Stories from India.....

“Ignorance is bliss." Just think about that statement for a moment…I know we have all heard this saying or even used it at some point. And on some level “ignorance IS bliss”…it’s relieving not having to face the reality of certain things in life...not having worries is such a relief! But I was thinking about this and how is applies to my life and the lives of other believers. As I was reflecting about this statement, it actually contradicts they way we are called to live.

Jesus calls us to be in the world, but not of the world. So, if we are called to be in the world then that would mean we can’t be ignorant to the worlds suffering, poverty, or pain. Actually, we should be sitting alongside those who are suffering and suffer with them. Just as Christ says, “mourn with those who mourn.” Since being in Thailand and now just getting back from India, I feel that the Lord is opening my eyes on a deeper level to human suffering. Being “ignorant” or unaware is no excuse. I don’t ever want to live in blissful ignorance of the world around me. This is my prayer for all of believers. I pray that we will live in reality, not in an imagery world free of suffering. God calls us to be involved not ignorant, and that is my prayer for all of us that we truly come alongside those who are suffering.

When I first saw India while flying over Mumbai, you can see the hardship in this country. It is so oppressively poor here. As we were getting closer to land the plane we were flying over the slums. Seeing the conditions of the slums you can just feel the struggles of the Indian lives. Once we landed we had a connecting flight to Chennai. Chennai, India is where the Word Made Flesh conference was being held. The WMF conference was for all the missionaries in the Asia Region. The countries consisted on India, Nepal and of course Thailand. It was a great experience for me. I was able to meet all the WMF staff from the different countries. Getting to hear the stories of how God called the staff was so encouraging! At the conference I was over the child care. It was a blast playing and learning Hindi from the missionary kids! After the conference in Chennai we spent several days in Kolkata.

When I arrived in Kolkata it was night and I could still tell it was one of the dirties places I have never been. It was so polluted! There are so many words to describe this place! At night when is it just getting dark, it looks as if you are in an old black and white movie. All of the buildings are old and run down, and because of all the dust that flies up and mixes with the street lights it gives an old vintage movie look. It’s strange…

Driving in Kolkata is quite the experience! There are bikes, motorcycles, tuk tuks’, taxis, tons of bus, and strangely- men pulling a carriage with people on it (instead of a horse). The streets are so busy with people and cars swarming around.

On the sidewalks you have people sleeping amongst the noisy traffic and horn honking, children begging for food, sellers of scarf’s, jewelry, and tea stands everywhere! As I was walking on the streets I realized there were hardly any women out. All I saw was Indian men! The ratio of women to men was 1 in 5! As women, we had to be very careful and be sure to dress modesty!

Life in India is very hard. One day, as we were walking down the street, a woman with a small baby and little daughter came up to us, begging. We were able to give the woman yogurt curd with bananas to feed the children. The woman gave a half smile, took the food, then handed it to her little daughter. The women continued to beg. I was watching the little daughter and had noticed she was trying to secretively throw the food away without us seeing. The little daughter didn’t know that I saw her. But seeing her throw the food away only meant one thing. They are controlled by pimp. They are only expected to bring the pimp money, not food.

It was so heart breaking knowing that so many people on the streets live their lives being controlled by someone. That night, it was hard for me to sleep. I kept thinking about all the suffering in this city and in Thailand.

The next morning we woke up at 6AM to work at the Mother Theresa Home for the Dying. At this home men and women who are dying on the streets are picked up and taken here. Their wounds are tended to, they are given medicine, and a comfortable bed. This is a place where they can have dignity and love before they pass- Again another heart breaking day in Kolkata. When I left India all I could do was pray and asks God, ‘what is my role?’ ‘How can I serve and help your people?’

Now that I am back in Thailand serving the women here, I continue to pray and ask God the same prayers, “what is my role and what else can I do?” “I am Yours, so use me how you will.”
Just recently we have taken in some women to stay in our home. Please pray for them! My primary responisbility will be to oversee and care for their needs. Please continue to pray for us in Thailand! Love you all!