Since we (R Squad) started our race in Eastern Europe, I knew that coming to India would be a culture shock for me in so many ways. While teammates/squad mates were eagerly anticipating the ministry and culture that laid ahead in India, I was asking God to simply give me what I needed, to get by day by day and basically just to ‘survive’ India. Even when I was originally picking the route, there was something about India that scared me…a lot.
There are also a few things that I knew were a possibility of getting, when I signed up for the race, but secretly I had hoped that I would not have to deal with them at all throughout my entire 11 months. One of them, are little, black creatures that love to roam in people’s hairs. Little critters that we, back at home in North America, freak out about. We (at least I did) had times set aside in school when people would come in and check each kids hair for them. I remember having my hair checked as a kid and I remember checking kid’s hair when I did an intern in an elementary school while in high school. Yep those wonderful little creatures are known as lice.
I recall blog stalking (you know you have done it as well!) current racers on the field from the comfort of my home, prior to even applying for the race. I read a blog about an all-girls team where the whole team, but one, ended up getting lice. In fact, they made a video about washing their hair with mayo. It was in that moment, where I prayed like crazy to God against myself getting lice if (when) I went on the race. *Side note, the one girl who didn’t get lice on her own, if I recall correctly, purposely chose to get it from a teammate so that they were all in it together. Now some may call that stupid, but hey that is what community and family, looks like on the race!*
Our ministry this month, is working alongside a local organization who serves, cares, provides for, and faithfully loves ‘the least of these’. Not only are they answering the challenge that James 1:27 gives us–to look after widows and orphans in their distress, but they have gone beyond that and care for roughly 107 children with disabilities, of all ages, and of all disabilities. In the Indian culture, children with disabilities and widows truly are the ‘untouchables’. In the few days that we have worked alongside the nationals and other American/Canadian “house mom’s” alike, my life has been blessed in a way that I was not expecting it to be.
I was able to witness the unexplainable joy of the girls that we moved out of a home, and into a better one. These girls were able to get brand new clothes, beds and pillows. I do not think I will ever fully be able to forget the HUGE smile on one of the girls faces as she was taking in the fact that she was sitting on HER bed, in HER brand new clothes. Or that time the next day, when I was able to watch two teammates and two other squad mates, make a game out of checking for lice in these girls hair. One of the girls in particular, had a head full of lice, yet my squad mates love for Jesus, shown through to this young girl, as she allowed this girl to rest her head on her as she gentle comb through, serving Jesus by serving the girl in a simple way of picking lice out. Sierra, thank you for showing ME what it means to be humble before God. Thank you for reminding me why I came on this race. Thank you for simply being who God is continuing molding you to be. Thank you for showing me a little more of who Jesus is through your selfless act of picking lice out of one of God’s Princesses.
I won’t (yet) go as far as to say that I “love” India. However, we have only been at our ministry site just over a week and God has done crazier things in my life before (such as having me sign up for this adventure with Him in the first place). The cool thing is, that the adventure with Jesus doesn’t end once the race is over…in fact, the adventure with Jesus is only starting.
For all I know, I may end up back in India as a full time missionary-whether its with these kids or through someone else…all I know that living a life that chases after Jesus and is willing to do what He is calling you to do, is one adventure I do not want to miss out on. It is an adventure that will literally take you to places that you’ve never dreamed. It is an adventure full of bumps and bruises along the way. But its an adventure where the victories and triumphs will ultimately win and the race will finish and we (I) will hear the word once we cross the finish line, “Well done GOOD and Faithful Servent”
Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime with Jesus? HE is waiting for you.
