Who would have ever thought I would experience that epic moment of trying on your “perfect dress” in India? You know, the moment when you take your bridesmaids, AKA best friends, and go on a hunt for THE dress? When you have all of your girls surrounding you and “oooo”-ing and “ahhhh”-ing? Ya know, the memories that will last forever with the women you will love forever? Yeah, THAT MOMENT.
This was a “can’t-eat, can’t-sleep, reach-for-the-stars, over-the-fence, World Series kind of stuff” moment for me. The very thing I have been longing for God to reveal to me is slowly coming to the surface. I’ve asked God to give me His eyes for how He sees me and that is surely what He has been doing while in India.
At the beginning of the month, I met a woman named Vijaya while shopping for punjabis to wear to the villages for ministry! Right off the bat, I could tell there was something so incredibly different about her and our relationship quickly began to flourish. A girlfriend of mine from my team came with me. Lacey (aka Dr. Lacey Pants) and I shared a special bond with Vijaya. She and I spent many days just stopping in to visit Vijaya. We’ve shared snacks, drinks, and laughter with her often. It was a way for us to invest in a relationship since our ministry changes daily. Oh the impact this sweet soul has left on me. About halfway through the month, I asked Vijaya if she would like to go dinner with me. After jumping through many different obstacles and many hurdles, we were finally able to go to lunch and spend some girl time together!
Lacey and I took Vijaya and the two other ladies that work with her out to lunch. After returning from lunch, we went back to her shop where we had my “Say Yes to THE Dress – Saree Edition” moment. The ladies wanted me to try on my saree that isn’t quite complete, but to show us different ways that we can wear it. It was such a blessing to have this moment with these ladies, as well as Lacey. Sweet memories with these ladies that will never be forgotten. To see the smiles on their faces was priceless! Oh the joy! While these women are all surrounding me, showing me multiple ways to wear it [THAT I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO DO MYSELF], they were so excited for me. Everytime they would complete a way to wear a saree, they would all just sit back and look at their work. These women were able to share their gifts and laughter with me. It was as if I was some special princess, or a beautiful bride being prepared for her big moment. Even though it was a trial run of how we would wear our sarees, they wanted to make sure it was perfected and pinned exactly as it would need to be. Every girl needs and deserves that moment of a lifetime!
Through these women, God has revealed so much to me. The very things I have been praying over the young girls in the villages are the same things God is showing me in myself. These are just a handful of things that God has been revealing to me.
God says:
I am desirable. – Psalm 19:10
I am created so wonderfully complex. – Psalm 139:14
I am treasured. – Deuteronomy 7:6
I am beautiful. – Ecclesiastes 3:11
I am chosen by Him. – John 15:16
With just a few days left of ministry here in Southern India, I already mourn the day we leave this place. A month ago, I never would have imagined leaving here would be so hard. After all, our ministry changes daily so we don’t really have enough time to invest in relationships with the people of the villages we are ministering to! We never would have imagined that walking into a tiny shop would have developed into such a precious and humbling relationship. My prayer for these women is that future World Racers will be able to come along and continue on with the relationship we have started. I pray they will continue to water the seeds that have been planted until it is God’s timing for Vijaya to bloom into the woman of God that she has been designed and created to be.
