Incredible India

Last year I wrote/journaled my experience at Rising Star.

Incredible India!

I came to India not knowing what to expect. One random afternoon Annie sent me a text saying “do you want to go to India” and within seconds I responded, “Yes”. I did not know why I said “yes” at the time, but by the last night at Rising Star I found out why (or at least I think I did). It was to experience love for people that I barely know and to be loved by the same people in return.

The last night at rising star, everyone stood up at dinner and said what they have learned here in India. I knew that we were going to do this and thought of something to say. But by the time that it was my turn to say what I learned, I forgot everything that I was going to say. I never felt the way that I did when I stood up. I somewhat knew what I was going to say and I knew I had to talk about how much I love the kids here and how the kids have loved us ever since we arrived at the hostel. I started with saying how I found out about rising star (that Annie text me one random afternoon and I did not know why I said yes). After I said that, I talked about how the Lord works in mysterious ways, because India has changed my life perspective forever. I talked about how I loved the kids and how I learned to love people in such a short time.

The main reason I am writing this is because I want to expand on what I have learned in India. This trip has changed how I look at everything. When I got here, I thought this trip would only make me appreciate the states more (boy was I wrong). I did not think it would change who I am, but I was mistaken. I have a whole new outlook on life and I’m so grateful for this. These kids and leprosy patients that I have grown to love have so little but are some of the happiest people I have ever meet. I have learned to appreciate the little things in life and learned material items do not make people happy. Money and all the things in the world cannot make people happy. It is love for people that truly makes people happy.

Everything in this world has a purpose. This thought popped into my head when everyone was saying what they learned. I’m not sure why, but it did. I feel that I was meant to come to India to learn something because I feel that I have gained so much more than I have given. This saddens me because I came here to help people and the people of India have helped me even more than anyone will ever know. I only wish that these people appreciated me as much as I appreciated them.

Tonight I had to say goodbye to the kids. We saw the kids at Life Dance (and it was such an amazing experience). After that I walked over to the children’s hostel, I have never felt so many emotions at once before and was overwhelmed; I felt happy, sad, excited, and a bunch more emotions that I’m not even sure of. 

I was sad because I knew it would be one of the last times I would see the kids, if not the last time. I felt that it was harder walking up to the hostel because all the rush of emotions. I never knew that I could love so many people so much, in such a short amount of time. But by the time we had to leave I only felt a couple emotions, love, happiness, and sadness. I never knew how calming it would be to actually say goodbye and have closure. I guess that is why it was much easier to walk away than to anticipate walking away. I also concentrated on how much I loved the kids and by this time, I already made up my mind that I would come back.

My experiences at rising star have changed not who I am but have reminded me what love and joy truly are. I once knew this as a child but being in the service of others has reminded me. I have felt a shift in priorities. I no longer care about material things as much. India has taught me to enjoy the “Little Things” (as Joel said on our last dinner). I have also learned to enjoy the company around me and to love people for who they are.

What I learned in India is so personal and close to my heart that it would be impossible to truly explain what I learned here. 

I was talking to Annie and I told her “thank you for inviting me… I feel that there was
a reason I replied to you so quickly”. She said your welcome and then we started
talking about what will happen when we get home. This subject scared me because
I knew I would be going back to the same place that I left only 3 weeks ago. I knew
I did not want to go back to the way I was before. I told Annie that when I get back
it truly is going to be one of the biggest trials in my life so far. Her reply to this was
simple “I will pray for you”. When she said this, my heart sank. I cannot even explain
how much her saying this to me made me feel. I am grateful to have a friend like
Annie.
I could never tell Annie how grateful I am, for her inviting me to India. It has been an
experience of a lifetime! India has not only strengthened my relationship with Annie
but also with my Heavenly Father.