I have actually been dreading this post because I have no one to edit me as I run on and on about the last few weeks. It has been an unforgettable Christmas, the biggest disappointment being that it’s over. This is the first time all gifts for me have gone to someone else and I’ve never enjoyed myself more. This year helped bring me back to the real meaning of Christmas, which is the love of God and his gift, Jesus Christ.
On the 14th of this month, Mom and I said goodbye to our friends at Annai Erica and began another train journey to Visak. We have managed to always find ourselves in good company on the train. With ipods fully charged and books in hand, we were ready for another long 19 hour trip. One hour in, we met our newest friends. Three wonderful children joined our already packed seats to play. Mom and I became an even bigger hit with Pre, Reshmi, and Namu when we broke out the Uno cards. Luckily, the people of India are accustomed to treating everyone like family because with as little space as we had, the children ended up on the laps of those sitting around us. In less than a day’s time we had exchanged addresses and phone numbers with the family, leaving with a sad goodbye as though we’d known each another for ages.
The Christmas joy soon returned as our taxi pulled into Light of Love and I had two beautiful sisters who have come to know me as “Mommy,” waiting at the door with hugs. All other children soon greeted us, elated that the wait for our return was over. Spending our time painting, planting, dancing, learning Telugu, walking to school, playing thumb war and cricket, and serving meals we made many new friends while enjoying the company of our old ones. Premdas and Jyothi invited us to her women’s group Christmas at the church. It was a beautiful service that Mom and I were able to enjoy with about 30 of the older girls from Light of Love. After two days, it was time to move on to New Life. I couldn’t help but be filled with excitement realizing I would soon see the children I sponsor and 180 other children whose names we had studied for weeks. The bitterness of leaving those whom I love at Light of Love was sweetened, knowing I would return in 4 days for the big Christmas function.
Arriving later than expected, it was already dark and we spent some time catching up with Neelima as the children shouted their greetings from a single file line on the grounds. We only had time to stop into the room and tell them all goodnight, but I’ll never forget the pure elation in that 15 minutes. Watching their faces light up one by one, as we were able to greet them each by name made every minute we spent practicing well worth it. The last student to find me that night was Raju, my newly sponsored boy. After telling him I was now sponsoring him as well, he calmly reached out to shake my hand with a smile and simple, “thank you.” His subtle sweetness steals my heart.
The next morning, I was happy to hear the team was coming early. It was a new experience standing on the receiving line this time. Having been in India for the last 7 months, I think I was just as eager as the children to have the “foreigners” pull in. From that moment on, they were all like family to me and I’m so grateful we were able to celebrate this Christmas together. We shared laughter, tears, chicken livers, well dedications, and giving gifts to the New Life students from both schools. Carrie and many others put so much work into raising money to provide the children with new clothes, it was great to be able to share that triumph with her. It was also a blessing to have the Chintalapudi kids there that Schaun’s small group supports. It only took a matter of minutes to get just as attached to those beautiful children.
I think the biggest surprise of the trip was having Neelima invite Courtney and I to dance with the children. We weren’t given the offer because of our grace. After two days of practice, we were as ready as we were ever going to be to humiliate ourselves in front of friends and family. Jameson took the focus off of us for a while with her impressive gymnastics. The rest of the team got what they had coming when they were brought onstage to do the same dance without practice the day of the function. I am confident in saying that Courtney and I never looked better than we did that time through.
Our team spent Christmas Eve on the beach…..two things I would never put together. I spent my time there getting to know Schaun’s parents. While they both could entertain for hours with stories, it was their advice and insights into God and love that I enjoyed most. While they weren’t able to participate in as much during the trip, I think they left the biggest impact on us all. We ended Christmas Eve with my favorite part of these mission trips, building each other up with encouraging words. I think we should all regularly practice telling others what we love about them.
Christmas Day was spent at Light of Love with all of the schools coming together for one huge event. It was incredible to be able to interact with all of the children whom I know in different capacities in the same place at the same time. Unfortunately, the night ended with goodbyes to the team heading out the next day. The last day always brings all my highs crashing down. It becomes a mad rush to say goodbye to everyone and get in my last hugs. However, I am at peace knowing these kids are in good, loving hands with Jesus always walking by their sides.
Every trip with the team affects me in a new way. I think this time I benefitted most from having 20 different members there to observe and learn from. Through casual daily conversations, I gathered so much advice and encouragement to get me through the rest of my time here. Thanks to everyone on the Dec 2010 team, Premdas, and all of his family and staff for yet another incredible journey.
