GIDDY
I've been to Brazil 4 times. I've worked in the inner city projects of Tampa, I've seen poverty before. It's true that India doesn't really compare to those, but its not like I stepped of the plane and was shocked at what I saw. I wasn't heart broken like some of the other girls on my team were.
But, this week, on Thursday, something changed. My team went out to eat for lunch and saw a kid begging on the streets. A few of my team mates had met him a few days before and discovered his name was Giddy. So, we decided to invite him in to eat with us. As he walked to the door of the restaurant with us, he stopped and looked back at a man who was sitting on a motorcycle. The man smiled and waved him on in. As we were talking to the little boy through our broken Hindi, we discovered he had no family. No mother, father, brothers, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparents. Nothing. Then who was that man on the motorcycle? We asked how old he was. He didn't know. We asked if he went to school. The little boy, who looked no older than 10, said no. When we asked why not he just shrugged. We continued the rest of our meal watching him devour all the food on his plate. We played a few games with him and made a few faces at him. Despite his broken, rotten teeth, he had a precious little smile. I stared at him for a while thinking of all the potential he had and what his future would be like. I almost had to excuse myself from dinner to keep myself from tears. We made it through lunch and some of the girls wanted dessert form a place upstairs. I stayed back to think about everything that just happened.
What happens to little kids that get trafficked when they aren't working the streets? What do they do when they get older? How is it possible to get out of the trafficking cycle on your own? How can you not know how old you are or when your birthday is? The purpose of my trip is to stop things like this, but all I could do was give him lunch and some leftovers to take back to his pimp.
At that moment, my heart grew 3 sizes and broke all at the same time. I put my head in my hands and cried my eyes out in front of everyone. I couldn't hold it in anymore. The poverty and plight of India finally broke me. I hope I'm forever changed.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Through Different Eyes
I'm sure that explaining the work we did this week won't sound that intense but for some reason it caused me to keep breaking.
Monday and Wednesday afternoons we are working to start a health clinic program in the slum. The little kids get nutrition milk, which im guessing is something like pediasure. We teach the kids how to do simple things like wash their hand, brush their teeth and lot more. Then we share the GOOD NEWS with them. Several of the kids were from church the previous week and they remembered us which was so wonderful. Working in the clinic might become my favorite thing on the trip.
Every single day we have been and will be working in a preschool right on the edge of the slums. I love kids, but working with 2-4 year olds that can barely communicate their own language let alone learn and understand a new one was frustrating me at the start of the week. I was on bathroom (squatty) duty the entire week which discouraged me a little even more. I didn't see how this was advancing the kingdom at all. Then on Wednesday, one of our little trouble makers was in time out. He's the kind of little kid that is super hard to like. He never does what he's told. He isn't the lovable little mischief maker that will turn around and give you a hug a second later. This is the kid who will do the opposite of what you say just to make you angry. He know how to push all the teacher's buttons, loves doing it, and shows no remorse when he is in trouble. But, when he was sitting in the corner he looked up at me with his huge dark brown eyes. He still wasn't sorry but something changed in my heart. I saw what we were doing for those kids in a different light. I saw that, for lack of a better word, bratty little boy in a different light. I might be the only glimpse of the FATHER that any of those kids ever see.They might be the only glimpse of the FATHER that their family ever sees.
I'm trying to view everyone I encounter through the eyes of JC, including that little boy. Easier said than done.
^The little stinker himself.^
Monday and Wednesday afternoons we are working to start a health clinic program in the slum. The little kids get nutrition milk, which im guessing is something like pediasure. We teach the kids how to do simple things like wash their hand, brush their teeth and lot more. Then we share the GOOD NEWS with them. Several of the kids were from church the previous week and they remembered us which was so wonderful. Working in the clinic might become my favorite thing on the trip.
Every single day we have been and will be working in a preschool right on the edge of the slums. I love kids, but working with 2-4 year olds that can barely communicate their own language let alone learn and understand a new one was frustrating me at the start of the week. I was on bathroom (squatty) duty the entire week which discouraged me a little even more. I didn't see how this was advancing the kingdom at all. Then on Wednesday, one of our little trouble makers was in time out. He's the kind of little kid that is super hard to like. He never does what he's told. He isn't the lovable little mischief maker that will turn around and give you a hug a second later. This is the kid who will do the opposite of what you say just to make you angry. He know how to push all the teacher's buttons, loves doing it, and shows no remorse when he is in trouble. But, when he was sitting in the corner he looked up at me with his huge dark brown eyes. He still wasn't sorry but something changed in my heart. I saw what we were doing for those kids in a different light. I saw that, for lack of a better word, bratty little boy in a different light. I might be the only glimpse of the FATHER that any of those kids ever see.They might be the only glimpse of the FATHER that their family ever sees.
I'm trying to view everyone I encounter through the eyes of JC, including that little boy. Easier said than done.^The little stinker himself.^
Saturday, June 19, 2010
On the Road Again
We moved to the second city were we will be doing most of our work. There is a prevention program which is just getting started. We will literally be responsible for getting the program started and up and running.
Here it is sweat, 24/7. The only relief from the heat is the rain. It's monsoon season, so there is a lot of it. My rain jacket I bought the day before I left was a good purchase. Thanks, Mom!
We traveled here by train which was an interesting an new experience....
One of my team mates and I were separated from the rest of the group, I slept next to a stranger, and it was extremely hot an loud. I was definitely being stretched.
We finally started our M*WORK! the first day wasn't what I had expected. There was a lot of waiting and a lot of cleaning. DAD still used our efforts, though, because we were working on a building where another team will be staying.
In the mornings, we are mainly working with preschools in the area. Helping, teaching, trying to keep children under control. I love kids!
In the afternoons, we have the opportunity to work with women in several different prevention programs: teaching the women to stitch, bake, make jewelry, tutoring them so they can finish school. I got my first taste of that yesterday with the jewelry making. The women and girls are amazing, and I can't wait to see how DAD is going to keep working.
Here it is sweat, 24/7. The only relief from the heat is the rain. It's monsoon season, so there is a lot of it. My rain jacket I bought the day before I left was a good purchase. Thanks, Mom!
We traveled here by train which was an interesting an new experience....
One of my team mates and I were separated from the rest of the group, I slept next to a stranger, and it was extremely hot an loud. I was definitely being stretched.
We finally started our M*WORK! the first day wasn't what I had expected. There was a lot of waiting and a lot of cleaning. DAD still used our efforts, though, because we were working on a building where another team will be staying.
In the mornings, we are mainly working with preschools in the area. Helping, teaching, trying to keep children under control. I love kids!
In the afternoons, we have the opportunity to work with women in several different prevention programs: teaching the women to stitch, bake, make jewelry, tutoring them so they can finish school. I got my first taste of that yesterday with the jewelry making. The women and girls are amazing, and I can't wait to see how DAD is going to keep working.
Growth
One big thing that DAD has been teaching me is the importance of community here. I'm staying with 18 girls. The only way to do that is to have extreme patience and be selfless. Something that my sister told me that I have tried to keep in mind on several occasions is to remember that I don't know what kind of day the other person has been having, so I should let things slide more easily; and they, also, may not know what kind of day I have been having, and they probably didn't mean for whatever they said to be taken so personal. I'm practicing living with grace, though I'm definitely far from perfection.
I've also learned that trying to keep everything inside so I don't cause "drama" isn't always a good thing. Community is for sharing each others burdens. If you never speak what you are having troubles with, then no one knows how to p*** for you. I learned this the hard way the other day. I woke up in the not best mood for no reason at all. I was easily irritated and kept comparing myself to my team mates all day. I didn't tell anyone until my leader pulled me aside that night. As soon as i told her, I felt like a weight was lifted. She p***ed for me, and I was suddenly released from being a grouch. I'm so thankful for the girls on my team who are not willing to take the "I'm fine" cover up as an answer.
I love all the girls in my group, and the only way that we have been able to connect so well so quickly is because we are all here for one goal and are striving for one purpose. That is true unity.
I've also learned that trying to keep everything inside so I don't cause "drama" isn't always a good thing. Community is for sharing each others burdens. If you never speak what you are having troubles with, then no one knows how to p*** for you. I learned this the hard way the other day. I woke up in the not best mood for no reason at all. I was easily irritated and kept comparing myself to my team mates all day. I didn't tell anyone until my leader pulled me aside that night. As soon as i told her, I felt like a weight was lifted. She p***ed for me, and I was suddenly released from being a grouch. I'm so thankful for the girls on my team who are not willing to take the "I'm fine" cover up as an answer.
I love all the girls in my group, and the only way that we have been able to connect so well so quickly is because we are all here for one goal and are striving for one purpose. That is true unity.
IS THS REAL LIFE?
I'm only getting to come to an internet cafe once a week, if that, so I'll be posting several times whenever I can get on.
The first city we were in was mainly the location where we did intense cultural and M*WORK training. The first non travel day we got in groups of four, were given a list of Indian things that we didn't know what they were and some Rupees, and were dropped off in one of the most crowded streets in the city. Our leaders told us to purchase all the things on the list, not speaking the language, then grab a rickshaw ride to a restaurant in the area. whichever group bargained the best and spent the least won. Lets just say that my group didn't win. We met a few nice people along the way though. They looked at us like the stupid Americans that we are and laughed as they tried to make hand motions for all the objects on our list. My team of four kept quoting "David Goes to the Dentist" because everything seemed so surreal(Go youtube it, and it will make more sense).
The next day we bought clothes for the remainder of our trip on the same street that we were thrown into the day before. We were again without leaders. I'm glad we got a taste of the city the day before so we wouldn't be completely culture shocked when it actually mattered. We learned what hand motions are bad and which ones are acceptable. Thumbs up is good, so I'm sticking with that, so I don't get too confused. We got a brief squatty potty lesson which I haven't put into practice yet. Everywhere we have stay has had a western toilet. Thank goodness! But, Dad, i haven't forgotten about your request. I'm keeping a photo diary of all the places I've been going to the bathroom- just for you. Get excited!
The Sunday we were there we went to church which was surprisingly like the ones in America. The day before we left we had story telling class. We learned how to tell stories from the GOOD BOOK that would translate across cultures. We were taught how to get in random conversations with people without being awkward and how to bring up the stories we want to share by weaving them into normal conversation. We learned how to connect our personal story with stories from the GOOD BOOK. It was one of the most useful trainings I've ever had. But, by the end of the week, I was ready to get to work!
The first city we were in was mainly the location where we did intense cultural and M*WORK training. The first non travel day we got in groups of four, were given a list of Indian things that we didn't know what they were and some Rupees, and were dropped off in one of the most crowded streets in the city. Our leaders told us to purchase all the things on the list, not speaking the language, then grab a rickshaw ride to a restaurant in the area. whichever group bargained the best and spent the least won. Lets just say that my group didn't win. We met a few nice people along the way though. They looked at us like the stupid Americans that we are and laughed as they tried to make hand motions for all the objects on our list. My team of four kept quoting "David Goes to the Dentist" because everything seemed so surreal(Go youtube it, and it will make more sense).
The next day we bought clothes for the remainder of our trip on the same street that we were thrown into the day before. We were again without leaders. I'm glad we got a taste of the city the day before so we wouldn't be completely culture shocked when it actually mattered. We learned what hand motions are bad and which ones are acceptable. Thumbs up is good, so I'm sticking with that, so I don't get too confused. We got a brief squatty potty lesson which I haven't put into practice yet. Everywhere we have stay has had a western toilet. Thank goodness! But, Dad, i haven't forgotten about your request. I'm keeping a photo diary of all the places I've been going to the bathroom- just for you. Get excited!
The Sunday we were there we went to church which was surprisingly like the ones in America. The day before we left we had story telling class. We learned how to tell stories from the GOOD BOOK that would translate across cultures. We were taught how to get in random conversations with people without being awkward and how to bring up the stories we want to share by weaving them into normal conversation. We learned how to connect our personal story with stories from the GOOD BOOK. It was one of the most useful trainings I've ever had. But, by the end of the week, I was ready to get to work!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Expectations.
Expectations; everybody has them, but sometimes we don't even realize it until they aren't met. Then, we get disappointed or frustrated. We were learning this in one of our training sessions and were seeking for our attitudes to be like that of Christ Jesus through the entire two months. We are God's vessels on the trip no matter what crazy things we end up doing.
This wouldn't have meant as much to me before training camp, but I was definitely thrown for a loop on the first day. I wasn't expecting to drag my luggage around Atlanta, sleep in a homeless shelter, drastically cut my diet by nearly half, or shower in a hose. At first, I panicked and wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. If I had drastically different expectations of training camp, then what am I going to do on the field? Since my little "freak out" session though, God has calmed my heart, my friends and family back home assured me that I was in their prayers, and my amazing team mates have encouraged me more than I can express. I know without a doubt that God has called me here.
This wouldn't have meant as much to me before training camp, but I was definitely thrown for a loop on the first day. I wasn't expecting to drag my luggage around Atlanta, sleep in a homeless shelter, drastically cut my diet by nearly half, or shower in a hose. At first, I panicked and wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. If I had drastically different expectations of training camp, then what am I going to do on the field? Since my little "freak out" session though, God has calmed my heart, my friends and family back home assured me that I was in their prayers, and my amazing team mates have encouraged me more than I can express. I know without a doubt that God has called me here.
Im new at this...
The main reason I decided to start a blog was to keep everyone updated on how my trip to India is going. for those who don't know,I am going to Bangalore, India this summer with Adventures in Missions from June 4th to July 31st. I will be working with a organization called Rahab's Rope alongside a group of several other college-aged girls. The mission of Rahab’s Rope is to give hope and opportunity to women and girls who have been forced into the commercial sex trade of India by providing a safe and loving environment that will enable them to grow and develop both physically and spiritually.
I have been praying about this trip for a long time and would love ya'lls support! Here are some ways that you could pray for my team and me:
-raising money and preparing to leave
-safety as we travel
-preparing the hearts of the team and everyone we will come in contact with
-that our team would have boldness and unity
Thank you so much for praying for me! I am so excited to see what God is going to do this summer!
I have been praying about this trip for a long time and would love ya'lls support! Here are some ways that you could pray for my team and me:
-raising money and preparing to leave
-safety as we travel
-preparing the hearts of the team and everyone we will come in contact with
-that our team would have boldness and unity
Thank you so much for praying for me! I am so excited to see what God is going to do this summer!
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