If there's one thing I can admit about India it's this: I love it. India won my heart, plain and simple. And let me paint a picture of why I've loved my experience in this nation ..
Indians love colors. It's in their fabrics, on their garments, sprinkled into their foods and even splashed onto their equivalent of eighteen-wheelers. That's correct .. Indians decorate their heavy-duty shipping trucks with colors and spiffy designs. Not only that but you never feel threatened by monster trucks honking their horns at you because they've replaced those harsh, abrasive noises with jazzy-make-you-feel-good tunes instead. And you develop a love for them even more when those jingles greet you first thing in the morning and put you to sleep at night. They remind you that you are, in fact, still in India.
Indians know how to spice up your life .. And create a newfound appreciation for toilet paper. Not only for your rear end, but also for blowing your noses after consuming curry that cleanses your sinuses after simply looking at your bowl full of spicy goodness. After eating Indian home cooking, it's well worth the squats necessary for the spicy aftermath.
Indians find it necessary to rest after everything, most importantly meals and chores. You do chores, eat then sleep and then do it all over again that afternoon. You gain an appreciation for simplicity and take in the little details of life (especially once you wake up from your many twenty minute power naps).
Indians care about cleanliness .. So much so that they give you a confused look when you haven't showered twice that day (aka every day). And by shower I mean filling up a small bucket you've placed within a larger bucket full of water to dump on yourself. And repeat. Bucket showers are the way to refresh and cleanse yourself in the midst of sweltering Indian heat. That's reason enough to pour cold water on yourself.
But one of the most legit reasons why India is awesome: pastors ride motorcycles. Adds a whole new spin to following Jesus, eh? Granted most Indians ride motorcycles but that includes ministers. Every one of them I met journeyed by cranking up a motorcycle and vroom vrooming to their next destination. I got a kick out of that.
The best aspect of India though are the children we lived with at each of the CCH homes. Every single boy and girl shined the light of Jesus through their smiles and warm embraces. Their laughter filled us with joy and they taught us honor like we've never experienced before. They love with their whole hearts and know how to do nothing less than that. They're beautiful and I love them. They're my brothers and sisters in Christ and the pastor, his wife and children our family.
Jesus' presence fills this country. And he does so through the people who bring the gospel to India by living as Christ did.
And they also share the good news by riding on motorcycles.
