Subtle rays of sunshine drift in through the window, stretching out as if waking from sleep at the first days dawning light.
I rise with it, and begin the day. First workout. Shaun T. shouting out commands, following as if a robot. You do what you can when one can’t go running or find a gym. Heart beating. Sweat dripping.
Next shower. Filling bucket, water sloshing and cool ready to be used. Dumping of the first cool refreshing liquid over my body thankful for it from the heat. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Packing cube out, grabbing traditional garb, a Kurta here in India. Jeans on. Sandals on feet, ready to walk on the dusty streets, I step outside. The heat overwhelming at first, a stark contrast to the blessed cool air in the room.
It’s 7:30am. The city coming alive with the hustle and bustle of the morning commute. Men stopping at their favorite neighborhood stores and stands to get their curry, dosas, and chai.
I find my way through the alley ways, amongst the colorful cement buildings the light perfect. Stopping to find my own “favorite” spots as we are here. I meat Raju, a local “tea man” (as I’ve called him). Smile sweet, filled with joy. Shredding ginger, boiling water, unmeasured amounts of milk, tea leaves, other spices, and sugar added. Steep, stir, strain into pot, pour out to serve and enjoy. Satisfaction in every sip.
“Namaste” I say here and there, broken english used. Small talk with locals echo in my ears not understanding what they are saying. I continue the journey through the streets finding women selling fruit. Ushering me to them, pointing to my skin. “Buy, buy!” They say. I get pomegranates, bananas, and mangos, fresh and delicious.
Women and children come up, begging for money. I give food and pray over them. Smiling. Praying for Jesus to lead them, fill them and sustain them for in Him they lack nothing. Smiles breaking out when finished. Yes Jesus come, satisfy their every need. They continue on.
Soaking in the sights, sounds, smells. All enamoring and not wanting to leave. Beauty is what I see. Wonder fills my eyes. Joy in my heart. Praying as I go and take the loop through the area of where we live. Cows stampeding through the streets, dogs roaming freely. Getting more stares, catching eyes and smiling, getting smiles back as if surprised I would give them.
Hope is what I feel here. Hope for greater things to come. I find my way back from the busy street of car and auto horns, buses passing by and the small bikes weaving in and out with ease of traffic.
Home. Here in the small hallways of our hotel. Blessed for the Lord’s provision. Thankful and honored to be here, His hands and feet. Another day beginning what adventures await. We gather dive into the word and it comes alive!
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
So we go, living as He is calling us to that day. Praying, loving, healing, sharing the good news. Yes, this life is what I could only dream of and I don’t ever want to leave it. Thankfully no matter where I go I get to live this way, alive to Christ, His creation, His people, His word.
Really the journey is only beginning. Truly its never ending. So let’s live as we’ve never lived before. Awakened.
