25

Even When

I remember, I forget.

I didn't exactly finish transferring my India journal, but better late then never.

10:15 p.m. Saturday November 22, 2008
Today Truthseekers had its orientation. I learned a lot more about the caste system and what Truthseekers wants to do to help terminate it. I met a lot of people today: Steve & Robin Smith, Victor Paul, Barj Mani, Noelle & Kyle Becchetti, and Sunil Sardar. We had a couple of breaks in between our orientation. Once we had chai tea, and oh my goodness, it was incredible. It's my new favorite tea. After orientation concluded they informed us that the women needed to go out and buy culturally appropriate clothes for the foot washing rallies. We ended up taking a twenty minute drive to Fabindia. Our outfits consisted of Shankas (a pajama type pant), Kartas (long shirt), and a Dupatta (scarf). The shankas are extremely large but oddly comfortable. Kartas are blouses that hide your backside. Dupattas are worn in a way that covers your chest and drapes around the back to provide added coverage of your backside. If you wear the dupatta in a way that does not cover your chest, men in India assume that you are a "loose" woman. The shopping experience was fun, and not as crazy because everything was a fixed price. When we got back to the YMCA, I didn't feel like eating. Jason, Roger and I decided to combine pictures and transfer them online. Kristen & I made plans to go to Cunnet Place on Tuesday morning so I could get gifts for people back home.

6:50 a.m. Monday November 24, 2008
Yesterday we left at 6 a.m. for Agra. Our driver picked us up and we started on our three to four hour car ride. About half way there we stopped to get breakfast. The food was not very good, and there was a funny sign on the wall that read "STD available here", (Apparently STD is an abbreviation for a telephone booth). On the second half of the drive we made another stop, this one was a random tax stop. Tons of cars were lined up and drivers got out to pay a tax. There was a man with a monkey on the sidewalk next to our car. And we were told that if we look at the show the monkey puts on, the man would expect money. So, we decided not to look. All of a sudden the monkey leaps at my window and I thought it was going to attack me. I nearly hit my head on the top of the car. Once we got into the city of Agra, we stopped and picked up a man on the side of the road. His name was Kash & he ended up being our tour guide. The first place we went was the Agra Fort. It was large and insanely beautiful. There were so many stairwells we couldn't take, Jason was getting a little more rebellious than usual and began climbing in places that were off limits. One of the main areas was this grand open garden type place that used to be a large swimming pool. It was next to the Water Gate. I guess it had to be filled with grass because it was a weak spot and could be a good place for an attack. We got to go into a woman's mosque that was attached, obviously for women only. It was definitely my favorite place of the entire day. After that we went to a local artist shop. The man who owned it is directly related to the artists who helped beautify the Taj Mahal. He showed us how they made each piece of art. It takes weeks to finish one piece no bigger than a pot holder. I bought a few things there. The next place we went to happened to be a jeweler. He showed us all types of gems, precious and all. Garnet and Amber are my favorites. In the middle of the room there was a case of knives and daggers. The woman let us see each of them. One was used to kill tigers. Yes, a tiger killing device. The lady then suggested we go listen to music downstairs. Two men were in a music room playing a sitar and small drum. They were amazing, and I'm glad I got them on video. Roger got to play on the man's sitar while the rest of us got to enjoy some Masala tea, which I love even more than chai. We stopped and ate before going to the Taj Mahal. Which ended up being delayed anyway because the president from some country got a tour. We took a rickshaw to the gates of the Taj Mahal. The line was loooooooooooong. We cheated and cut. There were three lines. Two for men, one for women. Luckily we all got in very quickly. There were gardens everywhere and if there had been less people it would have been very peaceful. Kash told us that the king made it for his second wife, whom I guess he loved the most. She asked for three wishes, I can only remember two though. 1) To build a monument in her name incomparable to anything in this world and 2) to never marry again. He kept his promises. We waited in another line to enter the actual monument. When we got inside we saw two tombs, the king and his wife's. They are the only two things that are not symmetrical throughout the entire landscape. We left shortly after sunset, and only stopped to buy some tea and say goodbye to Kash.

12:15 a.m. Tuesday November 25, 2008
Today we took a bus to our first foot washing rally. What was supposed to be a three hour drive ended up taking five. And the distance traveled was only ninety miles. The trip there wasn't so bad. We passed through a lot of villages and towns. It was more of the India I expected: cows, monkeys, run down buildings, open markets. But I began to see a connection between all of the towns. Each had an overwhelming number of huts. I first guessed that they were made from clay, but then found out that they were made from cow dung. Straw was used as a roof covering. It's amazing to think that people make these cow Frisbees for a living, and that others sleep in the huts. It's just wild. After a while we got to the small village. I was drawn to them right away. What I loved most was that even the most grumpy looking old man would nod or crack a smile if he was waved or smiled at. We parked near the stage where the rally would take place. I was one of the last ones off the bus and therefore got the privilege of sitting in the front. I took pictures and smiled and waved at the children that sat directly in front of me. It almost breaks my heart that Kristen isn't a kid person, but as I've been told, not many people are. The rally began and Sunil spoke, then sang. "Balikara ayya..." what a fun song. Others from our group spoke and it was translated, then we all sang. Sunil asked three people to have their feet washed and to wash feet. Women were first. I don't know if it was because I was in the front row, or what, but I stepped in right away. I was not sure exactly what to do, but I finished drying the first woman's feet and said a prayer for her. The second woman held her dupatta over her face so I could not see her. I began to wash her feet and she slowly removed it when I looked up at her. Once I dried her feet, I said a prayer and the man translated. I don't know her name nor do I know the town she lives in, but I will never forget her, and she will never forget the day Jesus came and showed his love. I was a little disappointed that we were not able to wash more feet... however, the most amazing part happened next. Sunil began to speak and a man came up with a red bracelet. This red bracelet is given to the lower caste by the Brahmin priest as a "blessing". The truth is that the priest use an old language in order to curse the lower caste so they can "bind you as we bound the Baliraja, to be our slaves forever". Of course, the low caste has no idea what is going on, they are being blessed. The Baliraja is who they relate Jesus to in their history. The priest proceed to "bless" them by tying a red string into six knots, then wrap it around their wrist six times, and finally tie it securely into place, six times...666. All the while, saying this blessing. So, these red bondage bracelets were cut from the hands of men in order to signify freedom from the caste slavery. It was a powerful thing to watch. Shortly after it was time to leave. In the bus I got to sit near a window. I stuck my hand out in order to shake hands. Some of the older boys were a little too anxious to shake girl's hands. They had this really weird handshake and asking me things in Hindi as well as trying to give me bangles. I was sad to leave though. They were all so full of energy and joy and happiness. After, we went to a caste leader's house in the most authentic India ever. It was pure countryside and pure beauty. Somehow, I always end up as the straggler since I take pictures nonstop. I don't mind, I love the people. We ate with them and started our walk back to the bus. A woman with her face completely covered walked with her husband, who had a large bag on his head. They were walking in the opposite direction of me along the dirt road. He nodded to his wife who proceeded to lift her dupatta. She stared at me, and began to walk towards me.I touched her head and gave her a hug. Then I smiled and looked at her. We were both the same, but different. Jesus wants us both, together. And I could see that at that moment. He wants us to realize that we are a family, his family, and that we need to love each other- those who accept and those who deny. Even if she does not know God, she will hear about him, she will feel him, she will think of him. Even if she does not realize it. Because he knows her, and feels her, and thinks about her. All I could say at that moment was "God bless you". We both turned and walked away. My eyes watered and numerous emotions filled my heart. If this is what ministry and missionary work is, I want in. I can see now why God did not want me in Mexico earlier. India NEEDED to be my first trip. The bus ride back, oh man. Picture Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland plus Crazy train at the date festival intensified by twenty. This huge bus was constantly up and down. You were lucky to touch your seat for more than ten seconds. We were literally lifted off of our seats two thirds of the ride. It's all part of the experience, and I wanted to experience it all. We stopped for dinner at Sunil's neighbor's house and then went back to the YMCA. Tomorrow will be fun. I miss my family, but what I'm doing here & experiencing is incredible. Happy birthday Jennifer!

Thursday November 27, 2008
Our final two foot washing rallies already took place. Tuesday the people were so friendly and welcoming. There was a twenty year old girl named Kritika who was one of the promoters of Truthseekers. She's in college & studying some economic art thing. Anyhow, she's nice. I learned a new handshake from one of the little boys. Earlier in the day we did some shopping with two other women, Denise and Jan. It was fun. We stayed mostly in Cunnet Place. Yesterday we woke up at 4:30 in order to make our train at 6. We traveled to Etawah. The train ride took about four hours. I ended up feeling sick most of the day. When we arrived it was apparent through the smell. It was the worst smelling place we had been that week. Since we were early, we had to wait for about an hour in a hotel type place. Then everyone got on the most obnoxious bus and drove to the rally. This bus was made for the most petite of people. I didn't even fit comfortably. It had party lights on it, but the best part was the horn. It was a musical horn that had carnival type music blasting every time the driver hit it. At the rally more people were interested in why we were there. I was happy about that. This was also the first time a camera crew was there. By the end of the talk people were killing each other to get to the books Sunil brought. The woman whose feet I washed was one of the shortest I've ever seen. There were only three wash buckets and pouring devices for the four seats, so I used my hands as a pouring device. It never got old, washing their feet was amazing. When I washed her feet I looked up to see her eyes closed. She was completely enveloped in the moment, in God's love. I wonder what He was telling her. Once we wrapped up, the news proceeded to interview Sunil and a handful of others. We left and stayed at a place to eat and use the squatty potties. So weird. Then we went to a village. The countryside is the most beautiful part of India. As we walked to the village I was saying hi and waving, but some people didn't respond. Most didn't make a sound. It wasn't until we got towards the middle of the village that I realized one of the elderly women had died. They were paying their respects in silence. I felt pretty bad after that. We sat down, prayed, and sang. Then made our way back to the bus. An Indian man was walking beside me & told me that us being there was a super natural phenomenon. It was a huge deal to them. I also found out that they use the cow patties as a source of fuel. The bus took us back to the train station. The rally that day was supposed to be on the news, but there was a terrorist attack in Mumbai. Today is Thanksgiving, there are so many things to be thankful for.