Needless to say, ministry looked very different on this trip than it did in previous years. In the past, teams went out in the mornings and then came back to spend time with the children at Asha House. With no children there and the heat severely limiting physical ability (not to mention the fact that everyone in Delhi would go inside their homes to rest during the worst heat of the day), this trip was even more listening-prayer led. From prayer walks in national landmarks, intercession times/writing letters to each of the children and the staff, market ministry, and time at the leper colony… each moment was spent with the intentional purpose of following the Lord in that moment in however he led.
*First 3 photos by Connie Rock.
One of my favorite things is going to the leper colony. First of all, the drive there is so fantastic. It’s 45 minutes long and you never see the same thing twice. So many colors, so many people … it’s impossible to take it all in.
I was nervous approaching the leper colony. Wondering who was still there. Would Patima be there? What about Santi? And Kananbaum? Or the woman with the wise eyes and the beautful lines on her face? Our small friend with the sunglasses? Young women with the babies?
*Large Photo and Top Right by Connie Rock.
When we arrived, at first it was really quiet. The people there were gathering food and water for the day. They took us into the temple to wait. Connie brought out the pictures from last year’s trip and began to show them to our friends as they came one-by-one to greet us. Two men came not long after, a rousing game of Jenga began. People were laughing, talking. And then I saw her.
Hobbling slowly across the muddy, uneven yard, a hand on her back, she moved almost with fragility. She had the shell about her like a person in great pain or with a debilitating disease… bracing for pain. It was Patima.
I hurried to her and instead of greeting me with a hug, or grabbing my face as she did in the past, she began to speak in her language. I couldn’t understand, but I could hear the pain in her voice. This spunky, no-nonsense, beautiful woman… my heart broke to see her so hurt.
*Left (2013) and Right (2014) Photos by Connie Rock.
Patima left for a few moments, then came back. She sat outside and when Connie gave her the picture of her and I together from 2013, broke out into a big smile, grabbed my face, and began to laugh. My teammate Karen sat on the other side and Patima allowed her to massage her hand gently.
*Large Photo and Top Right (2012) by Connie Rock. Middle photos 2009.
Over the next few days, Patima got her “fire” back. Whatever was wrong with her (she pointed at her hip and also indicated her hand, as well as a burn she got several decades ago that itched whenever there was extreme heat), at least some of her pain dissipated. She began to laugh and bobble her head with the same teasing glint in her eye. And when I gave her my sunglasses, she couldn’t resist posing. 🙂
*Photos by Connie Rock.
I’d told her she was my Indian Mother (a sign of respect), and she bobbled her head. The next day, Connie was nearby talking with a family. Patima heard her say the word, ‘Mother,” and flagged her down. “Mother,” she said, and pointed at me.
I think she got it. 🙂
I’ve loved this woman for a long time, as well as the others in that colony. Driving away the last day… I still haven’t let myself think about the truth that I won’t go back. On that day, we were able to speak through our host, who translated for us. We told them that we loved them, that it was likely we wouldn’t come back. But that the reason why we’d come all of these years was because Jesus loved them, and we wanted them to know that. That He loved them, and He died for them, and he saw them every single day. And they could pray to him, the One True God, and He would hear.
Please continue to pray for everyone in this leper colony. For Santi, who lost her husband this year. For our little friend, who moved away. For the woman with MS who has two beautiful teen daughters. For Patima and Kananbaum, who my teammate Bobby tells about in his blog, Beards, Bananas, and Bollywood. These people are so kind, so beautiful. So full of worth because they were created by God. Please pray that they will believe the truth about Him that they have heard from us and others before us.
That we may all dance together one day in Heaven, whole.
