A Glance Back: India – Jaipur

Our last stop in India was in the state of Rajasthan, in the city of Jaipur, fondly referred to as the Pink City because of the pink tint on all of the buildings.  We were given a fantastic opportunity to work with the local YWAM base while we were there.  I could go on for hours about Jaipur and my time there.  On outreach it was the hardest place for me to leave and is probably the place my heart longs the most to return to.  Not many people are fond of dirty, smelly, loud, hot places but I was in love.  Squatting over a hole to go to the bathroom and taking bucket showers did not bother me a bit.

Upon our arrival in Jaipur two of the YWAM staffers were there to greet us  and take us on our first experience in a motorized rickshaw.  How I did not get a picture of this fun contraption I am not sure but it was greatness.  Since I was little I usually got voted to sit on the “seat” that was only a few inches wide and on those bumpy, car, people, cow, bike filled roads of India it makes things interesting.  Staying at a YWAM base was so much fun, our team had our morning meetings on the roof where we could overlook the neighborhood and watch peacocks climb up the side of the homes.

Our main outreach in Jaipur was VBS (Vacation Bible School) with the children from Bharat ke Tare elementary school that the YWAM base runs.  Playing with these children of a low-caste was an honor and thrill.  Getting to share Christ’s love in what I hope was a tangible way for them is something I still dream about doing again.  I could go on and on about the songs we sang, snacks we ate, skits we put on and crafts we made but instead I will just put a few pictures up of our time in VBS:This is a shot of one of our rickshaw rides, we had to pick up the kids to bring them to VBS.  A rickshaw has one real bench seat that fits three adults comfortably and the driver is up front on a motor bike like seat.  On this particular trip there were three adults and the number of kids I am pretty sure were in double digits.I know you are not supposed to have favorites but she was mine, her name is Kalpana.This is her little brother and I sadly can’t remember his name at the moment.

The children I was able to love on and spend time with were a major part of why I loved being there so much but the night that we went up a mountain to a fort to pray when my heart fell in love with Jaipur, the Pink City.

Here is my journal entry from the day after our time at the fort:

My mind is swirling with sounds of India, the chants you hear at a temple, songs that we dance to at VBS, worship and children songs in Hindi.  I cannot even begin to describe how beautiful it all is, no I do not agree with the chanting but all in all it makes for a great mix of sounds.  Peace and quiet is lost on these people and for once in my life I am okay with that.  I think I am actually growing accustom to the blaring horns as we drive from place to place in our little rickshaw.  Going home and driving in an air-conditioned car and only hearing a honking sounds when someone is really mad is going to be an adjustment.

What a great country to be in.  India’s historical culture is flippin’ amazing!  In between the Taj Mahal, the Jal Mahal, and every other beautiful historical sight, I find it strange that this place was once so lavish and now there are mounds of trash EVERY where and cows that roam the roads.

Last night we went to an old fort at the top of Jaipur to do a prayer meeting with our team, Arun, Anem and Isaac.  It was breathtaking the view of the city was insane from on top of the mountain and the infrastructure along the side all I can say is “wow!”.  I was able to climb up one of the lookout points and sit and reflect and pray over the city, what an honour.  I wish I could have spent more time up there just meditating on God.  Anem had said during lunch before we went up there that maybe I would see the city and fall in love and I can boldly say I did.  My heart broke for these people.  I was nearly moved to tears and all I could think about was how much I did not want to leave not even close.  I want to stay here and see this city changed by the love of Christ now more than ever. . .

This is a shot of me on top of the fort looking over the city.  Funny thing while we were up there a small army of very large ants decided to invade my pants, not even kidding.

This is the YWAM Jaipur Staff along with our team.  Oh, how I miss each and every one of them, thank you God for allowing me to spend time in Jaipur.

Happy Travels!