India 5
The sounds, the sights, the tastes, and of course, the smells of India are overwhelming. My experience here only reflects a tiny fraction of a huge and amazingly complex country. India is a country with a culture a world apart from my own. My experience in India will stand as a period in my life where I asked questions, found answers, was misunderstood, but began to understand, and learned that no matter how much I know, there is still a lot to learn.
To be honest there were points during my time in India when I questioned things about my relationship with God that I have not questioned in a long time. However, instead of regretting asking these questions, I was instead shown that questions must be asked in order for growth to occur. I think people sometimes fear to ask God questions, but Jesus was constantly bombarded with questions, and for the most part, was willing to respond, although often not in the ways people expected. So, while not all my questions about why things are as they are and why I am who I am were answered, I was shown that God is still moving in our world, and we find him doing amazing things in places we may have never before expected.
The level of poverty I witnessed while in India is beyond anything I have ever experienced before. However, while among those who were so impoverished, I found a wealth that exceeds that of the richest people back home. I saw hospitality and a spirit of giving that called me to reassess my own understanding of generosity. I met people who were overjoyed to see that we would even shake their hands and spend time acknowledging them as equals. I saw love that called me to sacrifice who I thought I was, so I could serve others. I saw Jesus in the face of “the least of these.”
I cannot summarize my experience in India in just a few paragraphs or photos, but I will carry the experience, and what I learned with me for the rest of my journey and for the rest of my life. It is often hard to see how God is moving in our lives or in the world, but when we take the time to listen to his still and quiet voice; we are often amazed at the beautiful words he is speaking.
God has a way of showing up in places and ways that we least expect. He speaks differently to each of us. Just as he is speaking into India words of life, so is he doing the same in your life. Take courage and know that you are not alone in your struggles. Change is coming, in your life and in this amazing world which we inhabit.
Thank you for reading and taking part in this incredible journey.
I still desperately need financial support to continue my work on The World Race. If you feel led to donate you can do so by clicking the “support me” link on the left side of this page. Thank you for any support, and for reading.
Sincerely,
Garrett
