I can’t believe it’s my last week of ministry; the last month on the Race, and I haven’t told you about India, possibly one of my favorite places I’ve been this year.
I’m terrible. Please forgive me.
I’ve been avoiding the internet like the plague, so that I can really focus on ministry this month. When I got here, it was like I had to make a decision: Check out, or dive in.
I’d like to think that I’ve chosen the latter. I really hope I have!
My first impressions of India consisted of ridiculously intense humidity, impossibly high temperatures, and the shameless staring from the men. We were hurried from the airport to a much-too-small taxi (although they told us it’d be “big enough”), from which we extracted ourselves with great difficulty after a short drive and deposited ourselves and our luggage into at a crowded and confused (not just confusing) train station, where we were directed to the wrong gate a few times. Then we miraculously found ourselves on the right train, all of us separated from each other, and I found myself right across from a man in a turban who, for the 14-16 hour ride, almost never stopped staring at me. Phil, the wonderful man he is, swapped places with me when Turban-man began persistently talking to me (he was convinced I speak Tamil…which I should if Mom would’ve taught me!!! 🙂
Not exactly the most promising first day or two, yeah?
But those first impressions couldn’t have been more contrasting to what my overall experience in India would be.
This month I have been living in Bihar, India. I am blessed to be part of a ministry that has a solid foundation, a ministry that has an overwhelming number of different ministries, spread across India. I’ve been inspired to work harder, to focus more on the Lord, and to draw my hope, strength, and purpose from Him. I’ve spent time with people who have dedicated their lives to serving God as well as serving anyone and everyone He directs them to. My life has been blessed beyond measure, changed – for the better – because of the people here.
Bihar is a state. Like America, India is broken down into states, each state with it’s own capital (and probably slight differences in culture). This state is extremely poor. I live on a 23-acre campus, complete with a hospital, schools, colleges, a tailoring unit, soccer fields, a guesthouse, office building, auditorium, printing press, a one-stop shop called the “Canteen” – I could go on, but I’ll make it easier and just say that it’s got almost everything self-enclosed. Oh, and did I say that everything here is run on generators the size of cars? There is no electricity here otherwise.
While on the campus, it’s easy to forget the India that’s right outside the gate. The further from campus you get, the more you realize just how poor this part of India is. We’re told that it’s about 50 years behind in technology.
I’ve been able to be part of painting – I paint A LOT – big murals on walls of classrooms, Hindi and English words at the hospital. I play basketball with the girls who live in the school dorm the nights that I can (and probably sweat about 2 liters in less than an hour), play worship for the nightly devotionals at the polio kids’ home as well as on sunday during offering.
Apart from that, I can’t even begin to explain the purpose I’ve found even in short conversation. I’d venture to say that it’s been the bulk of my ministry here…even more than painting! While painting at the school, a lot of the boys come to watch. I’ve talked with quite a few of them. At the hospital, when I paint, I’ve come to know a handful of the staff, as well as some of the nursing students who send me sympathetic looks as they walk by, and some tell me, “Oh hindi must be very hard for you! Let me help,” and paint a letter before giggling and running off. They’re really sweet and speak good English, so I’ve learned a bit about them and their families. The girls at the polio home smile instantly when we pass each other on the road; waves, ‘hello’s’, and quick photos are taken before we part ways. I’ve heard a few people’s testimonies, talked with some kids about their families and what they want to be when they grow up, and have listened, in awe, to the stories of people who’ve dedicated their lives to this ministry.
I am blessed, friends. I am in the perfect place for the last month of this long trip…it really is the best way to finish.
On Sunday, our last Sunday here before we head to Debrief, the first scripture that was read was 2 Timothy 4:7. Go read it. When the pastor read it, a few of us exchanged looks and grinned.
We have, just about, finished the race.
Well, THIS one, to be exact.
There’s another Race that’s not finished yet, but this season, the season of the World Race, is coming to an end.
India is incredible. It’s wonderful. I wish you could meet the people I’ve met here, seen their smiles, heard them praying, watched them serve each other. I wish you could hear the kids laughing, hear their voices. I will very much miss this place.
And at the same time, I’ve been missing YOU for 11 months! The time for me to come back to the states is quickly approaching. I love and miss you all 🙂
