There's just something about roofs that got me thinking today- I think every Asian country I've been to, I've found myself on a roof at some point…
I’ve realized that there are a few guarantees whenever I'm on a roof:
1) I'll spit- I can't resist…even when I do think about that weird penny myth every time-(the one where dropping a penny could kill someone)
2) I'll cry-I swear roofs make me more emotional
3) I'll sing and shout at the top o' my lungs Jack from Titanic style
4) I'll get some type of revelation because something about roofs makes me feel philosophical
Rooftops and revelations are like peas and carrots, Simon and Garfunkel, chips and salsa, cookies and milk, and me and Rabbie- just something that clicked with me this morning.
We went to our ministry (located on a roof/ what seems like the top of Mt. Everest) and got totally blessed- our contact Paul really went out of his way to pour into us. We had awesome worship and he told us that he just wanted to give to us-pour into us-speak life to us.
As we were soaking it all in, I looked around at my fellow haggard world racers (about 12 of us because another team is here). I saw a sea of sweaty sad sacks of sick-there were more mosquito bites than even this Panera cashier could count, ringworm(some of us picked up African souvenirs), Mennonite long hair(all one length, and very unwashed), interesting scabs/scars/sores at intriguing locations on our bodies, skin complexions that could be used in Proactive commercials from sweaty swamp exhaust air living, chubby girls(from all the carbs), scrawny guys (from no protein), shaggy bearded men that could give Nick Nolte a run for his money, and for the girls, Amazon length leg hair pricklier than a cactus, hilarious clothing color combos and pit stained ensembles that not even Goodwill would take, and finally, too many random tattered thread bracelet keepsakes and foreign trinkets tied on all appendages.
The coolest part, though, besides being proud of belonging to that group of ragamuffins, was that for this morning, on another roof, I got to see people from all over just be- be thankful-be filled- be at rest. To take a minute to think- to take a minute to thank God for where He's brought us- to remember that He's brought us this far, and won't leave us. To be a part of Indian ministry that's not centered on programs, schedules, and time tables, but around what it means to really believe, to give, to love God and love others in a nation based on a religion of more gods than Justin Bieber fans. It was such a cool morning to worship God, get refreshed, renewed, and restored at the refuge of a roof that is our Indian ministry this month. I’m thankful to be with the people we’re with this month, and I’m thankful for roofs.
Godspeed finding a roof worthy of revelation in Indiana anywhere.
Also, we found a Taco Bell-yes please
