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Let’s talk about India!

In March I traveled to Hyderabad (pronounced “HydRAbad”), India. It’s a pretty large city, hosting the famous “Bollywood” along with India’s own version of Beverly Hills, where many famous Indian actors and actresses live. However, my team didn’t stay in this city to do our month’s ministry. We drove about 2 hrs outside the city to a small town called Nalgonda (Nal-goon-da). Upon arrival to a local pastor’s home, we learned that we would be staying with him and family (very similar to Nepal and Cambodia!) and that our ministry would be driving into remote villages every night, preaching and praying at the small churches in the community.

Every night, we drove to a different village and spoke to a different community. One of us preached or talked about what God was doing in us and what He put on our hearts to share. Each night we prayed for individual people as they came up to us at the end of the service. And each night we were fed the local cuisine by a family from the village. Our ministry hours were a little flipped around this month. We had our mornings off and served from 4:30pm-12:00am. Since we drove to the different villages every night, sometimes we didn’t get into our bed until after 1:00am! But I loved it. I loved seeing so many different places in India. And experiencing different people and different food and different scenery.

The faces of the people of India will always be etched in my memory. It is a country full of beauty. In their culture it is indecent to show your knees or ankles for women, so all the women wear saris (sah-ree-s), which is a long piece of decorated silk material that is masterfully draped around to make a skirt then brought over the shoulder to use as a veil in prayer. Look it up! I had the opportunity to wear a sari every Sunday to church. But more than just clothing, Indian beauty came from deep within. Perhaps it was the mystery and life in their eyes or maybe the infectious smiles that only come from the soul. All I know is that from the moment I arrived in India (quite literally … it started in the airport), I had an overwhelming love for this people, and God allowed me to see them as HE sees them. As beautiful, as children, as beloved, as Joyful, as chosen. God showed me His heart for the people of India. And every night, as I looked out to the crowd of people gathered around, I saw His fingerprints and felt His Joy for India. The feeling overtook me and caused me to push aside all other feelings and just rejoice in His creation, in His people, and in His ultimate timing. 

God also provided so many reminders of home for me in India. I know what you’re thinking: wait, reminders of home? In India … one of the most opposite to the Western cultures in the world?? Yes. Home. Mississippi Home, to be exact. Fried Okra. Cotton Fields. Lord of the Rings. Popcorn. Nacho Libre Quotes.  Father of the Bride. And so many other things. All linked to my life back home in Mississippi with my family and friends.

Thank you Father, for the gift of India. Your joy experienced and your joy shared. Thank you for the revealed truths. For the laughter. For the tears. And for the SWEAT. Help me to walk in newness with you everyday, dropping off the burdens of this life at your feet.

Things I will always remember from India:

-Thums Up – The India version of Coca-Cola

-Flower chains in my hair given to me by local women

-The AMAZING food (SERIOUSLY: lady-finger curry, potato curry, dahl, chapati, rice, curd)

-Pink/Blood orange sunsets every night

-Truck rides every night to ministry

-Dancing with locals

-Laughter crossing language barriers

-Hot milk tea after every meal

-The clapping of Indians during worship

-His Joy in my heart and seen on the faces of each person I met