Forgive the silence during my first week in India. We just got wifi for the first time last night. I will try to type up a blog detailing some of the work we have been doing. For now, here is something I typed up a few days ago.
The excerpt below is from my journal during our first week here in India. It has been an interesting journey, even since writing this. It is mind blowing to me every day when I find something new that reminds me of Haiti:
-Plants my mom used to grow in the back yard
-Acre after acre of coconut trees
-Hand Washing clothes and hanging them on the clothes lines on the roof
-Jump Seats that fold down in the “trunk” of Montero-like vehicles.
-Water Conservation
-Water having to be trucked in and stored in cisterns or drums on rooftops. (though the water “trucks” look a little different)
-Brightly painted public transportation buses slam-packed full of people
-Brightly painted dump trucks full of dirt lined up waiting to be hired out
-Advertisements or political statements painted straight on walls along the road
-Rice …. every day, all day………..
-Lemon based sauce for the coleslaw (not citron, but close enough. Yum!!!)
And the list goes on and on. There is still so much of India that is different all to it’s own, but I am amazed at the similarities.
September 9, 2014
I knew months ago, way back when you told me that All Asia was my route, that India would be hard. My heart immediately began resisting it.
I knew a year and half ago [when I applied for the Race], that I would have to deal with old wounds on the Race. I knew that my past in Haiti would create some challenges for me during my 11 months on the Race.
I knew India would be hard.
I knew Haiti would surface.
I didn’t know these two would be so combined.
I had no idea that driving through [my city], or [living in] the YWAM house would feel like I was right back in Haiti. The quirky, beautiful Haiti… Not the Haiti I hate or try to repress.
And yet, something about this India, which reminds me of that Haiti — triggers so much in me.
Papa, I know I have so much to deal with. I know you want to redeem all of my past, including the hard parts of Haiti. As scary as it is, I choose to say yes.
I say yes to the heart surgery.
I say yes to the letting go.
I say yes to redemption.
I say yes to pain & mourning.
I say yes to new perspectives.
I say yes ….
