We have had quite the adventure here so far: our housing plans fell through the night before we flew out and so we arrived in Mumbai, driving through the city during sunrise, to stay at a cheap hotel until we found more permanent housing. We found an apartment to rent, spent an afternoon cleaning it (and it was filthy!), only to have our plans thwarted once more and we were back to the hotel for another night. So, on what was Thanksgiving day for those in the US, I was lugging a 38lb backpack, coat, fur boots and wearing a punjabi on a train in 90 degree heat with our team to stay in a Salvation Army hostel. We were quite the spectacle for all the locals. Needless to say, those first couple days were crazy, trying to figure out housing and just get settled somewhere. We are finding this saying quite true: "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken." The ten of us are now settled in a 10-bunk room with one bathroom...and I thought our living quarters on family vacations was small. It's actually quite fun and cozy and I like staying in a hostel better than in an apartment; there are so many interesting people to meet here. We're staying in the more touristy part of Mumbai on the coast with beautiful English architecture; this is one of the nicest areas in the city.
India is hot, humid, and I've felt many a time that I'm about to meet Jesus when crossing the streets here due to the absolutely insane driving. Everyone is alive and doing well, minus a couple bugs bites and heat rash. India smells like incense, body odor, garlic, putrid trash, spicy soap, smog, rotten fish, and other smells I can't quite identify nor do I wish to know. The city is so busy: we were in a mall a couple days ago and I realized that despite the masses of people there on a weekend afternoon, that environment was peaceful compared to the streets. Never before have I thought I would consider weekend holiday shopping madness as peaceful. Ha. Some staple items don't seem to be as valued here as they do in the US; the most valuable items in my purse right now are bottled water, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.
We prayer-walked through Kmathi Pura, Asia's largest red light district, this weekend and on Sunday we visited/spoke at two churches, one Nepalese, and spent the afternoon with a lovely family in their home. Yesterday we went to one of Mother Teresa's homes for the sick and disabled. Yes, it is distressing to see so many suffering and dying people, but it was equally heartwarming as it was hard to be there. Many of them seemed so happy and loved that we were there. It was easier to be with the special needs children since they were young and smiling and we could interact more and play with them. I just keep telling myself that my faith is based on who I know, and not what I see around me. My faith is based on a relationship, and not circumstances.
Today most of our team went to a daycare in an incredibly poor neighborhood, a slum. Like typical children, they loved songs, coloring, and particularly loved us to take pictures of them. I was filthy by the time we left, but my goodness, the love I gave and also received from them was worth it. They called us "deedee,"older sister, and gave so many hugs and kisses to us all, that it was difficult to leave them. I told every girl I could that she was lovely and pretty, and how precious and special she is. These kids are beautiful and I only wonder what their future will be. Loving these kids is the best form of trafficking prevention.
I'm sorry this post is short, contains choppy thoughts and is sporadic, but my time here on the internet is limited. I will try to post again before we leave for Nepal on Monday.
India is hot, humid, and I've felt many a time that I'm about to meet Jesus when crossing the streets here due to the absolutely insane driving. Everyone is alive and doing well, minus a couple bugs bites and heat rash. India smells like incense, body odor, garlic, putrid trash, spicy soap, smog, rotten fish, and other smells I can't quite identify nor do I wish to know. The city is so busy: we were in a mall a couple days ago and I realized that despite the masses of people there on a weekend afternoon, that environment was peaceful compared to the streets. Never before have I thought I would consider weekend holiday shopping madness as peaceful. Ha. Some staple items don't seem to be as valued here as they do in the US; the most valuable items in my purse right now are bottled water, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.
We prayer-walked through Kmathi Pura, Asia's largest red light district, this weekend and on Sunday we visited/spoke at two churches, one Nepalese, and spent the afternoon with a lovely family in their home. Yesterday we went to one of Mother Teresa's homes for the sick and disabled. Yes, it is distressing to see so many suffering and dying people, but it was equally heartwarming as it was hard to be there. Many of them seemed so happy and loved that we were there. It was easier to be with the special needs children since they were young and smiling and we could interact more and play with them. I just keep telling myself that my faith is based on who I know, and not what I see around me. My faith is based on a relationship, and not circumstances.
Today most of our team went to a daycare in an incredibly poor neighborhood, a slum. Like typical children, they loved songs, coloring, and particularly loved us to take pictures of them. I was filthy by the time we left, but my goodness, the love I gave and also received from them was worth it. They called us "deedee,"older sister, and gave so many hugs and kisses to us all, that it was difficult to leave them. I told every girl I could that she was lovely and pretty, and how precious and special she is. These kids are beautiful and I only wonder what their future will be. Loving these kids is the best form of trafficking prevention.
I'm sorry this post is short, contains choppy thoughts and is sporadic, but my time here on the internet is limited. I will try to post again before we leave for Nepal on Monday.
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