monday night we arrived in chennai, and even after midnight, it was crazy. people everywhere, i can't even imagine what that airport must be like during the day. the heat is intense, we go through several liters of water each every day. it feels like we've been here a lot longer than just a few days. i feel like i've forgotten that i'm a student, that seems so far away
tuesday we met everybody, and as our "orientation," we had a scavenger hunt planned. we had to go and buy different items in the streets (there are strett vendors everywhere), and work on negotiating the best prices. we met that meeting and compared, and it was hilarious when we found out how badly many of us got ripped off, even though the most anyone spent was equivalent to about 5 american dollars.
we visited the mother teresa children's home that evening. i'm having trouble describing that experience. the kids had different disabilities, and many were wailing, shaking, and cowering in corners. i think a lot of us just didn't know what to do, how to react, how to interact. i ended up making up a clapping game with one girl who was cowering in a corner. we would just clap each others hands, then our own, and repeat in a beat, eventually clapping our own two and then three times. she seemed to love it, and was slapping my hands with some strength by the end of it, where she had been doing so so weakly at first.
we went back to the home today, and the girl i was looking after wanted to go walking outside. she tried to eat dirt and leaves there, and so finally i got her to play with this ball for a long while. a lot of the kids just wanted to be held, or touched, or basically loved. it was very uplifting to see Jesus in others on the team. and even the kids. my initial reaction yesterday was wondering how God could be exalted in that place. i knew He could. i just didn't know what that would look like. but He was.
we don't know poverty. not the first thing. its different here. mud shanties line the streets in many places. we ate a meal for 11 people for about 14 dollars today. i'm realizing how much a lot of these things i will have to describe in person. or won't be able to at all.
mike
3 comments:
hey mike this is patrick. i just wrote a comment, but then i had to make a identity, so it got erased. i will try to rewrite it as best i can.
hey mike how is india.its still hard to believe that your on the other side of the world. how was that bartering there different than bartering in china town? if you have time, write about the conditions there, like the bugs, the hygiene, and all the new smells.and hows the food there?
is it any thing like the indian food in athens? enjoy it all, but stay safe. we are thinking about you and praying for you here at home.
love, patrick
p.s. i had my spring band concert tonight.5/15/08
this is natasha!
i am praying for creativiy for your team! it sounds like language and culture have been a barrier for you guys, but your stories about heart to heart interactions with the kids and the women are amazing! it's always a fantastic thing to experience when you don't have to say a word and people know that you care. continue to be creative! keep singing, smiling, and clapping- God's in everything you guys are doing!
-natlee
Hi Michael
Great to hear your voice this morning, even if it was 5am. We're praying for you and your team. Be careful of the water. All is well. R-2 said ruff. Be open to all that God has prepared for you. Love mom and dad.
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