A man’s breath passed quickly from his lungs as he struggled with severe TB. He awaited some hope of aid, of rescue; he waited for someone to advocate on his behalf. His one request to perish in freedom was denied flippantly, with indifference by the owner who fully intended to dispose of his body upon death and carry over the debt upon his hard working seventeen –year old son. The owner did not merely overlook his condition, but was unmoved by the very life he was stealing from another. The impending death and horrible act of injustice created the need for someone to do something quick to save a life.
The facility was located amongst as many as 300 other rice mills in the district. The Owner’s association in this area was sophisticated and each member was well networked. Conducting an operation in this area would prove to be difficult and quite possibly end in an angry and violent mob.
It was always impossible to ensure that there would be no leaked information, but the situation we would soon face only became more complex. Arriving promptly at the designated meeting time of 0900, the RDO scurried about avoiding the team at all costs. He directed us to simply leave the report, which he promised to follow up on later, but the team refused to relent. Finally, with the help of his PA, he sat down to meet with the team at 1100.
From there, the team was sent from place to place attempting to pin down the needed government officials and police officers. This proved harder than initially anticipated as after hours of searching, the team was forced to drive back to Chennai to get the only Tahsildar available that day. Finally, with 9 police officers, a Revenue Inspector, and a Tahsildar, we were on route to the facility.
At this point it was close to 1600 and two main concerns weighed heavy on the minds of the team. First of all, information that had the potential to be leaked in mere seconds had been floating around for seven hours. Secondly, positioned at the end of dead end upon dead end, the location of this facility made it impossible for escape if danger did descend. We would be cornered. Prayers were fervently pouring off our lips and as we turned down the dirt road I whispered to Jesus, “Is this possible? There is absolutely no humanly, earthly way possible that these owners and the Owner’s association has not received a tip-off by now. Only you can deafen the ears of evil and silence the mouth of liars. There is nothing we can do, it is purely by your grace and we must trust you…we are utterly dependent.”
When we entered, the victims dropped what they were doing and came boldly towards the front of the mill. The children seemed to be filled with excitement, almost as if they had been awaiting this very day. Hoping for a picture of truth and reality, the Tahsildar questioned each family. He was moved by the tears of the families and by the elderly man suffering in the final stages of TB that had been refused the opportunity to die in freedom. Suddenly, the families were dashing off in different directions to gather their meager belongings and within 25 minutes, we exited the facility.
Once back at the RDO’s office, four enquiry stations were set up, and all the government officials aside from the RDO were convinced that this was, in fact, a case of bonded labor. Advocated for and protected by both the team and other concerned government officials, the release certificates were signed and the RDO was forced to change his attitude. The release certificates and initial rehabilitation money were handed out, along with a milk sweet from the RDO. The latter item was handed out in hopes of making up for his previous poor behavior. Finally, the RDO exited his room and went before the man with TB. He offered him the proof of his release and acknowledged his freedom to pursue medical attention.
Thirteen Release Certificates in all were secured for the victims in the rice mill. To the newly released laborers this was not just a laminated document, as it might be viewed by an onlooker. This meant the ability to eat wherever desired, to choose work, to go to the doctor when necessary, and to live without the constant fear of abuse and emotional berating. This meant freedom.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Month Seven?!
Sometimes I chuckle when I read the title and address for my blog. Mom suggested that I might change the address as it sounded a little pessimistic before finalizing the whole thing. Still, as I continue with my posts, I am convinced I chose the right name!
For example, my roommate and I came back from Thailand and were in the office one day when she asked if I would just look at her head for a second as it had been itching like crazy. I moved a few pieces of hair not seeing anything too exciting. Then I took a closer look...hoards and clusters of brown bugs weaving their way through her hair, sucking her blood, and injecting saliva into her scalp to create an itching sensation....LICE!!!!!!
Not the little white nits alone, I am talking the full grown, mating, multiplying, big brown bugs amidst the white eggs dispersed through her hair. Not pretty. So strait home for a treatment. Only problem was her hair was LONG. On top of that, we had basically been attached at the hip the previous few weeks as we had been in Thailand and she had then moved into my room for slumber parties!
There ya have it: bugs in my hair too, nits on all our clothes, bedding, couches and other furniture. Oddly enough, our house became the place no one was really interested in coming over to and we were quarantined.
Just now, a month and a half later, I am taking my clothes and bedding out of sealed bags, washing them, and wearing them again. Praise the Lord above its over....for now!
Backing up, Christmas in Thailand rocked my face off. I saw old friends, met new ones, played on beaches, hung off the back of sung toas (open back trucks with benches inside), went on scooter rides, had REAL coffee, kayaked, went snorkeling, saw fire dancing, and was able to enjoy freedom of clothing options and freedom to explore God's creation and beauty. For the first time in a while, I took time to be still in God's creation...looking into the sea by myself. I danced and I sang and I wowed and awed at the things around me that he had created and perfected. He is lovely! I sometimes forget how beautiful he is as I am usually unable to get outside the city to see greenery, mountains, or ocean.
I found it strange that the thing I craved the most, to experience freedom, was the thing I was fighting for for others. The freedom to dance and explore through hiking and having amazing views in my backyard. Freedom to wear what I wanted and not be under the constant oppression of others' stares. Freedom to be.
I cried a lot pleading with God to not force me to return to this place. I wondered why he would put me in a place that cramped my style of worship and therefore negatively affected my relationship with him.
Though Thailand was beautiful and I had loads of fun; it was a hard place to be. Sex tourism was in your face and the selling of women for sex was condoned. I walked down the open night market aisles only to be approached and hassled by men trying to force their "menus" in my face. Whatever I would like, I could get...order it as if she were an item on a menu, a toy, a treat. She wasn't human or real, only her parts and her tricks were real. The perfect way to feel alive while being so not present...the shutting off of one's mind and the pushing away of memories of wives, children, responsibilities, beliefs, and more. How strange; how sad. I watched as a husband and wife walked down the street while pimp after pimp approached to offer this man “what men need”. His wife was RIGHT next to him, but unabashed, they pestered him until he pointed at his wife and said, "NO, I am with my wife!"
I saw a young Thai girl being pulled by her wrist by a fat European man. What do I do? How could I even begin to make a dent in something like this?
I felt desperate and sad. I had to continually remind myself that I can do a small part. I can refuse to be a buyer of sex, or laugh at jokes that involve strippers or "prostitutes". I can choose to influence and speak to the men in my life about what "sex tourism, porn, stripping" and all those things are really all about...the force, the coercion, the mental and emotional slavery, the community surroundings, and more. Otherwise, I feel absolutely small, inadequate and hopeless.
It makes me think of the Winter Olympic Games going on in BC right now. Women and children being trafficked up the I-5 corridor to supply for the huge sex demand in the city. The newly opened brothels, the indifferent police officials, and those that are trying to make a difference. I think of the fans....the "good times" groups of guys who go as some sort of sick team to rape and abuse girls together; the angry fans taking their aggression and rage out on the girl since their player didn't win; the lonely guy who wants to “feel connected" leaving feeling more lonely and leaving someone else a little more deadened on the inside.
When will it end? Why can't people be more outraged and men and women stop buying and supporting the buying of sex and people as commodities?
I actively await the abolition...
On a more positive note, work has been going well. Recently my main job has been the editing of family forms. These are the forms we use to document every interaction or conversation we've ever had together with our clients. Some of the forms I am editing over are anywhere from a few months old to 5 years old. It has been interesting to understand more of what these family's day to day lives look like, what it means to be from the caste they are from, what marriage looks like, relationships, etc. These reports are given annually to government officials so that they can know who they have helped rehabilitate, can feel involved and needed in the process, and can be aware of the ever present existing need that many families still face. Some, even from the year 2004, are yet to receive the rehabilitation money each bonded laborer is entitled to with the presence of a release certificate.
Part of this also means that I have had the opportunity to go on government visits to speak with RDOs, Collectors and so forth about the needs that our client's still have. Too bad for them, we will continue to pester them until our client's get what they need to start a life of freedom.
Apart from that, I recently did a training on sensitivity issues when dealing with victims/survivors of sexual abuse and violence. This was mainly in regards of how to appropriately interact with them when preparing them to testify in court. The training came out pretty well when combined with both aftercare team and legal team and there was a lot learned. However, public speaking is still NOT anywhere near something I enjoy or look forward to doing. The whole week before I feel the walls closing in on me, I am on edge, and I become a recluse to "prepare properly" which is more like stress to inappropriate and extreme levels!
Even with topics I find comfortable and I get passionate about, I get nervous. Last week I did a training for our young adults at church about domestic violence. I was excited/wetting my pants. I could talk about it just fine in conversation, but in a lecture? Yeah right! Thankfully, many people participated and answered questions and a few people even approached me afterward to talk about their own experiences with DV.
Though it was scary, I feel blessed to be able to share something that so many people struggle with or face in their own lives. It has challenged people and has awoken parts of them that I had never seen before. Its amazing what putting words to something and putting it into existence does. The light shines forth.
So here I am with about five months left of my internship. I am supposed to stay until July though many things remain up in the air for me. One of those things is my finances. Each month, my per diem for the month is released into my bank account. Unfortunately, February was the last month I was going to receive my full per diem. What I am hoping is that with the monthly givers as well as any extra money left in my account I can swing it, but right now, I might not make it until July.
That being said, I also must make it clear that I had hoped to visit a few other cities in India before I left this part of the world. This may make it slightly less appealing to give as part of it is not work related.
Either way, if you feel lead to give, please feel free to do so.
I thank you for those who already have. This time in India would not be possible without you and your donations have gone to helping real people. Thank you so very much.
Also, if you get a chance, please be in prayer for:
-Hiring in our office. At present we are looking to fill 15 open positions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 15!!!!!!!! I know, outrageous!
-Our new structural transformation project which we hope will enhance and strengthen our relationships with government officials, the media, people from the scheduled caste and tribe group, churches, and more.
-Qualified social workers
-Upcoming trainings for our aftercare staff
-That God will use me in whatever way he wants to and that I will remember that this is His story and I am only a small part in this great story. Its not about me.
On that note, If any of you decide that you`d like a change of scenery, make your way out to `South Asia’ because we would love to have you!
Thanks everyone! Much love to you all!
For example, my roommate and I came back from Thailand and were in the office one day when she asked if I would just look at her head for a second as it had been itching like crazy. I moved a few pieces of hair not seeing anything too exciting. Then I took a closer look...hoards and clusters of brown bugs weaving their way through her hair, sucking her blood, and injecting saliva into her scalp to create an itching sensation....LICE!!!!!!
Not the little white nits alone, I am talking the full grown, mating, multiplying, big brown bugs amidst the white eggs dispersed through her hair. Not pretty. So strait home for a treatment. Only problem was her hair was LONG. On top of that, we had basically been attached at the hip the previous few weeks as we had been in Thailand and she had then moved into my room for slumber parties!
There ya have it: bugs in my hair too, nits on all our clothes, bedding, couches and other furniture. Oddly enough, our house became the place no one was really interested in coming over to and we were quarantined.
Just now, a month and a half later, I am taking my clothes and bedding out of sealed bags, washing them, and wearing them again. Praise the Lord above its over....for now!
Backing up, Christmas in Thailand rocked my face off. I saw old friends, met new ones, played on beaches, hung off the back of sung toas (open back trucks with benches inside), went on scooter rides, had REAL coffee, kayaked, went snorkeling, saw fire dancing, and was able to enjoy freedom of clothing options and freedom to explore God's creation and beauty. For the first time in a while, I took time to be still in God's creation...looking into the sea by myself. I danced and I sang and I wowed and awed at the things around me that he had created and perfected. He is lovely! I sometimes forget how beautiful he is as I am usually unable to get outside the city to see greenery, mountains, or ocean.
I found it strange that the thing I craved the most, to experience freedom, was the thing I was fighting for for others. The freedom to dance and explore through hiking and having amazing views in my backyard. Freedom to wear what I wanted and not be under the constant oppression of others' stares. Freedom to be.
I cried a lot pleading with God to not force me to return to this place. I wondered why he would put me in a place that cramped my style of worship and therefore negatively affected my relationship with him.
Though Thailand was beautiful and I had loads of fun; it was a hard place to be. Sex tourism was in your face and the selling of women for sex was condoned. I walked down the open night market aisles only to be approached and hassled by men trying to force their "menus" in my face. Whatever I would like, I could get...order it as if she were an item on a menu, a toy, a treat. She wasn't human or real, only her parts and her tricks were real. The perfect way to feel alive while being so not present...the shutting off of one's mind and the pushing away of memories of wives, children, responsibilities, beliefs, and more. How strange; how sad. I watched as a husband and wife walked down the street while pimp after pimp approached to offer this man “what men need”. His wife was RIGHT next to him, but unabashed, they pestered him until he pointed at his wife and said, "NO, I am with my wife!"
I saw a young Thai girl being pulled by her wrist by a fat European man. What do I do? How could I even begin to make a dent in something like this?
I felt desperate and sad. I had to continually remind myself that I can do a small part. I can refuse to be a buyer of sex, or laugh at jokes that involve strippers or "prostitutes". I can choose to influence and speak to the men in my life about what "sex tourism, porn, stripping" and all those things are really all about...the force, the coercion, the mental and emotional slavery, the community surroundings, and more. Otherwise, I feel absolutely small, inadequate and hopeless.
It makes me think of the Winter Olympic Games going on in BC right now. Women and children being trafficked up the I-5 corridor to supply for the huge sex demand in the city. The newly opened brothels, the indifferent police officials, and those that are trying to make a difference. I think of the fans....the "good times" groups of guys who go as some sort of sick team to rape and abuse girls together; the angry fans taking their aggression and rage out on the girl since their player didn't win; the lonely guy who wants to “feel connected" leaving feeling more lonely and leaving someone else a little more deadened on the inside.
When will it end? Why can't people be more outraged and men and women stop buying and supporting the buying of sex and people as commodities?
I actively await the abolition...
On a more positive note, work has been going well. Recently my main job has been the editing of family forms. These are the forms we use to document every interaction or conversation we've ever had together with our clients. Some of the forms I am editing over are anywhere from a few months old to 5 years old. It has been interesting to understand more of what these family's day to day lives look like, what it means to be from the caste they are from, what marriage looks like, relationships, etc. These reports are given annually to government officials so that they can know who they have helped rehabilitate, can feel involved and needed in the process, and can be aware of the ever present existing need that many families still face. Some, even from the year 2004, are yet to receive the rehabilitation money each bonded laborer is entitled to with the presence of a release certificate.
Part of this also means that I have had the opportunity to go on government visits to speak with RDOs, Collectors and so forth about the needs that our client's still have. Too bad for them, we will continue to pester them until our client's get what they need to start a life of freedom.
Apart from that, I recently did a training on sensitivity issues when dealing with victims/survivors of sexual abuse and violence. This was mainly in regards of how to appropriately interact with them when preparing them to testify in court. The training came out pretty well when combined with both aftercare team and legal team and there was a lot learned. However, public speaking is still NOT anywhere near something I enjoy or look forward to doing. The whole week before I feel the walls closing in on me, I am on edge, and I become a recluse to "prepare properly" which is more like stress to inappropriate and extreme levels!
Even with topics I find comfortable and I get passionate about, I get nervous. Last week I did a training for our young adults at church about domestic violence. I was excited/wetting my pants. I could talk about it just fine in conversation, but in a lecture? Yeah right! Thankfully, many people participated and answered questions and a few people even approached me afterward to talk about their own experiences with DV.
Though it was scary, I feel blessed to be able to share something that so many people struggle with or face in their own lives. It has challenged people and has awoken parts of them that I had never seen before. Its amazing what putting words to something and putting it into existence does. The light shines forth.
So here I am with about five months left of my internship. I am supposed to stay until July though many things remain up in the air for me. One of those things is my finances. Each month, my per diem for the month is released into my bank account. Unfortunately, February was the last month I was going to receive my full per diem. What I am hoping is that with the monthly givers as well as any extra money left in my account I can swing it, but right now, I might not make it until July.
That being said, I also must make it clear that I had hoped to visit a few other cities in India before I left this part of the world. This may make it slightly less appealing to give as part of it is not work related.
Either way, if you feel lead to give, please feel free to do so.
I thank you for those who already have. This time in India would not be possible without you and your donations have gone to helping real people. Thank you so very much.
Also, if you get a chance, please be in prayer for:
-Hiring in our office. At present we are looking to fill 15 open positions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 15!!!!!!!! I know, outrageous!
-Our new structural transformation project which we hope will enhance and strengthen our relationships with government officials, the media, people from the scheduled caste and tribe group, churches, and more.
-Qualified social workers
-Upcoming trainings for our aftercare staff
-That God will use me in whatever way he wants to and that I will remember that this is His story and I am only a small part in this great story. Its not about me.
On that note, If any of you decide that you`d like a change of scenery, make your way out to `South Asia’ because we would love to have you!
Thanks everyone! Much love to you all!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Christmas time is here...
...or so I have been told. It is slightly hard to believe that the season is upon us when it is in the 80s to 90s. Also hard to comprehend when my Christmas plans involve the beaches of Thailand with friends and without any family. It is true, the visa run IS upon me and I must depart from this beloved country of mine. The plan for Christmas?...your guess is as good as mine. Will it involve caroling? Will it involve new and strange Christmas traditions that don't make sense to me? Will it involve a guitar on some beach? It is yet to be determined.
I have gotten home sick only a few times; and it always happens when I am alone, listening to Christmas music and looking at pictures of family and friends dressed in Christmas sweaters. A few days ago I turned on the AC full blast in my room, threw on a sweater and poured myself a cup of tea...closest thing I have gotten to Seattle Christmas weather thus far.
Woohoo!
Anyway, Merry Merry Christmas to all of you. I love you dearly!
I have gotten home sick only a few times; and it always happens when I am alone, listening to Christmas music and looking at pictures of family and friends dressed in Christmas sweaters. A few days ago I turned on the AC full blast in my room, threw on a sweater and poured myself a cup of tea...closest thing I have gotten to Seattle Christmas weather thus far.
Woohoo!
Anyway, Merry Merry Christmas to all of you. I love you dearly!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Rise up!
"Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name. Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever. Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually." Psalm 74:18-23
Keep us in your prayers! The battle is long and the powers of darkness are heavily assaulting us and those we seek to help! Our God is STRONGER still! Claim the victory with us as hours upon hours pass with no relief in sight!
Keep us in your prayers! The battle is long and the powers of darkness are heavily assaulting us and those we seek to help! Our God is STRONGER still! Claim the victory with us as hours upon hours pass with no relief in sight!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Snippets
There is a VERY good explanation for why I have not blogged at all in the last few months!
A. I didn't want to start out being really good at blogging or people would expect too much
B. I have been super busy!
C. I have always been bad at communication (that’s why I quickly switched majors after my second year of uni to human services)
D. The Indian Government banned all blogging (fine, that’s a lie) and finally...
E. I wrote an incredibly detailed genius blog and it deleted itself when I pressed the post button (Do you have any idea how discouraging that is!?)
So, on that note, I will give you a brief, scattered account of my time here in the last few months:
First of all, I wanted to THANK YOU all for praying for the housing situation! We finally moved into a place at the beginning of October. Housing in this city is absolutely hellish as you are almost always forced to pay a ten month advance, a large agent fee, can’t go directly to the owner without an agent, are forced to deal with incorrect information, flaky people, cheating people, and preconceived ideas of who you are based on the color of your skin! So yes, place after place fell through. BUT God provided in an amazing way!
A FRIEND found our place for us where we rent month by month therefore bypassing both the agent fee as well as the advance! Praise Jesus! It is also super close to work! God also provided two AMAZING girls to live with that I really enjoy and who want to get to know and understand me as well as to be known and understood. All that to say, God is good and prayer is effective and so NEEDED!
Another thing that is on my heart currently is the departure of a dear friend and my fellow aftercare worker Kimberly. She has been a lifesaver to me as she helped me adjust to a new culture, new ways of doing things, and learning the ropes of what exactly it is that this job description entails. She also genuinely cared about me and was interested in my life. She touched my life with her grace, love for Christ and other people, her soft-spokenness, her giggle and more. Kim was also so tactful and kind in the way she approached tough issues and called people out on things. Sometimes I wanted to yell and scream for her and defend her and be mean for her…but that just didn’t solve things. We enjoyed many laughs, awkward situations, cultural craziness, and tough times together. She has taught me a great deal and I don’t quite know what I will do without my friend.
On another note, we just had Diwali (The festival of lights) here last weekend. It is a Hindu festival that celebrates the defeat of an evil demon that created havoc and the overcoming of the light within the world and within ourselves. This festival is also celebrated and has different meanings for Sikhism and Jainism. Fireworks (aka “crackers”) are set off at ALL HOURS and in ALL PLACES to celebrate and set these crackers off on Satan’s head! This is also the weekend that the hospitals and burn units are the busiest. I spent my Diwali with some friends and colleagues on a rooftop in the city setting off fireworks of our own and enjoying the spastic, psychotic and beautiful fireworks assaulting us on every side (much safer than being on the streets with auto drivers driving you right over the top of crackers that are going off).
After our Diwali bash, a few of us decided to go out on the town. We departed the place with 6 of us girls in an auto and 3 drivers…this is quite a feat for the amount of room that is in this small vehicle! Everything was relatively okay until some of the girls shoved their faces into their hands and yelled at us not to look at what was ahead amongst the police officers. A man sprawled and smashed against the pavement, fresh blood pooling around his head. His bike catapulted far ahead of his body. I didn't even see it, but the images I have created in my mind still linger forcing me to acknowledge that life is fragile and we never know when it is our time.
A few weeks ago, the church I am a part of participated in a soccer tournament against 19 other churches in the area! Three of us girls joined the thrown together at the last minute team (of which had never practiced together and had the only females of the whole competition) and we came in 4th! It was fun/HOT/lasted ALL day! It began at 6AM IST meaning it didn't really start until around 7:30. At 3PM we finally ended our games. A long day but it was very much enjoyed though the heat literally almost killed me and another one of my roommates! This country is apparently suppose to be entering into monsoon season or the cooler seasons, but the nationals are still saying it feels like summer! In fact, one man yesterday said, "India is hot and then its hotter"
Switching gears yet again: yesterday was originally intended to be a day of fun, laughter, and rejuvenation. We drove out to a beach to celebrate a good friend’s birthday who is about to depart from us and return to Australia. Unfortunately, we got lost on our way and ended up getting to the beach a lot later than planned. So we got into our bathing suits and were about to run in when one of our friend's got a call (we'll call her Shnooker) saying the government had changed their rules on business visas and anyone who had one was ordered to leave the country by Oct 31st to return to their country of origin to get reissued a new employment visa. Yesterday was in fact, October 31st and it was 2:30 in the afternoon meaning we would need to rush back to the city, pack up all our belongings, buy a ticket, and fly out of the city by 12AM or we would be deported, red flagged, or potentially never be allowed to leave the country again! Shnooker had been with some of her friends the night before who were attempting to leave the country as well and others had already left and were pretty stressed out that we had not left yet!
A weird mixture of laughter, fear, excitement and worry poured over me! So we booked it into the ocean for a 5 minute swim since we had driven all that way to go, packed up and took off. Our drive back we were frantically calling friends and trying to figure out where we should fly to. For some reason, we decided half way through the drive to call our boss who our friend had spoken to earlier to check in and see what was going on at his end. When we called our bosses wife picked up and was far too calm for comfort. Our boss told us that it would be outrageous to try to mobilize all of us in a few hours and send us out so even if we did need to leave that day, we would wait instead and file some sort of a group petition to leave if we indeed needed to leave still. They had been trying to contact the consulate in the states as well as here and were getting mixed messages from everyone. It was late on Friday night in the States and here there have been holidays and the office won't even open again until Tuesday.
So there we were, frazzled, stressed, and laughing with our plans destroyed for the day and the uncertainty of still maybe being forced to pick up and evacuate the country still being a possibility.
Oh the joys! Pray that we won't be forced out and that this has just been a miscommunication. It would be pretty horrible to be deported or to be red flagged...not on my list of things I have always wanted to do! If we have to leave, we will know by Tuesday and we will then find out if we have to fly back to our country of origin or just out of this country!
So there it is folks, a little reading that has hopefully been for your fine enjoyment. Thanks for your emails and responses; they always make me laugh and/or feel quite loved by you all!
Love you!
A. I didn't want to start out being really good at blogging or people would expect too much
B. I have been super busy!
C. I have always been bad at communication (that’s why I quickly switched majors after my second year of uni to human services)
D. The Indian Government banned all blogging (fine, that’s a lie) and finally...
E. I wrote an incredibly detailed genius blog and it deleted itself when I pressed the post button (Do you have any idea how discouraging that is!?)
So, on that note, I will give you a brief, scattered account of my time here in the last few months:
First of all, I wanted to THANK YOU all for praying for the housing situation! We finally moved into a place at the beginning of October. Housing in this city is absolutely hellish as you are almost always forced to pay a ten month advance, a large agent fee, can’t go directly to the owner without an agent, are forced to deal with incorrect information, flaky people, cheating people, and preconceived ideas of who you are based on the color of your skin! So yes, place after place fell through. BUT God provided in an amazing way!
A FRIEND found our place for us where we rent month by month therefore bypassing both the agent fee as well as the advance! Praise Jesus! It is also super close to work! God also provided two AMAZING girls to live with that I really enjoy and who want to get to know and understand me as well as to be known and understood. All that to say, God is good and prayer is effective and so NEEDED!
Another thing that is on my heart currently is the departure of a dear friend and my fellow aftercare worker Kimberly. She has been a lifesaver to me as she helped me adjust to a new culture, new ways of doing things, and learning the ropes of what exactly it is that this job description entails. She also genuinely cared about me and was interested in my life. She touched my life with her grace, love for Christ and other people, her soft-spokenness, her giggle and more. Kim was also so tactful and kind in the way she approached tough issues and called people out on things. Sometimes I wanted to yell and scream for her and defend her and be mean for her…but that just didn’t solve things. We enjoyed many laughs, awkward situations, cultural craziness, and tough times together. She has taught me a great deal and I don’t quite know what I will do without my friend.
On another note, we just had Diwali (The festival of lights) here last weekend. It is a Hindu festival that celebrates the defeat of an evil demon that created havoc and the overcoming of the light within the world and within ourselves. This festival is also celebrated and has different meanings for Sikhism and Jainism. Fireworks (aka “crackers”) are set off at ALL HOURS and in ALL PLACES to celebrate and set these crackers off on Satan’s head! This is also the weekend that the hospitals and burn units are the busiest. I spent my Diwali with some friends and colleagues on a rooftop in the city setting off fireworks of our own and enjoying the spastic, psychotic and beautiful fireworks assaulting us on every side (much safer than being on the streets with auto drivers driving you right over the top of crackers that are going off).
After our Diwali bash, a few of us decided to go out on the town. We departed the place with 6 of us girls in an auto and 3 drivers…this is quite a feat for the amount of room that is in this small vehicle! Everything was relatively okay until some of the girls shoved their faces into their hands and yelled at us not to look at what was ahead amongst the police officers. A man sprawled and smashed against the pavement, fresh blood pooling around his head. His bike catapulted far ahead of his body. I didn't even see it, but the images I have created in my mind still linger forcing me to acknowledge that life is fragile and we never know when it is our time.
A few weeks ago, the church I am a part of participated in a soccer tournament against 19 other churches in the area! Three of us girls joined the thrown together at the last minute team (of which had never practiced together and had the only females of the whole competition) and we came in 4th! It was fun/HOT/lasted ALL day! It began at 6AM IST meaning it didn't really start until around 7:30. At 3PM we finally ended our games. A long day but it was very much enjoyed though the heat literally almost killed me and another one of my roommates! This country is apparently suppose to be entering into monsoon season or the cooler seasons, but the nationals are still saying it feels like summer! In fact, one man yesterday said, "India is hot and then its hotter"
Switching gears yet again: yesterday was originally intended to be a day of fun, laughter, and rejuvenation. We drove out to a beach to celebrate a good friend’s birthday who is about to depart from us and return to Australia. Unfortunately, we got lost on our way and ended up getting to the beach a lot later than planned. So we got into our bathing suits and were about to run in when one of our friend's got a call (we'll call her Shnooker) saying the government had changed their rules on business visas and anyone who had one was ordered to leave the country by Oct 31st to return to their country of origin to get reissued a new employment visa. Yesterday was in fact, October 31st and it was 2:30 in the afternoon meaning we would need to rush back to the city, pack up all our belongings, buy a ticket, and fly out of the city by 12AM or we would be deported, red flagged, or potentially never be allowed to leave the country again! Shnooker had been with some of her friends the night before who were attempting to leave the country as well and others had already left and were pretty stressed out that we had not left yet!
A weird mixture of laughter, fear, excitement and worry poured over me! So we booked it into the ocean for a 5 minute swim since we had driven all that way to go, packed up and took off. Our drive back we were frantically calling friends and trying to figure out where we should fly to. For some reason, we decided half way through the drive to call our boss who our friend had spoken to earlier to check in and see what was going on at his end. When we called our bosses wife picked up and was far too calm for comfort. Our boss told us that it would be outrageous to try to mobilize all of us in a few hours and send us out so even if we did need to leave that day, we would wait instead and file some sort of a group petition to leave if we indeed needed to leave still. They had been trying to contact the consulate in the states as well as here and were getting mixed messages from everyone. It was late on Friday night in the States and here there have been holidays and the office won't even open again until Tuesday.
So there we were, frazzled, stressed, and laughing with our plans destroyed for the day and the uncertainty of still maybe being forced to pick up and evacuate the country still being a possibility.
Oh the joys! Pray that we won't be forced out and that this has just been a miscommunication. It would be pretty horrible to be deported or to be red flagged...not on my list of things I have always wanted to do! If we have to leave, we will know by Tuesday and we will then find out if we have to fly back to our country of origin or just out of this country!
So there it is folks, a little reading that has hopefully been for your fine enjoyment. Thanks for your emails and responses; they always make me laugh and/or feel quite loved by you all!
Love you!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Things that might not happen on a regular basis back home
Things currently making me chuckle:
1.I saw maybe the best thing ever a few days ago. A herd of ducks...BEING herded in a grassy marsh!
2. I bought a few things at a local shop and gave the man a bill that I would need change back for. Instead of giving me my change back, he tried to convince me to buy HIM for 50 Rupees...(I said no!)
3. I joined a few friends in getting a chocolate treat a few days back. Another guy was in the shop and gave me a bite of his dessert so I could try it out. This has never happened to me back in the states.
4. I asked a guy friend a question while strolling down the street to the sound of horns and the smells of who knows what (typical, mind you). Instead of answering, he grabbed my bag hanging around my body and spun me around behind him and off the street...in order to stop the huge bus from hitting me. (mom, you can send that helmet. I'll wear it even for just strolling down streets!)
5. I asked an auto driver how much a 2 Kilometer ride back home would be. He said it would be 210 Rupees!! It is definitely suppose to be 20 RP. A kind man on his motorcycle next to us gave me a ride for free, though we got into a tussle with a huge pothole and almost crashed, sending his cell phone flying out of his pocket.
6. Police officers tried to give me a ride back home...I did not take it. Slightly creepy.
7. Today, I got my haircut and decided to be daring. It was a bad choice. When I was little, my dear mother once gave my sister and I bowl cuts...yes, bowl cuts (like little boys have). Even when I look back on our sweet angelic faces, I cant help but feel queasy just looking at our awful hair. Apparently I didn't hate it enough because somehow I have it again. (Hopes of finding n South Asian husband are now out of the question) Dang it!
8. I have developed cat like reflexes as a response to the large and never ending amount of ants in my house. Pray that they all die. (God cares even about the little things)
My new rule: Stick to only one adventure a day
1.I saw maybe the best thing ever a few days ago. A herd of ducks...BEING herded in a grassy marsh!
2. I bought a few things at a local shop and gave the man a bill that I would need change back for. Instead of giving me my change back, he tried to convince me to buy HIM for 50 Rupees...(I said no!)
3. I joined a few friends in getting a chocolate treat a few days back. Another guy was in the shop and gave me a bite of his dessert so I could try it out. This has never happened to me back in the states.
4. I asked a guy friend a question while strolling down the street to the sound of horns and the smells of who knows what (typical, mind you). Instead of answering, he grabbed my bag hanging around my body and spun me around behind him and off the street...in order to stop the huge bus from hitting me. (mom, you can send that helmet. I'll wear it even for just strolling down streets!)
5. I asked an auto driver how much a 2 Kilometer ride back home would be. He said it would be 210 Rupees!! It is definitely suppose to be 20 RP. A kind man on his motorcycle next to us gave me a ride for free, though we got into a tussle with a huge pothole and almost crashed, sending his cell phone flying out of his pocket.
6. Police officers tried to give me a ride back home...I did not take it. Slightly creepy.
7. Today, I got my haircut and decided to be daring. It was a bad choice. When I was little, my dear mother once gave my sister and I bowl cuts...yes, bowl cuts (like little boys have). Even when I look back on our sweet angelic faces, I cant help but feel queasy just looking at our awful hair. Apparently I didn't hate it enough because somehow I have it again. (Hopes of finding n South Asian husband are now out of the question) Dang it!
8. I have developed cat like reflexes as a response to the large and never ending amount of ants in my house. Pray that they all die. (God cares even about the little things)
My new rule: Stick to only one adventure a day
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Mixed emotions
As I have expressed to some of you, this Tuesday will mark my one month anniversary of being in South Asia. This month has been good, yet hard and I am absolutely convinced I have actually been here at least 5 months by now.
I have had fun...I traveled to the Southern tip of this country to a point where you can watch the sun rise and set from the same location and attended a wedding; I have ridden a bike which is a feat in itself since crossing the street is the most life threatening thing you will have to do each day; I have eaten great food with my right hand; have seen more beautiful colors than I ever have in my whole life; and after bargaining back in forth with a man, ended up getting a free scarf which should have been 500 rupees.
Other things have been not so fun. I was sick for a little over a week and just yesterday got some sort of food poisoning. I have seen the abuse of dogs, children and women; the effects that idol worship has on a place; the earth cry out for restoration as the inhabitants defile, corrupt and trash it. I have smelt things I wish I never had; have had to pay to use bathrooms that someone should have paid ME to use and more.
Everything is much more intense here. In many ways, I hate it. At the same time, all the things I have seen here, exist back home but are more hidden...in a way, I am confronted by the way I live, the idols in my own life, the way I defile God's creation...I am confronted by reality and see how quickly my world can become like this.
I am thankful for the prayers that I know many are praying. I have felt peace and comfort when I know it was impossible on my own. I have been sick but felt God's calling for me to rest and spend time in His presence more than ever. My needs have been met over and again by Him.
I want to enjoy this time, soak it up, live in the present. Currently, all I want is for it to be over so I can come back to my comfortable, understandable, predictable life. I want control to drive my own car, I want to understand what people are saying, I want to not have to strain to understand the culture around me, I want the comforts of my life that I have taken for granted, I want to be with family and friends and people that know me.
Yet that is not what He has planned for me now. If you get a chance please pray that this time will be enjoyed..that I will not try to rush through something God has so truly blessed me with. I realize that this is what my heart has desired for so long...to be a part of this organization and this work. If I ever start complaining...you have my permission to scold me!
Anyway, thanks for listening!
I love you all!
I have had fun...I traveled to the Southern tip of this country to a point where you can watch the sun rise and set from the same location and attended a wedding; I have ridden a bike which is a feat in itself since crossing the street is the most life threatening thing you will have to do each day; I have eaten great food with my right hand; have seen more beautiful colors than I ever have in my whole life; and after bargaining back in forth with a man, ended up getting a free scarf which should have been 500 rupees.
Other things have been not so fun. I was sick for a little over a week and just yesterday got some sort of food poisoning. I have seen the abuse of dogs, children and women; the effects that idol worship has on a place; the earth cry out for restoration as the inhabitants defile, corrupt and trash it. I have smelt things I wish I never had; have had to pay to use bathrooms that someone should have paid ME to use and more.
Everything is much more intense here. In many ways, I hate it. At the same time, all the things I have seen here, exist back home but are more hidden...in a way, I am confronted by the way I live, the idols in my own life, the way I defile God's creation...I am confronted by reality and see how quickly my world can become like this.
I am thankful for the prayers that I know many are praying. I have felt peace and comfort when I know it was impossible on my own. I have been sick but felt God's calling for me to rest and spend time in His presence more than ever. My needs have been met over and again by Him.
I want to enjoy this time, soak it up, live in the present. Currently, all I want is for it to be over so I can come back to my comfortable, understandable, predictable life. I want control to drive my own car, I want to understand what people are saying, I want to not have to strain to understand the culture around me, I want the comforts of my life that I have taken for granted, I want to be with family and friends and people that know me.
Yet that is not what He has planned for me now. If you get a chance please pray that this time will be enjoyed..that I will not try to rush through something God has so truly blessed me with. I realize that this is what my heart has desired for so long...to be a part of this organization and this work. If I ever start complaining...you have my permission to scold me!
Anyway, thanks for listening!
I love you all!
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