Bittersweet Symphony

That’s life. With each hello, we still feel the weight of those awful goodbyes. Amidst the happiness that comes with reuniting with loved ones, there’s an overcast of sadness that clouds the air. When I set out for India 5 weeks ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All of us can attest to the fact that we had been given minimal detail as to what we would be doing; however, our Father had called us and we responded. We went to make an impact on the people of that country, but had no idea of the impact they would have on us. We went to teach the children of the slum, unaware of how much they would teach us. We went to share the greatness of God’s love with the people who have exemplified God’s love to us. We went to teach humility and we were humbled. We went to serve, and we were served. You want proof of our Father’s existence? Just spend one day talking to Aunty and Uncle. Spend a day talking to Tori and Chelsi. Spend one moment with Grace and you will ask our Father, “How can you create something so beautiful? You must be real!” WE MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH! And yes Shaun and Sonny, I’m crying while writing this.

On our last day at the ministry, we planned to wash the feet of the children just as JC washed the feet of his disciples in John 13. We ran up and down the house an hour before we left and searched for buckets and towels. Satisfied with the 5 buckets we had found and the two towels that had been shredded into 5, we left for the ministry. I had been preparing all day, but over the trip, I had learned that no amount of preparation would compare to power of our Father’s Spirit working in me while I spoke. Having reached, we made the familiar trek through the narrow slum streets. We marched up the stairs, still not sure of how we were going to get water, but totally relying on JC to provide. As we entered, the familiar “Hello Aunty, Hello Uncle!” rang through our ears. After two songs (“Father Abraham” and “Running Over”), the children were told to sit down and back up. Immediately, I felt a calling to read through John 13:1-17 instead of summarizing it. Its power would have been lost had I tried to sum up the gravity of JC’s actions and the Word, in itself is sufficient in displaying the face of JC. Having read the passage in English, Deepa (one of the students) read it in Kannada. They were given a few seconds to let the message sink in. After, we discussed the nature of our savior’s actions. How could JC, our redeemer and savior of the universe, bow down at the feet of mere men and take up the role of a servant? Clearly, there is no room for pride in our Father’s kingdom if He can humble himself to the lowliest position of a servant. And yet scum like me walk the earth basking in an ambiance of pride and arrogance. Oh Father forgive us! The children didn’t seem to truly understand so I asked them, “Which of you will take up the role of a servant?” “Who will come up and wash the feet of others?” “Who will come up and wash our feet?”

As uncle translated this, I could see the look of confusion on his face as the plan had always been for the children to wash our feet. Several children hesitantly put their hands in the air. I then invited five of them to come up and do as they had said. We filled five buckets with water, sat in stools, and the children sat on their knees at our feet. All at once, before they could start, we grabbed their hands and put them in the stools. I then explained that we would instead be washing their feet. For each of the 60-70 students, we prayed over them and then washed their feet clean. Some resisted at first, but we explained that we wanted to do this. One particular child who resisted, Pradeep, brought tears to my eyes. This is the same guy who asked about the meaning of “the Word” in John 1:1. Once Daniel had finished washing his feet, Pradeep asked Daniel if he could wash his feet. After a slight hesitation, Daniel agreed. “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). He understood the message! If that had been the only miracle of the day, I would’ve been happy enough. That was already enough to move me, but our Father wasn’t done yet.

After all the children’s feet had been washed, one-by-one they approached us and asked to wash our feet. They formed lines in front of our buckets! With the spirit of a servant they washed our feet clean. When the water had gotten too dirty, they replaced it with clean water and kept going. One-by-one, we each started crying. “Uncle, why are you crying?” How could I not cry?

Eventually, we had to stop because it was getting late. Something stuck out to me about Pradeep. I felt a strong desire from within to give him my Bible, but quickly dismissed the idea as ludicrous. How could I give one child a gift and not the others? After the footwashing, some of the students had words of thanks to us as we were leaving the next day. I told myself that if Pradeep got up, that would be enough of a sign for me. I would give him my Bible. After all, Pradeep was too shy and there was no way he would get up and say anything. Wrong. The last person to speak was Pradeep. In accordance with his personality, he got up and spoke a few mumbled words of thanks. He was one of four people in a midst of about 100 children to say something. “Ok, ok Father, you win. If I get the opportunity to give him my Bible, I will, but there is no way I will be able to get a few minutes with him.” Wrong again. As we were cleaning up, Pradeep grabbed the buckets and escorted us to our car, walking with us every step of the way. With no other excuse available, I made my way to him and said, “I don’t know why, but I have been instructed to give this to you.” He quickly waved his hands and said, “No, uncle, its ok”. Paying no attention to his words, I put the book in his hands and said, “I hope it helps you find the meaning behind John 1:1.”

The children surrounded us outside the ministry and asked for our autographs. We each wrote down a Bible verse and then wrote our name below. Everyone wanted pictures with us and kept posing around us hoping that Alex would direct the camera in their direction. We must have taken more pictures that day than all the other days combined. Finally able to get in the car, the children still ran behind the car as we were leaving. When we reached home, we were greeted by a surprise party. Balloons, signs, food, dancing, and friends; what more could we want? Our new family spent a night of celebrating. We created 3 music videos, which I hope never reach the internet, for my sake. Haha, who am I kidding, I want to see them on Facebook. Shaun and Sonny spent the night with us. The entire next day was spent preparing a typical American meal for lunch. It was good to have our attention focused on something else that way we didn’t think about the sadness that was about to befall us. Eventually, however, it was time to leave. After giving everyone a hug and saying a family prayer, we left. Our journey was problem-free, but our hearts were in turmoil. On the flight, Daniel said, “I know we are landing at 6 AM Eastern time, but what time is that at home.” That place has become a home to all of us. And these people have become our new family. Our prayers and thoughts go out to all of you. We hope that we will see you all soon. We hope that you all will be touched by everything that our Father has done. We hope that more people will become witnesses of our Father’s grace. We hope that we will be reunited some day with our new family. “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:25). So patiently we will wait for all these things. Our hope is in JC, and not once has he disappointed me.

Grace and Peace.