Wow.
This is the only word that can begin to describe my experience in India thus far. We’re merely a week in, but yet my heart yearns for the locals. If you’ve never been to a country in such conditions, it’s hard to imagine the state of their living. I was shocked to see cows, pigs, chickens, and dogs roaming free in the street. Garbage fills the roadsides and is covered with smells more pungent than I have ever smelt. Many people are subject to a small cement or wooden hut that they live in with their entire family, yet they are so happy and generous.
Walking through the streets of Bellary, India, my team and I are like celebrities. Many locals have never seen Americans before, so anytime we walk past they run to us, with hands out, just wanting to touch us. When you look and smile, the children smile back but shyly, and turn to their friends giggling. It’s so beautiful.
While we have already accomplished so much in these short few days, church Sunday morning has been my favorite experience so far. The children’s worship is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Not only were they singing praises of worship, they also incorporated dance.
As I’m sitting on the outskirts of the festivities, a young Indian girl looks over and motions me to join their worship circle. As the music starts, they begin playing tambourines and drums, and we were all jumping, clapping, and dancing to worship the Heavenly Father. The young girls I was dancing with are so incredibly happy and willing to love God. They aren’t worried about others watching them or how they are looking. They are just so happy to be in the presence of God.
After we ended singing, I began to sit and watch the children pray. Words can’t describe the faithfulness and hope they have. There were 5 and 6 year old girls on their hands and knees, tears running down their little cheeks, crying out to the Lord in praise. I can’t imagine myself at that age willing to worship for as long and as hard as these children have. They are absolutely on fire for the Lord, and it is phenomenal.
Matthew 18: 2-4: “And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
I already love the children here.
I love their laughter, their spirit, their innocence.
It’s amazing the strong ties you can grow in less than a week. India, you will always have a place in my heart.
