This post is coming almost two months late because, honestly, I wish I could just forget about India. It was my most challenging and least favorite country so far. There was a lot of spiritual warfare and extreme cultural differences that made the month hard to get through.
But God loves redemption, so He wants me to talk about what I learned from this difficult month.
1. Attitude is Everything
It was way too easy at the beginning of the month to have a bad attitude. It was hot, and we had to double cover our chest (with a scarf), butt (with long kurtas), ankles (long, baggy pants), and our heads (with said scarf) every time we were in church or preached. I was not a happy camper.
Early in the month, my teammates called me out on my negative attitude and encouraged me to keep a positive attitude. Making the choice to stay positive this month made it so much better. Instead of focusing on the not-so-great things, I started thanking God. I thanked Him for the opportunity to be in India, for the opportunity to honor our host by complying with the dress code, for the opportunity to meet and encourage so many brothers and sisters in the different villages we visited each night, for the opportunity to preach multiple times a week, and the opportunity to build a relationship with our host family.
Attitude is a choice. Choose wisely.
2. Be thankful for the little things
One thing we were immediately thankful for was that we were in India in December instead of May, June or July. The temperature in the winter is 80-90 degrees. In the summer, it’s 100-130. We thought it was hot, but that was nothing compared to what it could have been. Praise the Lord for sending us to India in the winter time.
THE FOOD. I don’t know what I’ve been doing with my life, but I had never had Indian food before going to India. It is by far my favorite kind of food. There are so many flavors and spices. We had different meals each night in the villages we preached to. We were fortunate enough to experience many different kinds of Indian food. I can’t wait to get home and make some Indian friends who can teach me how to cook like they do.
Also, chai tea. Enough said.
3. Christmas is awesome even halfway across the world
Since we were in India in December, we were able to join them for their Christmas celebrations. Indians LOVE Christmas. So much that they celebrate it twice. They have what is called a semi-Christmas a couple days before the 25th. It’s basically a big party with dancing, singing, preaching, and celebrating. There are decorations everywhere and they invite everyone from their community, Christian or non-Christian. It was an honor to be a part of several semi-Christmases throughout our time in India.
And they have cake. Like, all the time. We ate so much cake the week of Christmas that we were almost sick of it by the end. Almost.
4. My team is family
India was hard month because it was December, which meant we were missing Christmas at home with our families. But let me tell you, I felt like I was with family celebrating Christmas with my team.
We went all out. We did secret santa, stockings, decorations, christmas music, hot chocolate, christmas movies, the works. We even made cinnamon roles in a rice cooker! My wonderful and artistic teammate, Hannah, made a Christmas tree, ornaments (that we each decorated), and a fireplace out of computer paper. It made our room feel that much more like Christmas. I loved it so much.
Even though we are with new teams now, team Selah Vie will always be my family. Those Godly women are my sisters through and through. I’m so thankful we were able to spend Christmas together before we switched to our new teams.
5. God is faithful
India was a spiritually heavy country. My whole squad felt the spiritual warfare from the day we landed. We had a lot of exhaustion, bad dreams, fears, and sickness. The enemy ran rampant throughout the month.
But God is faithful and victorious. He has already defeated the enemy. He gave us the strength moment by moment to make it through each day. He taught us the power and importance of prayer. We learned to pray FOR things instead of AGAINST the enemy, because he doesn’t even deserve recognition enough to pray against him. We prayed Kingdom prayers, and Kingdom response is what we got.
So no, India wasn’t the best month. But the Lord has a purpose and season for everything. India was not a wasted month. My faith was strengthened and my intimacy with God increased. I’m thankful for the hardships He allowed me to experience, because it helps me recognize the good things when they come along.
Thank you God, and thank you India.
