India has been an incredible start to the race.
This ancient culture has so many norms to adjust to, like eating spicy food without utensils using only your right hand (the fact that we had to be taught how to eat with our hands still makes me laugh), ordering food not really knowing what it is until you eat it, not always having toilet paper or even a toilet in all the restrooms we encounter, just to name a few. But that’s all a part of the adventure, right?
The ministry I’m working with this month houses and cares for 150-160 mentally and physically disabled kids of all ages. They have 4 homes where they provide medical/spiritual care and a loving family atmosphere.
I started reading The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson when I got to India and it has really changed my view of Jesus and prayer in my first week of ministry.
This is what the Lord has taught me through reading this book:
#1 “Take a step of faith that doesn’t add up”
Before we started this ministry we had some expectations set by other racers who had worked with this ministry before. We were a little disappointed when we got here and it was a little different than what we had originally thought. We thought we would spend all our time with the kiddos but instead we have spent most of our days cleaning an organizing. But in that we have realized the Lords hand in all of it. We are so used to our hosts constantly serving us when it was really our turn to serve them. Our job was to help ease the stress of caring for 150-160 disabled children, but Jesus is always in the small moments.
#2 “Too often we let “HOW” get in the way of “WHAT” God wants to do.”
Which leads me to the next point..
#3 “But if you want God to do something new in your life, you can’t do the same old thing. It will involve more sacrifice, but if you’re willing to go there you’ll realize that you didn’t sacrifice anything at all. It will involve more risk, but if you’re willing to go there you’ll realize that you didn’t risk anything at all.”
I have learned since being here that if you aren’t willing to put yourself in “this is crazy” situations you’ll never experience “this is awesome” moments. Ministry has been a lot of cleaning and organizing but after those moments comes small moments full of His glory. One afternoon we got to take the children on a walk and as a team we can all say it was the highlight of our week. These children are viewed as “untouchables” in the culture here in India because of the way they look. They are shamed out of society. But these children have taught me so much on how to care for others whether it’s by helping the hosts in cleaning and organizing for days or taking an afternoon to take them for a walk around the block. They radiate the Fathers love for them in every joyful giggle and smile! Jesus is making what seems impossible in this culture POSSIBLE through His love.
Jesus had one question for me when I first got here,
“What do you want for me?”
I realized more and more this week that the answer was simple, Jesus I want more of YOU.
(First investment in India OREOS)
