Testimonies: Dayspring College Students Share Their Impressions of India

Robert St. Clair, Sophomore

One of the things that hits you is the culture shock. The customs and mannerisms are very different, but also, people have so much less than what we have in America. Most were poor and walked everywhere; the middle class rode motorcycles, while the rich drove cars.

Solid Rock Seminary is what touched me the most. The students had such a joy and passion for the clear gospel. Their faces instantly lit up when they saw us. I want to have that kind of zeal and passion for the gospel. They inspired me to be a better soul winner, student, and person. India touched my life and helped me to develop a heart for missions more than ever.

Adam Reyes, Sophomore

My trip to India was truly a lifechanger. Though we were only there a short time I grew to love the beautiful country, people, and most of all the Seminary students. I cannot say enough about Solid Rock Theological Seminary. I think it means even more to me because I am currently attending Dayspring Bible College. We are doing the same thing—just opposite parts of the world.

Katie Vanden Bosch, Senior

The first thing that struck me about the Indian people was their willingness to give all they have to God. The children were so happy, even though they have very little and they certainly are not spoiled.

It amazed me that we have so much here in our country and aren’t always thankful and these people have very little, even no shoes to wear, and yet are content and happy with whatever they have, and God and God alone.

Dr. Seecharan has a vision to train pastors and send them out to preach the Gospel. We were able to attend the graduation and ordination of some of these men. That was the highlight of the trip.

Lauren Meister, Masters Student

While India and the US share the same planet Earth, stepping off the plane into India seems like stepping into another world. I was taken aback by the beauty of the country, the foreign smells, the busyness, the array of open markets, but most of all the faces of the people.

This was my second trip to India. I visited India on a similar missions trip two years ago, and I knew I had to go back. The people of India are hungry for a real God to cling to. They are taught a false religion of many gods whose moods are subject to change. Their eyes are sad, their faces are weary, and their souls are hungry for the truth.

I’ll never forget the impression the young men at the seminary made on me. Their passion for taking the clear gospel back to their villages and families is evident. They are solely dedicated to learning the Bible and working in the Lord’s work. It’s hard to describe in words the sincerity of these men as I saw it plainly in their smiles, heard it as their voices filled the room with song and experienced it first hand with their first-class hospitality.

I saw a need, but I also saw a solution in Solid Rock Theological Seminary. These young men are trained in the clarity of the gospel. These young men will be able to reach their people as I never will be able to. But I also realized that I can do my part. I can support these young men financially with what God has blessed me and also with my prayers. I also realized that I can’t wait to go back again.

Nikki Abraham, Freshman

The students’ and faculty’s passion and love for God cannot be overstated, and is a challenge for us to have the same zeal. I have no doubt that God will use these men of God to spread the good news of the clear Gospel throughout India, the rest of Asia, and perhaps even further.

I learned so much from this experience. It’s like stepping into a whole different world. The food, the culture, the scenery—it’s all part of the experience. At every church we visited, we would step out of the bus and instantly be surrounded by children giving us flowers and shaking our hands. The people were so sweet! We were able to give those same children toys we had brought from America. You could see their little faces just light up. The students at the Solid Rock Theological Seminary were also a blessing. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet young people in a different country with some of the same goals we have as Bible College students. We all felt so at home with the students there. Seeing the work going on at the seminary has encouraged me to try to be more faithful with what God has given me. I pray that I will learn to be more faithful in my own life!

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