India. My words can’t even do it justice. This country is rich in culture and beauty.
As soon as my team arrived, we took an overnight bumpy jeep ride to our host’s house for Easter weekend. We suffered from some major jet lag; so, needless to say, we spent an entire day sleeping without even meaning to. We awoke to a delicious Indian dinner of rice and spicy chicken curry and then were taken out by our pastors wife to go shopping -win! We purchased some tunics and the materials for our saris to fit in with the locals. But let’s be honest, there is no fitting in. We are gawked at everywhere we go.
The following day was Easter!! It was definitely different than my typical Easter experience. I put on my tunic and leggings, braided my hair, and adorned it with jasmine. We preceded with a hurried walk 2 minutes down the street with the pastors daughter thinking we were late. Once we arrived, we took our shoes off at the door and walked to the front left with the rest of the women (segregated church service with men on the right). Worship was a blast as the ladies danced their butts off. And during those slow, heart wrenching songs, I look over and see this 8 year old girl deep in worship -eyes closed, fabric draped over her hair, and hands stretched out high. After worship, my team leader gave the Easter message, a huge responsibility bestowed upon her a day and a half earlier. Our team was called forward to sing an impromptu song for the congregation. After service, the church did two rounds of lunch to the people and then we ate with the pastors family. Sitting on the ground, eating with my right my hand, I couldn’t help but smile at this memory I would have of spending Easter in India.
The following day, we loaded the jeep and headed to Hampi, where we would be spending the remainder of the month. For our ministry this month, our team is running a coffee shop and evangelizing to both locals and travelers. According to lonely planet, Hampi is the number one place to visit in India, even above the Taj Mahal. But don’t be fooled, as a missionary we are not living in some 5 star resort. At night we cocoon ourselves in mosquito nets to protect ourselves from snakes, giant spiders, mosquitos, rats, lizards, monkeys, toads and plenty of other creepy crawlies we’ve spotted around the shop. We generally are without electricity from about 10 to 6 and occasionally throughout the night.
But our coffee shop is so adorable and so Indian. There are stone slabs supported by coke crates as tables and futons with pillows that double as seats for our guests and our beds at night. It has a straw roof and wood lattice walls, making it a beacon of light at night. Along one wall hangs a long colorful sheet with artwork from past customers and along the opposite wall hang a few flags from countries around the world.
I think it’s pretty obvious that I have fallen in love with India. I’m on my way to becoming quite the local. I can make a mean chai, I rock a sari, and I tattoo with the best of ’em using henna. Pretty much an Indian woman, right? Some of the locals seem to agree. But then again, the famous head bobble of the Indians can sometimes leave one a little confused about what they truly meant. The people of India are so generous and accommodating. They will go out of their way to appease your wants or needs and are just generally so friendly. “No problem” is the phrase we hear all day everyday.
I’m so excited for what God is going to teach me this month as well as how He plans to use my team to minister to people from all over the world! Stay tuned!
