India in a nutshell

Our first week was full of unexpected events. For one, just about the entire squad got K.O.’d by an unpleasant sickness in one form or another, from indigestion to strep throat. This of course resulted in hasty and frantic trips to the bathroom and many of us sadly spending our first days under the Indian sun in our hostel rooms. Luckily, we didn’t have to worry about any other real dangers while we were there, as the security guard at the front gate proudly toted a double-barrel shotgun around like he owned the place…. Heck, maybe he DID….I wasn’t going to question him… Also, our hostel was further from the city than we anticipated, removing us from the heart of Mumbai and placing us in the rather distant outskirts of it.
BUT, aside from these minor hiccups, our month 4 debrief was pretty great as we rang in the New Year like the big, awkward, hilarious, and diverse family that we are. 
Once debrief finished, my team and I set off to Bangalore. Fun fact: Bangalore is known for it’s technical support teams for many electronic products used in the U.S. If you have ever been on the phone for technical support for, say a computer, chances are you were patched through to someone in Bangalore!
My first impression of India wasn’t the best. My eyes, ears, and nose couldn’t help but inform me of the un-sanitary state that most of India is in. Trash is piled and burnt on the sides of any street, and you have to watch your step as cow manure is planted like land mines all throughout the city by the “sacred animal.” Also, traffic clogs most roads within the city, as the scooters, rickshaws, and trucks spout their exhaust into the atmosphere. I don’t say these things to offend or to put the country in a bad light, but simply to state the truth. The amazing thing is, that as my month continued, my eyes really opened to what I had been missing the whole time. After the first 2 weeks, I was starting to look past the trash, the dust, the smog, and I finally saw the beautiful people of India! They are a people of rich culture, and even richer colors! With heads that bobble and swivel, they adorn themselves with beautiful punjabi suits and never cease making things interesting.  I finally saw the people that God loves, not just harsh living conditions that they live in. Please pray for India as God continues make His name known there!

(My team and I all decked out for the Indian wedding we were invited to! Punjabi suits for the girls, and Lunge skirts for the guys. We rocked these traditional outfits as we sang sang "Ain't No Mountian High" for the ceremony. No joke.)

(Righteous beard^ alert.)
             I stayed in a YWAM base yet again, and with every base comes a new fun family! I was blessed by my new friendships with Paul, an Indian native who has served YWAM for over 10 years, David, a man straight from the Himalayas, and Fedrick, a local Christian bookstore owner. Also, although he showed up later in the month, Jehu was another man who just inspired me to chase after God with all of my heart. He was such fun to be around and he has a BIG heart for Muslims around the world.

(Jehu on the far right throwing the gang symbol, with Paul winking behind him. Shaan has his hand up yelling, and Danny is doing a jig down there on the ground. Needless to say I had a great time with these guys.Oh yeah, can't forget to mention fellow racer Nicole representin' on the left. haha)
Our primary outreach was the Jireh house, an orphanage housing roughly 13 children. They were AMAZING!!! We were known as “Uncle” or “Auntie”, and the games just never stopped! Some of us picked up the sport of cricket while others honed their badminton SKILLZ. Although the kids were pros at both, they had enough patience to give us foreigners a chance.
I’ve always been the little brother, but God turned the tables and made me one of the older brothers during my time there. I was so blessed to laugh with them and love them, because in Christ’s name they really were and ARE my little brothers and sisters. God just knocked down those final walls of separation that I had in my mind, and I truly showed me how important and strong the bond is that is shared between the members of God’s family. On our last day, I didn’t look at them as kids I simply visited and sang songs with, but as true brothers and sisters that showed me a deeper glimpse of our Father’s heart and how strong it beats for all of His children.  

(This little guy^ didn't live at Jireh, but was at one of the other orphanges we visited. His nickname was "bdadadadada" and he was my "Laughter Machine Gun!" lol)
As this trip continues my eyes are opened a little more every day to how big and detailed this world really is, while simultaneously and mysteriously it seems to be smaller than I imagined. What I know for sure is that it is full of opportunities to experience and share in the love of our Heavenly Father with anyone, everyone, anywhere, and everywhere.