A big reason I signed up for the race was exposure. I wanted to see and be immersed in the sickness and darkness that this world has. To be changed through what I saw with my own eyes. While in Kolkata, exposure is exactly what I came into contact with. When I wasn’t on the streets praying and seeing countless people healed, I took the time to explore the city. During that time of exploration we came upon one of the many slums that flood the city. My eyes can’t take back what I’ve seen when it comes to the poverty and filth that some people live in. It breaks my heart. Yet, within all that poverty, there are still high fives and huge smiles all around. I’ll never truly be able to understand how they can be so happy with so little.
I wish I had more words and a better way to express what I saw, but I can’t. Somethings you really just have to see with your own eyes. So whats stopping you?
Sometimes on the race, you find yourself in a car with one of the local government officials who happens to have an armed guard who escorts you around for the day.
Ministry isn’t always exactly what you want it to be out here, but every once in awhile you get the opportunity to make hundreds of kids smile just by being who you are. Taylor Upchurch is pretty good at doing just that.
Earlier in the month I got to be a part of a seminar which encouraged and empowered local churches and missionaries in continuing to spread to love of our Savior. One of the tools they gave those who attended were copies of the book of John translated in the local language. Here you can see those copies in one of the local churches, waiting to be dispersed throughout the neighborhood.
Joy can be found in the most simple ways.
Spent the night before Easter on prayer mountain. Woke up for the sunrise and the entire surrounding valley having a freakin’ party because Jesus Christ is alive!
I’d like to introduce you to one of the many “Holy Cows” of Varanasi. They love eating garbage more than that raccoon that wakes you up every night.
Varanasi is the holy city of India. Everyday, hundreds of people are burned next to the Ganges River in order to reach heaven. My senses will never forget what I experiences on the river banks.
Every night in Varanasi, along the Ganges in front of the many temples dedicated to Shiva, priests perform a dance with fire, incense, and the ringing of bells. It reminded me that I don’t have to put on a show to express my love of the God that I serve. He loves me just as I come.
Doesn’t everyone have a water buffalo?
Varanasi is the darkest place I have ever encountered however that darkness can not contain the light. We stumbled upon a Jesus ashram during our time there and got to spend one Sunday afternoon with other 30 hippies, seekers, and believers where conversation about energy, crystals, the Spirit, and Jesus all went hand in hand. It was pretty wild.
