5 thoughts so far

Here are five of my thoughts that on things that have amazed me since I’ve been here in Shimoga-almost a week now!
1. In Shimoga, a day is a day. They are not defined by T.V shows, business meetings or subway daily specials. A day is another chance to experience and embrace life. The sun rises and sets, and things are accomplish, but not because it’s a Monday or Tuesday or the weekend…its because it’s a day.
2. When we try to find happiness in too much, we rob ourselves of true joy. We distributed small gifts to each of the children that people at church donated. The gifts were well -used stuffed animals and small happy meal toys. The kids sat in rows on the dusty floor quietly, anxiously awaiting the special treasure we had for each of them. Their eyes lit up as we placed the small gifts in their hands. They politely thanked us, and were overjoyed to have a toy of their very own.
3. This is truly a place of the purest love I have ever seen. During meal times, the kids all sit on the cement floor. A big vat of rice and some curry gravy sits at the front of the room. We pass out all the food as the kids wait patiently for their turn. There is no arguing, no impatient glares or “squirrelly” behavior. Once all the kids have their food, they eat quietly (with their hands, as is the Indian way). What amazes me though is that several of the older kids feed the kids who are of not right mind or are too physically handicapped to do so themselves (remember, all eating is done with hands.) They make sure they are completely fed before they then begin eating themselves. They do it without complaining-they do it as a natural part in caring for each other.
4. After I fed the kids their dinner, I stood back to take in the activity in the room around me- Kids with twisted limbs, drooping eyes, misshaped features of different ages all living together in harmony and love. These kids are the rejects of society- the unwanted, the uncared for, the “abnormal”-yet they are happy and alive, living together each day. They share such unity because they do not judge, they do not gossip and they accept and love unconditionally. Wow…it was a humbling experience to watch these kids in action.
5. Finally, I will end with this-the final thing that has amazed me are the monkeys that are as common as squirrels, the elephants as domestic as horses, and the small ants that bite like fire (hence the name, “fire ants”).

I could go on, but I will stop for now. Love you all…and more to come…