Hiya!
Well, it's Thursday now. The week is flying by and I will be back in the states a week from today. It's bittersweet really. There is much to be done back home and school is starting just around the corner! yikes...
Let's see.. where have I been the last few days? Okay yes. Monday was a pretty typical day for us here in Bangalore. We woke, had our usual breakfast which consists of cereal, toast and a cup of tea.. then we headed off to YuvaLok for another day of teaching! We have really gotten to know a few of the teachers and staff at the YuvaLok school and it will be so sad to leave them...
Usually our afternoons are fairly low key... Tuesday came and we headed off to school once more. Everyday as we walk into school all the students yell for us, "AUNTIE AUNTIE! GOOD DAY AUNTIE!" I don't know if I've mentioned that yet but all the primary school kids call us "auntie." Pretty much they call any woman who is older them, auntie, out of respect. They love to shake our hand or high five us at any opportunity that arises.
Every Tuesday, the YoungLife leaders visit a slum in Bangalore in an area called Bagalur. This past Tuesday we were given the go-ahead to join them for a trip to visit the children they know in the slums. My eyes have witnessed some pretty harsh conditions, intense poverty.. but nothing like this. Sharola and Chinky told us to wear all the scarves that we had so we wouldn't stick out so blatently. Well regardless of what we wore, we stuck out like sore thumbs. People were gathering in the street to witness the white folk who had entered their part of town. Many children apporached us hoping to practice english and get a solid high five in :) We visited a few homes of the children we knew.. The homes we visited were homes of children who are in our classes at YuvaLok. As they invited us in, the 3 of us took us most of the space in the home but they were overly hospitable and were anxious to tell us about their families, as some of them had 11 children. I can't even count the number of times I have said this along our journey but I was once again completely speechless and humbled by these beautiful, gracious people. So selfless, and joyful in giving. Tuesday was a good day.
The last couple of nights we have been watching movies at night- we watched a Hindi film the other night which was absolutely positively the most hilarious thing I've ever watched. In their films they talk "Hinglish" half Hindi half English and it is ridiculous. seriously. The subtitles were completely off and it was a good laugh for everyone, even our Indian friends.
Wednesday came and we spent the morning teaching and the afternoon shopping! We haggled for the 'right' price and I walked away happy with a handful of shawls. I think I've become spoiled because everything is so cheap here, incredibly cheap.
Anywho- it's Thursday late afternoon now, tonight we have 2 YoungLife clubs to put on.. Bagalur club for the slum kids and Young Adult club after! It has been such a gift to see YoungLife run here. I must run now.. I sincerely miss you all.
Namaste.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday Funday.
Why, hello there!
The more time I spend here, the more I love it. Where to begin... This morning we attended church with Chinky, Sam and Beulah at the Bangalore ICF (International Chirstian Fellowship) Church. It was an incredibly refreshing time. There were literally people from all over the world. Many people who have been called to do ministry in Bangalore attend this church and were so excited to share the work the Lord is doing in Bangalore, with us. This afternoon has been relaxing and has consisted of: last night's leftover curry, reading, napping and some guitar playing. Exactly what a Sunday should be.
Let me quickly recap what the last few days have looked like... Thursday night we made an "American" dinner for Sharola, Chinky and all of the other YoungLife leaders. In trying to decide what would be best to introduce them to some American culture we decided, "hey why not breakfast for dinner?!" An American classic and my personal fave. So after a quick trip to the market we got right along to making pancakes of course! We ate around the table, family style and put out peanut butter and syrup, duh. Apparently they prefer spicy over sweet so the peanut butter and syrup weren't the biggest hit but hey, it was delicious! Every night we hang out with their group of YoungLife leaders which almost always ends up in someone crying of laughter at the end of the night. We have taught them a few card games and usually our nights are engulfed in those- I think they might be addicted. We have also taught them telephone pictionary, and if you've ever played- you that it is always a good time.
It's been nice having a weekend of no school. Being a teacher is exhausting! (Marisa, I don't know how you do it :) ) These kids are beautiful and wonderful but at their young age and the backgrounds most of them are coming from they have no means of discipline or respect. Most afternoons Sabrina and I are completely wiped out because as soon as we finish a lesson they take off running around the classroom like little hellions. The other teachers often tell us that the attention we give them in one day is more than they receive at home during a whole week.
I am pretty positive all the normal things of typical Indian life are becoming normalcy to me. For instance... seeing cows in the middle of a crowded intersection is normal now. Driving down the center of a busy street while nearly hitting a few rickshaws and motos with small children and no helmets, it's normal. I am continually overjoyed that I have been given this opportunity. I am also positive of another thing. This trip would not be happening without you all. Thank you for showering this trip in prayers. It is by God's unyielding grace that this trip has gone so well and we have had no major illness as of yet. Taylor was a little sick the past few days but is thankfully all healed :) I am in awe of the fact that just a few weeks ago I was watching kids coming to see Christ and know Christ in Arizona and now here I am in India watching YoungLife leaders here bring kids to know Jesus in the very same way. How big is our God, unifying us from all corners of the world!
Everyday here since being here in India it has felt like, "ok God, you have my attention in BIG ways."
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:4
I can't wait to be with you all and share all of my adventures, pictures, and excitement with you.
The more time I spend here, the more I love it. Where to begin... This morning we attended church with Chinky, Sam and Beulah at the Bangalore ICF (International Chirstian Fellowship) Church. It was an incredibly refreshing time. There were literally people from all over the world. Many people who have been called to do ministry in Bangalore attend this church and were so excited to share the work the Lord is doing in Bangalore, with us. This afternoon has been relaxing and has consisted of: last night's leftover curry, reading, napping and some guitar playing. Exactly what a Sunday should be.
Let me quickly recap what the last few days have looked like... Thursday night we made an "American" dinner for Sharola, Chinky and all of the other YoungLife leaders. In trying to decide what would be best to introduce them to some American culture we decided, "hey why not breakfast for dinner?!" An American classic and my personal fave. So after a quick trip to the market we got right along to making pancakes of course! We ate around the table, family style and put out peanut butter and syrup, duh. Apparently they prefer spicy over sweet so the peanut butter and syrup weren't the biggest hit but hey, it was delicious! Every night we hang out with their group of YoungLife leaders which almost always ends up in someone crying of laughter at the end of the night. We have taught them a few card games and usually our nights are engulfed in those- I think they might be addicted. We have also taught them telephone pictionary, and if you've ever played- you that it is always a good time.
It's been nice having a weekend of no school. Being a teacher is exhausting! (Marisa, I don't know how you do it :) ) These kids are beautiful and wonderful but at their young age and the backgrounds most of them are coming from they have no means of discipline or respect. Most afternoons Sabrina and I are completely wiped out because as soon as we finish a lesson they take off running around the classroom like little hellions. The other teachers often tell us that the attention we give them in one day is more than they receive at home during a whole week.
I am pretty positive all the normal things of typical Indian life are becoming normalcy to me. For instance... seeing cows in the middle of a crowded intersection is normal now. Driving down the center of a busy street while nearly hitting a few rickshaws and motos with small children and no helmets, it's normal. I am continually overjoyed that I have been given this opportunity. I am also positive of another thing. This trip would not be happening without you all. Thank you for showering this trip in prayers. It is by God's unyielding grace that this trip has gone so well and we have had no major illness as of yet. Taylor was a little sick the past few days but is thankfully all healed :) I am in awe of the fact that just a few weeks ago I was watching kids coming to see Christ and know Christ in Arizona and now here I am in India watching YoungLife leaders here bring kids to know Jesus in the very same way. How big is our God, unifying us from all corners of the world!
Everyday here since being here in India it has felt like, "ok God, you have my attention in BIG ways."
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:4
I can't wait to be with you all and share all of my adventures, pictures, and excitement with you.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
first day of school.
Monday night we arrived here in Bangalore and oh what a treat it has been! Everything has been different from our time spent in Delhi.
For one- it is not absurdly hot, it is actually quite cool- usually overcast throughout the day time.
Two- we are staying in a HOME with Sharola and Chinky who do YoungLife here, each of us has our own bed and we get homemade meals :)
It's a nice change of pace being in Bangalore. It's still a bustling city, however as far as I can see it's a bit cleaner.
Yesterday we met with Sam- Sharola and Chinky's father who runs YuvaLok which literally translate to YoungLife here. He has been running the YuvaLok school for about 15 years as well as the National Child Labour Project, working to get children out of the slums and into school. They are doing amazing work here. The fact that we get to be a part of something such as this is so humbling. Sam spoke of all the YoungLifers who have been here to serve and all the other church groups that come throughout the year.
After meeting with Sam we headed out to the actual school sites where we learned we would be teaching for the next 2 weeks! Teaching?! I don't even have a credential. but any help they can get goes a long way. So here I am first day of school. Today was my first day teaching English to primary school children. Most of them come from families in the slums and some of them don't even have families they just come in off the streets. Sabrina and I are helping out with the younger children- Standard 1 to Standard 4 which is mostly 1st to 5th grade. They are the most beautiful children I have ever seen. They have the biggest desire to learn and get off the streets. Once again I find myself humbled at the fact that I have spent most of my life complaining about having to go to school and these kids wake up every morning, yearning to know more and hear stories about life outside of their own lives. I keep stepping back in awe that I have been given this ridiculously amazing opportunity. Each day here is more and more affirming in the fact that you cannot walk into a moment like this and ever walk out the same.
So day one of teaching: check. Last night Chinky had a YoungLife meeting here at the house with 5 other leaders about my age. I love that YoungLife is universal and that hearts all around the world are excited to share Jesus with kids. I really do love this ministry. They fixed dinner for us after the meeting and we sat around, playing cards, laughing over cultural differences and finding more and more similarities :)
I am becoming quite the spicy food lover.. well it's more forced than accepted because I don't really have a choice :) BUT- I really do like it... Some afternoons my mouth remains on fire for a good hour after the meal, but I'm getting accustomed to it.
Some things Sabrina and I are craving at the current moment:
-Blenders
-goat cheese salad
-iced white mocha
I hope you all can come experience India someday soon. I promise, you will never be the same.
Sending all my love!
PS- I miss you Lost Canyon!
For one- it is not absurdly hot, it is actually quite cool- usually overcast throughout the day time.
Two- we are staying in a HOME with Sharola and Chinky who do YoungLife here, each of us has our own bed and we get homemade meals :)
It's a nice change of pace being in Bangalore. It's still a bustling city, however as far as I can see it's a bit cleaner.
Yesterday we met with Sam- Sharola and Chinky's father who runs YuvaLok which literally translate to YoungLife here. He has been running the YuvaLok school for about 15 years as well as the National Child Labour Project, working to get children out of the slums and into school. They are doing amazing work here. The fact that we get to be a part of something such as this is so humbling. Sam spoke of all the YoungLifers who have been here to serve and all the other church groups that come throughout the year.
After meeting with Sam we headed out to the actual school sites where we learned we would be teaching for the next 2 weeks! Teaching?! I don't even have a credential. but any help they can get goes a long way. So here I am first day of school. Today was my first day teaching English to primary school children. Most of them come from families in the slums and some of them don't even have families they just come in off the streets. Sabrina and I are helping out with the younger children- Standard 1 to Standard 4 which is mostly 1st to 5th grade. They are the most beautiful children I have ever seen. They have the biggest desire to learn and get off the streets. Once again I find myself humbled at the fact that I have spent most of my life complaining about having to go to school and these kids wake up every morning, yearning to know more and hear stories about life outside of their own lives. I keep stepping back in awe that I have been given this ridiculously amazing opportunity. Each day here is more and more affirming in the fact that you cannot walk into a moment like this and ever walk out the same.
So day one of teaching: check. Last night Chinky had a YoungLife meeting here at the house with 5 other leaders about my age. I love that YoungLife is universal and that hearts all around the world are excited to share Jesus with kids. I really do love this ministry. They fixed dinner for us after the meeting and we sat around, playing cards, laughing over cultural differences and finding more and more similarities :)
I am becoming quite the spicy food lover.. well it's more forced than accepted because I don't really have a choice :) BUT- I really do like it... Some afternoons my mouth remains on fire for a good hour after the meal, but I'm getting accustomed to it.
Some things Sabrina and I are craving at the current moment:
-Blenders
-goat cheese salad
-iced white mocha
I hope you all can come experience India someday soon. I promise, you will never be the same.
Sending all my love!
PS- I miss you Lost Canyon!
Monday, August 24, 2009
so maybe it's hot.
oh hello!
Well the last couple days have without a doubt been insane. No really, insane. India is a big, beautiful, hot country at the current moment. Sabrina is here now, a couple nights ago Taylor, Shekhar and I picked her up only to be dragged out to some Indian nightclub which we were not prepared for. Sabrina had literally just jumped off the plane but Shekhar insisted we go "clubbin" that night. In pure exhaustion we found our way back to our hotel via taxi and called it a night around 3 am. The next day was even hotter than the previous (impossible it seemed-but no!) and we took a rickshaw to the Red Fort in the center of Delhi. After almost crashing 10 times weaving in and out of traffic, we finally arrived only to be greeted by a huge parade in celebration on Krishna, an Indian god. After an epic afternoon- it was time to view something a little more serene. We headed out to Lodhi Gardens which is a part of Delhi that is gorgeous! I'm pretty sure neither Taylor, Sabrina nor I talked for a good portion of the hour as heat exhausiton had overtaken and we needed a few moments of silence. We headed back to The Rak (our little hotel) for an early night.
Yesterday we had the joy of seeing the Taj Mahal. After years of seeing pictures and seeing it in movies, finally it was time to take on the wonder myself and OHHH what a wonder it was! It was exactly what you would expect it to be, huge and glorious. Maybe we even made a music video on Sabrina's flip camera while we were there. Videos to follow post trip :) We hired a driver for the day so he was patiently awaiting us when we walked back. Well maybe not patiently, he was actually in the middle of having his face shaved as we walked up. We had the next few hours to wander around Agra so we grabbed some naan bread( a personal fave) and tore up the city... Well not really- in return for hiring the driver he wanted to take us to some of his shops where he receives "kickbacks" for bringing in tourists. So we went to a factory where they make marble tables, jewelry boxes, you name it. Then we preceded to a local Carpet making factory where we got the whole history of Indian Rugs in just over 30 minutes! jealous? After that we headed back to the train station where the power was out, pretty typical. Sitting in the train station we were approached by dozens of children, begging for money.. Not really approached, more like bombarded. My heart hurts for these children but many of them have addictions that we would be encouraging if you gave them money. Oh how i wish I could solve world hunger.. The Indian man walking next to me looked at me and said "don't feel bad, it is emotional blackmail." True I guess. Sad but true. I slept the entire train ride back to Delhi.
This morning is a hot one, we grabbed some chapatti and now we are searching for a way to escape the heat until our flight to Bangalore tonight! And we're off....
-LA
Well the last couple days have without a doubt been insane. No really, insane. India is a big, beautiful, hot country at the current moment. Sabrina is here now, a couple nights ago Taylor, Shekhar and I picked her up only to be dragged out to some Indian nightclub which we were not prepared for. Sabrina had literally just jumped off the plane but Shekhar insisted we go "clubbin" that night. In pure exhaustion we found our way back to our hotel via taxi and called it a night around 3 am. The next day was even hotter than the previous (impossible it seemed-but no!) and we took a rickshaw to the Red Fort in the center of Delhi. After almost crashing 10 times weaving in and out of traffic, we finally arrived only to be greeted by a huge parade in celebration on Krishna, an Indian god. After an epic afternoon- it was time to view something a little more serene. We headed out to Lodhi Gardens which is a part of Delhi that is gorgeous! I'm pretty sure neither Taylor, Sabrina nor I talked for a good portion of the hour as heat exhausiton had overtaken and we needed a few moments of silence. We headed back to The Rak (our little hotel) for an early night.
Yesterday we had the joy of seeing the Taj Mahal. After years of seeing pictures and seeing it in movies, finally it was time to take on the wonder myself and OHHH what a wonder it was! It was exactly what you would expect it to be, huge and glorious. Maybe we even made a music video on Sabrina's flip camera while we were there. Videos to follow post trip :) We hired a driver for the day so he was patiently awaiting us when we walked back. Well maybe not patiently, he was actually in the middle of having his face shaved as we walked up. We had the next few hours to wander around Agra so we grabbed some naan bread( a personal fave) and tore up the city... Well not really- in return for hiring the driver he wanted to take us to some of his shops where he receives "kickbacks" for bringing in tourists. So we went to a factory where they make marble tables, jewelry boxes, you name it. Then we preceded to a local Carpet making factory where we got the whole history of Indian Rugs in just over 30 minutes! jealous? After that we headed back to the train station where the power was out, pretty typical. Sitting in the train station we were approached by dozens of children, begging for money.. Not really approached, more like bombarded. My heart hurts for these children but many of them have addictions that we would be encouraging if you gave them money. Oh how i wish I could solve world hunger.. The Indian man walking next to me looked at me and said "don't feel bad, it is emotional blackmail." True I guess. Sad but true. I slept the entire train ride back to Delhi.
This morning is a hot one, we grabbed some chapatti and now we are searching for a way to escape the heat until our flight to Bangalore tonight! And we're off....
-LA
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Delhi. India
FINALLY WE ARE HERE! After what seemed like days.. i think it was actually... we made it to Delhi. Actually just 2 of the 3 of us are here. Sabrina had a 17 hour layover in Singapore so she will be joining us later tonight. After spending a few good hours at Frankfurt airport, I hopped on my next flight to Delhi. 6 hours and 45 minutes later, viola! Here I am! Taylor was waiting ever so patiently outside of customs for me because her flight had arrived 2 hours prior. We were hoping a friend named Shekhar would be there to pick us up but it was unclear whether he was going to be able to.. As we walk up to grab a pre-paid taxi (I say pre-paid but it's way too easy to get scammed) Shekhar runs up behind us! oh thank you Lord! By this time it had to be 1:30 am Delhi time... We drove until we found the hotel Tay had booked for us... The Rak International. As we pull up there is a herd of cattle sleeping outside of the hotel, pretty typical I suppose. Note to self: maybe don't travel to India in August next time. It literally might be hotter than hell. Not only is it incredibly hot, it is even more humid.. Not to mention all the dust that doesn't really help out the situation.
Taylor and I were thrilled to see our little room had a shower.. well I guess you could call it that. It spritzes water but that's about it. Another note to self: next time bring toilet paper. Anyways- we were exhausted but not sure how the how sleeping thing would work because our room felt like a sauna and our bodies still thought we were on California time... Trying to sleep was a little but of a joke. I think maybe we got 2 hours of shut eye, glorious! To our surprise we woke up this morning, bright-eyed and ready to explore. First stop, Chai tea from a street vendor- check! We wandered the streets for a couple hours and then headed back to take another shower, covered in sweat is not my idea of a good time. Now we are off to catch a rickshaw and head to the market! Needless to say, I love it here. The people are incredible and it is nothing like home.. actually probably the most polar opposite place from California I could ever imagine.
Namaste!
Taylor and I were thrilled to see our little room had a shower.. well I guess you could call it that. It spritzes water but that's about it. Another note to self: next time bring toilet paper. Anyways- we were exhausted but not sure how the how sleeping thing would work because our room felt like a sauna and our bodies still thought we were on California time... Trying to sleep was a little but of a joke. I think maybe we got 2 hours of shut eye, glorious! To our surprise we woke up this morning, bright-eyed and ready to explore. First stop, Chai tea from a street vendor- check! We wandered the streets for a couple hours and then headed back to take another shower, covered in sweat is not my idea of a good time. Now we are off to catch a rickshaw and head to the market! Needless to say, I love it here. The people are incredible and it is nothing like home.. actually probably the most polar opposite place from California I could ever imagine.
Namaste!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
home sweet home.
Well, here I am! Home at last, at least for the next 24 hours that is. Let's take a little journey through where I've been the last few months and where I am headed.
Mid-May I found myself at little place some of us like to call, Lost Canyon. May 13th I began a 3 month journey consisting of adventures, late nights, ridiculous high school kids, retail, club room dance parties and incredible friendships. Literally I was blessed enough to spend an entire summer doing what I love to do. Hiking, serving, laughing until we peed our pants(on more than one occasion), adventuring, reading, enjoying those Northern Arizona sunsets... I guess the more apporopriate name would be an "internship." So that's where I've been the last 3 months, just livin the dream in Northern Arizona. I'm convinced that time spent at YoungLife camp is a little glimpse of what heaven is going to be like.
At the beginning of this year I kind of made a deal with myself. "Lauren, you are 21 now. It's time to start figuring out life." Broad statement, yes. However, that is exactly the journey I am finding myself on. Everyday God is revealing a little more "life" and I am quickly unveiling the different paths He has me on. So this summer I was committed to taking little leaps into areas where my life could possibly be headed. Internship at Lost Canyon: check. Checking out YoungLife Internationally: next stop.
Being home for the past 4 days has been a dream. Some much needed rest and much needed family/friend time has been had, but now it is time to pick up and head out one more time. I'm pretty sure I've packed a couple weeks worth of activities into 4 days, typical. 80s dance parties compliments of Dee, shopping, Tahoe, gym... all of the good stuff of course. Today is the last day I'll see Miss Annie for a year, as she heads off to France to study abroad for the year. Oh my little jet-setting friends :) I seriously have some gems as friends...
Tomorrow around this time I will be preparing to board a plane taking me all the way to Delhi, India. YoungLife has some friends down in Bangalore who are willing to host a small group of us and show us the ropes and allow us to be part of what God is doing there. I know a big adventure lies ahead and I couldn't be more excited for this opportunity. My friends Sabrina McCarley and Taylor Wrinkle will be along on the trip... quite the adventurous trio if I do say so myself. Stay tuned for stories of travel mishaps, adventure and surprise! Please pray for this trip as we head into some unknown, exciting circumstances!
I love you all dearly.
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