We left our hostel at 6 am in order to be back by our scheduled debrief events. The early morning still had not brought the sunlight as I journeyed with 7 of my brothers & sisters through the streets of Mumbai. We waited on a bus that never came, so all of us squeezed into a rickshaw. My first experience in an indian rickshaw was the best ever.
(Yes, there were 8 of us in this automobile, including the driver)
Our rickshaw ride was followed by an hour train ride into Mumbai Proper. The boys hung out the side of the train with the cool air kissing their faces, I sat on a bench along the side praying for the day and catching a few more Zzzs.
Then all of the sudden dozens of Indians jumped in the car shouting and holding baskets of fruit the size of volkswagens on their heads. It was so exhilarating. We spent the remainder of the train ride sharing oranges and taking pics with these young vendors. India was quickly becoming everything and more than I hoped for.
Once we arrived in the city we found a breakfast spot and devoured phenomenal Putti and savored the spiciest chai tea I have ever had in my life! We made our way to the Gateway to India and ventured around the market a little bit, but what I really came to town for was to visit Dharavi – the largest slum in Asia.
Thanks to the beautiful Tharakans, we found a taxi driver to take us there and then back to the bus station.
(Sharon & Samson Tharakan, Mumbai Central train station)
When I woke up at 5 am I had felt a little under the weather, but around noon was when the fever really started to hit. I can be a bit of a wimp when I am sick, all I want is a nice couch and my Midge (the greatest nurturer in the world). Walking through the slums with a raging fever of 103 was a holy moment for me. All the thoughts and complaints that were running rampant through my mind became comical as I watched children joyfully play cricket on a field composed of glass, feces, and rubbish that you cannot imagine. We made our way through the small alleyways shaking hands and hugging children trying to pour out as much love as we could in the time we had. Before we left we stopped in a hole-in-the-wall cafe to eat indescribable indian food.
At some point over chapati and vegetable curry I broke. I couldn’t keep the tears from pouring down my face. Jesus brought me once again to a place of complete desperation. He called me to this place, on a day when I was physically sick, to meet these people and ask me to love them, pray for them, acknowledge them. I was walking around in self pity wanting a leather couch and Midge kisses. Yet, when these children are sick with fever and disease, they lay on the dirt and cement. All of my worries and desires became so meaningless in that moment.
The rest of the trip home involved me balling my eyes out on the train, getting tears and sweat and snot all over Aubrie’s shoulder. Then The Holy Spirit took over and I could not stop praying and worshiping the Lord on a crowded train car.
Thank you Jesus for bringing me to this Incredible place you created, to see the people you created that you love unconditionally. God be glorified in my sickness. Take away everything in me that does not rely on you. I dream of the day when all of those children will have hearts full of love and bellies full of food. I dream of walking in the boldness of Jesus. I dream of having the strength to sweep up every child and give them detailed descriptions of how much they are loved.
Yours Truly,
KC
