The most exciting update: today I was in Delhi Times…and in the Fashion section of all things! Their incognito photographer snapped a shot of Julie, Jessie and I when we were at the Indian University of the Arts…I had no clue! The article was about how sling-style bags are in style, so thanks Mom for donating your bag to India !For those of you who wonder what I’m doing over here, I am with a team of eleven people from Masters and we are working with a nonprofit organization here in Delhi. We are currently teaching English twice a day, 2 hours each lesson. In the morning, we teach kids from Nandlal (local slum) and in the afternoon we teach university students/adults. It was overwhelming (and still is) teaching students who study for an average of 5-8 hours every day for their university studies. In many ways I feel that they are more knowledgeable than me in every subject but English. Our team is really relying on our Father’s strength and peace for every day of teaching. We also attend nightly events that the organization has…for example, tonight we had Focal Point. Focal Point is from 5-7 and we discuss many topics, hear some songs, and have refreshments. Between teaching many classes and attending many events, our team is staying really busy! Monday is our free day during the week, and this next Monday we’re going to the TAJ MAJAL!! OW OW!
What’s mystifying about India is that it is both passive and aggressive. Passive in the way people accept utter poverty, filthy surroundings, and being treated worse than animals. Passive in the way that Indians are tolerant or refuse to tell you that you are wrong or offensive. But India is aggressive in the way it repeatedly attacks every one of your senses. Aggressive in how the culture penetrates your heart and brings questions to mind that I have never asked myself. And significantly aggressive in the way it attacks your physical body and (ahem) digestive system. It’s aggressive in the spices, smells, quest for intelligence, traffic on the “roads”, the stares of curious Indians, and the contrasts that define each day. I recognize new contrasts and experience new emotions every day I am here. Natalie was totally right when she told me I wouldn’t understand everything I saw or experienced, and I might never fully understand. My first day here, our friend Monty told me that “everything in India is work.” I have found that to be spot on, from bartering for a rickshaw to brushing my teeth with clean water. It can also be quite the chore to walk to the store in mid-afternoon sun and humidity! Working hard for the little things make me cherish the little victories…like successfully bartering for a shirt or crossing the street without running. I am facing many battles everyday…spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But I have found Him to be more than sufficient for each one, and it’s incredible to see Him in new ways.
It’s now almost 10 pm here, and the energetic ones in our group are getting ready to do AbRipperX in our tiny hotel room! I know Thane, Josh, Sarah, and Grahm will appreciate our effort haha.
Until you read again…
