Wow it seems like my world has dramatically shifted since the last time I posted a blog. I am no longer in Africa but have made the gigantic leap to into India with a lot of other changes besides geography.
Currently I am undergoing a slight shift because I am not traveling with my team this month. Instead I have been asked to form a new kind of team with Kelly and Kyla our squad leaders and devote some more much needed attention to logistics as things arise. My amazing team Remnant will still be my home and family but I will be receiving a little more freedom when it comes to moving around so that logistical things can get done more efficiently. So far this is working out well, it is a bit awkward to change and I miss my team but I trust the leadership here and I know that God is placing me where he wants me and there are opportunities to learn wherever I am. This month I am in Bangalore with the ladies from team Fuse and we are learning a lot about the human trafficking industry and what it looks like to rehabilitate women who are former female sex workers.
India is such an interesting place. It is really different from any other place we have been culturally and geographically and it is a humbling reminder of how much I need to learn. I did a little bit of reading on the culture before I arrived and I even had a class in college on the history of central Asia but nothing adequately prepared me for stepping off the plane and experiencing this place. The change from Africa to India thoroughly excited me and I love the challenge of stepping out of my western mindset and understanding these people, their history and heritage. There is a mix of religions and languages and I have found it is easy to forget how HUGE this country is! We have teams all over the place this month and we are extensive airplane and train rides away from one another. The people have overall been very nice and welcoming to us but I am also abundantly aware of how I am different. As western women the other girls and I attract a lot of male attention and though nothing has been inappropriate the men here do not hesitate to stare at us for long periods of time. It is considered forward if we look at them in the eye which could be misinterpreted as sexual interest and so our only option is to just endure the stares. The only place I have found this to be terribly awkward is on the train where you can’t escape but other than that if you’re out and about and moving it is much more tolerable. When contemplating why this bothered me so much I came to the conclusion that it makes me feel out of control of the situation. In other places like the US if someone is staring and I feel uncomfortable usually looking them in the eye or noticing their stare is enough to deflect it but here I am left with no options. So we do the best we can as women and dress conservatively by wearing the traditional Indian salwars and sarees and attempt to blend in as much as possible.
For some reason the switch to India has left me pretty exhausted. Arriving at 5am on Saturday really threw me off and for some reason I have not been able to recover as quickly as I am used to. Please pray for everyone on our squad as our bodies adjust. Pray against exhaustion and illness that tends to creep up on us when we’re running on empty!
