India is different, so different, from anything I’ve ever experienced.
I’ve seen poverty before, Nicaragua absolutely broke my heart, but this is different.
It’s hard to reconcile the brand new high rise apartment buildings with the shack next to it in the cities, the massive piles of garbage everywhere, and the smell…. I’ve never seen or experienced anything like this, it’s almost surreal. The power goes out every morning about 9am and returns around 11am, it happens again from 1pm – 3pm or so. It’s normal and expected; the fans just stop working and for a few hours you’re coated by a layer of sweat.
As women, we are not allowed to show our knees or shoulders. We have to be very mindful of our interactions with the opposite sex. I realize now that I've so taken for granted the freedom that I have at home!
I don’t know what to really expect from this month but I don’t expect it to be easy, I’m glad that India is our first month, we’re diving right in, leaving behind most every comfort and luxury we’re used to. It's only been 1 week and I'm starting to learn what it truly means to rely on God. Everyday, I wake up praying for love for my team, for love for the people we meet, for patience, peace, and most of all joy. I don't quite know how to process everything I see here with what I've just left behind at home, and I know that this entire year will be a challenge in this regard.
-Jess
