Six days back our little band of seven said our final “see you latter” (for the time being) to what had begun to feel like home. Suresh once told us that it is only Christians that can use the term “see you later” without lying. This made saying goodbye not so painful. Our final week in Tenali was full of activity. We kept busy, with three different World Cup Cricket parties (an amazing experience to celebrate with our friends in both their defeat of Pakistan and then Sri Lanka to win the World Cup.) We threw a celebration lunch for the teachers of the Harvest India public school in which we served them and their families a full Indian lunch. It was TONS of work and gave us an even more enhanced appreciation for how eager Harvest India staff has been to continually serve us. We celebrated Cory’s birthday, Lizzi’s 5 month pregnancy mark, and our going away all in one big bash at Suresh’s house. Taylor and I made a new friend that lives just down the street from our house and spent a considerable amount of time building a too short lived relationship. And finally we gave our final hugs, drank our final chai, and started the long trek to Hyderabad to begin our journey home.
In coming to India, Taylor and I clearly felt that God was calling us to this, but God wasn’t showing us anything past India. It has been our continual prayer that He would reveal to us what is next, and that it would be something with purpose; something that would use us both to the best of our abilities. As we watched the sunset each night we began to talk about what might be next for us. Taylor is able to go straight back into his job at REI, but would rather find something else. I have no open doors that I currently know of. We have dreamed and discussed the possibilities of settling back down in Orange County and looking for jobs, or moving to Redding for awhile to be near my ever expanding family as our nieces and nephews are growing too quickly. We have considered moving in with Taylor’s parents; which would also put us closer to my parents. We have considered beginning the process of moving back here to India for awhile. But in it all, God is irritatingly quiet. If anything, we feel (not hear) that God is asking us to be present in each day and not get lost in searching out the future.
God has given us an incredible opportunity to travel a bit more before returning home. Long story short, we have been given the opportunity to travel with Taylor’s parents and brother for three weeks throughout Europe. We were originally planning a few days in London and Ireland to visit some good friends of ours, but this has increased to include France and Switzerland. Beyond the great opp to spend time in Europe with Taylor’s family, it is not costing us more than our return ticket home as his parents are paying for all our travel and accommodations around Europe. I feel that this will be a time of rest. To shut down, be silent, not strive toward anything, while still being engaged with the world around us.
I have struggled with conflicting emotions as we have left Tenali. I am sad to leave, excited to reacquire some very missed comforts of home, missing my friends and family, scared to not know what is next, anxious at not knowing my purpose in each day, confused as to how to continue the lifestyle that we have been learning from. I left feeling like it wasn’t enough time.
Taylor, Crystal and I split from the rest of our team Wednesday morning. As Cory & Elana headed to Darjeeling (where we joined them Friday afternoon), Chris & Lizzi jumped on a plane for home, Crystal, Taylor and I took a quick 2 day trip into New Dehli to see the Taj Mahal. It was culture shock to see Dehli, the capital city, and how developed and organized it is. There are taxes on everything in Dehli, but you see where those tax rupees are going. It was shocking to not be able to call Suresh to get us out of a bind, or ask him for recommendations. It was shocking to take the metro and train and see the railway begger children. I found myself overwhelmed at the depravity of these little kids; knowing that they are more than likely part of a gang and the money they collect is doing them little good; knowing that they are going to grow into rough adults. I found myself repulsed at how dirty they were and annoyed at their persistence, while at the same time wanting to scoop them up and instill them with hope; to wipe the dirt from their faces, hose them off, and take them home. By the end of day two I wasn’t sure I could handle another street child persistently following us with his hand out asking for food. And then God gave us a little glimmer of joy with the presence of three little girls. While awaiting our final train, after an incredibly long day, these three little girls came up with their hands out asking for rupees. My heart fell, until Crystal, in a moment of pure genius, put her hand out and asked the smaller one to give HER rupees. The little girl caught on and started to laugh. Crystal asked the little girl to dance, so she began to dance, and we danced with her. Nothing too fancy, mostly the hokey pokey and a few Bollywood moves we have seen. Then the camera came out (the ipod really as both ours & Crystals camera batteries were completely dead) and the girls LOVED it. They ate the attention up. They were laughing, posing and playing around. We tried to do a group shot, but the girls ended in a pile on the floor in laughter before Taylor could capture the moment. The police came and chased them off, only for them to return 20 seconds later. It was interesting to see the reactions of those around us. Westerners looked appalled and annoyed. This guy brought his granddaughter over to have her picture taken with us. And we….we rejoiced. I was reminded that it is the small things that count. God isn’t showing us how to change these girls lives, but He did give us the opportunity to change their next 20 minutes. To fill them with laughter and allow them to simply be little girls. To realize that sometimes it is the small stuff, sometimes its just a moment, and yet sometimes that is all you have to give.
Beautiful, Beth!
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