I knew that India would be the craziest country I would go to.
Everyone told me just how culturally different they were. We were just getting out of 4 months in Eastern Europe. Even though many of those places were quite impoverished, there were many similarities between the two that made us still some bit comfortable. We came into India late at night; going straight from the airport to a beautiful and simple hotel.
After a few days I was heading to my ministry spot for the next 10 days with one of the Alumni Squad Leaders. It was in the city of Hyderabad and the next half hour drive was the craziest and most mind blowing drive I’ve ever been on. Driving at on roads with no lines, high speeds, weaving in between tiny rickshaws, dodging the people going across the road, seeing the hindu sights, smelling the curry in the air, watching the children play, and catching sight of all of the colors that seem to blend together.
*note that video doesn’t do it justice*
We were at a worship center in the city where brothers were learning how to be worship leaders. Needless to say, I fell in love right away. We were going to youth centers, playing music, worshipping constantly, writing music at 2AM, and just diving into the heart of the Lord alongside these brothers.
My time in India doesn’t stop in the city.
I eventually went to a town about 6 hours outside of Hyderabad. The team I was meeting with told me that every night was the same. Every afternoon we would go to a different village and be welcomed by the pastor with either some chai tea (in metal cups..) or Coca-Cola. We would eventually go out house to house with our translators and invite people to church that night. At most houses, we would pray for them. It would always consist of the women putting scarves around their heads and us putting our hands on their heads & foreheads.
In between the houses were the children.
They would take notice of us right when we drove into the village. By the time our meet and greets were over with the pastor there would be a herd of them waiting for us. Staring with wonder at the white people. Some would be brave enough to come and walk beside us. By the middle of our prayer walk through the village we would have 3-5 children on each hand. During the service there would be worship led by the locals from the church. Then 2 of us would give testimonies, 1 would give the word, then we would all pray for everyone at the end. We would then have food (best food in the freaking world) cooked by the women of the church.
I tell you all of this because I am going to go back to India. Some day.
This is all encompassing into what the Lord has called me to. I’ve never wanted to serve a country more than India. The colors, food, children, style, worship, culture, people just draw me in.
I know I will be back.
Covenant School Of Worship from Hunter Young on Vimeo.
