as i write, i am sitting in full Indian attire. i feel very stiff, both physically and spiritually. being completely out of your box tends to make the bodily senses on edge. everything is heightened; the smells are strong, the stares are intimidating, and the streets are busy. as we leave for kolkata, the team is given an opening talk.. “kolkata is hard, the beggars are intense, and the poverty is overwhelming.” i usually have a tendency to think beyond the situation…in my mind the beggars would be everywhere and it would be a miserable place. when i arrived, my mind, just this once, had not overestimated. the children beggars were intense, the heat was the most suffocating, treacherous thing i have ever in all my life experienced (although katies little cottage on the bayou comes in on a close second), and the sense of religiosity was confining. at first, i was a little overwhelmed. it took me at least a day to take everything in and i dont know even after being here a week if ive truly grasped the complicated culture (in fact, i can most surely say i havent).
we visited different mosques, temples, and worship services. all of which had one thing in common. there is a sense of devotion and desperation here. something i believe we sometimes let slip away. i am startled 5 times a day by the Muslim call to prayer. i mean, the only word i can think of that accurately defines this smelly place is intense.
we visited one Hindu temple that i refer to as the Indian mega church. it had the lights, the televisions, the music, and the emotional worship time. now, please don’t misread my thoughts… most of these are straight out my journal so i kindly ask for you to extend grace. we, as a whole collaborative people, dress to impress (our clothes, our buildings, even our worship services). i truly believe in my heart that most modern churches have a strong passion for Jesus and his purposes, however, somewhere along the way, we got lost in translation. ironically, we interpreted to follow the homeless Christ or even Mohammad the orphan (its muslim, i know.. but i didnt want to go into the history of the 300,000 gods the Hindus believe in) had to be something of extravagance or comfort. its weird to see a progression in that direction through all religions. the gospel of Jesus Christ poses a challenge… it counteracts “relevance” and trends… it pushes past comfort into a faith that is rugged and dirty. although there is a huge contrast between the many gods of the east and the monotheistic mindset of the west, one thing resonates in our minds…. we, as humans, love the experience. we begin to lose the game or fate in the game when we feel dirty, challenged, or frustrated by taxi drivers that act like they don’t speak English. today, i challenge you and myself, to get out of the box and wear it as a hat!!! 
the dirty streets of kolkata…
the compassion videos really are true. the flies and the big bloated bellies really do exist. i have seen it firsthand. we met a beggar named Saheed. he is seven and barefoot. he waits outside of restaurants for his American friends to walk the streets with him. he sells gum for 10 rupees a pack (approx .25 cents) that loses its flavor in T minus 5 seconds. you would think their owners or parents would be more creative because every beggar kid has the same gum and they are all different prices! lol. Saheed is my friend. i left him in kolkata today as my team and i flew to Delhi. I’m sure their will be many Saheeds that cross my path. my constant prayer here is that i never become desensitized to the burdens of Christ and the ways we can be part of a solution to the global crisis (even across the Atlantic)… although, this has been a recent mindset for me… i really feel as if Christ is walking before me and with me on my journey. i am exactly where i need to be right now… although sometimes i wish i were somewhere a little cooler like Hawaii… things are good though and i am being encouraged. it is the Saheed on the street that reminded me ever so sweetly that i am nothing but a beggar called to live alongside the weak and sick… to take care of the hopeless… and to bring joy to the dying.
thank you for subscribing to kristie mcmanus’ podcast… more updates coming soon.
