“Photo, photo!”, “Come, come!”, “Selfie, sister!”.
Crowds upon crowds of locals corral around the restaurant I’m sitting in, tuk tuks I’m riding in, house I’m praying in, car I’m waiting in, at the market, in the store, on the side of the road, and while I walk down the street. Faces of pure shock look my way as my tuk tuk pulls up beside a car or moto. Fingers pointing, faces grinning, small babies handed over, groups of people with their phones out taking pictures of me and my team, and others running to my side to touch my white skin and get group photos.
Is this what it feels like to be a celebrity? Is this the type of attention they receive?
It was endearing at first, but the constant calling and demands by complete strangers got old very quickly. I can only imagine what it’s like to have the media in the States all up on you, waving their microphones and large video cameras around, bombarding you with questions and requests.
Here in India, especially, I feel like royalty. The previous 5 months have shown this pattern as well, but there was something different about India. The Lord opened my eyes to just how different I am from the people around me. Yes, we’re all unique in more ways than one, but I began to see and realize that when you immerse yourself in a culture completely different than the one you were born and raised into, you begin to see drastic differences. I began to see how skewed people’s perceptions are of America. Once heading to my ministry site, I quickly noticed that I’m treated as more significant than others. My team and I sat on chairs at a table instead of on the floor, we were given more expensive meals, and were even decorated for. I know we draw attention to ourselves, especially as the only white people in a small village, but it still didn’t make sense.
What’s the hype? What do we have that they don’t? I don’t think it’s just my appearance, although I do stick out. There’s something more. I walk the streets, go into villages, sit with people, and bring Jesus.
THAT’S IT!!! That’s what’s different about us. JESUS!
Not only do people see the white American who seems friendly, but they see Jesus. As they battle their own preconceived false thoughts of what America is like (the land of milk and money, where they can go to have all their problems fixed, where all the money is, etc.), we stand and show them a different side. We show them Jesus.
Their curiosity brings them near and I have the awesome opportunity to brighten their day by displaying how crazy cool it is to walk with Jesus. Although I had to me more discrete this month when sharing the gospel and not everyone was super friendly when taking out their phones, my perspective changed. I may be the only white person they see in their lifetime and I have the responsibility to love them. If they want a picture, sure. If they want me to pray for them 42 times, sure. If they want me to hold their baby, I will gladly hold out my hands. Although I question their intent and am unsure why they are coming to me above their friends and family, I listen and obey. I point them to Christ and encourage them that if they accept Jesus into their hearts, they have the same Holy Spirit inside of them that’s in me. The same God, same authority, same power.
In one hand, there’s nothing more that I have than other people. I’m not famous, I don’t have a ton of money, I don’t hold more power, I can’t fix everything, and I don’t fit into or believe the myths of American society.
On the other hand, I have the greatest thing. The one thing that this world is so thirsty for, even if they don’t know it yet. I’m living a life where I’m constantly being scrapped down to the bone, molded and reshaped into a better version of myself daily. I’ve seen the Lord move in my life and speak of his goodness as much as my breath allows. I am living a life for the Lord and I’ve asked him to use me however he wants. Open hands, open hearts, willing spirit, ready to see Him do miraculous and incredible things. And to be completely honest, my life couldn’t be any cooler! Although I’m no fan of cameras and attention and by no means a celebrity, I will forever point others to the ultimate celebrity of my world; our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
~A
