Friday, February 17, 2012

Things I Love about India

Posted by erinstraza under culture, faith | Tags: , , |
1 Comment 

In less than eight hours I leave India.

[sigh.]

Of course I miss the Hubster, and I am so happy to get home to him. But my heart longs to stay, to spend time with the daughters in this incredible family I’ve come to know and love.

I thought I would post more often during my stay. But the time has been so full—in a great way. I simply haven’t had enough time to process and put words together. I’ll write more in the coming week, but for now, here are some closing snippets written on location from half a world away.

Fabulous Food
I had curry almost daily, sometimes at all three meals. Amazingly, I’m really not tired of it, but I do miss my usual foods (plain-old animal crackers, granola, fruit, etc.). I’ve even found a new comfort food in Chipati, the soft tortilla-like bread used to eat the curry. One night we had a tandoori chicken dish served with mint chutney; the chutney was so good I could have eaten it like soup. I asked for the recipe, so Mike and I will be having it regularly come grilling season.

Street Happenings
If you are bored in India, just go out to the streets. Here’s a list of the things I’ve seen: stray dogs, cows, goats, and wild hogs (too many to count); Indian wedding festivities (at least five); voting booths;  political rallies and celebrations; a camel; priests rolling down the highway for some sort of ritual (two); a pedestrian hit by a vehicle (he was able to hobble away from it, thankfully); women carrying goods on their heads; fruit and vegetable carts; buses and rickshaws crammed with people until bursting; and crazy traffic that weaves together like a choreographed dance (amazingly, without crashing).

Beautiful People, Darling Girls
The people I’ve met have been extremely warm and welcoming. We were greeted with flowers at least three times (which made me feel like a princess), and we were given places of honor (which made me feel sort of awkward).

The girls I met were beyond words! They have taken up a spot in my heart and mind, and I willingly make room for them! I wish I could stay to help them with their English and their studies so their dreams would come true. My heart broke today when the little ones said, “Erin Didi, come! We want to play with you!” . . . and I couldn’t, because we had to leave. A heart that loves much, aches much.

If you haven’t seen these girls, visit the As Our Own Facebook page (and give it a Like!). Almost all the photos there are of the daughters in the family, the very ones I’ve been privileged to meet.

 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Blessing Bingo

Posted by erinstraza under culture, faith | Tags: , , , , |
[2] Comments 

No one should take a trip without a little something called Blessing Bingo. Dearest friend Krista made these cards for us, keeping us alert to all that God would do in our midst during our travels. Sherry Didi, Ali Didi, and I have enjoyed chatting about the squares we’ve been able to cross off. Here’s what has filled my card and heart to the full just four days into the trip.

Was pure in heart > so aware of my need for humility and so grateful to be part of God’s Kingdom

Was a peacemaker > in my own heart by refusing to let worry steal away these precious memories (“Be still and know that I am God”)

Mourned > the loss of life and freedom for those in the district

Read a good book > A Horse and His Boy, C. S. Lewis—makes my heart soar!

Talked to husband > on Skype—what a blessing to stay connected although we’re half-a-world away

Witnessed the drama of redemption > upon seeing the shining life and hope of the littlest girls after seeing the wrenching darkness of the district

Was shown kindness > by everyone I’ve met, offering me a warm welcome accompanied with singing, dancing, flowers

Slept well > loving the cool breeze of Indian nights

Arrived in India with luggage > amen!

Reminded of hope > as the oldest girls shared their dreams for the future

Connected with a child > my heart skips a beat every time I hear one of the girls call out, “Over here, Erin Didi!”

Talked about Jesus > during devotional with the girls

Was poor in spirit > constantly being reminded of my need for the Lord (and have found Him so very faithful every step)

Saw the sunrise > thanks to the jet lag

Hungered for righteousness > longing for God’s life to manifest within me

Made a friend > learning some simple words and phrases from the staff

Good time in the Word > camping out in my favorite passages from Isaiah

Ate something delicious > curry! pistachio ice cream!

Worked for the Gospel > writing of all God is doing here via blog and future article ideas

Sang with Indian Christians > enjoyed a favorite, “Hosanna in the Highest”

Laughed > tons! with staff team (ping pong)

Worshipped God in another country > during a wide sunset on the open prairie

 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Heart Overload

Posted by erinstraza under culture, faith | Tags: , |
1 Comment 

It’s only been four days but I’ve had experiences aplenty. Here are some highlights. Enjoy!

Best.Bus.Ride.Ever.
Happiness is riding in a bus with 30-plus giggly, giddy girls between the ages of 10 and 20. There were introductions that could hardly be heard, followed by giggles from the girls as I tried to repeat these exotic names I have never heard before. I wanted to know each one on the first try but that proved impossible. The ride was way too short; we dropped them off first and as their liveliness left the bus, I felt them steal my heart away with them. And then it was so quiet, all I could do was breathe and fight back the emotion. How can so many beauties live under one roof?! And how could I be so completely enchanted after just 15 minutes?! I can still hear their chatter and feel the warmth of their smiles.

You Can’t Plan Stuff Like This
The 10 oldest girls came over Sunday afternoon for a special discussion session with us. We asked them to think about how God has gifted each one of them, and then we asked them to share their dreams for how God might use their gifts as they pursue college, career, and family. What an honor to be part of this discussion! These gals spoke with great maturity and tenderheartedness, proclaiming how they will tell of God’s goodness to them from generation to generation. Tears were flowing, but they were the good kind, the kind that come from the deep places and express more than words ever could. God met us there, enveloping us with His presence. So far this is my top treasured memory.

Pretty Patterns Everywhere
This country is anything but plain. From clothing and jewelry to architecture and paint selections, India is a feast for the eyes. Patterns can also be found on women via henna body painting. A few of the gals came over just before we went to bed to treat us to their mehndi art skills. They created their designs on our arms and hands and then we gingerly crawled into bed with our arms outstretched to let it dry for the night. In the morning we sloughed off the residue to expose the tattoo that will last a week or so. Patterns could also be found in the fabrics sets given to us by the staff. A tailor stopped by for measurements, and come tomorrow we will have custom made outfits. I’ve said it before: Indian women know how to dress. The embroidery, embellishments, and detail on their clothing make my clothes look completely drab. I cannot wait to see what the tailor concocts!

Oddments
staff ping-pong matches. animal counts. mac-n-cheese night. staff prayer at sunset. seeing the girls dance and hearing them sing. listening to a sermon I couldn’t understand (but loving every word of it!). bongos! scarves. prairie walk. delicious food. starry skies. trusting in God with all that’s in me.

 

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Give a Friendly Toot

Posted by erinstraza under culture, language | Tags: , , |
Leave a Comment 

When I took Drivers’ Ed oh-so-many years ago, there was a training video explaining the rules of the road. One scene showed a driver backing out of a blocked-view driveway, and the voice over said in such situations, drivers should precede slowly and “give a friendly toot” with your horn to warn oncoming traffic. This, of course, evoked much snickering from the class. I’ve never forgotten it.

I do believe the Friendly Toot Principle originated here in India. There is a lot of honking happening. I think it’s highly likely that our van driver has used the horn more in the past two days than I have used mine in 24 years.

But horn usage has a different feel here in India. Horns are friendly warnings by motorists wishing to pass others, squeeze through tight spaces, or merge into the flow. Truck drivers have painted instructions on the back of their trucks that say, “Horn OK Please” which is in desperate need of some punctuation. It could be a statement (Horn, OK; please) or a question (Horn, OK? please). Whatever it should be, it means that drivers who wish to pass should beep their horns first.

Driving in the States is rather solitary; it is rare that I interact with other drivers, aside from muttering to myself about crazy lane usage or rude drivers who drive too close for my comfort. Horn usage is reserved for those close-call situations when fear prompts me to response with some sort of acknowledgement of another driver’s error.

Here in India, however, driving requires engagement with others. You can’t isolate or space out. All your skills in communicating, negotiating, and maneuvering are needed. Horn usage is expected. And overall, it is friendly.

 

 

Monday, January 23, 2012

Stay Tuned for God’s Version of My Life

Posted by erinstraza under culture, faith | Tags: , , |
[4] Comments 

I’m India bound.

February 8 I will board a plane that will send me halfway around the world and approximately 8,226 miles from home. This trip is the culmination of a journey that began just over a year ago, when I first started developing communications for As Our Own.

I didn’t realize that working for As Our Own would become one of those major section dividers in the story of my life. Never in my wildest dreams did I think the story of my life would include the topics of India and fighting child exploitation or that I would get to write about the transforming work that God is doing in places I’ve never been. How grateful I am that God is the one writing my story, because His version is way better than mine.

Although I’ve posted here at The Patch about As Our Own many times, you may not have read those entries . . . in brief, As Our Own works in India, standing in the gap for children who are at risk for life-long bondage, in treacherous situations that would lead to exploitation in the sex trade, organized begging, or bonded labor.

This work takes several forms. First is the immediate rescue of children who are in danger of exploitation and enslavement. They are adopted into the lifelong As Our Own family where they become beloved daughters, for life.

Another aspect of the work addresses the systemic, long-term issues that put children at risk. Without the transforming power of God’s love, there will always be another child to rescue. As Our Own fosters root-level transformation by equipping the Church and leaders to build strong communities where predators can no longer prey upon the innocent.

This is the beautiful work God is doing in the beautiful country of India. I cannot believe I get to be part of it. And I cannot believe I get to go there!

Many of you are curious what I will be doing on my trip. The goal is that I would see with my own eyes what I have been writing about for the past year! I want to be a sponge, soaking up everything I might need for future writing projects. I want to be a curious reporter, full of wonder and probing questions about a country and a people and a culture I have grown to love. I want to be a servant, willing to pour myself out in love and humility in whatever way I am prompted.

As far as day-to-day happenings, these are the sorts of things I will experience:

  • meet the 70-plus daughters in the As Our Own family
  • lead devotional sessions with the girls
  • meet the girls’ live-in staff, caretakers, and care directors
  • gather story leads and information for future communications
  • learn all I can about India’s society and culture
  • visit As Our Own’s Hope College, meeting the professors and students
  • visit an As Our Own–supported Lighthouse Church, meeting the pastor and congregants

This brief overview surely won’t do my trip justice! I don’t know how to explain a trip I’ve never taken to a land I’ve never visited to meet people I’ve only heard about, read about, and written about. I will be learning as I go, and I plan to post reports here during my stay.

I hope you will visit The Patch February 8–18 to discover what I am discovering. This is one story I don’t want to miss! (Thank You, God!)

 

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 63 other followers