The May 6 Day of Missions concluded with a memorial service for Dr. Richard Prabhakar, who died last fall after a lengthy battle with heart problems. Richard was an extraordinary man, though it’s difficult to mention him alone. You really need to say “Richard and Miriam,” because they were so much of a team. I wondered what the memorial recognition would be like. Turns out it basically consisted of two videos–Stephen Prabhakar telling about his father’s life, and then a video from the funeral in India. The latter lasted probably 10 minutes, and it was captivating.

I’m well aware of the high respect Richard receives in the States. But this video showed the respect he commands in his homeland. During the memorial service, we hear Josh Prabhakar talk about his father, and it’s very moving. Then we see the crowd walking, presumably, from the memorial service to the cemetery. This is what got me. The camera basically stayed in one place and filmed the people as they walked by. They just kept coming…and coming…and coming. The common, ordinary people of Narsapur and beyond, honoring the faithfulest of servants.

My eyes watered up at this point. I didn’t think the stream of people would ever end. It was amazing. Pam and I went out to eat afterwards, and she mentioned the same scene.