Two weeks ago I was scrambling around in an environment of constant stress. The School of Biblical Studies (SBS) I was staffing was coming to a close and I still had assignments to grade, paperwork to fill out, and students to meet with.
I was looking forward to a stress-free, wonderful, restful week break from school this week. On Friday my students graduated and I was ready to lounge around my house reading, watching Adventure Time, and eating potato chips for an entire week before having to staff another school for three weeks starting this upcoming Monday.
It's funny how plans change.
During my SBS in 2009 my Grandfather died. I was in India and could not go home for the funeral. Then, I was home for one year and as soon as I returned to India in 2010 my Grandmother passed away. Again, I could not go for her funeral. I was not able to fully comprehend or grieve the passing of my grandparents. I still do not think I have been able to deal with losing my grandparents on my Mother's side. They were both so incredibly wonderful. My Grandpa always loved cooking weird things like cow tongues and eating pickled herring's eggs. He had traveled a lot himself and always made up these intricate stories of him getting into trouble after becoming shipwrecked somewhere. My Grandma was so fun to be around. We would sit in their living room and laugh and laugh. She was quirky and full of so much love. Very straightforward, but in a good way. I remember one time our laughter kept turning on and off her clap-on-clap-off lights in the living room. She got startled easily and it really made her jump, but that made us laugh all the more and continue the lights turning on and off.
I really love my grandparents and even though I wasn't home during their last days on this earth or even to grieve with my family, I know that they loved me and supported me whole-heartedly in my choice to live in India. They did not see me much, but they were glad I was loving people here in India. They were proud of me teaching and learning with others in the study of the Bible.
A few months ago my aunt contacted me and said that they had donated some money to have a bore well built in memory of my grandparents somewhere in India. I was asked if I would like to attend the dedication of the well since no one else in my family would be able to. Of course I was very happy and honored to be able to be there for the dedication! It was going to happen anywhere in India at any time and I hoped that it happened at a time I was done with staffing.
Sure enough, last week I received an e-mail saying the well was ready and asking when Romel and I could come to a small city in Andhra Pradesh to represent the sponsors of the well. It was actually perfect timing. We both had this week off and even though my plans of lounging around in my pajamas all day doing nothing were ruined I was very happy it was for this reason.
Romel and I got our tickets booked and on Monday we left rainy, moisture-ridden Maharashtra and traveled to dry, pleasant Andhra Pradesh.
As soon as we reached the city on Tuesday we were met by a pastor named Vincent who looked way younger than he sounded from the phone. We went straight to our hotel to drop our things off and freshen up. Then we hopped in a car and drove straight to the sight of the well. It was a good 24 kms from the city we were staying in.
Driving down that dusty, empty road towards a small village I was full of anticipation. Excited to see this little well with my Grandparent's names on it that was providing fresh, clean water for these people that my Grandparents would never know.
As we were coming up to the little road to turn onto that the village was on we heard loud drumming. I thought it was some hindu festival that was going on, but Vincent turned to us and said, "this is for you, you better get out here they will lead you to the well." I was so surprised. There were three old uncles drumming on what were probably handmade cow-hide drums. One of the uncles was really into the drumming, encouraging and nudging those around him to dance along with his beats.
When Romel and I stepped out of the vehicle a small woman in a sari put a huge garland around each our necks. This is very common for Indian weddings or other events to honor someone. Then we were led down a winding little road through the village towards the well with the drummers in the front leading the way. We were surrounded by adults and mostly children. They were all looking at us and smiling and urging us onward.
We finally reached the well after a few minutes and proceded to share a greeting thanking them for the unexpected welcome. We really felt so honored and blessed to be there and though these people were quite poor, they still made us these beautiful garlands, offered us pepsi and 7up, and even were willing to make dinner for us. I was overwhelmed. One thing I have always loved about Indian people is how hospitable they are, no matter how much they have or don't have. They are always generous and selfless.
I then prayed over the well and Romel and I cut the green ribbon they wrapped around it. Then, they had us pump water from the well for all the villagers to touch and have a drink from and after everyone else had some of the water we pumped, Romel and I were then urged to touch the water. Of course after that we had to get some pictures of all of us together behind the well. We finally revealed the plaque that was on the well with my Grandparent's names on it. I'm pretty sure I had a few tears come to my eyes when we did that.
The very next day we began our return journey. We spent a very short amount of time there, but in that time our hearts became overflowing with joy and love for these villagers and pastors we hadn't even known existed a few weeks prior!
It really was a time of joy, fun, and laughter. We simply had fun smiling and laughing with the children and encouraging the believers in the village. I cannot even put into words how blessed Romel and I were to be there. Even though we spent maybe 30 minutes there total, we now have a beautiful memory that will last a lifetime.
Being back in a small village in Andhra Pradesh reminded me of my time a few years ago when I spent five weeks in different small villages in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It is living and building relationships with average, local villagers that I love most being in this nation. I am not always afforded the opportunity to go into villages like that here, but that truly is where my heart is.
Romel and I hope to return to this place again sometime in the future, and it's comforting to know that a small piece of my family is there always.
I was looking forward to a stress-free, wonderful, restful week break from school this week. On Friday my students graduated and I was ready to lounge around my house reading, watching Adventure Time, and eating potato chips for an entire week before having to staff another school for three weeks starting this upcoming Monday.
It's funny how plans change.
During my SBS in 2009 my Grandfather died. I was in India and could not go home for the funeral. Then, I was home for one year and as soon as I returned to India in 2010 my Grandmother passed away. Again, I could not go for her funeral. I was not able to fully comprehend or grieve the passing of my grandparents. I still do not think I have been able to deal with losing my grandparents on my Mother's side. They were both so incredibly wonderful. My Grandpa always loved cooking weird things like cow tongues and eating pickled herring's eggs. He had traveled a lot himself and always made up these intricate stories of him getting into trouble after becoming shipwrecked somewhere. My Grandma was so fun to be around. We would sit in their living room and laugh and laugh. She was quirky and full of so much love. Very straightforward, but in a good way. I remember one time our laughter kept turning on and off her clap-on-clap-off lights in the living room. She got startled easily and it really made her jump, but that made us laugh all the more and continue the lights turning on and off.
I really love my grandparents and even though I wasn't home during their last days on this earth or even to grieve with my family, I know that they loved me and supported me whole-heartedly in my choice to live in India. They did not see me much, but they were glad I was loving people here in India. They were proud of me teaching and learning with others in the study of the Bible.
A few months ago my aunt contacted me and said that they had donated some money to have a bore well built in memory of my grandparents somewhere in India. I was asked if I would like to attend the dedication of the well since no one else in my family would be able to. Of course I was very happy and honored to be able to be there for the dedication! It was going to happen anywhere in India at any time and I hoped that it happened at a time I was done with staffing.
Sure enough, last week I received an e-mail saying the well was ready and asking when Romel and I could come to a small city in Andhra Pradesh to represent the sponsors of the well. It was actually perfect timing. We both had this week off and even though my plans of lounging around in my pajamas all day doing nothing were ruined I was very happy it was for this reason.
Romel and I got our tickets booked and on Monday we left rainy, moisture-ridden Maharashtra and traveled to dry, pleasant Andhra Pradesh.
A view from the bus window.
Trying to nap on the bus.
Driving down that dusty, empty road towards a small village I was full of anticipation. Excited to see this little well with my Grandparent's names on it that was providing fresh, clean water for these people that my Grandparents would never know.
As we were coming up to the little road to turn onto that the village was on we heard loud drumming. I thought it was some hindu festival that was going on, but Vincent turned to us and said, "this is for you, you better get out here they will lead you to the well." I was so surprised. There were three old uncles drumming on what were probably handmade cow-hide drums. One of the uncles was really into the drumming, encouraging and nudging those around him to dance along with his beats.
When Romel and I stepped out of the vehicle a small woman in a sari put a huge garland around each our necks. This is very common for Indian weddings or other events to honor someone. Then we were led down a winding little road through the village towards the well with the drummers in the front leading the way. We were surrounded by adults and mostly children. They were all looking at us and smiling and urging us onward.
My favorite South Indian food! Masala Dosa with Sambhar and coconut chutney.
Just something we found at a pit stop on the way back to Bangalore.
Being back in a small village in Andhra Pradesh reminded me of my time a few years ago when I spent five weeks in different small villages in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It is living and building relationships with average, local villagers that I love most being in this nation. I am not always afforded the opportunity to go into villages like that here, but that truly is where my heart is.
Romel and I hope to return to this place again sometime in the future, and it's comforting to know that a small piece of my family is there always.
