A Cup of Chai

Well friends, as i get ready to write my final blog and reflections on India, i instinctively notice how short this summer seemed to me. Some days,depending on my mood, I’m happy about the quickness of the summer and others not so happy. Today is one of those in between days. I am ready to see my family and a few dear friends, however, i have some reservations upon leaving. This summer has been such a blessing; the time and preparation before my trip have all been worth the experience i have had. I will be eternally grateful for this sweet time. I’m sad to leave my friends and familiar faces on the street… although i was not able to provide a home for them or feed them everyday… i was able to bring a smile and the hope of Jesus. that was a daily joy for me. I am sad to leave the suffocating, smelly streets of Calcutta (as charming as it sounds) because i feel as if God was so present here for me. I know that location alone does not determine God’s presence, however, dependency does. I feel without cell phones, easily accessible Internet access, and air conditioning— much of a dependency is created. A part of me is scared to walk away from that. I’m sad to leave Shanti Dan and the vivacious children; never in my life have i felt a love so evasive. Their faces will never leave my mind and i will be forced to depend on God’s protection and grace for their lives.

HOWEVER…. I’m happy to bring what i learned about myself and others home with me. I will forever treasure it. I’m not quite sure how i will react to the “reverse culture shock” but i think I’m ready for it. In 4 days i will be on a plane back to my comfortable life and air conditioned loft. There will be some adjusting for sure, but God will be faithful even through my troubled, confused mind.

Thank you all for your encouraging prayers and blog comments. They always seemed to come at just the right time. I just feel so thankful to have so many friends and family members supporting me in my exposure to the third world. I pray that you all are daily remembering the gospel and Jesus’ intimate life among “the least of these.” I look forward to have a cup of chai with many of you. Please continue to keep me in your prayers these next few days as i bid Calcutta my final farewells (at least for now) and i prepare to arrive back in the dirty south.

Namaste (the God in me respects the God in you)

Kristie

P.S.    I will be posting pictures when i get home and have a 72 hour nap