Monday 29 April 2019

After the whirlwind

Hello World,

So... it's been a while, huh? For those of you who have been following me and supporting me on this journey, i'm so sorry for not having done an update sooner, this month has been pretty hectic!

I have been back in the UK almost a month now. Which is totally crazy to me, I can't believe the time has gone that quickly. So now that I've had some time to process everything that has happened over the last 3 months or so, it's time to update you all. Writing updates in India was quite difficult for me, hence why I only wrote one. The work I was doing and the situation I was in could potentially be quite sensitive, and I didn't want to  endanger myself or anyone I was with, so it is much safer, now that i'm home to fill you in on what I was doing.

Let me start by saying my time in India was the most amazing, incredible, overwhelming and steep learning curve I've ever had. And I think its really important that i'm honest and say that actually, I really struggled. I knew before going out that it would be difficult and challenging, but I dont think I was prepared for how mentally challenging it would be for me. However, in struggling, it really forced me to completely lean and depend on God for my strength, and so through the struggles I have become much closer to him. I wanted to say this in complete transparency, so that hopefully it will make anyone considering FirstServe or any other similar kind of work realise that in reality it can be really difficult, but that's okay, and through it you can grow in your relationship with God.

DISCLAIMER: I just want to say, please don't think I am in any way ungrateful for this opportunity, I truly had the most incredible time, would definitely go back, and would not change any of it for the world. I just think its really important that I'm honest and open about my experiences of mission.

Right, now for some details. While I was out in India, I good a routine that I was doing mostly the same things each week, with some spontaneous variations. Pretty much every morning I was in the school, working in some kindergarten classes, and also with some SEN kids. I've never really done any school work before so this was a really cool opportunity. Most of what I did was support work, as most of the kindergarten classes had upwards of 30 kids in them. So if anyone needs help learning the alphabet or counting to about 30 (IN ENGLISH) I'm your gal, I got very good at it! Although part of me wonders if I was more of a distraction than a help. Something I love about Indian culture is that staring is completely normal. It's not rude, or weird. So EVERYONE does it. It was a little disconcerting at first, but it was kinda fun after while, particularly once i'd built up a bit of a relationship with the kids, because I could just pull silly faces at them. I think my favourite bit in the school was working with the SEN (special educational needs) kids. I was in quite a few of their lessons, so I got to know them really quite well, as there were only 5 or 6 in each class. I spent time with them reading, and working on blend sounds ( like fl, br, ng)  especially, as this is what they were struggling to get to grips with the most. They were a really sweet group of kids, and I loved working with them. 

I mostly had the afternoons off, (cause it transpires that I needed A LOT of rest in India to function) so I spend most of this time resting, relaxing, and taking in the INCREDIBLE surroundings. Honestly, it was an actually paradise.






I also got to make a lot of certificates of achievement for the children in the school, which was pretty fun. Then in the evenings I would go down to the girls hostel on the compound, and play with them for awhile. I can safely say I never thought i'd win a game of hide and seek by hiding at the top of a mango tree, but there we go. I then would stay for evening devotions, which were done every day and were a truly humbling experience. Those girls have such a deep authentic faith, and such excitement and enthusiasm for worshiping God, it was so amazing to be a part of, but was also really challenging. I got to lead devotions most weeks, I especially enjoyed teaching them a new song. (O come to the altar by Elevation worship. ABSOLUTE TUNE)

Over all it was an absolutely fantastic experience of getting to know a new culture, meeting incredible new people, try new food, new clothes, see very cool animals and most importantly serving and deepening my relationship with the living God, my father and my friend.


(Edited) HIGHLIGHT VIDEO! ❤

















After the whirlwind

Hello World, So... it's been a while, huh? For those of you who have been following me and supporting me on this journey, i'm so ...