My month in India was not exactly what I expected, but looking back it really was a good month. The living conditions were not convenient or comfortable and learning how to live with 44 people all month was not easy but even with all those things, God showed up in such amazing ways. I want to share a few of my highlights along with more photos from India.
The Kids
The kids in India were by far my favorite part of the month. Even though we saw a different group of children each day, they were always so joyful and excited. I loved getting to be ridiculous in song and action while still bringing the good news of Jesus to the kids.
Amma
The building we stayed in had watchmen who lived on site to help out and keep us safe. Rathama was the wife of one of the watchmen. She spoke hardly any English but she was the one most of us fell in love with during our stay. She took such good care of us that we started calling her amma, which is the Indian word for mother. She helped us with laundry, she helped us fight cheemas (aka ants), she helped show people how to wear their Indian sarees, and she would come join our prayer circles at the end of the night. There were many tears and many hugs from her and from us as we left India.
Bay of Bengal
On our first day off, a small group of us went to the Bay of Bengal to hang out at the beach and in the water. Not only was it a relaxing afternoon but I also got to bond with people from other teams. To top off the day, I was buried in the sand and made into an octopus: therefore we decided to give ourselves a “team” name: Team Octopus.
[Photo credit: William Reed]
We also visited several fishing villages throughout the month and got to experience the beach with the locals. Each time was a little different but it was always beautiful, colorful and relaxing. It was in those moments we got to find sea shells, see fishing boats being unloaded, and eat fresh peanuts.
Then on our last day off, the whole squad headed to the beach to celebrate! It was a long day but the way it ended was my favorite part. We stayed late and had a bonfire on the beach. In the dark it was hard to tell where the ocean ended and the sky began. But you could hear the waves and see them cresting white on a dark canvas. You could see the stars in the sky. And to top it off, there were pockets of clouds full of lightening. It was a beautiful combination of God in nature. We ended our squad time with sparklers and fireworks!
Our Translators & Driver
So we started off the month with our translators Bhasker and Geevan, and to be honest, I was not sure how well we would be able to build relationships with two single men in their mid-twenties. But it turned out to be a lot of fun. We enjoyed good conversation, lots of laughs and catchy music on the drives to and from ministry. Our faithful driver Rajesh was with us every day as well, and even though we did not speak the same language, it was fun getting to know him over the course of the month.
The second half of the month we had the privilege of working with an additional translator, Cathy. We enjoyed getting to know a young Indian woman who was in many ways so much like us. She was in her twenties with a technology degree and a heart for missions. It was so hard to say goodbye to them all!
[Photo credit: Jackelyn Mead]
Sarah’s Covenant House
SCH is a ministry within India Christian Ministries that takes in children with special needs who have been cast out of their own families. Team PAC and Team Fearless Love spent the month loving on these children. I had the privilege of visiting the ministry on my last Sunday in India. I met Carrie and Abby, two young women who have committed one year of their lives to fostering 12 children. In one afternoon I met so many amazing beautiful children with so much energy, joy and personality. To know most of India looks at these children as untouchable is heart breaking. Sarah’s Covenant House is a ministry that will stay on my heart forever.
[Photo credit: Richelle Navales]
[Photo credit: Richelle Navales]
Bonding and Laughing with Team Gladiators
Even though India was all squad month, I had so many great moments with my team. Naming a baby. Smiling with joyful women. Doing O-Lei-Lei and the chicken dance. Eating lots of chicken and chapatti. Long van rides. Late nights. Ice cream dates. Traditional Indian dances. (Check it out here.) Lots of laughs. I am so thankful for each one of the women on my team and I am thankful that India was another month of growing closer together.
[Photo credit: Jackelyn Mead]
[Photo credit: Jackelyn Mead]
[Photo credit: Jackelyn Mead]
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I will remember you forever and always India!
