It's India...

It's the phrase India team members often use to explain the inexplicable. More often than not, the sentiment expresses the relinquishing of any perceived control of a situation and letting things (namely, God) happen naturally. Today was no exception to the "It's India" rule.

The English education team got our first glimpse today of the incredible progress the local school has made in just one year. Students who struggled to identify colors and pronounce letters of the English alphabet correctly are now speaking in complete English sentences and using outstanding vocabulary. Progress isn't usually viewed as a setback; however, it did come as a surprise. The English team revamped and adjusted to other changes in schedule and subject matter as if somehow we all understood the simple concept that we're not actually in control.

Sure, it's frustrating when things don't go as planned (when you've been planning for four months). Of course it can be disheartening when you're not sure your efforts were accurately directed (when you were sure you were getting it right). And it can even seem overwhelming when you follow God halfway across the world and all your expectations go unmet (or is it that they have actually been exceeded?).

But by the way the team responded today, including only three veterans and eight newbies, you'd think they were more interested in God accomplishing His work instead of us having incredible stories to share with family and friends about all that we got done while sacrificing time, money and energy (read: showers, pillows, carbohydrates and sleep).

At the end of our first day in the school, I can honestly say the students had a great time singing, laughing and learning with us. I know the teachers and principal are grateful for our presence and efforts in the school. I am positive that the Irula colony appreciates our investment in the community via the young students who have been sponsored by GCC to attend the tuition-based, private school. But what I'm most sure of is that God wrote the story of the people of Kalavai and considered it best and wisest for each member of this English team to intertwine our stories with theirs.

I think I can speak for every member when I say the blessing is ours and that we can sense it with each situation we cannot explain, every problem that is beyond our wisdom to solve and all the faces that we've come to love and that have somehow become a part of us. Sometimes, when everything that's comfortable and familiar is stripped away, you start to see things a little more clearly. That's when a group of people you've never met who speak a language your ears can't comprehend show you love like you've never known and it all makes sense. Suddenly you understand that the best place you could be is not in control.

(posted by Amanda Harris)