Greetings from India by Candice Watters on 04/28/2009 at 11:00 PM

A while back Compassion asked Boundless if we'd like to send one or two staff members to India as part of a Compassion trip. Though we weren't able to be part of the trip, we're big fans of the bloggers who did go. Among them is Angie Smith (wife of Selah's Todd Smith and Boundless Show guest).

Yesterday she talked about the dismal conditions:

... the truth is that about 24 hours into the trip, I decided this was one of the worst choices I had ever made. I sat on a rickety bed in a room with no windows or door keys and I cried my eyes out while [my roommate] Anne told me I was going to be okay.
Somewhere between the 16 hour flight, no sleep, and facing the thought of what I was about to experience, I really felt trapped.

But that's not all she talked about.

It's almost easier to ignore the water than to dip your toe in it.
Because as soon as you do, you become acutely aware of all the eyes that are looking at you, needing help, and it feels impossible. I couldn't post last night because I was so overwhelmed by it all. ...

It has been really easy for me to stay out of the water in a lot of ways, and my own cynicism has kept me safe there. But today, as we stood in a house made of bamboo and clay bricks and watched a woman tell us how Compassion had changed their lives, something in my soul settled.

Today she posted her second entry from inside one of the poorest places on the planet. Before you read it, you might want to put on your goggles. She's heading for the deep end and from the sound of things, the water there is fine.

It's not too late to sponsor a child in India. According to the Compassion India web page, 356 children in India are still awaiting help from Christians like you.

Greetings from India by Candice Watters on 04/28/2009 at 11:00 PM

A while back Compassion asked Boundless if we'd like to send one or two staff members to India as part of a Compassion trip. Though we weren't able to be part of the trip, we're big fans of the bloggers who did go. Among them is Angie Smith (wife of Selah's Todd Smith and Boundless Show guest).

Yesterday she talked about the dismal conditions:

... the truth is that about 24 hours into the trip, I decided this was one of the worst choices I had ever made. I sat on a rickety bed in a room with no windows or door keys and I cried my eyes out while [my roommate] Anne told me I was going to be okay.
Somewhere between the 16 hour flight, no sleep, and facing the thought of what I was about to experience, I really felt trapped.

But that's not all she talked about.

It's almost easier to ignore the water than to dip your toe in it.
Because as soon as you do, you become acutely aware of all the eyes that are looking at you, needing help, and it feels impossible. I couldn't post last night because I was so overwhelmed by it all. ...

It has been really easy for me to stay out of the water in a lot of ways, and my own cynicism has kept me safe there. But today, as we stood in a house made of bamboo and clay bricks and watched a woman tell us how Compassion had changed their lives, something in my soul settled.

Today she posted her second entry from inside one of the poorest places on the planet. Before you read it, you might want to put on your goggles. She's heading for the deep end and from the sound of things, the water there is fine.

It's not too late to sponsor a child in India. According to the Compassion India web page, 356 children in India are still awaiting help from Christians like you.

Comments

[1. Jessi said the following at 10:33 AM on Apr 29:]

1

I just chose a little boy! This may sound odd, but I recently watched "Slumdog Millionaire" and since then I have really been burdened for the kids in India. I picked a little boy who's the same age as my younger brother (he's 7), that makes it all the more real to me. I always feel like there is more I could do in the missions realm, but since I do not feel God calling me to go to a certain country, and at this time in my life I do have a steady well paying job, I know this is something I can and should do!

[2. Nancy said the following at 7:12 AM on Apr 30:]

2

Thank you for helping spread the word about what Compassion is doing in India. The posts about kids literally having to be taught how to dream for their own future were astonishing and heartbreaking. This topic is close to my heart since my daughter is adopted from Kolkata, and we just started a second adoption. Thank you for remembering these children.

[3. Candice Watters said the following at 1:41 PM on May 1:]

3

Jessi, Thank You!! Nancy, Awesome!! Isn't wonderful what happens when the body of Christ functions like a healthy body?

[1. Jessi said the following at 10:33 AM on Apr 29:]

1

I just chose a little boy! This may sound odd, but I recently watched "Slumdog Millionaire" and since then I have really been burdened for the kids in India. I picked a little boy who's the same age as my younger brother (he's 7), that makes it all the more real to me. I always feel like there is more I could do in the missions realm, but since I do not feel God calling me to go to a certain country, and at this time in my life I do have a steady well paying job, I know this is something I can and should do!

[2. Nancy said the following at 7:12 AM on Apr 30:]

2

Thank you for helping spread the word about what Compassion is doing in India. The posts about kids literally having to be taught how to dream for their own future were astonishing and heartbreaking. This topic is close to my heart since my daughter is adopted from Kolkata, and we just started a second adoption. Thank you for remembering these children.

[3. Candice Watters said the following at 1:41 PM on May 1:]

3

Jessi, Thank You!! Nancy, Awesome!! Isn't wonderful what happens when the body of Christ functions like a healthy body?