Why India?
Trip Start
Feb 07, 2009
1
12
Trip End
Feb 21, 2009
Covington,
Georgia,
United States
Monday, December 15, 2008
Hospital in Mungeli, India. A lot of people have been asking me,
"Why India?" And I responded, "Why not? As John Wesley
proclaimed, 'the world is my parish'". Ok, that was before all
the tragedy in Mumbai over Thanksgiving weekend. I understand the
"why not?" now. But still. It was quite a production of how
I got involved in all this, so here's the story...
Several months ago Lindsey (travel partner, friend, and church member)
told me about an incredible opportunity a friend of hers was going to
create for herself. This friend had a connection with a Christian
doctor in India, and she felt called to make something happen and take
a group over there. I have always found this to be the most
affective ways of creating amazing ministry moments: begin with a call
and a completely murky plan. As the plan got more detailed,
Lindsey got more excited, and she signed up for this mission trip,
leaving two days after Christmas, to go help out in India. I was
immediately ecstatic for her opportunity, and almost wanted to jump
aboard with her. However, not having any connection with this
friend or church who was planning the trip, I wasn't sure if I was
even invited. Even more so, I was under the impression that they
were returning on January 8th--during my Covenant Group. Being one
of the major hoops I have to jump through before being fully ordained,
I just didn't feel I could miss Covenant Group (see how committed I
am?). So I wished her well on her exciting trip.
Just over a week before Thanksgiving, Lindsey was talking to me again
about the trip. Courtney, another friend and church member, had
joined the adventure. Lindsey told me the correct return date was
January 7th (no missing Covenant Group necessary) and I became
intrigued. Voicing my wishful thinking, I mentioned how
incredible it would be to go. The next day, she called me up and
said, "How serious are you about going to India?" I took a deep,
but not so steady breath as I instantaneously thought it through, and
replied, "Pretty serious. Why?"
It turned out that a few people (unfortunately, including Courtney) had
to drop out of the original Pilgrimage, and there was room for more to
join. It was really short notice, and I pretty much had to make
up my mind within 24 hours to get seats booked on the same flights as
the rest of the mission crew. My main concern was money (and
continues to be today). But I knew three things that gave me
hope: 1. It was a mission trip. I have developed a not-so-recent
addiction to mission trips, no matter what flavor. 2. It was
right after Christmas and starting a new year...after finishing a
not-so-easy year of ministry and challenges and questions. I
needed a new focus. Focusing on serving others, instead of on my
own problems--well, that would be better. 3. Lindsey was
going. She is a great friend, probably one of the kindest and
most dear people I know. I could handle two weeks with her, easy.
So 24 hours later, I took a deep breath (and a major credit card) and
booked my flights for the trip. As quickly as it had all come on,
I felt a strange sense of calm enveloping me as I started to get
excited. Lindsey told the leader of the trip that I was in.
She responded by saying that I was an answered prayer. She had
been concerned about sending the group without a clergy present
(theirs had just dropped out as well), and she really wanted a
minister to be with the group. So now I knew that God's hand had
been in this all along. I was going to India to serve with the people of Mungeli Christian Hosptial..
