We landed in Delhi a week ago. We took two full days of rest–both very
needed, with the jet lag and intense environmental changes. We were
pleasantly surprised at our living arrangement in a house with fans (!)
a shower (!!) and beds for everyone that are about as soft as Chinese
beds. (haha)
Thursday we all went to Asha House, the orphanage we’ll be working
with. It’s home to 32 children, some true orphans, many from extremely
impoverished families. It is a Christian home run by an incredible
couple, and we are extremely blessed to be a part of the work going on
there! Personally, I’ve already fallen in total love with these
beautiful children after only going two days. One little girl,
Ragina, fell asleep in my arms …I couldn’t stop smiling. 🙂 I simply
love orphan ministry! The team did a wonderful job leading a kid’s program
that first day, and I loved watching some of them already beginning to
open up in ministry and seeing the love of God pour through them. It
was a beautiful sight!
Friday we all went as a group to a leper colony, but as soon as we
got there–literally at the last minute–our ministry time fell
through. We did have the opportunity to walk through the slum to the
colony and into the church, though we didn’t go much further. We’ll be
visiting two leper colonies this week and probably ministering at both
for the three months. Personally I’m really excited to experience a
ministry that Christ himself did; reaching out to the lepers, the true
untouchables of Indian caste society. They are considered outcasts and
burdens. Strangely enough, though there’s a cure for leprosy, many
won’t accept it because they believe it would mess up their karma to
change their given lot in life. The complexities of Hindu culture
baffle me at times!
Saturday we all visited a slum where an amazing pastor and his
family minister. We met the family and I could tangibly feel and see
the love of Christ just radiating from them! Looking at their beautiful
faces, you can literally SEE there is something different about
them–it’s unlike anything I’ve seen or met before. It’s hard to
describe. But Christ shows himself through them…this is a family that
has been beaten by radical Hindus for their work in this slum, yet they
continue to minister there every day, sharing the love of Christ with
the true poorest of the poor. Perhaps it was because I was in good
company–my team, the pastor’s wife and son, and Christ himself within
me–but walking through that slum, even in the thick air of rot and
sewage, the barefoot dirty children running around, the houses so small
you have to crouch down inside of them…all I could see was beauty.
The tiny alleyways between houses draped with colorful punjabi-laden
clotheslines; the neatness and tidiness of homes no American would dare
live in; the sunlight on the faces of the old and young people sitting
around watching us pass through…
Sunday we had the
honor of going to church at Asha House. Team member Eric Speight boldly
stepped up to teach and he did so well–it was his first time ever
teaching/preaching! I am excited to see how God is going to continue to
stretch him in this discipline. After church we took
the afternoon at a Western coffeeshop (!) to have some processing/Bible
time set aside. It was definitely needed and appreciated by the team.
Today, Monday, was our day off. We are sticking to our part of
Delhi (a sub-city called Dwarka) until Diwali and Ramadan festivals
both pass, so we enjoyed the local markets and shops that are just a
20-minute rickshaw ride away from our house.
Tuesday we begin more ministry. As we are continuing to learn about
the culture, how to live in it, how to be set apart in it, and how to
glorify the Lord through it, and mostly how to reach others with the
love of Christ through it, please keep us in your prayers! India is a
notoriously challenging place for missions, and that has already
evidenced itself in some spiritual warfare. We are learning and
growing. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Pray for….the team to open up in ministry; for their hearts to be
willing to what God wants to do in each of them; for God’s blessing on
our ministry sites and especially our ministry partners, who are
laborers in difficult fields!
~Katie
