Throwback to March, month 8. India.
“Surprise, surprise…
Yet another country that exceeded any expectations (or lack of expectations) I had for it.
Pre-race India probably would’ve been one of the countries I was least excited for. Nothing against India, I just didn’t know anything about it. I looked forward to it solely because my parents would be coming to visit. All I (thought I) knew was that India was hot, dirty, the men looked down on the women, there’s persecution of Christians, you eat lots of spicy food that melts your mouth off, women wear saris and there are SO MANY PEOPLE THERE.
While some of that may be true or partially true, India quickly became one of my favorite months of the race.
It was HOT, the food was INCREDIBLE (even though some of it made us cry), the people were pleasant and beyond welcoming, saris are BEAUTIFUL, and there are a ton of people in cities but there are villages too.
I do have to be vague with what I say concerning ministry because of the very REAL persecution of Christians in India, so if you have any questions PLEASE reach out.
The team I was with this month lived in a church with a pastor, his wife, their two children, and 10 other young boys from a children’s home. It was a pleasure to just live life with them. Play games, race, dance, eat, pray, grow. Our ‘technical’ ministry was preaching and sharing testimonies in different churches but we spent most of our time ministering to our family and to each other.
I have never experienced community like I did this month. It was real. It was vulnerable. It was fun. It was smooth. It seemed effortless.
Everyone chose in to the month with good attitudes and a desire to grow together.
I think a lot of the race can become about personal growth but this month totally shifted to fighting for and with each other and it was so fun to see the fruit of it!
The base in India was also a HUGE blessing. They really set the stage for the month by communicating the belief they had in us from the beginning. They prayed with us, served with us and they selflessly supported each of our teams. They invited all of us into their flat at some point and were more than hospitable. They were open and raw with their stories and lives and poured into us intentionally. Wow, what an awesome example of the church in a non-traditional way!
Never would I have expected India to be what it is. Yet another lesson in abandoning expectation!
i know you loved India just as much as me, dad :)”
