Events, encounters, thoughts, and revelations on this historic day . . .
Yes, today was “Day #100” of this crazy trip. I don’t remember how I stumbled upon this fact.
I begin the day with my morning three-mile run with Rachel and Natalie. Cows and stray dogs roam the streets. The stench of burning fires and waste impede the lungs. Indian men walk up and down the sides of the road and stare as we coast past in our pricey kicks, striding to the beats of the music exploding from our ear buds. I once again gain the epiphany that U2 is the most ideal running tune-age. I return back to the YWAM base on the very last measure of “Where the streets have no name.” I promise that I did not make that up.
I run upstairs to dump buckets of water over my head and call my hygiene acceptable. I can guarantee that the shampoo in my hair never rinses out. I forgot to sign up for breakfast last night, so 2 bananas and my stash of peanut butter suffice.
Our van rolled out at 7:45 am for Asha Keran Special Needs School. My four teammates and I arrived just in time for the morning assembly. We sang two songs with the fifty-or-so teenagers in their white and kelly green uniforms. We belted “Pharaoh, Pharaoh” and “Our God Is So Great.” Then, Brittany told the creation story. I held up pictures that depicted the different days of creation. The innocence of these young people was astounding as they listened intently and responded with great enthusiasm. Next, we headed over to the teacher’s assembly. Stephanie gave a devotional on the topic of serving out of the strength that the Lord provides. I finally headed to my designated classroom. I observed as six students and two teachers went through their daily lessons. I assisted a 13-year-old girl with copying four-letter words off of the chalkboard. I think of what I was learning at age 13 . . . probably something to the effect of pre-algebra and how to construct a bibliography.
Working at this special needs school has been fascinating. It takes a special type of person to work with these kids. I act like I know how to relate with them when really; I have no idea how they are receiving things or what they are thinking. But in actuality, what about people I interact with on a daily basis? I am sure I go through the same thought process of relation with them. Maybe I am simply more aware of my notions with these kids. Anyway, God has revealed His great love in even deeper ways through these students.
We returned home for lunch. Rice with some spices like usual and a fish. Yup, an entire fish all to myself. Shortly after, I hopped into a tuk-tuk with a few other girls. We hit the town. I drank sugar cane juice (it was gross) while my friend got some sweet henna. We found a salon and I got a haircut for less than five U.S. dollars. It was a day that I didn’t really feel like a missionary, but it was quite excellent. Following, we sat in a coffee shop and I ordered a black coffee. This is something to note. Folks over here fail to comprehend the essence of coffee because they add loads of sugar and milk. Yesterday, I tasted the grounds and envisioned fields of cocoa in the tropics as I drank. The Bollywood music videos on the tv screen interrupted the oasis. If one thinks that Hollywood is unreal, Bollywood is even more unconventional. A tuk-tuk ride home and some more rice for dinner.
Every single night, we have time as a team. Sometimes we have feedback one another – good and bad. Sometimes we do an activity. Tonight, we worshipped. I love worship. God has always used it to draw me closer to His heart. Have you ever worshipped like you didn’t care what anyone else thought? I usually don’t have a problem worshipping freely. But, there was something blocking this freedom last night. Most everyone was belting out with all they had. I just wasn’t feeling it. I felt unspiritual. Why does this happen? This insufficient feeling . . . I recognized it and kicked it in the pants. My God was with me and He wanted to speak. I laid down and was still in His presence. I felt Him overtake my thoughts and emotions. I want to live in that state all the time. It was an especially sweet ending to my day. I want to begin and end every day as such.
There is a fan spinning above me. The little artificial Christmas tree is blinking in the corner next to one of the girl’s guitars. Chris Quilala’s voice sings in my ears. I am in Bangalore, India. I thank my Father for another wonderful day of love, provision, new revelation, and peace. Here’s to many more days as such here in these foreign lands and in the years to come. It’s going to be wild.
And so this was “Day 100” onThe World Race.No geckos near my bed or pigeon to eat . . . today was typical for my time here, yet full of little unique adventures. I love traveling, experiencing, ministering, loving. Life with God is and adventure.
