Sitting on the balcony watching the beautiful pink and purple evening’s sky fade to black, hearing the nearby sea’s waves coming and going, seeing the jungle grow dark with the yellow light’s lamp post coming on, and hearing the hustle and bustle of the town: people talking, car and bus horns, some random drums being played somewhere, the clinging of metal pots as people wash their dishes, hearing them chat within their homes, somewhere there’s a baby crying. Watching from above people moving in the quiet paths of the evening, coming in and out of their houses, children running in play, people walking on the path below my balcony and never looking up to see the strange American girl watching them. They move in such rhythmic haste, you know they have walked that pathway countless times before, carrying their bag of groceries, and you know they will walk it countless times again after you leave. They are so used to it, their life, they do not even look up to admire the trees, or the bats, or the stars. Dogs run by on the path and stop to scratch their fleas, I whistled at one and he looked up and saw me, then went on about his life. And there on the main pathway is a dog we have named Spot, doing his usual evening routine.
I love watching life happen.
I love listening to it.
And I love being a part of everyday life here in India.
The next door neighbor woman comes
out in silence to gather her dish towels
hanging to dry.
This is life.
And life goes on.
I know that after I leave, all these things will continue to happen, even if I’m not watching from my balcony.
Oh life. You are so beautiful.
And Jesus I love YOU so much.
The birds and the bats all fly above.
And the thought goodbyes make her eyes already mist.
Oh how wonderful is this love.
And she has beautiful written upon her wrist.
“So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” — John 16:22
So the ending weeks here have so many strange feelings all mixed up together. And this is our last week of ministry here in Goa, then we will head to Bangalore, travel WAY up to Delhi, then even further up to see the Taj Mahal, then back to Goa, then we’ll to fly out, where we will be awaited by a 30 hour layover in Mumbai. So, mixed with all these thoughts of packing, last minute shopping and so forth, you still focus on everyday ministry with the women and children, except different this time because both you and they know in the back of your minds that our time here is coming to an end. But overall this week has been good. We celebrated Thanksgiving on Thurs, and that was a blessing. Even in your tiny little kitchen in India you can still make it smell like home with what you cook.
So I’m not sure if I’ll be blogging next weekend, as we’ll be on the road after our going away party, but please just keep everyone here in India and us in our travels, in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks and God Bless!
Love, Meghan
