| Sis. Sam's Trip to India |
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| Sis. Sam Hanebeck is currently traveling and had recently been to India on business. She shared some of her experiences and thoughts about this trip to me in an email. It was very profound so I asked her if I could share it here:br /br /blockquote/blockquoteblockquoteHi Pastor Harris! br /br /My trip to India was a very humbling experience and I just wanted to share some of it with you. I only got a small taste of life there but can only imagine all that the Pastor in India goes through. Poverty was the first thing that struck me, the roads??.. well what roads?? they are not like roads we know, you have people begging in the street from tiny children all the way to adults. br /br /One of the heart wrenching moments was when I was stationary in a car and a child of no more than 5 years old came up to the window begging for money and proceed to keep banging on the window crying. The driver said that if we were to open the window there would be about another 10 people or so that would literally jump on the car and try to mug us, the area was extremely crowded. At one point we had live cattle right next to us as we were trying to get to a location, there are stray dogs everywhere in certain areas vultures circle. br /br /Another eye opener for me was the fact I was not allowed to go anywhere on my own and had to have security escort me whenever I left the hotel. And it was quite obvious they were security as they had batons and guns extremely visible. When going to the office a woman stopped and grabbed my hand, the security guard pushed her away from me but I stood still. I asked him what did she want - he actually asked her. Her response was she had never seen a lady with such light skin and red hair, she just wanted to touch my hair, he would not allow it as he said that would put me in danger. A few moments later I saw a cow and camel coming down the road - I wish you could have seen my face at that point! br /br /I did get a chance to go and see one of their local churches but the scene that met we was totally unimaginable. They were guards armed with weapons (guns, batons and even swords) fighting off the people outside the gates of the church. As you drove through people were hitting the car, spitting at it and shouting very loudly. I got told by security anyone who believes in God and worships Him is seen to be disobeying orders from their god and their culture and beliefs. Once through the "war zone" (as that is what it felt) there was a sudden peace and tranquility when I reached the church - I just stood in silence. There were people sat crying, mourning, pouring their hearts out to God and praising in their Indian chant - I was literally frozen and could do nothing but say Thank You God. It makes you realise (I know you have mentioned this from the pulpit) how blessed we are to be able to walk around freely, not be judged because of our gender, race or belief, all treated equally and worship God freely. The whole India trip was an eye opening experience and just made me think even more how we can take so much for granted, something so simple as just walking down the street. God kept me safe during my whole trip and flights just as we know He keeps each and every one of us safe every moment of everyday :o) br /br /Love to you and the family br /See you in a couple of weeks br /Sam/blockquote |
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