One thing I really hated to miss this year was the holiday season with my family. So, it came as a surprise to me when I almost missed one of the first important ones! As many holidays as I've celebrated since being here, Thanksgiving isn't one they have...for obvious reasons, being that it's an American holiday. You can't miss it at home with all the turkeys and talk of Black friday; and of course the time off school!
I decided the best way for me to celebrate was to write out all the things I am thankful for. I will spare those of you who read this from the detail I went into in my Indian journal, but I thought it would be nice to share some nonetheless.
I have a wonderful family who loves and supports me in everything I do. I can travel half way around the world and they either follow along or stay home cheering me on. I know I can come to them with anything and they'll be by my side. I wouldn't be where I am without them.
My friends are also true to the end. Some old and some new, they are all wonderful in their different ways. Nothing brightens my day like reading an email or message from home. It's easy to get disconnected with so much space between us, but they are always there when I need them and I know it will be the case when I return home as well. There may be a language barrier with the friends I've made this year, but they've proven just as faithful as those I'm missing back in the states. It hasn't taken them long to pick up on my strange ways and they always give encouragement when I need it most. -I hope all of you know who you are, all of those who I've served and travelled with at church, those I've laugh and cried with from school and work, and you who I've met through random circumstances, but thankfully God brought you all into my life. (My choice to not use names is having people whom I love so far spread and a mind so disorganized, I will leave at least one off!)
I have my health and a safe place to call home. Both here in India and back in Kansas. As I've had time to see different parts of India, it's become even more clear that this is something everyone isn't blessed with. A roof over your head, does not always a safe home make. (I think that sentence was my inner Yoda coming out...3 star wars movies in the last two weeks!) To further prove my point, it was announced that there would be 3 days leave from school because of the heavy rains. At home we may be slightly annoyed with several days rain, but it's nothing rain boots, umbrellas, staying indoors, and a little extra travel time can't fix. Here is becomes more of a threat. Getting 300 children home safely every night becomes more difficult, and I'm sure some of the homes they return to are not suited for staying dry in heavy rains. With temperatures rarely dropping below boiling hot here, the rain brings a cold that they don't take as well. I'm feeling as cool and comfortable as ever while they are wearing coats and caps. All around I see children and teachers getting colds and realize I'm probably the only one enjoying the temperature change.
The children I've met this year have changed my life. I will never forget them, and hopefully will have the opportunity to return frequently. I am here to serve them and share God's love, but they have ended up impacting my life just as much if not more. I am thankful for every morning I wake up to their smiling faces. Nothing can beat the feeling of walking hand in hand with the two kids I sponsor at New Life or hearing the kids at Light of Love call my name when we come as though we had just been there the day before. I love all the different personalities that I've come to know here at Annai Erica. I have come to see them all as little brothers and sisters. A picture taken from my first day has completely changed over time. Before it was lines of cute Indian children who all seemed very similar to me. Now I can go through each face and connect it to a name and most a story that brings a smile to my face.
Last, but definitely most important on the list...I have a wonderful loving God. I am never alone. He has become my closest friend this year, as he should have been always. I don't have to fear the quiet or the empty places because he is always by my side. Everyone back home may be asleep when I need to make a phone call most, but the line of prayer to him is always open. He has blessed me with everything I have today and everything I will have in the future. Being here this year, I've never been so glad that I don't need idols or witchcraft or science to find meaning in life. Living a life for Christ is my purpose. When everything centers around him, I don't have to doubt. I hope I never waste an opportunity to share that kind of love with someone else.
If you are reading this, consider yourself on the list of things I'm thankful for.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Happy Diwali (Deepavali)!
The students just returned this week from a four day holiday where they celebrated Diwali with their families.
I spent the weekend with the Father here at the school and a new acquaintance, Claire, from England. We really enjoyed our time together and it was nice speaking fluent English with someone who was familiar with customs of the west.
First, we visited Thanjavur to see a temple that is 1,000 years old this year. I have to admit it is the most beautifully built temple I've seen since I've been here. It is constructed entirely of stone and wasn't overdone with paint like most.
Next, we went to Vailankanni, an incredible Catholic church by the coast. It is famous for a crippled boy who was onced healed there. People from all religions go to worship at this church. Just outside the building, there is a stretch of sand about 1 km in length where people kneel and pray the full length of the grounds until they reach the site where the boy was healed. We ate fresh fish from the ocean and watched as men and children in their clothes and women in their sarees jumped in for a wash and swim.
The next day was Diwali, so we returned to the school. Driving was an adventure with fireworks (patasu) being set off on all the streets. We had a few close calls under our vehicle! After arriving at the school, I went on a walk with Claire to show her the local village. We were greeted by my usual walking buddies along the way with Diwali sweets. Back at the school, the current was cut. What a lovely Diwali surprise! Had the students been there, the generator would have been put on, but with only 5 of us, there was no real need. The two of us sat outside with Father and Math Sir. I'm thankful the power was cut, because our original plans were to sit in the room and watch a movie. Instead, we had three hours under to the stars listening and seeing fireworks from all surrounding villages. The school grounds have never been as quiet and peaceful as they were that night. They prepared a dinner by candlelight for us. Right as we sat down, the lights came back on. Claire and I decided to turn them out and finish with only the candles. We were enjoying ourselves and not ready to go back to normal routine just yet.
The next day, we set off for Madurai to see one last temple. The drive was incredible with mountains, rivers and palm trees. We may have prefered that the journey ended there! Arriving at the temple, it was the first time I didn't feel welcome in India. "Foreigners" as they so loosely labeled us, were charged to enter. After walking inside, we were not so kindly informed by many people that "those people" shouldn't be in here. At this temple, you have to be Hindu to go inside (or at least look the part). Even so, this was the first place I had four different groups of people request pictures with me. I'm not welcome in their place of worship, but my skin color is still fascinating!
Though slightly perturbed, we found ourselves especially thankful for the love of Jesus and a religion that encourages others to come and join.
Diwali weekend was a nice break and I really enjoyed all the experiences we had. However, I was never happier than when my students returned full of smiling faces and hugs.
I spent the weekend with the Father here at the school and a new acquaintance, Claire, from England. We really enjoyed our time together and it was nice speaking fluent English with someone who was familiar with customs of the west.
First, we visited Thanjavur to see a temple that is 1,000 years old this year. I have to admit it is the most beautifully built temple I've seen since I've been here. It is constructed entirely of stone and wasn't overdone with paint like most.
Next, we went to Vailankanni, an incredible Catholic church by the coast. It is famous for a crippled boy who was onced healed there. People from all religions go to worship at this church. Just outside the building, there is a stretch of sand about 1 km in length where people kneel and pray the full length of the grounds until they reach the site where the boy was healed. We ate fresh fish from the ocean and watched as men and children in their clothes and women in their sarees jumped in for a wash and swim.
The next day was Diwali, so we returned to the school. Driving was an adventure with fireworks (patasu) being set off on all the streets. We had a few close calls under our vehicle! After arriving at the school, I went on a walk with Claire to show her the local village. We were greeted by my usual walking buddies along the way with Diwali sweets. Back at the school, the current was cut. What a lovely Diwali surprise! Had the students been there, the generator would have been put on, but with only 5 of us, there was no real need. The two of us sat outside with Father and Math Sir. I'm thankful the power was cut, because our original plans were to sit in the room and watch a movie. Instead, we had three hours under to the stars listening and seeing fireworks from all surrounding villages. The school grounds have never been as quiet and peaceful as they were that night. They prepared a dinner by candlelight for us. Right as we sat down, the lights came back on. Claire and I decided to turn them out and finish with only the candles. We were enjoying ourselves and not ready to go back to normal routine just yet.
The next day, we set off for Madurai to see one last temple. The drive was incredible with mountains, rivers and palm trees. We may have prefered that the journey ended there! Arriving at the temple, it was the first time I didn't feel welcome in India. "Foreigners" as they so loosely labeled us, were charged to enter. After walking inside, we were not so kindly informed by many people that "those people" shouldn't be in here. At this temple, you have to be Hindu to go inside (or at least look the part). Even so, this was the first place I had four different groups of people request pictures with me. I'm not welcome in their place of worship, but my skin color is still fascinating!
Though slightly perturbed, we found ourselves especially thankful for the love of Jesus and a religion that encourages others to come and join.
Diwali weekend was a nice break and I really enjoyed all the experiences we had. However, I was never happier than when my students returned full of smiling faces and hugs.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A Wise Lifestyle
Talk Softly
Walk Humbly
Eat Sensibly
Breathe Deeply
Sleep Sufficiently
Dress Smartly
Act Fearlessly
Work Patiently
Think Truthfully
Believe Completely
Behave Decently
Learn Practically
Plan Orderly
Earn Honestly
Save Regularly
Spend Intelligently
Walk Humbly
Eat Sensibly
Breathe Deeply
Sleep Sufficiently
Dress Smartly
Act Fearlessly
Work Patiently
Think Truthfully
Believe Completely
Behave Decently
Learn Practically
Plan Orderly
Earn Honestly
Save Regularly
Spend Intelligently
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