Villages

I think I found my true love in India. This is what it is all about to me. Going into the villages where life is tough, where they have heard the gospel but are still coming to grips with there being one God and so just adding Jesus to the wall of gods. It's about seeing needs of people, loving them, encouraging them and praying for them. It does not seem to matter what religion they are they want you to pray.

These are the people who slog their guts out every day with sore backs, aching feet, heat stroke, little food, small houses with 8 living in them on mats around the walls so they don't get wet when the roof leaks. These are the people who smile as if everything is ok even though they are the ones putting in all the work so that we can have cheap rice on our tables, silk wedding gowns, cheap cotton products. Because lets face it, we all like a bargain and we get the bargains by suppliers getting these things from the poor old farmers and workers that have barely enough money to feed the family. But you know why they smile, because they have a job but at the same time I have seen the tears of those that can not get education for their daughters, the anguish of parents that feel helpless to give to their children what they know would help their future or to feed them enough. I have seen the beaten wives who's husbands drink because they can't cope with not being able to provide for the family, its a no win situation. This is where we can make a small difference in a few peoples lives. To give the opportunities to help educate, feed, clothe, shelter their daughters when they cannot, or give hope to those girls that have no parents, one parent, abusive parents, drunk Dad's. Love, love, love is the key.

I have had a few days of traveling by boat, bus and auto to visit villages, seen amazing hospitality, always a fruit juice and a biscuit from everyone even though they do not have much themselves. I have had mats rolled out and made to have a sleep, the pillow being an old bag stuffed with cotton. We have been fed a meat curry and rice dish where I have no idea what meat it was but it had stomach lining and all and I ate it because this would have been such a huge sacrifice for them. It was tasty mind you. The houses we were in were kept so clean and tidy, even the ones where it was just a one room brick place with a patchy roof. There is a sense of pride in the home and a thankfulness for what they have. The villages are beautiful. The people are beautiful.

I looked around these places and once again was reminded of what rubbish we fill our homes with in the west. So call needs that are really wants or comforts. Everyone sits on the floor here, eats on the floor. Usually there is one bed and one cupboard that contains all clothing for the family and their bedding that gets pulled out at night with mats on the floor. They have some cooking pots and utensils and that seems to be all that is needed. Wow, these guys are amazing, incredible and I really admire them. Life is hard but they get on with it. I am so thankful I have had this opportunity and privilege to be let into these peoples lives. I pray they all come to know the blessing and abundance of God.

People in the west don't really like to hear this stuff, it's a bit unsettling that maybe they have too  much. I speak to myself here as well. If we had to return to NZ, we would have a 2 bedroom flat with 9 of us living in it. By western standards people would be feeling sorry for us but over here it would be luxury.... flip, it has a bathroom and running water, hot water at that. I believe God wants to bless us abundantly but what does that look like? Does it look like western standards of opulence?  Would I be satisfied with a small flat? I think I would now than if I had not visited these villages. Life lessons are always the best. I don't think it is about bringing yourself to a level of poverty but lets be happy and appreciate what we have. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, time to enjoy life. Lets stop moaning about the little things and give thanks for the here and now and what we have been blessed with. We have been more than abundantly blessed.