The beach was open, wide, and beautiful. The raging red sun fell beyond the sea, and the stars came out to watch us. The waves rolled and came crashing in. I sat and admired this from the shore while wearing my new sari. India. Then breaking the peaceful ocean’s voice came the now so familiar sound of a nearby airplane taking off, and we watched as it soared over the sea and into the twilight sky. And as if in one mind we all knew, that would be us in 3 weeks.
The prayer was read aloud by one of us, written by a one we’ve grown to love as our own family here in India. He thanked God for us, and read of us leaving. It was so beautiful and touching, and just as the prayer was coming to its end an airplane flew RIGHT over our group and I started tearing up. It really was incredible. The beach we were at is a famous one in Goa and it’s known for its romantic beauty and the 185(or some number like that) steps you have to go down to get to the beach. The view is stunning. As we left I departed in silence. I started counting all the steps to myself and I made it to the 70’s and then I just started praying.
How like life these stairs were. It was so long, and sometimes you got tired and wanted to stop but even with these thoughts you just kept going and going. Some steps were short and some were long. And it really reminded me of life and how some periods in our life are just short while others are longer. Being here for about 3 months it’s hard to imagine leaving, but really in the span of a lifetime, 3 months is such a short step. The steps were finished and we walked on this beautiful pathway cover in leaves. The path was sided with bushes and there were trees all around. It really reminded me of an end scene in a movie. There was a yellowish light from the light polls. Then suddenly right in front of me a little child ran and crossed over to the playground. I slowed my walk but never stopped. Then that small child hurriedly started running up these little steps which led to a slide. He was going up the little steps of childhood. And then came the exit. I walked underneath a beautiful leafy vine arch that had flowers growing on it, and the pathway did a little wind, and I was out. My story, my experience and all I went through and did, was finished.
And that’s the life picture I got from this anyways, it was such a wonderful place. Well this trip is coming to an end fast, we have 2 weeks of ministry left and then 1 week of holiday, and then over the big blue ocean we go. It’s going to be so hard to say goodbye to all the beautiful people we’ve come to love here in India and ESP the children. Ugh I’ve already cried just thinking about that goodbye! But I know God has many more steps for me in life and that this is not the end. I’ll see them again one day, I just know it.
OK so wedding receptions in India are at times really awkward (like REALLY) but overall a ton of fun! We got a dance party really started on the floor and I must say it’s quite a fabulous experience dancing party hardy in a sari 😛 haha! Good times.
“There is nothing on earth that I desire other than You. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”.-Psalm 73:25
