Imagine
This… Every morning you wake up in your own sweat. Stop… what do
you think of India right now… haha… I LOVE THIS PLACE!!
Ok.. keep
imagining this… You are driving down the street in an SUV with
windows that do not go up and the wind blowing in your face. India music
plays on the radio, and out the window this is what you see… Trash on
the road, and in the gutters. Passing buildings that are half
constructed or look war stricken. Fading and peeling paint make for
beauitful photography. Motorcylcles with anywhere from 1 to 5 people on
them, Buses, and Trucks filled with people. They are flying by you down
the roads which do not have lanes and you are driving on the other side
of the road. traffic and driving here is unbelievable… It is horrible.
No crosswalks, no traffick lanes. All is fair in love and war. Cows
standing NOT in pastures but in trash dumps and eating what they find on
the side of the road. Dogs roam and men pee on the side of the road. I
think I have spotted 3 children that have pooped in a gutter where
people walk, and I have seen about 6 camels running down the street.
Sometimes I feel like I am in one of the Borne Movies, Spygame, or in
Indian Jones. Somtimes little children come up to glass windows tapping,
begging for money. Little kids play cricket in an alley or in a field
covered in trash, dirt, and little grass. The heat is beating down, and
beads of sweat drip down every part of your body. A language heard and
spoken that YOU cannot understand, and only wish you could.
This
is my life daily here in Hyderabad, India. I have been here for 2 weeks
or 15 days. I have 15 more days here. I absolutely love this place.
The
culure is so great! It is opposite of everything I know. I am learning
the language of Telegu… and little Hindu kids are the ones teaching
me. The bathrooms dont have tissue paper and so this is what my left
hand is for, however we make sure to keep it on us. The colors of this
city are beautiful, the clothing radiant and the markets filled with
music, life, and people. The weather can be wonderful at times, and
horriible at others. Nights are phenomenal with cool showers,
lightening, and big breezes. Every night I see a constellation I am
unfamiliar with. From the rooftop of my house, where i am stayin in the
country and outskirts of the city, I can see a train that passes by
about 10 times a day. It reminds me of SlumDog Millionaire. Everyone
rides bikes here. The taxis are yellow rickshaws (pictures to come). The
people stare at me. I am a skyscaper in a field in this city. I
actually have to hid my face and head sometimes to avoid commotion.
Children giggle at the site of me and play and touch my skin. I make
them laugh.
My heart has been filled with so much joy here in
India. The people are so sweet and the children are not like any other
children I have seen in the world. My hearts gets broken everyday I stay
here. I have cried and laughed so much.
For those of you who do not know, let me tell you what I have been doing so far here in this country.
Let me give you a summary.
Some
days I am in the Slums of Hyderabad. Walking through dirt piles,
fly-infested “kitchens”, and playing games with little kids who grab my
hand and touch my skin because it is something they havent seen in
another color. Shy little faces peek around corners to see the
“americans” and all want “snaps” taken of them.
Other days I am on a
stage singing songs and playing my guitar in youth services or churches.
Preaching some days, and listening others.
I have been to
orphanages, HIV hospitals, and villages. Two days ago I was in a
prostitute village, sharing my testimony, and introducing Jesus and his
healing touch to a group of Hindu women hungry for a love they have
never known. All they know is this lifestyle of making money and living
day to day by selling themselves daily. I sat and talked with these
women. We laughed, hugged, shared stories, and prayed. This is the
extraordinary life and this is relationship. They did not want me to go.
I realized that even though these women now know Jesus, they still have
to return to thier lifestyle. It messes with American thinking. But God
is a protector and restorer. For this group of women there is no other
option for income. Either they die along with thier kids and families or
they sell themselves for income to have a simple meal. Jobs are not
available, especially to these women. But God is bigger and can protect
the physical and emotion state of these new believers.
This is just a
few things I have done and seen while I have been here in Hyderabad.
Seriously, people would not be able to understand or picture what I have
experienced, seen, and touched here in India. We eat with our right
hand, never using utensils, and the food has flavor incomparable to any
american dish. I think I have become more health concious and picky
haha.
Well, this is all I can write
right now. I have to go put on my sari (indian garb) and get ready to go
to a youth service. I am in charge of games.
I definitely have a lot
more stories, even some life threatening situations, and some
experiences that YOU have never experienced…. But I’ll keep you in
suspense and anticipation until next time!
Keep praying for me
and my team. Our health has been good but we definitely need the
protection and favor of God. Christians are not liked very much here,
and we have already encountered this opposition. We are safe and alive
and hope you are have a great summer! More stories to come!
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