As I sit in the airport, waiting to depart on my flight
home, I decided now would be good time to reflect on the incredible trip that I
just experienced. Now, I realize that I did a terrible job of keeping this blog
updated while I was in India so this is my attempt to recap everything that has
happened since I made my last post way back.
Since my last post, quite a few crazy and amazing things
happened. The first major event was Ayah appreciation day. This was a wonderful
day to see the love of God do wonders for the people of India. The Ayahs were
given footbaths as sign of love and respect for all the work that they have
done at the home for all the children. As soon as they were done receiving
footbaths, the Ayahs immediately began washing our feet. It was such a humbling
experience! I have never seen something like that take place.
After we finished Ayah appreciation day, we gathered up the
Ayahs who wished to be baptized and took two autos on a long journey out to a
lake where we could perform the baptisms. It was a long ride hanging off the
side of the auto before we made it to the lake. What took place at the lake is
something that I hope that I do not soon forget. I helped these wonderful women
fully dedicate their lives to Christ. It was crazy. I’ve never experienced
something like that. It was an amazing example of things that God is doing in
India!
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| preparing for baptisms |
A couple days after Ayah appreciation day, we took a large
group of girls to the beach. We managed to pack nineteen people in a
nine-person van. Welcome to India. We drove to the Bay of Bengal for a
wonderful day at the beach. The water was so refreshing! Getting to watch the
kids play in the water was so entertaining. Most of them loved the water but a
few were absolutely terrified of the water. It was one of my favorite days of
the trip. On the way back everyone was asleep. The kids were so tired that they
could sleep despite being packed like sardines in the car.
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| beach trip! |
It was soon after this that the World Race team’s time with
us was about to come to an end. To celebrate their time here, we returned to
the beach a few days later to light off fireworks. The Fadely family, who is
currently serving SCH here from the States for two years, bought fireworks for
us to light off. It was a great night full of swimming, campfires, and huge
fireworks. It was tough to see the World Race team leave for many reasons. One
reason was that it meant that I would be living by myself for the rest of the
trip. A bigger reason was that it meant that my trip was nearly over as well.
It also meant that I might never see these amazing people ever again. I hope
that God continues to bless them and those that they serve as they continue
their journey.
Things really slowed down once the World Race team left.
Natalie became ill and had to be admitted to the hospital. The hospitals here
are not the same as the hospitals in America. Natalie had to have someone with
her at all times to take care of her and to provide her with food while she got
the medical attention that she needed. This meant that Grace had to go with her
and stay with her. With both of them at the hospital, I was completely on my
own. This was strange for me because it meant that I was going to Victory Home
by myself. I had never gone there by myself. It was a different experience for
me. It felt a lot quieter. I was actually feeling relaxed at the home.
Throughout the majority of my trip, Victory Home had the potential to be an
incredibly stressful environment. This day was much different. It was on this
day that I realized that I truly loved these kids. I was no longer nervous
about being around kids who couldn’t control their bodily functions or made
uncomfortable about whatever smells were present. Nothing there made me afraid
or nervous in anyway. I now could fully love the kids as Christ loved us. It
was a wonderful day.
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| The Prayer hall only occupied by myself after the World Racers left |
The wonderful day was followed by a bit of a setback; I got
sick. I am pretty sure that I ate some food that did not agree with my stomach
at all. I then had to take a few days off myself to get back to full health. I
went and visited Natalie and Grace at the hospital. Natalie was feeling much
better and was responding to the many drugs that the doctors and nurses had
given her. She was then discharged a day later. Things were finally starting to
get back to a somewhat normal place.
As everyone’s health was returning to normal, it was time
for me to get ready to head home. I packed my bags and got ready for my last
day and to say all of my goodbyes. It was difficult to see all of the kids at
the home and to realize that I may never see them again. I do not know if God
will bring me back to India or not. Even if I do not come back, I know that
these kids will never leave my heart. I pray that SCH continues to flourish and
is able to continue to do good in India and to make room for God to make
himself know.
As I sit and reflect about my month long trip, many thought
rush through my head. By making the choice to travel halfway around the world,
I gave up the ability to work for a month. I gave up many luxuries to sit in a
hot and humid room with a bunch of immobile kids, covered in sweat. This
decision was one of the best decisions that I have made in my life. Through
this trip, I truly learned what it is like to abandon all fear and to fully
trust in God and his wisdom. I also got to meet some amazing men and women of
God. I got to surround myself with the World Race team, a group of people that
have given up a year to travel the world and serve God in many different ways
in different countries. I also got to be introduced to the Fadely family. This
family was given the desire to serve in India and followed God headfirst into
India to serve for two years. This desire to serve wherever God calls is
something that I hope that continues to grow in myself. I pray that God
continues to use them in amazing ways.
I do not think that I will ever forget this trip. I hope
that I do not. I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity and I hope
that my writings inspire others to follow God wherever they are lead.
