If you have been around me the past couple of months, discussion about India is usually not far behind. I apologize for those who I've driven crazy with it. I mean, it seems to be the topic of conversation even when I don't want to be talking about it. As is the case with most college graduates, whenever talking to people I am usually asked the question, "So, what are you going to doing now?" I answer by taking them through some form of the following narrative (usually leaving out the first two paragraphs):
Back around Christmas time I was trying to decide between graduate schools, jobs, and basically the future, when an opportunity presented itself. My home church in Somerset, where went as a little girl, had a chance to send someone to India to do mission work. I prayed about it, talked to Mom and Dad, and then wholeheartedly accepted. The pastor, missions director, and myself then began making plans for sending me to Gujarat for a year. I was extremely excited, not only to have a plan after graduation but to be going on another adventure. However, a couple months later after a lot of planning had already taken place... everything fell through and events beyond my control made it utterly impossible for me to go to Gujarat. Suddenly, my really amazing year in India was about to be a really great year at home with Mom and Dad. I'm not going to lie, I got really down there for awhile.
Luckily, the church encouraged me to not give up and to seek other options on my own. They still graciously promised their support because they knew I had a heart for India. And so began the waiting game with several Non-profits in India.... a game that seemed to last ALL summer and move at a pace somewhat close to that of molases. It seemed like I would send and email or make a call and then wait for a week to make any connections. Some would be able to point me in good directions, and others would not. I have many great qualities ladies and gentlemen, but let me tell you... patience does not make the list. My friends and especially my family got to hear me freak out about a future that wasn't set in stone. (God bless yall for that by the way). Then, an amazing thing happened...
A family friend gave me the information of a woman who works in Calcutta. I had always known Calcutta for Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, its Red Light district, and the place where Shane Claiborne served for 10 weeks. In fact, in his book Irresistible Revolution he writes of his own experience working alongside Mother T in the leper colonies. Ever since I read that book, I have wanted to go serve as well. So I emailed her and asked her about the organization and the email I got back blew me away.
The organization she works for is called New Light, and I had actually heard of it before. It is written about in a book called Half the Sky which, is what I did my independent study on for Political Science last semester (thanks Dr. Mergner). New Light began as a shelter for the citys sex worker's children so they had a place to go while their mothers work during the day. Before the shelter, often the children were inside their tiny, maybe nine foot by nine foot rooms that comprised their house, under the bed while their mothers serviced clients. Now it also does after school tutoring, has a home for rescued girls, and does significant Anti-Human Trafficking work in the city. New Light work typically starts in the afternoon so in the mornings I would volunteer at Missionaries of Charity. Two amazing organizations every day doesn't seem like a bad deal to me.
I couldn't believe that I had an opportunity like this. I mean, a hospital in Gujarat is great, don't get me wrong. But issues of human trafficking, prostitution, and ultimate poverty are things that strike at my very core. With the church's blessing, this is my plan for the next year. The only thing I am waiting on now is my visa to return and a plane ticket to be bought. Tentatively, mid to late August is when I ship off.
I'm humbled and amazed to have this opportunity and I'm pretty pumped God called me to go on adventures like this. Oh and I will also get to return to Udaipur for awhile to finish my project for my boys that I started last summer (details on my other blog). So, I ask for prayer as I organize the fine points of living in India for a year. Prayers for continued patience or creation of patience, rather, would be appreciated. Can't wait to tell you about.
Back around Christmas time I was trying to decide between graduate schools, jobs, and basically the future, when an opportunity presented itself. My home church in Somerset, where went as a little girl, had a chance to send someone to India to do mission work. I prayed about it, talked to Mom and Dad, and then wholeheartedly accepted. The pastor, missions director, and myself then began making plans for sending me to Gujarat for a year. I was extremely excited, not only to have a plan after graduation but to be going on another adventure. However, a couple months later after a lot of planning had already taken place... everything fell through and events beyond my control made it utterly impossible for me to go to Gujarat. Suddenly, my really amazing year in India was about to be a really great year at home with Mom and Dad. I'm not going to lie, I got really down there for awhile.
Luckily, the church encouraged me to not give up and to seek other options on my own. They still graciously promised their support because they knew I had a heart for India. And so began the waiting game with several Non-profits in India.... a game that seemed to last ALL summer and move at a pace somewhat close to that of molases. It seemed like I would send and email or make a call and then wait for a week to make any connections. Some would be able to point me in good directions, and others would not. I have many great qualities ladies and gentlemen, but let me tell you... patience does not make the list. My friends and especially my family got to hear me freak out about a future that wasn't set in stone. (God bless yall for that by the way). Then, an amazing thing happened...
A family friend gave me the information of a woman who works in Calcutta. I had always known Calcutta for Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, its Red Light district, and the place where Shane Claiborne served for 10 weeks. In fact, in his book Irresistible Revolution he writes of his own experience working alongside Mother T in the leper colonies. Ever since I read that book, I have wanted to go serve as well. So I emailed her and asked her about the organization and the email I got back blew me away.
The organization she works for is called New Light, and I had actually heard of it before. It is written about in a book called Half the Sky which, is what I did my independent study on for Political Science last semester (thanks Dr. Mergner). New Light began as a shelter for the citys sex worker's children so they had a place to go while their mothers work during the day. Before the shelter, often the children were inside their tiny, maybe nine foot by nine foot rooms that comprised their house, under the bed while their mothers serviced clients. Now it also does after school tutoring, has a home for rescued girls, and does significant Anti-Human Trafficking work in the city. New Light work typically starts in the afternoon so in the mornings I would volunteer at Missionaries of Charity. Two amazing organizations every day doesn't seem like a bad deal to me.
I couldn't believe that I had an opportunity like this. I mean, a hospital in Gujarat is great, don't get me wrong. But issues of human trafficking, prostitution, and ultimate poverty are things that strike at my very core. With the church's blessing, this is my plan for the next year. The only thing I am waiting on now is my visa to return and a plane ticket to be bought. Tentatively, mid to late August is when I ship off.
I'm humbled and amazed to have this opportunity and I'm pretty pumped God called me to go on adventures like this. Oh and I will also get to return to Udaipur for awhile to finish my project for my boys that I started last summer (details on my other blog). So, I ask for prayer as I organize the fine points of living in India for a year. Prayers for continued patience or creation of patience, rather, would be appreciated. Can't wait to tell you about.
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