They told us that everyday on the Race would look different. And they didn’t lie about that. This past month we have done a myriad of things and worked with multiple organizations. We did ministry twice a day. We left at 10 am and return around 1 or 2 pm. We would rest and then leave again around 5:30 and not come home until 8 or 9pm.
Our first week was a mix of everything. We visited families in the slums and prayed for them. We held a church service, visited an orphanage, visited a home that rescues people off the street and visited a home that rescues women from human trafficking and then teaches them the trades.
Our second week was more consistent in our work. We volunteer at an HIV clinic. Here in India, if someone has HIV they become untouchable and often their family rejects them. This clinic focuses on health and acceptance. Our role was just to help with the daily maintenance of the clinic. We cleaned patients’ rooms, prepared meals and did grounds work. It may not be glamourous, but it contributed to the upkeep of the clinic.
In our last week, we partnered with an organization, Daughters of Hope, that teaches women skills and trades. Some women learn sewing and embroidery, while others learn cosmetology. After their training, the organization helps to find them a job. We began building the women up and encouraging them. In India, it is hard for a woman to be independent and self sufficient if they are not married. It is taboo for a woman to be single by the time she reaches her late twenties.
Although a lot of what we did was menial tasks, we know that being with these people and talking to them was a huge encouragement.
If you want to support Daughters of Hope, you can buy products made in their factory here: http://www.gloryhaus.com/t-daughtersofhope.aspx
