Olivia and adventure have always gone great together. Sometimes it’s the adventure of the day that gets her out of bed each morning. A great man used to remind me each day, “Everyday is a wonderful new adventure.”
Visiting 11 countries in 11 months sounds like the ultimate way to jam pack your life with as much adventure as possible. Don’t get me wrong, the world race life is an insane adventure on its own, but sometimes particular countries can’t offer you the type of adventure you had initially expected from them.
Since I was 16 I have had a burning desire to visit India. I believe that it was a provision from the Lord. When I picked my WR route, I chose the one I did because it included India. I wanted to see and experience this country to the fullest.
Our month in India was a very busy one, if we were not hosting VBS, doing home visits, or visiting ministries, we were hiding inside trying to escape the heat of the day or the mosquitos of night. Day after day passed in India and I realised that I had not done a single adventure type thing. I mean I made it over to the local markets and I could tell you where to get some deadly street food but no real thrill type adventure in there. The end of the month drew closer and I was starting to get super bummed. WHERE WAS MY ADVENTURE? I wanted to experience REAL India!
Then like a mosquito to the face, it hit me. Even though I didn’t get to see any breath taking sunrises or ride an elephant, I saw the most real version of India possible.
I saw the beyond starving homeless people on the streets who were literally just skin and bones, who have been left there to die. I saw the locals of India who have taken ownership of acting as Jesus would and taking them in, feeding them and giving them a peaceful death.
I saw rescued temple prostitutes. I sat on the floor with them and gazed into their eyes as they told me all about their dreams. How one particular lady hopes to be a beautician one day. How she wants to get married, her favourite color is navy blue, she loves helping her mom in the kitchen and her favourite animal is a dog. She was 22, my age.
I saw Muslims worshiping, temples beyond temples beyond temples, Gods of all sorts.
I saw men and woman being dropped of at an HIV positive Clinique hour after hour because their families were preparing for them to die. I saw babies who were born HIV positive and watched similar boys and girls dance and play amongst the mango trees knowing that they will too die sooner than later.
I saw tiny Christian villages and pastors putting their lives on the line to serve a God who is not welcomed in their country.
When I look at my month from this angle, I saw a lot. I saw things I didn’t want to and I saw things I will never ever forget, even if I wanted to. My heart turns and drops for the things that I saw. But this is seeing India; this is seeing the real India.
