April 12, 2009

Passage to India

You don't have to go far to find reviews describing India as a country rich in culture, vibrant colors, exotic foods, housing deeply religious people in a land full of contrasts. One famous quote I read on India comes from Sylvia Levi, a leading French scholar in Indian studies from the early 1900s:

She (India) has left indelible imprints on one fourth of the human race in the course of a long succession of centuries.

Well, I can't back up Levi's claim that one fourth of the human race has been affected by India, but I can claim that my experience in India left an indelible imprint on my heart.





I had opportunity to explore the city of Bangalore, the third most populous city in India (estimated population of 5.3 million in 2009) and was fascinated by its color, foods, shopping and traffic.

Ah, the traffic! I thought roads in China were interesting. Seems like all drivers in India have one hand on the horn and another on the steering wheel. It really is something to witness: the constant drumming of horns against the ever-moving vehicles of all shapes and sizes. One difference from the traffic in China and Korea is the adding of auto-rickshaws, cattle-driven carts and farm equipment to the mix of on-road vehicles.

It is safe to say the three-wheeled auto-rickshaws dominate the roads in Bangalore. As an obvious tourist to the city -- sometimes I feel like I'm a walking billboard for the 'west' -- I had lots of offers from rickshaw drivers to take me around the city. Here's a random shot of a street in Bangalore lined with these two-stroke rickshaws waiting for tired pedestrians.





Even though city life was fascinating, the indelible imprints on my heart is the result of a unique mission opportunity I had: to live at an orphanage near Bangalore for a week, participating in the daily activities with the children and workers who live there.

I was part of a visiting team of staff and students from my school in Korea, all volunteering time and expense to encourage a group of 90 kids ranging from the ages of 3 to 17. As I learned throughout the week, these kids come from some pretty rough backgrounds yet now have the opportunity for an education, daily meals and interaction with an extended family of Christians in rural India.

The Home provides a simple existence for the kids, for they sleep together on the floor, have a small trunk to put their belongings, fetch water with buckets so they can shower, eat meals of mostly rice, play using their imagination together with whatever they can find, etc. Yet despite this (what westerners would call) sparse living, I found these kids among the most grateful and contented people I've encountered, much like those I met in the Malaysian jungle.











It was evident these kids cherished every opportunity to be with us. Our team stayed in an apartment above the orphanage so we could be close and interact with the kids from morning to night. It was a wonderful setup because the apartment allowed us time to bond as a team while giving us close access to the kids. I'll never forget the loud cheers when we would head downstairs to their living area because they were so happy to see us!

As the week progressed and we had opportunity to lead music, share Bible stories, lead them in games, crafts and help tutor their studies, we naturally grew closer. It wasn't just the kids who cherished our time together! Rarely was there a time when a team member was not carrying a little one in their arms or on their back or holding hands while walking. Incredible friendships and memories made in just one short week.





April 10, 2009

Jamie Uncle

How fortunate to be able to communicate with these kids in English. I learned there are over 250 spoken languages in India which means that most of the kids and adults in the orphanage would not even understand each other if they were left to communicate in their native tongue -- and they are from the same country! It turns out that English is as vital for them to communicate as it is for those of us visiting.


The older ladies who work endlessly to keep the Home operating on a daily basis are called Aunties, as are any older females who come to visit. Likewise, any older male is called Uncle. Admittedly, it took me a few times before I realized they were trying to get my attention because they called me Jamie Uncle instead of Uncle Jamie as is customary back home. Either way, I love the term because it identifies us as family.

I was so incredibly blessed to meet and get to know four of the oldest boys in the Home: Yongmath (center), his younger brother Tongna (left), Talu (right) and Raja (pictured below in red). What outstanding young men!

From the outset, I could tell these boys cherished every moment we had together. This became undeniably evident to me when they asked whether we could meet first thing every morning on the upper balcony outside the staff apartment... and by first thing in the morning, they meant before dawn! Since the kids don't typically have access to the upper floor where the visitors stay, this meant climbing the side of the building to get to the second floor balcony.



Sure enough, I won't forget seeing Yongmath's hands gripping the ledge of the balcony as he had climbed from ground level to share the sunrise with me. After witnessing the appearance of the sun, we continued in a couple hours of conversation and devotions as the rest of the Home began to stir. I have to ask what other 11-14 year old boys would wake up at 5:30 in the morning on their own to spend time in conversation with a visitor!?

As the week progressed, I noticed a joy and peace and level of faith in these boys, as with most of the older kids in the orphanage, that could rival the joy, peace and faith found in some older more-mature Christians. As a result, we were able to talk on issues of our Christian faith and what it looks like for us in our daily walk, wherever God places us.

While I was there, I wanted to encourage these young boys to continue finding the best in their situation for they are part of a home with an extended family like few other kids experience. This sure wasn't a new idea to them, for I found they naturally look at what they have rather than what they don't have. Such a great outlook on life!

It is amazing how the younger kids look up to and listen to my guys since they are the oldest and only male role models at the Home. I witnessed this over and over again. It didn't matter when or where, if Yongmath told another child to do something, they obeyed... without question!

One day we were talking and Yongmath provided the perfect analogy: he told me how, years ago, he saw a newly sprouted tree growing crooked -- so he used a rope to straighten it, tying it to the nearby fence. He was proud this tree now stood straight and mature and was one of the nicest trees on the property! I took the opportunity to encourage him that as he helped this tree grow strong, he has been given the responsibility to help guide the younger kids at the Home to grow in the right direction. I hope this tree will be a reminder for him of this responsibility.

I learned that Yongmath wants to become a doctor and the others want to go into the police force. This got me thinking that as they move from the Home and get jobs in future years, they run the risk (as we all do) of being lured by the world and its temporary offerings. It is my prayer these kids hang on to Christ, the key, who enables them to live a life of peace and joy as they grow and face many opportunities and challenges. I pray they realize that taking their focus off God and placing it on the world only results in a life filled with loneliness and loss of purpose. As Ravi Zacharias says,

Apart from the reality of God, it is only natural that life will seem meaningless, and a sense of emptiness will come over us because we get tired of the routine. God is not only a never-ending wonder but He offers solid truth that we can count on.

May the wonder I see in these kids' eyes remain focused on God regardless of where life takes them.

How difficult it was for us to say goodbye. I'll never forget seeing the tears in the eyes of these young guys through my own. But as hard as it was to say goodbye, I would not have traded the opportunity to spend time with these kids for anything.

Goodbyes are very much part of the lives of the kids at the orphanage. When a friend asked what life is like for them after we leave, Yongmath said,

Well, after the bus leaves everyone is quiet, each going his own way to be with his thoughts, and then gradually after a couple days life gets back to normal.

I pray the time spent with the kids has positive everlasting results for all of us -- which would make the sadness of our goodbyes only temporary and so worthwhile!