Car horns honking, motorcycles in every direction, music playing and very kind of jewelry and fabric pattern you can imagine. In my head, it’s always been a land of colours. And here I am, staring at tunics, touching real saris and I’m literally living my childhood dream. I’ve dreamed of India since writing a report on it in the 4th grade. Although back then I never imagined it would actually happen, or that I would be experiencing it as a missionary. I’m mesmerized by the colours, sights and sounds, the smell of spices and the heat on my skin. The spices on my tongue excite me at every meal and the chai is wonderful. I’m sweating but I don’t care. I don’t focus on that, I’m too enthralled by the beauty of everything around me. I see orange, blue, green and purple. There are fabrics with embroidery and some with embellishment. I touch each one and feel the smoothness on my fingertips. How will I ever choose only 2 or 3 fabrics? I can hear traditional Indian music playing and the sounds of vendors calling us in. for me, India is exotic and beautiful. I can’t think of anything I don’t like about this country. I wish I could take it in even more. I’m breathing in the very essence of Indian culture and it’s intoxicating.
The wonder of this exotic country stands in second only to one thing – the ministry for which we are working this month. We have the amazing opportunity to support the ministry of Jireh Children’s Home in Bangalore, India. This home allows children who may be living in a difficult family situation the opportunity to live there, be loved and taken care of, and receive a good education. Without this home, many of them would not be going to school and certainly would not know the love of Christ that is shown to them each and every day at Jireh Home. The children here are extremely loving and open. As we see them each morning, they welcome us with open arms and lots of hugs. As we leave after dinner each night, they tell us to “sleep with the angels”. They call us Auntie ______ and each time melts my heart. They show us such love and respect and it is so easy to love them back. Sendmi and Morong, who run Jireh Home are also so loving. They show us God’s love each day and serve us so well. We are blessed beyond measure this month.
We have spent time teaching the children Bible lessons and worship songs in the mornings, we have game time in the afternoons and we do devotions each morning and have worship each night. We also had the privilege of running a 5 day VBS with the Jireh children and the neighbourhood kids this past week.
God allowed these children to be taken out of abuse, neglect or poverty so that they could get an education and learn about His love. Because of that, we get to love of them this whole month and feed their hunger for more of the Lord. I thank God that I get to experience India in the most beautiful way possible, by loving on these extraordinary children. The colours, sights, sounds, smells and tastes are nothing compared to working with these children.
