Around the Slums
After touching down in India, I was immediately presented with a life totally different that what I previously knew. Kolkata is one of the poorest parts of India and is home to some of India's "Dalit's", or as I was told, 'untouchables'. These people were the poorest of poor, at the bottom of the hierarchy pyramid and were treated as such. The city was filled with fumes of trash, polluted air, and havoc among drivers. My hotel was filled with the honks of drivers throughout the days and nights. These first few photos are a glance of what I saw within hours of landing in India.
Service and Experience
The following two weeks consisted of service and fulfilling moments. The first act of service was playing soccer with a local boys youth team. As I traveled in a van to the soccer fields, I was unsure what to expect. Little did I know what would come of this experience. Instead of service, playing soccer with these kids felt more like a normal day in the neighborhood. I was met with smiles and hugs, along with lots of running and sweating, all of which was the first instance I had come into contact with pure joy. The kids, no matter their condition, home life, city, and circumstances, were just some kids who wanted to play the sport they loved. Of course they were way more skilled than myself, but what stood out even more than their skills was their love for everyone. Pictured below are some of the most athletic, skilled, and more importantly joyful kids I have ever come into contact with.
Serving at the School and Village
After playing soccer with the local team, I spent the following week serving at the Momentum Global school. This week consisted of dance parties, drawing, teaching the kids the alphabet, performing a dance to popular Indian song "Tunak Tunak Tun" for the kids, and more dance parties. After the spending a week in Kolkata, I took a bus ride to a village where Momentum Global has a school. At this village I spent time with kids in the classroom, played more soccer with kids from the village, as well as planted 50 trees and painted one of the school buildings. Although I did not spend as much time in the village, it was just as heart warming as being in the heart of Kolkata. Here's all the beauty I saw in during those days:
The Kali Temple
While in Kolkata, I was able to see the Kali temple. This was one of the more heart-wrenching things I saw in India, as goat sacrifices were taking place and there was an overall sense of evil there. The temple was filled with families all of which were true testaments to serving false god's. The terrified looks in the people's faces showed a strong sense of un-fulfillment. As heart breaking as this was, it gave me a new found appreciation for the good God that I serve. Jesus Christ craves a relationship with us. We are in need of no sacrifices or medians in order to get to Heaven because he paid the price for us on the cross. The fact that the people in Kolkata are serving false gods calling for these artificial ways of salvation is saddening. Little by little Momentum Global is spreading Christianity to India and bringing more and more people to Jesus.
The Ganges River
Right outside of the temple was the Ganges River. This river is completely black but in India it is considered to be holy. This contrast of completely dirty water and the holiness given to it to me is a direct representation of a false god. How can something so ugly and dirty be truly holy? This question consumed my thoughts during my time spent at the river. To add to the contrast, a dozen black crows sat at the edge of the water. Although the river was a harsh sight to see, something beautiful taking place there was a Mundan Ceremony. This is the first haircut of a 4 month to 3 year old baby and it is believe to purify the baby. To me this sight was beautiful because of the pureness of the young boy and the joy he had while running around the area. Pictured to the left is the black river and pictured to the right is the Mundan Ceremony.
Shubomita, Isanu, Polliva, and Sabita
This week was the most special for me because I met four precious kids who I would create a strong connection with. These days with these kids consisted of throwing them in the air, teaching them how to dance, letting them take pictures with my camera, and most importantly smiles and hugs filled with unmatched joy and love. Pictured below are Shubomita, the sassiest and funniest of the bunch, along with Isanu, the most energetic, Polliva, the quietest, and Sabita, the one I bonded with the most.
Pictured on the left is Shubomita, who is the sassiest of the bunch. I met her when we got to take a look at her home. Here I was able to see true struggles of families in Kolkata, but what shone through their home was not struggle, but yet again love and compassion for her family members. Pictured second to the left is Isanu. I also got to visit his home which housed upwards of seven of his family members. To the right of Isanu is a picture of Polliva and myself. Polliva forever has a special place in my heart because of how playful she was. She loved played rock paper scissors as well as hiding my sunglasses from me. Lastly is Sabita, the most precious and beautiful little girl I have ever met. She loved dancing and taking selfies which gave me some core memories to hold onto.
Shubomita
I spent three days battling for her attention while she would laugh and stick her tongue at me and go to one of my friends. While spending time with her, I was able to see her home which opened my eye to the struggles of families in Kolkata. But despite her situation, she had an endless love for her family and a smile which never seemed to fade from her face. Shubomita showed me what it looks like to find joy in every moment. Everywhere I looked she had a smile on her face and was so happy to be there.
Isanu
This picture captures Isanu and his father outside of their home where 7 of his family members stayed. He was so excited to show us his home and for us to meet his dad, his hero. Isanu was so proud of his father which was made clear to me when he begged me thousands of times to take a picture of them together. This interaction gave me a greater appreciation for my dad and family altogether.
Polliva
Polliva is one of the children I spent most time with in the school. She immediately gravitated towards me and she loved taking my glasses and playing Rock Paper Scissors with me, although she did not like losing. Polliva was one of my hardest goodbyes because right before I had to leave, she told me she loved me. I'm not sure what her idea of love is, but I love her back with my entire heart. Polliva brought me so much joy and I will forever be grateful to her for the connection we made.
Sabita
Sabita is by far my favorite person I met in India. She was the very shy when I first met her but the more we talked the more I got to see and capture her beauty. My favorite part of my India trip happens to be with her, which is getting to teach her how to line dance. Every time I dipped her she would laugh, and every time I needed a break she wouldn't let me take one. She even got me to teach her friends how to line dance as well. As you can see from the picture above, her smile lights up a room and she has big beautiful eyes. This picture of her is my favorite one I took in India.
Indian Wildlife
Reality
The two photos below are by far the saddest photos I took in India. This poor lady could barely move because of how frail she was. But for many people in third world countries, this is reality. I saw many people in India just like her, skinny to the bone and seemingly life less. This taught me to be thankful for the life God has provided me with, but also to have an open heart for those like this woman. I pray that God would place his hand of protection over her and heal her in any way possible.
A quick letter
This blog is a documentation of my experience on a mission trip to Kolkata, India. As I am reflecting and writing this, Kolkata was more than just a poor city at face value. Kolkata is a new found home which I hope to serve in for many years to come. Thank you to all who donated to my cause, and more importantly to the people of Kolkata for changing my heart and opening my eyes.