To start with I was beyond excited to be going. I did not know why God had called me to go to India for my first mission trip and my first ever plane ride but I said yes and was more than willing to go. I had a smile on my face from ear to ear and it never left until I left India. I had always heard how awful it is at the airport going through security and everything. We had no issues. We got in and out of security in no time. Ate lunch there at LAX then waited for our departure.
As you can see we were all excited to be heading to India to do the Lords work. Even though it was my first time ever on a plane and it was going to be an eleven hour flight. I was not nervous. I was excited and looking forward to it. Then I stepped on the plane. Honestly I almost did not step through the door onto it. I hesitated for a moment. Then I walked on and was fine talked to Paul and Charmaine as I went down the aisle. Then I took my seat. I literally started to have a panic attack there in my seat. I just freaked out, no real reason just did. I immediately texted my prayer group and my husband to pray for me because of it. Nish texted Paul and Charmaine. Charmaine texted me back and Paul came over and spoke with me and him and Nish prayed for me. At least someone did. It continued until the plane started to move. Then I was all excited again. Took a video of the plane backing up and tons of pictures. I took at least 200 pictures just from the plane. Which I must say I deleted the majority of them. Nish ended up letting me sit next to the window and it was awesome.
The sunrise over the Atlantic was absolutely beautiful. As I was looking out over the Atlantic all I could think of is how could anyone who flies and sees this deny there is a God. Honestly it is to amazing and beautiful to be an accident. I was just in awe.
While on the plane from LAX to London we meet a young lady named Sonja. She was very sweet. The four of us shared lunch and the gospel with her in Heathrow before she departed for her connecting flight.
Then it was off to Delhi for us. Another long flight. Nish and I did not end up having seats next to each other but we were still close, she sat right behind me. I sat next to a young couple from India. This flight was different then the first. American Airlines is awesome, British Airlines not so much. Also I fell asleep during the safety video and did not wake up until we were in the air on our way. I slept for the majority of this flight in an aisle seat. I am thankful the couple next to me did not need to get up and I was able to sleep. Upon landing we had to fill out our landing cards, departure things I am not sure what they are. We need to write on it our country of origin, so of course I wrote America. The couple next to me said I got it wrong I am actually from India because I love it there so much. I laughed I had never seen India before but it was nice that they thought I would fit in and come to love it. We were ahead of schedule by about an hour when we landed. When we left the plane we were about an hour behind schedule. I guess the brakes had heated up and we had to sit on the tarmac for a couple hours while we waited to be towed in.
We got through the security check in Delhi with no problem. Of course they want to ask why you are visiting India, my response I am visiting friends. He kept asking me and I kept responding to visit friends. He let me through with no problems. Our first few days in India were our recover days from the long flight. Thank you Paul for arranging that. We slept the first day in a very nice hotel.
Then on Friday we played tourist and went out to see Delhi. It was an eye opening experience. It seemed as if our homeless here in America have a better living situation then their lower class. When I say lower class I mean by American standards of the living class not theirs. They live by a caste system not a class system. However no matter how poor they are they take pride in how they look. Their clothing was always beautiful. We enjoyed the tourist time. I ended up getting a henna tattoo even though I told the girl at least twenty times I did not want one. I did like it though and in the end was happy I got it.
I learned from this that to actually say no you have to say I have no money. It was a great experience though. I would say that it was a first but in all actuality you get the same thing in America. Even at our local mall it happens, people are always trying to get you to stop and buy stuff. Have you every passed a phone kiosk? They are always trying to sell you a phone. After visiting the Indian Gate we went and had lunch at a very nice restaurant. We had been trying to tell our driver that we wanted to go back to the mall so we could get food that was not very expensive. However he did not speak any English so he took us to a restaurant where he takes all of the guests he drives around. Have you ever seen those movies where the tourists are walking along or driving by then all of a sudden they are surrounded and whisked away into some building. Of course it always ends bad until the hero comes and saves them. That is what it felt like happened to us. Except at the end was not torture but an amazing lunch. It was not very expensive. Our waiter was something else. I asked for papadums (I had them at an Indian restaurant in LA and loved them). They do not actually make them at this restaurant but they made us some. Then Charmaine ordered lunch and the waiter told her no she did not want that she wanted this. Paul ordered he did the same thing. Nish ordered he did just a slight adjustment to it. I ordered he said very good choice. Honestly I got to thank my brother Christopher and Paru's for that one. I only knew because of eating at the Indian restaurant in LA and my trip to Little India in Artesia. They showed us the kitchen and how they cook the food. It was amazing. Then we went upstairs where they have a dance club area thing. So, we got to experience authentic Indian modern dancing. It was fun. The view from the roof was amazing. We went out there and sat until our driver got back. Then once again we were whisked down to our car.
The rest of our team arrived while we were gone. Our tourist time was over, we were getting down to the real reason we came to India. This was the first time I meet most of the team. I just got to say they are all amazing!!! Makes me want to go to Jamaica. I got a little taste of it in India from the team.
The next morning we left for Vijayawada. It was a short four hour flight. Hop on in Delhi land in Hyderabad take off again and land in Vijayawada. I have come to the conclusion I do not like the smaller planes. Upon arriving in Vijayawada it was another eye opening experience. For one the plane does not connect to the airport. You go down stairs and then ride a "bus" to the airport (little) building. No security here just a small building that has just enough room for you to get your luggage and go.
I learned another thing while there. Seat belts are only for the driver. I always wear my seat belt, but it was the last time I tried to put one on until arriving home. Now let me explain India driving real quick. Lanes are optional, mirrors are optional, drivers license are optional and horns are mandatory. That is probably why the cars do not seem to go over 40 mph. Yet, I felt safer driving in India then I do at home.
When we arrived at Orphan's Faith Home it was another amazing experience. The kids greeted us with enthusiasm and fireworks. They wanted a touch from you and wanted to know your name and told you theirs. I need to get better at remembering names.
Nish and I got the top floor for our room. It was very different from the hotel. However I slept better in this bed then I have ever slept before or since.
Our first day in Machilipatnam was Sunday so we went to service and relaxed for the day. Well the guys relaxed. Pastor Babu wanted us to dress in authentic Indian attire that Monday so he sent us into town to buy outfits. I got another experience of a lifetime on that trip. For one dressing rooms in India are tiny. But the experience was I rode sidesaddle on the back of a motorbike. I must say it is the best way to really experience India. You get the feel and smell of what it is really like. Of course I got in trouble for it. Keith and Paul did not think that was a smart idea for me to do. Yet I am glad I did. Charmaine got a video of me on it. You can just barely tell that it is me.
Our week was full, we dedicated the new girls home, placed building blocks for new buildings at Jesus Children's Home and blessed and dedicated more buildings there. We ran a three day Pastor's conference and a two day VBS. We also did three nights of crusades in three different villages. Those of us from Life Church actually only did two nights as we left that Saturday.
It was an amazing experience. We were able to teach and encourage local Pastor's, we taught the Orphan's about what it means to follow Jesus, and we showed them love. At the crusades we prayed for people for salvation and healing. During the second night of crusades Nish and I prayed over a woman who had a tumor and while we were praying her tumor shrunk. You may doubt this but three of us four if you include the woman noticed it. The Lord worked in and through us to show the people of India who the one true living God is. It was an amazing experience.
Then there are the children. I fell in love with them while I was there. They are so sweet and precious. One boy stood out in particular. I noticed him because he has a smile that is just full of joy. He reminded me a lot of my boys. Why they all think it is fun to pick on mom I do not know. He would copy what I was doing. I thought it was so funny, my boys do the same thing. I asked Pastor Babu who he was and he was not sure so he called the boy up. You should of seen the look on his face him and his friend both thought he was in trouble. He was very relieved to find out it was just because I wanted to know his name because he reminded me of my boys back home. Later he told me that I was his mom. On Sunday morning two girls came up to see if Nish and I needed anything. They asked our names and we told them. One girl after we told them our names said to me Robin Hays. She knew exactly who I was and when she was around and other kids asked she said the same thing. These two children are Navi and Anjali.
Navi is about at the age where he will be leaving the orphanage after this year and Anjali is just a few years younger than him. I wish to see them both again before they leave. Which would mean I would have to return for India Alive 2015.
These are not the only children that touched my heart, they all did but these two are now considered my children. One boy touched both mine and Nish's heart. He is just the sweetest little boy, his name is Maheesh. (Not sure on that spelling).
One thing you might notice in these pictures is at one point I had sunglasses and then they were gone. I did not loose them or break them. There was a little girl there that needed them more than I did. She is another child that truly touched my heart. She took me to meet her Aunt and Uncle who were there visiting on the day we left. Her name is Pavlica, (okay once again not sure on the spelling).
There are so many that touched our hearts. Little Remy at JFH.
Of course these are just the children that I had a one on one personal experience or connection with. All of the children really touched our hearts. Here are a few from OFH.
Some from JCH.
Just want to put it out there that a lot of these children still need sponsors. If you would like to sponsor a child contact Come Alive World and just let them know. www.comealiveworld.org
I have been informed that my trip sounds like a vacation, so to clarify I will give you a brief breakdown of my typical day. Wake up at 5:00 am, we need to be downstairs by 7:00. Power turns off at 6:00 so if we want to shower and get ready with light we need to be up by 5:00. Shower and bathroom are one room.
Go down three stairs for breakfast, which since I was having trouble eating spicy food (which normally does not bother me) meant rice, hard boiled egg, a type of flat bread which I can not remember the name of and Donovan's famous fruit salad.
Back up three flights of stairs to get my stuff together that I will need for the day. Back down the three flights, if I forgot something back up. Then we walk to the church which is around the corner for the morning portion of the Pastor's conference. Then lunch, I so want the recipe for the rice it was so good, especially with the sauce.
Back to the orphanage and up three flights of stairs to drop my stuff off, and to rest for an hour before going back down to work on stuff for the VBS. After that back up the stairs to rest before dinner. If it was a VBS day we would do the VBS instead of the Pastor's conference, both before and after lunch. Then down stairs for dinner. Which could be by candlelight, also watch out for the lizards that visit.
If it is a crusade night we will go back upstairs to get our stuff and prepare to leave. Then off to the crusade. We arrive back at the orphanage between 12 and 1 am. Where we get some rest before we are off and running to do it all over again. I must say it was an enjoyable experience and I would love to do it again.
That is just a brief breakdown because I did not fill in all the details from the day. They kept us busy and on the go the entire time. We did get to rest in between sessions. However our days were filled with stuff to do. It was amazing. The first day of the VBS I was not feeling very well so I stayed behind at OFH. We did not want to risk it if it was more than just home sickness with the kids at the HIV home. So, I got the joy of being taught Telagu by some of the children. It was lots of fun. I tried to take a class back home in the states but they do not offer Telagu only Hindu.
I must be honest even this does not explain the true experience of being in India. It is something that words can never really explain. The kids and Pastor Babu told us not to cry on the day we left. So, we did not cry, it took all we had to keep from crying. We left on Saturday evening. We spent one week in Machilipatnam and in that week we came to love the people and children there. They are a part of our family now and will always hold a special place in our hearts.
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On the flight home we cried, and spoke about returning to see our family in India. I pray that it will be some time soon, before my children leave.
I said I was going to end this with returning to LAX. We got the experience of getting off the plane on stairs again. For some reason we were unable to connect to the terminal and had to take a bus to the airport. When we exited the airport the first thing I smelled was cigarette smoke. Yep we were back in the states. I was glad to be home and going to see my husband and kids who I missed very much but it was bittersweet because I missed my family in India as well.
At this time I am not returning for India Alive 2015, I am unable to fly over oceans right now. However I know one day I will return to India. I just pray that it will be soon.
