Topic “Global Impact”
Home Again
All 15 of the Indian sojourners have returned home safely, and each of us will never be the same again. As we sift through the many stories and images bestowed on us, we have much to process and pray their me ears to listen and eyes to see. We desire to share, so that you too may experience our journey, even just a little. But we know there is more to tell then time to hear, and our lives are quickly becoming saturated with the demands of home life, work life and social life.
Half Way Home
We spent our last night in Induia reflecting on the bold and couragoeous steps takeb during this India journey. Here are some of the reflections from our young people. I invite you to first read the following scripture passage about Joshua: Deuteronomy 31:1-8. Now consider the place at which Joshua has been called to. What might he be feeling? What kind of courage will he need? Where will God be in all of this? Now think about a bold and courageous step you have taken in your faith walk. For the sojourners of India, they named aloud a specific bold step taken in India.
Agra
Yesterday, we spent the full day at Agra! Our first stop was one of the modern seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. It was indeed magnificent. 4 of our girls donned their sariis and were followed by "paparazi". Megan, a mother of a 2-year-old herself, was asked to hold an Indian 2-year-old so his father could take a picture. The architecture of the Taj and all the fine detailed carving and semi-precious stone in-laid in white marble were the first and obvious attractions, but it is the romance story that undergirds the architecture and outshines the stone and minarets!
Farewell to Southern India
We have arrived in Delhi and are on our way to Agra. Already, the contrasts are immense - from the malls, to the lack of goats and chickens to the larger roads and defined neighborhoods. Tomorrow, we will rise arly to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, then to the Red Fort. Our final night is in Delhi where will tour the city and prepare our hearts for our homecoming. See you very soon.
64 Years Ago, August 15, 1954
Happy Independence Day, India! 64th celebration, 67 years long! "The service of India means the service of the millions that suffer. The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us. But so long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over." -Pandit Jawaharal Nehru, August 15, 1954.
Out of Sequence: Day 4
On day 4 of the journey, we arrived in Tivrannamalai. This is where Shirva lit a latern upon a lone mountain and asked Vishnu and Brahmab where it begins and where it ends. Vishnu said he didn't know, and Brahman lied. The mountain here is the embodiment of Shirva and a lantern is lit once a year. We hiked to the mid point of this sacred mountain, where we could see the whole city and the second largest temple in India. We then toured the ashram at the bottom. From the ashram, we visited the temple. We were guided into the holy of holies in both the temple for Shirva and Parvarti.
Pondicherry
We are now in Pondicherry, enjoying surfside, the Bay of Bengal. This is the first time, since Tirvannamalai, where Western travlers are in number enough to really notice. Last night, we had dinner with Jane Koons. She brought us positive feedback about the ambassadorship of our many school and library visits, most especially the primary school in the Hills. This begged the group's reflection on the definition of service. We have struggled with spending little time in lots of places and not building relationships with the children through hands on activities.
Beyond Technical Difficulties
We have moved from Chennai to Tivrannamalai, and will travel tonight to a rural area where we will spend the next 5 days at Siloam. We have spent the last 4 days very busy. We visited Saron Boys School and Home, then met the weavers at Lebanon Home for Women. From there, we settled into Quo Vadis, an interfaith dialogue center. They have taught us much about the Hindu faith and facilitated conversation with local people. Last night, we learned some folk dances from a professional troupe, then were dressed in sarais and dodies.
In Chennai
All 15 of Bethlehem's India sojourners have arrived in Chennai safely. Our first order of business was to go to Gurukul Seminary for a bit of breakfast and a restful lay in. A few of us ventured out in search of bottled water. Not daring to cross the busy street, we kept on our "block". 14 large bottles of water later, we detoured through an alley only to discover a dead end. But not after greeting some locals and waving to their beautiful children. The sounds and smells are overwhelming...some lovely and others quite putrid.
The Importance of Framing (excerpts from Deep Justice Journeys)
It was just a week ago that 39 sojourners returned from Cuernavaca, Mexico, and only days before 15 depart for Channai, India. It is no surprise that Bethlehem takes its call to share the Good News of Christ with the whole world and actively does so through a variety service learning trips and cultural exchanges.
