(January 21- January 28)
When the World Race promises to give you an experience with the people, they follow through on their promise. This week (about 10 days), we lived with the people in every aspect.
Our team ventured off into a remote Indian village and lived in an unfinished cement church building with no running water and no electricity. Also, we all lived in one room with our tents pitched, an open air bathroom and “shower.” The bathroom was actually a western toilet, but there was no plumbing and no doors. This became one of the funniest/bonding experiences for the team because you could literally hear everything. Usually a group of people don’t bond so quickly over potty-talk, but our team crossed those boundaries really quickly. Also, the “shower” was just a 30-gallon tub that was filled with water from a local hose. When we wanted to shower, we would just dip a small cup of water and take a deep breath before the cold water rushed over our bodies. Needless to say, we only choose to shower when it was absolutely necessary.
(Our house with all our teammates!)
While most people would see these conditions as awful, it was very refreshing to live a life where there are no distractions except for the people staring you in the face. We were dirty and smelly, but we had a chance to experience what life is like for the small group of Indian people. The villagers around us were mainly rice, peanut, or cotton farmers. This too was quite an experience because “farming” still means that you do everything by hand. Living on the farm in Dalhart is a huge contrast when the John Deere Combines are bigger than the village houses. (I’m not exaggerating.)
Overall, our team had such a bonding time and really had a chance to view people through God’s eyes. On more than one occasion, I would stop and be overwhelmed with the thought that our God knows and loves each of these people by name. We had the privilege of praying for each person and leading nightly gospel meetings. (Small side note: During my preaching night, I was telling a story about Jesus and this drunk man began yelling about why we would bring Jesus to this village when they already have their own gods. I was slightly scared but it was a real experience and made me think about what past missionaries have experienced. I doubt it is the last time we experience this.)
India is a beautiful country but in such disarray and hopelessness. The Christians there are truly faithful to God and face continual persecution from the people around them. Their faith and belief is so humbling and make me want to be a better follower of Jesus. Pray for the Christians in India and pray that God continues to call each of His children by name.
India was been a challenge and God is continuing to form our ideas on whom He is and how He loves ALL His children.
(Laundry Day- My least favorite thing on the race!)
(Our shower: The bucket is full of cold water!)
