Update from Alyanna
Hi everyone!
I hope this note finds you doing well. J
I just thought I’d update everyone on how our week of
ministry is coming along here in India! I miss you all incredibly and encourage
you to message and write me! I don’t have an abundance of time on my hands to
read everything at the moment… But I most definitely will find priority to do
so soon!
Today was our free day and we took the Delhi metro to C.P.
and the vintage india market… It is always fun taking the metro… I sat in
between autumn and an Indian man.. As I read thru Psalms next to him, I noticed
how he glanced over my shoulder and gave off a curious composure as to what the
pages held… It was actually really thought provoking to think that this may
have had been the only bible he had ever seen… I was praying for him..
I just want these people to know what an incredible God is
out there who pieced them together beautifully..
So this is what our week looked like:
Monday: Ministry prep
Tuesday: We went to Pastor Lomony’s house to have the most
incredible chai tea and pick up his family. J
Then we drove to the slums.. Our message was shaped around the passage in
matthew where Jesus washes His dicipals feet out of love and example..
So as each child came to our small buckets of water in the
crowded room, we asked their names and then prayed for them as we washed their
feet. It was honestly so beautiful…I felt so privileged to be able to serve
them like this. Most of the children are Hindu, so it’s really cool to be able
to do this with them. We’re only allowed to stay in the slum for about an hour
and a half for safety reasons, because what we’re doing is illegal.
Then Kenny played some worship songs, and the boys were so
excited to see the guitar!
My favourite part of slum ministry is definitely giving hugs
and kisses to the kids as we part our ways. So precious!!! They love reaching
up to poke my ribs too haha.
Wednesday: P.G. Leprosy colony- There are 5 of us in our
particular group and Abby and I have developed a close relationship with a 21
year old woman named shaunti and her family. She has two sweet, sweet children
and sometimes her husband is home….When we walked into her house her husband
was playing video games! Lol. It was definitely an older fashioned video game
system but so funny! It caught me off guard.
(Oh. The power just went out by the way. It’s about 10/11 at
night on July 11th hahaha……The power goes out whenever it wants to,
it’s fun.)
Anyhow then her husband invited me to play!!! It was funny…
It was a car racing game….and the really funny part is that I was actually
getting quite into it….eventually I gave up though.
Shautni is such a beautiful person…she has shown me more
about self sacrifice and compassion than I have ever seen… Though she and her
family have very little and close to nothing, she gives all of the food she has
to us…which consists of little vegetables, broth and rice. But I have to admit
I have a weakness for the coffee & chai that she gives us. J Sometimes she braides
jasmine into our hair and gives us small gifts even if we don’t ask, or do
anything in return. It’s just so sweet. So genuine. Please be praying for
Shaunti and her family as well as
all of those in the Leprosy colony sites that we are ministering to!
Thursday: Kenny ended up staying home with one of our team
members who wasn’t feeling well… Thus, much of our ministry ideas for this day
changed…But we prayed and worked through it…We did songs and colouring pages….
But the thing I love about Tuesdays and Thursdays is the drive to the slums. I
love driving in india! It’s so….I don’t know if you could place a word on
it….except that it’s so spontaneous. All of the time. Our drive to the slums
starts out thru the city, then towards the end we get to drive thru the country
side a bit..In total it’s probably about an hour and a half drive.
Friday: RAIN!!!
On the drive to P.G. there were these girls knocking on our
windows at the street stop, so we gave them our sandwiches..The hard thing
about wanting to give here in india, whether it be thru money, gifts, or food
is the fact that there’s a specific time and place that is appropriate to do
so. And one really has to go about it with great care… Some of us have
definitely learned that the hard way. I’m definitely learning that it’s what
the Lord places on your heart and it helps to surrender and give as He leads…
Oh yes..And ah..The bathrooms of the Leprosy Colony…Okay….So
shaunti gave us bottles of slice mango juice, water and coffee….and to say the
least my bladder was well occupied…is that the word?
…so the roads in India are not smooth at all…and I really really
didn’t want to hold it..So I used the bathroom ( this was the second time
during our two months or so here) It’ s quite an experience….There are
literally piles of really watery light coloured poop all over in the hall, with
rows of squatty potty stalls on each side.. and some people don’t close the
door. In fact a little girl just squatted in the hall and went….Inside my stall
there were words written in poo on the wall… but you know what, I’m so humbled
because these people tough the bathroom every day of their lives..
I have surrendered my rights and expectations and am totally
humbled to simply be here, stinky bathrooms or no bathrooms at all…
Just thought it would poke some interest…
Anyhoo…
Actually I think I’m going to cut this short and hit the
sack.. J
The power is still out anyway…There’s 87% battery life left on drew’s
computer…..hehehe.
We had a long day today!!
But praise God, He is always good.
I love and miss you guys incredibly.
Jama Siki! (Praise God!)
Have a beautiful day, def write me…
And I’ll see some of you in less than 17 days!
Love and Prayers from India!
Aly
