Picture Diary
University Ministry
We went into a university nearby our house. Team Joyous light walked in… but realized the school was closed because of Easter. However, the vice principle let us in and sat us down. He took time off to offer us some chai and chatted about what we were doing in India. We weren’t allowed to share our real purpose, so we told him that we were interested in meeting the people of India. After giving us a tour, in which we took the advantage of praying over the school, he invited us the next day to talk with some of the students. Little did we know that we were talking for an hour with a MBA class. Although we went in unprepared, God gave us the perfect conversations to know more about the people, their lifestyles, and their religion. We shared about why we were traveling and was able to be able to tell them a little about why we were traveling! What I learned was that… although you can’t directly share about the gospel at times, sharing about your own life story and the hope and joy that is found can lead them to wonder.
Slum Ministry
Slum ministry was probably one of my favorites. Although we worked with YWAM mercy ministry for only a couple of days, I learned that long term missions is so necessary. The people of YWAM have been going to the slums for nearly 15 years bringing them snacks, education, and the gospel. Where hinduism was once the main religion, Christianity is being shared weekly to multiple neighborhoods. Children are repeating bible verses and singing praises. YWAM is taking some of the children out of the Slums to equip them in handy work or even to become disciples! I have also learned through house to house ministry the heaviness that comes from becoming a christian in society. How young girls are still told who to marry due to their hindu parents. Their desire to get an education or choose a christian husband is nearly impossible.
Hill Station
This was our favorite coffee shop in India. The cinnamon rolls are to die for and their ice coffee or tea were only $1 (or less)! It was only a 5 minute walk, and the ambience was perfect to have one on ones or casual talk about nothing. One of my favorite parts were that the coffee shop existed so that missionaries can stay in the area! The missionaries run a home where they adopt children from the slums. I actually got to live with 2 of the girls that were adopted this month because they were getting trained (for free) to sew and make jewelry as an option for their future career. Their mom is such a beautiful believer and has led so many children through christ though this!
Leper Colony
Where my heart broke. One day after picking up trash around the slums, we walked to a what we were told as the leper colony. As we walked in, the smell of pee and rotten who knows what welcomed us. I looked around and saw probably a hundred women sprawled all over the compound. Some without limbs, many with speech impediments, and others that just glared off into space. Our ministry partners, Simon and Paul simply said to go… go and pray for these women. At first I felt a little uncomfortable, but as I began to walk a young woman pulled my arm and gave me and my friend the biggest hug and the friendliest smile. We didn’t understand what she was saying, but I was instantly filled with the spirit and prayed over the women. Some other missionaries were there putting lotion on the women and also applying nail polish on their nails. They were so thankful. I looked around and felt overwhelmed by how helpless these people were. Right before we were about to leave, I sat down next to a woman. She was trying so hard to communicate something to me, but only grumbles and hand gestures were given. As I held her hand to pray, I couldn’t stop crying. God was telling me that these women were fighting so hard to be someone or something… but no one can understand or would listen. God was telling me that this was his child. That each and everyone of these women were so precious in his eyes… yet their families and friends abandoned them because of their disability. My heart broke… over and over again. I later realized that these women weren’t actually leperous, but were thrown on the street. A man who drives a rickshaw saw that so many people were being abandoned, and felt that God was calling him to feed the hungry and clothe them, so he starting picking them up and later this compound was found.
VBS
They called me their United States Sister. With little kurtasz on, these children came with such enthusiasm to VBS. They were the smartest children I have ever met. They went all out during the worship and memorized the verses better than I did. They brought their non-christian friends every day and would be so proud that they were sharing the gospel with them. These children found their new best friends, held each other tightly by the hand, and looked forward for us Americans to show up. They were shown videos of a family being persecuted cause of their faith… because that can one day be theirs. They challenged me and gave me such a big heart for youth once again. I can’t wait to see these children in heaven one day and worship with them with such joy.
Indian Wedding (Christian)
We got to wear our sprees and go to a Indian wedding! They were very conservative… and exchanged bibles instead of rings, but it was so beautiful. They welcomed us with open arms and allowed us to go to their very colorful reception! Got to eat with my hands in my fun saree! Was def. an experience I would not want to forget in India.
Nandi Hills
What a beautiful but tragic day. Team aslan & the Ywam team decided to go Nandi hills to catch the sunset! We went up and were clouded with fog, but got glimpses of beautiful mountains, tree houses, and had my cookies stolen right out of my arms by a bunch of monkeys. However, this is the day that the car accident had happened… but God has been so faithful and kept us so grounded in Him.
Esther Girls
Esther Girls is birthed through YWAM. It is a organization that desires to find girls from low income families to equip them with different skills that will allow them to have jobs in the future. These girls come from all different backgrounds and range from the teens to their mid twenties. We were able to live in the house above them & they served us so well. They would wake up at 5am to cook us breakfast as well as every other meal. Pretty sure that’s where my love for indian food came from. They all have different passions and goals in life, but one thing I know is that they pursue Christ so well together. As they serve us in every way possible as well as each other, it is evident that God is doing a great work in them. They have played badminton with me, shared their testimonies of heartaches because of family & the difficulties of living in the slums. Some of these girls have lost their parents early on as well as leave their family across the world to pursue what God is calling them to do. Like our squad leader would say, they are “Jesus with skin.” So thankful for all the pretty kurtasz & bags they have made me, as well as their delightful laughter they offered us each and every day.
YWAM
Is it horrible to love another ministry more than the one you’re currently in? haha, JK. but really. Each and every single person i’ve met in YWAM the past two months have surprise me in so many ways. Their faith is so radical and the way they talk about Jesus… is simply humbling. The people we have met this month has brought me closer to Jesus and their lifestyle show that there is something greater to live for. The pictures above are some of the special people i’ve met this month that has spoken truth in my life when I was struggling but also telling me ways that I can continue to grow in. They have showed me their heart for ministry and how radical their hearts are for some of their future hopes for what they desire to see in India.
