Back a week and it still doesn't feel real. The time in India went too fast. One day, I remember thinking to myself, "we still have 6 days left before we leave!" and then it seems like I blinked and suddenly, we were saying good-bye to the children at the orphanage. I've never known time to fly that fast!
But, back to the beginning….
Connie, Betty (a co-worker and friend who was also on the team), and I were picked up at the Delhi Airport by Victor, the head of the orphanage. It was so good to see him! But there was a weight on his shoulders. And he began to tell us the story of all that had happened in the past year.
It can't be posted in detail here… and it's also the reason why the name of this orphanage will not be posted on this blog from here on out. Long story made generic- in the same area of India there was an orphanage where kids were being mistreated, which lead to it being shut down and all the orphanages being looked at. There were lies printed about this orphanage we visited, the place that I have known and loved for years–where the children are happy and healthy, growing up with hope for their futures. And because of these lies, this orphanage has constantly been under intense scrutiny, which too this day is only getting stronger- and is needless because these children are loved and cared for.
One reason for this scrutiny is because this is a Christian orphanage, and they refuse to put a Hindu or Muslim shrine on their property.
The family who runs this orphanage loves the Lord. They trust Him. Even when things are hard.
Our prayer was for laughter–and for a lot of it.
For 9 days, our team of 20 people immersed ourselves in all things India–the beauty, the spice… the feast of smells, taste, color, and sound. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of "did that really just happen" moments, and a lot of questions along the lines of, "This broke my heart. This isn't right. What can we do to help? How do we share Christ in a country where we can't say His name in public?"
The team spent time at the leper colony and also with the slum church, as well as took a Tour of Delhi and went to the Taj Mahal one day. But the outstanding highlight for everyone was time with the children at the orphanage. Being welcomed every day… hearing their names squeaked in precious Indian accents… rolling around in the giant yard that the children now have to play in their new–but temporary–home*!
(Photo by Connie Rock)
For me… I'm going to sound like a broken record… but it was like going home. After 6 years…being able to see the children that I've watched grow up, some from up close and some from afar… to meet the new children and to see how others have learned English and math and science, how "my" little 2 and 3 year-olds from 2009 are now in 1st class, to laugh with Simini and dream with her and her sisters, to drink the best chai on the planet (because it was made with love), to eat the best curry and briyani and everything else Indian and wonderful to my heart's content, and to bobble my head freely….it filled a place in my heart. I wish all of you who read this could come with me to meet these little ones, to hear them pray… to have them pray for you.
This little boy… his name is Millant. He's new. And the first day, I was struck by the sadness in his eyes. They don't know what happened to him, but he witnessed something horrible. And he barely spoke… didn't smile or laugh. Our first day there, he walked up to Connie, sat in her lap, and stayed cuddled there for an hour. But by the end he started smiling, then giggling, then full-on laughing. Now, when I think of him, the phrase "Laughing One" fills my mind.
India is many things. It's confusing, creative, and invigoriating. It's the exact opposite of the West… actually, it's more upside down and inverted than a mere opposite… a place where women wrap fabric around their bodies instead of pull on clothing, where you might open a "Chips Ahoy" package and find corn chips inside… where traffic patterns resemble something akin to ultimate tetris, and where there are more gods and religious and political holidays than there are days of the year. It can be maddening at times. But above all… it's a land of Delight.
That's what this trip was about: delight.
Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you so much for praying, and thank you so much for your support. Thank you for your financial support as well! I can't begin to describe what I felt when I saw the smiles on their faces and heard their voices raised to the Lord, how wonderful it was to tell them that they matter, that they are not forgotten, that they are loved, prayed for, and that God has wonderful plans for them. To see this family and these 30 children who live by faith, who thank the Lord for His provision… who laugh with delight even when times are hard.
Thank you!
More stories to come! Including more information about the orphanage and how you can help!*
