June 19 2012
Exactly three weeks away from our flight to Kolkata. It's all my mind thinks about, "India." Countless questions come up for air during the day. I've had moments when I pause and realize that the same arms and legs that are attached to me will be in a completely foreign setting. The ground will feel different. The same eyes looking at pretty groomed palm trees will be watching a completely different scene. This morning bringing in my garbage container from the side of the road,Are there garbage systems? The goosebumps may rise for reasons other than my AC or fan being too high. Everything will be different. There's no way to overstate that.
With months of fundraising and preparing, I've had many moments of flight and scramble. A voice in mind beckons me to rush, "Grab every time and ounce of knowledge you can get about Jesus and the poor before Kolkata. Time is running out. Read as much as you can. Pray as much as you can. Get your mind ready." I've even considered chopping all of my hair off. The fear at the tip of my mind, Will I be ready to absorb everything like a sponge. Will I be ready?
With all my restlessness and concern, the sweetest moment of solitude graciously came a few days ago. I was sitting down in our formal family area behind the piano, legs out-stretched on the carpet. I had no agenda, or plan. I stared down at my legs, unshaven, bitten and scarred from mosquito bites and thought, Wow these are my legs. I stretched my arms out and thought the same. I stared at my body for what felt like minutes in a way that I had never examined it before. It was as though a new respect was forming towards them. A flash, a moment of sobriety came over me. These are beautiful, these are all I need. It was as though God was communicating a glimpse of what his eyes see in me. As I breathed deeply, my lungs stretched in satisfaction, thanking the giver of breath.
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart." (Matthew 10:11)
When Jesus sent his measly bunch, they probably didn't have toothbrushes. Reading an extra book or two wouldn't have prepared them much more for the road of nomadic homelessness. Ultimately at the moment when Jesus the Messiah, God incarnate, sent them, he knew they had all they needed. His instruction, their breath and legs were enough. God would provide the learning experiences and everything else through people and relationships they would form on the road.
Spending restful moments in the Bible, and reading The New Friars (reading assignment) has been sweet and savory. There's also a strange comfort in being able to breathe, have working legs and arms, and simply love Jesus. I'm excited to be a part of a team, and I'm realizing that God is preparing before us conversations and interactions to challenge and edify. All I have to do is ask boldly for those moments, trust that He is intimately listening, and rest in Jesus' words and Spirit.
by Sasha
