Mumbai In A Nutshell

I know I said I wouldn't have internet of any kind. But, I lied. When we got to the home we are staying at here in Kathmandu our contact told us we'd have hot water AND internet. We were all so giddy with excitement. So I decided its about time I told you about our India adventures. And then later on I'll update you on some Nepali goodness.

 We arrived in Mumbai India on the morning of November 23rd at 1:30am. We had been flying for over 24 hours and with the time changes we lost the whole day of the 22nd. It was safe to say we were pretty dang tired. After several hours at immigration dealing with a very grouchy man and one of our team members almost not making it into the country, we finally made it through. The second we walked outside I was overwhelmed. It was, at this point, 5 in the morning and the amount of people around made it seem like it was the middle of the afternoon. I turned the corner and a machine gun was being pointed at my face by a man behind some sort of barricade. Thats apparently normal. We then met our contacts and proceeded to go where ever they were taking us. Hopefully to our sleeping quarters for the night. I had never seen driving like I did when I was in Mumbai. So many tiny cars, no traffic signals, no lanes, and tons of horn usage. Every second a car horn or 7 was going off. EVERY second. People were weaving in and out of each other, practically taking off side view mirrors with every pass, and making U-turns where ever the heck they felt like it. One of our contacts laughed at me every time I unknowingly held my breath before each near collision.

Luckily within a few days I got much better at driving in Mumbai and didn't freak out nearly as much. Our schedule was pretty crazy considering we lost our housing and had to stay at a hostel clear on the other side of town. Every day we had to take the train to get to where our ministry would be. And let me tell you about these trains, if you're aren't skilled at charging people, throwing bows, and running onto a moving vehicle, good luck. The trains stop approximately 30 seconds at each station and during that time a hundred people are trying to either push their way off the train or push their way onto the train. Not to mention every cart is full to the max with people hanging outside the side of the train doors. Its a dog eat dog transit world in Mumbai.  Buses are the same way. Once during a train ride home we lost half our group trying to get on. Luckily they were able to just catch the next one. It's an adventure. And depending on my energy level that day it was either fun and exciting, or irritating and draining. But this whole blog has become stories of just transit of Mumbai. I'm going to switch now. Ready? Jesus.

So we did a variety of different things in India including ministering to street kids, teaching at slum schools, praying with Hindu families, fellowshipping with HIV infected families, speaking to small churches around the city, as well as do a prayer walk in Asia's largest red light district, Kamathi Pura, and visit one of Mother Theresas' homes for the disabled. The team we partnered with are doing so many amazing things in that city and I'm so blessed to have been able to witness even the smallest bit of it. Walking around the city they knew nearly every street kid by name. They have been working with the same group of boys for over 4 years. Every Wednesday they take them to a river to bathe and wash their one outfit on their back. Then they gather and worship, give a message, and then take the kids for lunch. Then on Fridays they play a game of cricket, worship, message, and then buy dinner for them all. These boys stole my heart. Going against everything people have told us, me and two other girls went swimming in the river with them complete in our full punjabes and I even forgot to take off my scarf. Being able to see these kids so hardened from the streets actually just be kids was amazing. They splashed, played, and scared us on multiple occasions pretending to be some sort of critter swimming in the water. I made a best friend. His name is Rahul and he's a fiesty 12 year old boy who lives on the streets of Mumbai. He taught me a few Hindi words and we made up a handshake. I don't know if he'll remember me a year from now, but I will never forget him. Something about him made my heart break. Cricket again was an amazing experience. Still not sure if I understand the game even a little bit, but it was fun nonetheless.

 I fell in love with so many kids, I think they might have stolen my heart. Seeing the long term workers dedication to their ministries has given me a whole new outlook on the way I love Jesus. Visiting with children and people of all ages at Mother Theresa's home broke my heart and warmed it all at the same time. Ahh, I have so many stories to tell but the electricity is about to go out here in Nepal for the second time today and frankly, my fingers are too cold to keep typing.

I'll try to post again soon. But our team is leaving for a jungle village the day after tomorrow to spend Christmas with 450 orphans. :) That'll make for some crazy stories in itself. Merry Christmas everyone! Show Jesus some love by loving on others!!