My First Impressions

Well, I've been in India for 3 days now. I have to admit that the first thing I noticed was the dirt and smog. I had heard this, but you never can understand until you experience it firsthand. The air is unlike any place in the world: thick, hazy, dirty, and very smelly....no, that is not nearly strong enough of a word, the stench is almost unbearable. The air burns your eyes, your sinuses, and your throat. Then there is the filth and trash. Piles of it everywhere and anywhere...on the street, behind your house, in the woods... And on the city streets, there are cows...yes, regular moo-moo cows. Cows are sacred in the Hindu culture, so you don't dare kill them. No beef here. And don't ask me what they eat because it's not like there is grass... I guess they eat the trash. And where do they use the restroom? The same place many of the people do... on the street.

I have met some amazing people, don't get me wrong, I'll get to that in a minute. It's just interesting what you cannot glean from any picture or video presentation. I've never ever encountered anything like it. We went on a six hour train ride to the north of Delhi yesterday and the sea of people never stopped. There are over 1 billion people here. One town just spills over into the next. Building after building, tent after tent, shack after shack. The poverty is evident in every mile traveled.

Now, picture the kind of homes you see on movies about Iraq...that is what I saw as i rode through town after town. White concrete, two-story structures that look like they have been bombed, with pieces missing and added to, rubble and trash on the ground around them, but then, ironically, a vine of beautiful flowers will be growing up the wall for aesthetics. Some houses look like they could have been beautiful at one time, with rooftop balconies and interesting architectural design, but apparently no resources for upkeep. There is the occasional house that looks like someone cared, like the training center we visited, but then it will be next door to a pile of rubble decorated with trash. There is no such thing as a "nice side of town" - even the Prime Minister's estate wasn't impressive.

You know how a modern/contemporary home will have a blank canvas of white walls to highlight the colorful art? Well, that is India. The array of colors showcased by its people is a stark contrast to its backdrop of ruin. I wish I was a photographer. (Lane, you are going to have the time of your life here taking pictures!) The colors are awesome! The women's saris and tunics are a walking art exhibit.

Speaking of the people, they are not only beautiful, but very gentle and friendly. Meet Abdul, the soft spoken young man in charge of Dehradun Bible Ashram ("ashram" is a way of learning through spending time with a guru or master). Every time we got into a taxi, he and the driver would talk non-stop like they were old friends. We'd ask who that was and he'd say, "oh, that is just the taxi driver." Conversation and relationships are important in this culture. The young men and women at the Ashram were kind, humble, and gentle. They love the Lord deeply and want to learn whatever they can, even if they cannot read or write. In that case, a fellow student studies with them to be sure they get their homework completed. They look forward to going back to their home towns and teaching others. It was refreshing to see their passion.

We also met the Hindu girls at the sewing centre. A Christian Indian woman teaches girls from the community to sew so they can make a living. She hopes that some will come to know Christ in their time together as well.

So, my first impressions range from utter disgust to a feeling of warmth. Quite a couple of days.