Holy cow I’m in India. Speaking of cows– they are everywhere! If anyone would ask me what country I was most excited for before the Race, I would always reply with India. Why? Because it’s probably the craziest country in the world! Everything about Indian culture is vastly different than anything I have ever experienced. I could babble on about indian clothes, Bollywood, excessive amounts of cows, curry, highly populated cities, etc. but I would rather share with you my personal experience of India thus far.
So scratch off every bit of expectation you have of India and that is what my experience has been like. Let me begin by telling you where my squad landed after taking four flights to get here. Markolen is a city located in Northeast India– it’s where you see the pan handle on the map of India. It is surrounded by 3 other countries so there is a wide mix of cultures. As we stepped off the plane, it was literally like a heat wave had swept over us. I grew up in Florida, but oh man! This humidity is worse than I could ever have imagined possible! My clothes were almost drenched in sweat from the 10 minutes it took to get off the plane and to the baggage claim area.
I had expected the heat to be bad, but there’s a handful of things I didn’t see coming my way: first off, the potholes. I honestly do not know if it’s possible to explain what we experienced in the bus rides the last few weeks going from city to city. It’s like a safari ride on an endless road of hills. No, it’s like popcorn on a trampoline times a hundred. Or, actually, it’ s like a wooden roller coaster with hard jerks back and forth. Whatever the picture, let’s just say I was thrown sideways and bounced up and off the seat for about 6+ consecutive hours.
Second, my emotional state has been whack. Before heading off to India, my squad (U squad) met up with O squad (a squad going into month 10 on the Race) in South Africa. Their feedback at the end of the weekend was blunt and also had some much-needed harshness in it as well. One of the things a leader shared was when she saw a girl weeping in the corner during squad worship. How devastated she felt to see such a thing. We, as a church must rejoice when one rejoices and comfort when one is hurting. That is how we live out what it is to BE the church. It’s what Jesus did when He met the blind and lame and hurting right where they were. She expressed how a better picture of the church would have been to see that girl’s team sitting alongside her, weeping with her. Well, I was that girl in the corner. I had been feeling very lonely lateley. And hearing what she said I know was eye opening for my squad, but it also challenged me…how is anyone to know there is a hurt if we are hiding in corners? And why don’t I feel safe enough to cry in the open with my church?
I was later challenged by my team leader to ask myself why I chose to go on the WorldRace. This led me into processing where my heart is at right now and how I can finally be in freedom. From that, I was finally open and shared my raw emotion with my team. After weeping and releasing to my team, they challenged me to pray about sharing with the whole squad. Three days later I did. I practically stood naked on a rooftop in India before my church of 54 brothers and sisters. The following days after doing this, I definitely experienced what’s called a “vulnerability hangover.” So I’m adding this experience to the list of things I didn’t expect to happen upon landing in India, but I wouldn’t trade it. I will most likely remember this moment for the rest of my life.
Third blown expectation; the Northeast part of India where we are is not like the busy streets of India you see on television. This area is more oriental. The locals have lighter skin, smaller, more slanted eyes, and there isn’t much curry to be found. I definitely feel like I’m in Asia, but not really in India. I also did not expect all the love and hospitality! Every child we pass by on these roads always wants to stop us and shake our hands. Some even want a picture and/or autograph. These people have never seen foreighners/white people in their village! What an honor it is to be living here for a month!
Fourth, I was not at all expecting to work a medical clinic! This has been amazing to me! My team has been partnered with three other teams to travel throughout the pan handle and set up medical clinics. The first clinic was in Saiphai. I was priveleged to pray over all the patients that came through. The second clinic was in Damcherra, where we, the Sonflowers, are currently staying in now. I was the one ushering the patients to either the eye doctor, the nurse, or one of the two main doctors. During this time I made a friend– Angeline. She is the young daughter of the headmaster at this school. These clinic days were exhausting, but I can’t express how wonderful it felt to love on these communities and to see Jesus in all of my squadmates.
Fifth, I did not expect to fall in love with this ministry site. The Sonflowers are staying at “King of Kings English School,” where days consist of teaching classes, playing sports, leading devotions, and teaching new songs. Jesus is everwhere here. These young children have the Holy Spirit residing in them. Joy and hope pour out of their faces. It’s amazing how a foreign place can feel so much like home. I honestly could see myself living here permanetly. The fellowship they have with one another and with the Lord is so prominent and absolutely beautiful. This small village in India get’s me excited for heaven. Whoever is in Christ most definitely has the power to bring the kingdom on earth. What an honor it is to be a witness and to join in!
India, you have rocked my socks off.
