I’m going back in time to process some of the previous months and let you guys in on what life looked like. I have definitely let blogging become a burden, so I’m trying to get back into it and change my perspective – blogging is a healthy way for me to process, and important to let people in on my stories!!
So… India…
I wrote a previous blog about this, but man, I never in my life wanted to go to India. It’s part of the reason I chose this route of the Race, though, to face a fear and ignorance.
I. Loved. India.
We were #blessed to stay with Pastor Paul, his wife, Anita, and his two beautiful children, Junior and Faith. They live in Bangalore, which a large, southern city in India. Their house is nicer than most I’ve stayed in in the US, and it was so cool there that we got to wear Jeans and flannels.
The 3rd story of their house was actually a school where Anita is the principal, and she also teaches some classes. We helped teach English, Theology, Home Ec., and started a Physical Education program. Most of the kids in that school come from an orphanage that is close to Paul and Anita’s hearts, and other students are there to learn more intentionally from being kicked out of public schools.
I taught Theology to high schoolers, and occasionally stepped in on a Home Economics class. Those students stole my heart. We got to know each other so well, and in the end, we were all best friends. My favorite part was just sharing life stories and explaining lessons to them. They weren’t always respectful, kind, or obedient, but they listened when we challenged them and changed when we reprimanded them. I know they appreciated that when those hard conversations came up.
The orphanage that Paul and Anita stumbled upon is a place that became like our 2nd home there. We absolutely loved just showing up at the door to surprise the girls (there’s 16 girls there and 1 boy). They always wanted us to sing songs, dance, and play silly games. We delivered. We had a lot of parties for them, and, man, Indians know how to party!! We had giant cakes, cooked the best meat, dressed up, and got to learn Indian dances and in turn teach American songs and dances. The parties barely stopped! What surprised me every time we spent time with those kids was that even though they were an orphan by law, they (mostly) had an adoption perspective on life -they knew Jesus was their real Abba. They were so devoted to Him in everything they did. I became real close with this precious angel named Angel who was dropped off at their doorstep when she was born because she has down syndrome. She hated me at first, but we became buds by the time I left. I adore her.
We visited the slums in India, and taught Bible lessons, sang songs, and taught English to kids who lived there. There is a precious local woman who speaks English who teaches the kids every day, so she translated for us. It was one of my favorite places to go. It really made me open my eyes to how I could minister to people in the US. The slums were right behind a super gorgeous, expensive mall we’d evangelize and shop in. I wondered often how many times I go to places like that back home and never think twice about how people around it live.
India was great. It challenged me a lot. I’m super grateful for the experience, and the incredible people there.
