Saturday, 22 November 2008
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Reflections [Kalam]
During one of our flights into India, a sudden thought of awareness dawned on me. I looked at David and Elton and thought "what in the world am I doing traveling thousands of miles across the world with these guys??".
A similar line of thought reoccurred when we were met by our host family on the first day of arrival. We were total strangers to them, yet they opened up their homes and received us into their lives.
Whether it is here or all the way across the world, Jesus is the same. We are no longer strangers, but friends of Jesus. All around the world, we are all a part of His beloved family. Jesus is what brings people together. He is our link.
During this short visit to India, the host family and our team have come to share our lives with one another. Through the love of Jesus, we shared in vulnerability and trust. We each took turns listening, asking questions, testifying, encouraging, praying, serving, etc... Though we are all so different, yet we are all so similar.
As the only female on our team, I had special privileges. I get to learn about the heart and struggles of some of these women and their families. I also get to hang out in sort of the bridal chamber during the engagement ceremony for our host's extended family member which the men were not permitted to enter [shown below]. As the man and his entire family arrived to meet his new fiance for the second time with colorful gifts and a new sari, the excitement blossomed amongst the women in the chamber while her feelings of nervousness finally surfaced. Though the woman was nervous to meet her fiance, her face glowed =)
During our short stay in India, we learned a lot about the culture and oppression amongst the Dalits as well as the heart of Jesus that desires to free them from bondage in all respects of life. Just as I thought I comprehended something, everything else seems to become much more complex the more we learn about the various facets of this population. Definitely still more to chew on and digest.
-Kalam
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