If you have seen the movie, Slumdog Millionaire, you will understand the title of this blog post. Things have not gone perfectly since I have been in India, but everything that has happened in my life from my childhood to now has been written by the Sovereign God. Every thought, desire, circumstance, mistake, and accomplishment in my life has led to this...being here in India, and what I feel is that...it is written.
I will have been in India 3 weeks as of tomorrow, and I haven't updated my blog since I've been here, because not much was happening...or not much that I could see that would be worthwhile writing about. Of course much was happening...visited my cousin and his family in New Dehli to start my trip... in general getting acclimated to a new culture and country, bacteria, viruses, etc. is no small feat. However, I'm sure you wouldn't have been interested in reading "feeling nauseous today"..."spent most of the day sleeping." Or, went to get some shampoo today, saw some kids playing cricket, a few cows munching on some grass on the side of the road, etc. lol. I was waiting for a revelation from God...something worthwhile to write and for you to read, something that might inspire you or touch you, or simply give you an accurate picture of what is exactly going on in my life here and on this faith journey.
My trip wasn't exactly planned out, so it has been an up and down journey of...this person just wants money, this person is scared to work with me because of the religious/political climate here, there isn't anything for me to do today, I'm sick today...just a lot of waiting...for God to open the right doors...
So, the person I am staying with, Varsha, a friend of 7 years had a connection with a man that makes documentaries for the organizations here to help them raise money. So, she sent her friend Srikant to take me to meet this guy. This was my first ride on the back of a bike in this crazy, forever weaving and honking traffic. The guy we met with, Chandrashakr, sat me down to watch one of his documentaries upon first entering. We talked a little after and he wanted to know exactly how much money I brought...haha. I didn't budge and we played the silent game for about 5 minutes. Awkward to say the least...but at the end of the conversation he said he was very thankful I was here to help his people and that he would do anything to help me. So we scheduled a day to visit a few orphanages. A few places were very nice and well run...with all the kids in extracurricular programs, well dressed, well fed, etc. I honestly didn't feel that I was of much use to them. Then we arrived at this one home, after going down a very small dirt road. The place was built up like a slum home...dirt floor, no running water, no bathroom. There were 19 kids and about 10 or 12 elderly people. The founder, Kamalamma, had been running this place for 15 years after converting from Hinduism to Christianity. The love of Jesus compelled her to start taking people in that were in need. They are currently surviving off of small donations from eight different families.
I immediately felt connected to the kids, so we came back a second time to get their pictures and find out more about each child. We also brought basic food items that they use regularly. We asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas, and wrote everything down. You could tell they enjoyed telling about themselves...I believe it made them feel important knowing someone was interested in them. The third time we visited was on Thanksgiving and we brought chicken, which was a treat for them since they usually don't have the money to buy meat. Varsha's friend Daniel accompanied from this trip onward. He doesn't have a job right now and they had been talking for a while about visiting old age homes and orphanages, so he has been happy to join me. It was such a blessing to see how happy the kids were that we were coming to play with them, but equally rewarding when Daniel expressed how much it meant to him to be able to go and serve these children. I tried to give him money for traveling with me, but he absolutely would not take it as much as I insisted. He said to me, I can't give what you are giving, but I can give my time to help you. This has been the attitude of quite a few locals, and it has really impressed me how much they want to help the poor here. That Thanksgiving night, Daniel and I were invited to eat at the home, and as hesitant as I was watching this lady filtering something in the pot with her hand(which may or may not have been washed), I immediately said, "yes, we would love to." We didn't need to eat their food, but somehow I knew it would mean a lot to them...just anything we could do to be like one of them. This was God's work, so I just prayed and ate. They insisted that we sit in chairs, but by the time the food came, I had moved the chair out of the way and sat in the circle with the kids..Daniel also joined the circle on the dirt floor. They kept looking at us and just smiling the whole time.
We went back a third time with hair barettes and hygiene items on a Saturday, and Varsha and her other friend, Darrell, joined us. When we come, they always bring a chair and insist we sit down, like we are dignitaries or something. The kids come and stand in front of us like statues...so we sit there for a couple minutes next to the founder, and then I just asked the kids, can we come play with you? We spun them around, kicked the ball with them, picked them up, tossed them up, etc. Their smiles were so big and laughter so loud...it was priceless. I'm not sure any adult ever played with them like that. From what I can see from the women who work there, they feed them, etc., but only engage with them to a certain point. They aren't being hugged or told they are loved, which is so important for any child. One night, I asked a little girl to come sit on my lap, Krupa "Grace," who is about five years old and doesn't speak. She was picked up by the police, and was walking along the road by herself. You could tell she was very happy sitting there with me as the other kids gathered in front of us, all of them singing songs. After some time a lady that worked there told her to get off, in kind of a nasty way, and said something like that is must be hurting my legs or something. There was another time that the kids were gathered so close to me at my chair, and she came in yelling at them to back up. It reminds me of the story in the Bible when the disciples tried to do the same thing to the kids that were brought to Jesus, and he said, "let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."(Matthew 19:14). One of the older kids told Daniel that night that many people have come and might take a glass of water, but no one has come and eaten dinner with them the way that we did. To think that what means more than anything is just a simple act of participating with them as equals. To hear that made my entire trip worth whatever cost...
Before I came to India I prayed that God would show me exactly who he wanted me to serve and help...because I knew the need would be endless, and I am only one person. I had plans to travel to Vijayawada in January, a town close to Hyderabad where I am staying now, to work in a rescue home for girls...but somehow I knew that I wouldn't be able to leave the first group that God led me to. How could I see these faces and these needs...and then just say no...that I am moving on to someone else that needs help. God has been really speaking to me about being faithful with what he has given me. And I am led to this verse: His lord said unto to him, well done you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord."(Matthew 25:21). Chandrashakr said he would take us to 10 more orphanages if we wanted, but Varsha and I talked and decided that this is what we have been shown and there is a great need, so let's not deny these children that have been presented to us first. I only want to do what He is calling me to do, and if I try to do more than He is asking, we won't accomplish anything.
I went two nights to share my testimony and the gospel to two different groups of new believers in this one slum area. I will write about my thoughts on that later, but for now I feel God is calling me to help this struggling orphanage. Besides visiting regularly to play and bring provisions, I will begin teaching English on Saturdays for an hour or so. Also, there is a building right in front of their slum-like home that they are trying to finish in order to move everyone into this safer and healthier environment. Just to complete the minimum necessary to move them in, we will need about $4,000. The lady who runs the place is older and has recently undergone chemo, and so she is very concerned about these children and their living conditions when she is no longer there to complete the house. From what we can see, there is really no one besides her that is fully committed to them. She has a daughter and two sons who help out and come to visit, but we are still unsure about their level of commitment or passion towards their mother's ministry, especially at the time she will no longer be there.
Here is a slideshow of the youngest 15 of the 19 children who stay at Kamalamma's place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJrL8Vkq7mA
Another slideshow of their current living conditions...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfX4gbn51Ao
Please consider giving a one-time donation(to the right) to help move these kids into this new safe and clean home!
A portion of the money raised at the Jewels from Heaven Benefit will provide food, Christmas presents and clothes for the kids, so if you donated in October...thank you for allowing us to be a blessing to these kids this Christmas season!
Furthermore, God has given me the desire to start a home here...in his timing, and so as monthly contributions increase, that will become a reality. Please consider giving monthly to bring more children here in India into a safe a loving home...because there are still so many on the streets and being born daily into unspeakable circumstances. 100% of your donation through this blog will go towards children's needs.
Congratulations if you made it this far! ;) Thank you so much for reading & may God bless you in abundance!
I will have been in India 3 weeks as of tomorrow, and I haven't updated my blog since I've been here, because not much was happening...or not much that I could see that would be worthwhile writing about. Of course much was happening...visited my cousin and his family in New Dehli to start my trip... in general getting acclimated to a new culture and country, bacteria, viruses, etc. is no small feat. However, I'm sure you wouldn't have been interested in reading "feeling nauseous today"..."spent most of the day sleeping." Or, went to get some shampoo today, saw some kids playing cricket, a few cows munching on some grass on the side of the road, etc. lol. I was waiting for a revelation from God...something worthwhile to write and for you to read, something that might inspire you or touch you, or simply give you an accurate picture of what is exactly going on in my life here and on this faith journey.
My trip wasn't exactly planned out, so it has been an up and down journey of...this person just wants money, this person is scared to work with me because of the religious/political climate here, there isn't anything for me to do today, I'm sick today...just a lot of waiting...for God to open the right doors...
So, the person I am staying with, Varsha, a friend of 7 years had a connection with a man that makes documentaries for the organizations here to help them raise money. So, she sent her friend Srikant to take me to meet this guy. This was my first ride on the back of a bike in this crazy, forever weaving and honking traffic. The guy we met with, Chandrashakr, sat me down to watch one of his documentaries upon first entering. We talked a little after and he wanted to know exactly how much money I brought...haha. I didn't budge and we played the silent game for about 5 minutes. Awkward to say the least...but at the end of the conversation he said he was very thankful I was here to help his people and that he would do anything to help me. So we scheduled a day to visit a few orphanages. A few places were very nice and well run...with all the kids in extracurricular programs, well dressed, well fed, etc. I honestly didn't feel that I was of much use to them. Then we arrived at this one home, after going down a very small dirt road. The place was built up like a slum home...dirt floor, no running water, no bathroom. There were 19 kids and about 10 or 12 elderly people. The founder, Kamalamma, had been running this place for 15 years after converting from Hinduism to Christianity. The love of Jesus compelled her to start taking people in that were in need. They are currently surviving off of small donations from eight different families.
I immediately felt connected to the kids, so we came back a second time to get their pictures and find out more about each child. We also brought basic food items that they use regularly. We asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas, and wrote everything down. You could tell they enjoyed telling about themselves...I believe it made them feel important knowing someone was interested in them. The third time we visited was on Thanksgiving and we brought chicken, which was a treat for them since they usually don't have the money to buy meat. Varsha's friend Daniel accompanied from this trip onward. He doesn't have a job right now and they had been talking for a while about visiting old age homes and orphanages, so he has been happy to join me. It was such a blessing to see how happy the kids were that we were coming to play with them, but equally rewarding when Daniel expressed how much it meant to him to be able to go and serve these children. I tried to give him money for traveling with me, but he absolutely would not take it as much as I insisted. He said to me, I can't give what you are giving, but I can give my time to help you. This has been the attitude of quite a few locals, and it has really impressed me how much they want to help the poor here. That Thanksgiving night, Daniel and I were invited to eat at the home, and as hesitant as I was watching this lady filtering something in the pot with her hand(which may or may not have been washed), I immediately said, "yes, we would love to." We didn't need to eat their food, but somehow I knew it would mean a lot to them...just anything we could do to be like one of them. This was God's work, so I just prayed and ate. They insisted that we sit in chairs, but by the time the food came, I had moved the chair out of the way and sat in the circle with the kids..Daniel also joined the circle on the dirt floor. They kept looking at us and just smiling the whole time.
We went back a third time with hair barettes and hygiene items on a Saturday, and Varsha and her other friend, Darrell, joined us. When we come, they always bring a chair and insist we sit down, like we are dignitaries or something. The kids come and stand in front of us like statues...so we sit there for a couple minutes next to the founder, and then I just asked the kids, can we come play with you? We spun them around, kicked the ball with them, picked them up, tossed them up, etc. Their smiles were so big and laughter so loud...it was priceless. I'm not sure any adult ever played with them like that. From what I can see from the women who work there, they feed them, etc., but only engage with them to a certain point. They aren't being hugged or told they are loved, which is so important for any child. One night, I asked a little girl to come sit on my lap, Krupa "Grace," who is about five years old and doesn't speak. She was picked up by the police, and was walking along the road by herself. You could tell she was very happy sitting there with me as the other kids gathered in front of us, all of them singing songs. After some time a lady that worked there told her to get off, in kind of a nasty way, and said something like that is must be hurting my legs or something. There was another time that the kids were gathered so close to me at my chair, and she came in yelling at them to back up. It reminds me of the story in the Bible when the disciples tried to do the same thing to the kids that were brought to Jesus, and he said, "let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."(Matthew 19:14). One of the older kids told Daniel that night that many people have come and might take a glass of water, but no one has come and eaten dinner with them the way that we did. To think that what means more than anything is just a simple act of participating with them as equals. To hear that made my entire trip worth whatever cost...
Before I came to India I prayed that God would show me exactly who he wanted me to serve and help...because I knew the need would be endless, and I am only one person. I had plans to travel to Vijayawada in January, a town close to Hyderabad where I am staying now, to work in a rescue home for girls...but somehow I knew that I wouldn't be able to leave the first group that God led me to. How could I see these faces and these needs...and then just say no...that I am moving on to someone else that needs help. God has been really speaking to me about being faithful with what he has given me. And I am led to this verse: His lord said unto to him, well done you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord."(Matthew 25:21). Chandrashakr said he would take us to 10 more orphanages if we wanted, but Varsha and I talked and decided that this is what we have been shown and there is a great need, so let's not deny these children that have been presented to us first. I only want to do what He is calling me to do, and if I try to do more than He is asking, we won't accomplish anything.
I went two nights to share my testimony and the gospel to two different groups of new believers in this one slum area. I will write about my thoughts on that later, but for now I feel God is calling me to help this struggling orphanage. Besides visiting regularly to play and bring provisions, I will begin teaching English on Saturdays for an hour or so. Also, there is a building right in front of their slum-like home that they are trying to finish in order to move everyone into this safer and healthier environment. Just to complete the minimum necessary to move them in, we will need about $4,000. The lady who runs the place is older and has recently undergone chemo, and so she is very concerned about these children and their living conditions when she is no longer there to complete the house. From what we can see, there is really no one besides her that is fully committed to them. She has a daughter and two sons who help out and come to visit, but we are still unsure about their level of commitment or passion towards their mother's ministry, especially at the time she will no longer be there.
Here is a slideshow of the youngest 15 of the 19 children who stay at Kamalamma's place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJrL8Vkq7mA
Another slideshow of their current living conditions...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfX4gbn51Ao
Please consider giving a one-time donation(to the right) to help move these kids into this new safe and clean home!
A portion of the money raised at the Jewels from Heaven Benefit will provide food, Christmas presents and clothes for the kids, so if you donated in October...thank you for allowing us to be a blessing to these kids this Christmas season!
Furthermore, God has given me the desire to start a home here...in his timing, and so as monthly contributions increase, that will become a reality. Please consider giving monthly to bring more children here in India into a safe a loving home...because there are still so many on the streets and being born daily into unspeakable circumstances. 100% of your donation through this blog will go towards children's needs.
Congratulations if you made it this far! ;) Thank you so much for reading & may God bless you in abundance!
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
-Ephesians 3:16-21
Precious faces Christie. Proud of you.
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