Bollywood, Curry & Textile Workers

I have to admit, when someone mentions India, I can’t help but think of Bollywood, curry and textile workers. Admittedly, I get the feeling that the curry stereotype may be cemented rather than dispelled during the two and a bit weeks we’re out there for, but I’m hoping that my currently misguided and clouded expectations will be blown away. I mean, who doesn’t like a surprise?

So, my thoughts and feelings so far, in a semi-chronological order.... ‘Wow! You mean, I’m actually going?!’ That was pretty much my first reaction when Soph phoned to tell me I’d been accepted. Then, of course, came ‘Oooh I wonder  who else is going.’ Then a bit of ‘Umm, what will it really involve?’ Ok, don’t get me wrong, I’d done my research (by asking people who’d been before), but I’m not convinced I’ll be entirely sure until I’ve actually been there, done it, and got the t-shirt (which are apparently very cheap out there, so it’s all good).

Seriously though, I am so thrilled to be able to be a part of this trip. I know there are a number of people my age who do this kind of thing, often in a secular context and with the aim of ‘broadening their horizons’ and, dare I say it, having a little something extra for job and uni applications. I think this is part of what makes ChristChurch missions different. I don’t want this trip to be about me and what I can get out of it, but instead what we, as a team, can give to BLC and the wonderful people there. And not because of how great we are, but because of how great God is.

I reckon there are going to be a fair few challenges, not least the heat, food and culture, as well as, umm, the lack of phones and iPods. I think, as bad as it may be, that that will be a big challenge for me, but at the same time, I think I’ll realise that in actual fact, I don’t need all these things that I have become so reliant on. There is something so much bigger and more important, and that thing is God. I hope that I will get to know Him better.

The biggest excitement for me lies in getting to know the children who Martin and Beena take care of out there. My family and I spent a bit of time in Burma a couple of years ago, and something I remember vividly from that trip is going once a week to a centre for children with various disabilities, especially those caused by leprosy and polio. Although we spoke next to no Burmese, I was amazed at how much a smile can communicate. Joining in their games or school work, we got to know them and their unique personalities pretty quickly. I am so excited to have another opportunity like that, and to be able to share in God’s love in a totally different way.

Another thing I am really looking forward to is getting closer as a team. I think we are going to get pretty good at supporting each other over the course of mission and that we’ll learn more about each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I hope that we can be a team who really encourage each other and help each other to develop into the people that God has designed us to be – not just during mission, but in the months leading up to it, and continuing forward after it.

Currently my biggest worry is fundraising - I had planned to do a Krispy Kreme sale at school, but I found out a few days ago that individual events aren’t allowed, which kind of threw a spanner in the works. My wonderful Mum has had a really good idea though – there’s a weekly car boot sale that I’m going to take a bunch of stuff to one weekend (or probably more than one weekend, depending on how lucrative it is). I’m also going to start teaching someone piano, and I’m looking for any babysitting opportunities going. I know that God’s got it in hand and that something will work. I’ll just keep persevering.

So, all in all, a bit of a standing-at-the-edge-of-a-cliff feeling. Very, very exciting, a little bit scary and a lot of unknowns. But completely exhilarating at the same time!

Needles, Foreign Food and other Phobias

For many years I have looked up to those who have gone on summer missions with Christchurch Woking to either India or Kenya however it was not till recently that I seriously considered going on mission myself. Two years ago I felt that I wasn’t prepared to go to India as I didn’t feel mature enough but as soon as I heard there was going to be a summer mission in 2014 I knew that I wanted to go. Many of the things which I associate with mission scare me yet I still feel that I have a calling from God to go and help the less privileged in India. 

Coming from South Africa, a country with such polar extremes when it comes to wealth and standard of living, I have always been aware of the suffering there is around the world. This is why I feel that it is necessary for me to go to India on mission so that I can help people first hand and not just by giving money so others can do the work for me.

Frankly there are many aspects of the mission that scare me; first and foremost there is the injection issue. I have a phobia of needles. Because of this I have, in the last few years, avoided more than 15 stitches by on a number of occasions just bandaging up a gash in the side of my leg and hoping for the best. Some may say that that is a stupid thing to do but I would honestly rather risk catching many diseases in India than get the injections for them and be safe unfortunately I will not be allowed to go on the mission unless I get my injections… Secondly there is the food issue… Although I have no problem with Indian food itself I have possible one of the worst track records possible food wise (I have in the past even given myself food poisoning by eating partly cooked bacon).  Also I have heard the horror stories of people becoming very ill due to the foreign cuisine (normally because of the rice). These are hurdles that I will have to overcome either before the mission or during it however I know that God’s strength will help me through the roughest of times.

When I was on team at Soul Survivor last summer I was able to serve others, I felt a calling from god to find joy in even the most menial of tasks I found this a very rewarding experience as it helped me to form stronger relationships with those who were around me and also with the rest of the youth. I look forward to further re-enforcing my relationships with those who will be going to India as part of the Christchurch team. I am also looking forward to helping the children who are at the orphanage because I love to make a difference to the loves of others, I feel going on mission this summer will be eye opening and it will benefit me spiritually. I am very much looking forward to the adventure, India here I come!!!

It’s Finally Time!

Even since I was 14 years old I wanted to go to India with Christchurch youth but my Mum has always said no because she worries about me being okay, but it wasn’t until 2012 when I was applying for India summer mission 2013 she said I could go.  Then I suddenly had God saying no because he didn’t wants us going to India he want us as a youth to do something else, just like we did. So back in October 2013 when the application form came out for India 2014 I felt straight away this is the year and it was right my mum and God both said YES!!

When I’m on the team India I’m so excited because I cant wait to develop the relationships I have with the rest of the team stronger and being there for each other when we are struggle when we are out in India. I’m always really excited seeing all the kids and serving them, I have heard so much about the India mission and how fun it is to play and spend time with the kids, and now it just makes me so excited that that I get to see what everyone is talking about when I go out in the summer of 2014.

Even though I’m excited about going to India, I am also really scared. The main reason is that it my first time going to India. I’m always scared that I’m going to miss my Mum and family. Going on mission to India does mean that we need things, jabs and tablets so that we don’t get ill. I’m not scared of jabs but they don’t like me, the doctor has to lay me down and leave me there up to half and hour after the jab this because my sugar levels go really low and this is what really scares me getting them done, so prayer for this would be amazing. I am not that keen on curry but the more I eat it the more I’m starting to like it, so I’m hoping that by the summer I will like it like other food.

One of the big things I’m scared of is getting the money so that I can go to India.

Fundraising is really hard and trying to work out what I should do for fundraising is really hard. I keep writing to my college asking to do cake sale but not getting anywhere at the moment. The only way which is keeping me going and not giving up on fundraising is the support of my friends/team and praying to God asking him for his help.

Overall I feel excited about going to India because we have a great team and a lot of us are going for the first time, which makes everything even more exciting. We have to two great people (Sophie and Ian) leading the team to India, which is also really exciting. I think the main thing I need and also the team needs is prayer and lots of it. I think the things I need prayer for are jabs and fundraising.

CCFA

Whoop whoop! Just received £400 from Combined Cadet Force Association! Only £400 left... Looking forward to raising it :)

Initial Thoughts

I'm really excited at the prospect of going on mission in the Summer of 2014. Since I experienced helping with my family at an orphanage in Kenya around 5 years ago, I have always wanted to go back and serve abroad. Up until now, I had not felt God calling me or asking me to take part in mission but since my confirmation, my relationship with Him has grown and after a lot of praying with family and friends, I really felt a strong sense that God could use me and I was so excited to be accepted as part of the team.

As well as growing my relationship with God throughout the mission, I am also really looking forward to serving the BLC and all the children it cares for. I am very excited at the thought of meeting the children and developing friendships with them throughout the time we are there and hope to maintain these whether that means using some kind of messaging system or just going back out to see them another year.

Although I am really looking forward to experiencing the different culture of India, I am also slightly daunted by the idea that I may not understand their culture fully enough and may accidentally come across as rude. When I was in Kenya I learnt about having put aside our response to cultural habits and see things from their perspective. However, to try and avoid this, I am going to do bit of research on the way they live and the differences in culture, as well as talking to past members of mission teams to see what advice they can offer me.

Last but not least, over the course of the next year and throughout our time in Goa, I look forward to developing relationships with the rest of the team. I know that we will be pushed to the mental and physical limits while we are in India and that we are going to need to be able to rely on each other for support and encouragement. I'm looking forward to praying and socialising together over the next few months before we leave.

I'm super pumped for this mission and am looking forward to get underway!

First Thoughts

Hey guys! I’m Chas and I have been on mission twice before to Goa, and am massively looking forward to doing so again. It should be great!

I think the team this year is a really good one because everyone is really close knit. I think that our relationship as a team will be even more intimate than it already is.

I am looking forward to seeing the kids again and building the relationships that I already have in Goa. I will know some of the kids quite well, because this is not my first time going.

I also hope to be able to continue to make a difference in the kids’ lives because I think in a practical sense, this is what mission is about.

Fundraising….. should probably start thinking about fundraising soon. I have no doubt that this is an element of mission that will bring the whole team together and before the mission we can show just how well we can work together.

I’m pretty excited to carry out God’s will in Goa. Good job team.