This is probably going to be a simple and short blog:
The second Sunday we were in India we went to a church service three hours away. It was already a weird morning because half of the car was car-sick, myself included. We stopped in the town for breakfast even though church had started thirty minutes earlier, and then we were finally on our way to church. When we got there I immediately sat next to two teenage aged girls, but that didn't last long. They promptly had us move to seats of honor in the front of the church facing all of the congregants. That's always awkward; do I make eye contact, do I not?
While the church led songs in Tamil – the local dialect – I noticed a older woman in the back of the room dancing. I was so transfixed by this sight because she didn't have any feet. They kind of looked like little balls wrapped in red Christmas paper and duct tape. After church I found out it was because she had diabetes and the loss of feet/hands is very common. I was SHOCKED! I had no idea that diabetes caused such a terrible loss. I thought people just needed shots of sugar everyday and they were okay. Even without feet, she was very mobile. I couldn't take my eyes off of her the whole service and after church I spent every minute I could by her side. Her Christian name is Elizabeth, she was very adamant I call her by her Christian name, not her Tamil name. I think I was so amazed by her because of how child-like the scene was. An old woman without feet was dancing with Jesus and, to her, they were the only two people in the room. Even now, a month after meeting Elizabeth, I am still speechless at the sight of her love of Jesus. I pray for myself that I will love Jesus SO much I will dance with him as if I have no feet, and I pray that prayer for all of you as well. Maybe take a moment out of whatever you're doing, work, watching tv, etc., and just meditate on that. If you didn't have feet, but little stubs wrapped in Christmas paper and duct tape, would you dance or would it be a good excuse not to? We all have the potential to choose the dance, we just have to CHOOSE.
On another note, I am coming home in about two months! I am so excited, but as time winds down my finances get tighter and tighter. At this point, a friend has supported part of my plane ticket home, the remaining amount is $100. As a squad our budget is decreasing because of our hellish bus trip in Africa (if you have questions feel free to ask me). Each month I have to pay for internet, toiletries, and food (this month I get $1 per meal). I would estimate that this month internet costs are $30 and food is probably around $40. If you are able to contribute to any of these costs, visit gofundme.com/hannahspersonalfund. I would REALLY appreciate it!! It would take off a little of the stress I feel coming home. Thank you so much for reading my blogs and supporting me on this journey!
