to bringing hope and faith to remote communities, often traversing treacherous paths on foot. However, as recounted by Bhaskar Rao (Krupavaram), one such church planter, the need for motorbikes becomes glaringly evident in ensuring their safety and effectiveness in their mission.

Bhaskar Rao and his fellow brother encountered a bear while walking to another church service. With no public transport available and no proper road in sight, their only means of escape was to climb a tree, clutching onto a Bible bag and a musical instrument—a drum. In the face of imminent danger, Bhaskar felt the divine prompting of the Holy Spirit to play his drum, producing a piercing sound that startled the bear and sent it fleeing back into the woods. In this moment of peril, the protection of the Lord was unmistakable, but the realization dawned upon Bhaskar that with a motorbike at their disposal, such harrowing encounters could be avoided altogether.

The anecdote of Bhaskar Rao underscores the urgent need for motorbikes among rural church planters in India. These motorbikes serve not only as a mode of transportation but also as a means of protection against the dangers lurking in the wilderness. Here’s why providing motorbikes to these dedicated individuals is imperative:

1. Enhanced Mobility: Navigating the rugged terrain of rural India on foot is not only time-consuming but also physically demanding. Motorbikes offer church planters the ability to travel swiftly and efficiently between villages, maximizing their reach and impact in spreading the message of hope and faith.
2. Safety and Security: Wild animal attacks pose a constant threat to the safety of church planters and the communities they serve. Motorbikes provide a crucial means of escape in the event of encountering dangerous wildlife, offering a level of protection that walking alone cannot guarantee.
3. Accessibility to Remote Areas: Many villages in rural India are inaccessible by conventional means of transportation. Motorbikes enable church planters to penetrate deep into these remote areas, bringing the light of God’s word to those who need it most.
4. Efficiency in Ministry: With the aid of motorbikes, church planters can conduct multiple services and outreach activities in a single day, maximizing their time and effectiveness in nurturing spiritual growth within communities while using little fuel.    
5. Empowerment of Local Leaders: By equipping church planters with motorbikes, we not only invest in their safety and ministry but also empower local leaders to take ownership of their communities’ spiritual well-being, fostering sustainable growth and development.

As we reflect on Bhaskar Rao’s harrowing encounter with a bear and the divine intervention that spared his life, let us recognize the urgency of providing motorbikes to rural church planters in India. Through this practical means of support, we can ensure their safety, enhance their effectiveness in ministry, and empower them to continue spreading the message of faith and hope to every corner of the land. In doing so, we not only strengthen the fabric of these communities but also honor the unwavering commitment of those who selflessly dedicate their lives to serving others in the name of God.