Hot, humid and sweaty are just a few words people would use to describe India, but for myself, India is colourful, beautiful and busy.
What a whirlwind two weeks. I went in thinking it would be humid, over-crowded and loud, but I was so wrong. Indians are quiet and reserved, their country isn't overcrowded, and their smiles are as white as snow. When they smile your own heart overflows with joy. Yes, you sweat bullets, yes, it's hot and yes it’s humid, but this is what makes the experience even better. Everything you see and experience outweighs the amount of sweat you produce.
We travelled with Good Samaritan Ministries who are a family run organisation. We here at Light Church support and love them. Emily and Ashok Mishal are the founders of this incredible ministry and are doing incredible work over in India. They don't just support one church and one tuition centre, they financially support churches, tuition centres, Pastors, Widows and hostels. They are sowing into different villages and changing hundreds of people's lives. I don't like to talk money, but the money that is sown into this ministry isn't used for their flights or paying for accommodation of those who go on mission trips. Every single dollar goes to helping others; providing food for hostels, education for children and building on their new block of land, where in the future it will host children in a tuition centre with hostel like features. The money is used in a way that enables the people to build their own lives, instead of being giving a large sum to hand out and help for a moment, they teach how to properly finance things that will benefit for a lifetime, not just temporarily.
We spent the two weeks travelling through towns, cities and mountains to get to different places and meet different villages. Their modes of transport aren't that crazy, but man, do they know how to honk the horns! I think I had a ringing in my ears for two weeks straight.
We visited tuition centres, hostels and ate loads of meals with different people. We were able to see firsthand the incredible individuals and families who Good Samaritan support. We met Pastors from different villages that had walked 20+ kilometres to visit us and meet us. Hearing about their ministries was inspiring. One night we took the girls and boys from the hostels in Rayagada to the newly opened playground. It cost 15 rupee's to enter per person, and even though the kids were quite reserved at the start, by the end they were having an awesome time filled with laughter. They didn't want to leave! It wasn't a light-hearted giggle whilst playing in the equipment, it was that deep belly joyous laugh. It was beautiful to be a part of.
We spent our time doing lots of different things and trust me, we were never bored! Pastor Ben spoke at two different church services. One location being in a mountain top village where we met in the middle of the street. They had set up a tent for us all to sit under. The other was their church building which was being built at the time. They hadn’t put up the roof yet as finances were not available at the time, but they are praying and believing to build the roof by the end of the year!
One of my favourite things and most memorable time about our trip was watching the children. Being a part of meeting 'white' people, watching them with their gifts they received, wearing the clothes that had been donated and playing cricket or soccer with the boys. Their faces radiated joy and happiness. Being a part of that moment makes your heart explode and melt all at the same time. It also reminded us of how fortunate and blessed we are to live in Australia. We literally have everything at our fingertips, and we need a lot to make us moderately 'happy,’ whereas these kids have barely anything and the simple toys we handed out were cherished, and it made their day.
So, our trip was amazing, we all had an incredible time and we're so blessed to be a part of this ministry trip! I don't think I'd be able to travel now without the group we went with!
I'm very thankful and proud that our church supports incredible groups such as Good Samaritan Ministries, in which we are able to travel and experience all they do! Until next time India!
Gabi Schmidt