What I see

I've recently done an inventory on the things that I have seen here. When getting used to a new place and it's surroundings, I generally block everything else out and focus on certain things like landmarks, road names, did we cross a bridge and then turn left, and such. I tend to be less observant of things happening in the street or to the people on the street. In the last week alone I've taken more time to broaden my view and really see what's going on around me. Every day I when I go the church office, I have to take an auto-rick and right outside my apartment complex is the road that will take me there, but in order for the auto to get to that road, he has to do a u-turn and they like to charge you extra for that. Even though the city is designed that way and they have to make u-turns all the time. So what I've found is that it's so much easier to cross the main road (Poonamalee High Road-for those of you who want to know!) and walk a little down Tailor's Rd which leads to the office eventually and catch an auto there. But sometimes it takes a while for an auto to come by so I walk until I see one. This I have found, is my favorite thing to do. I LOVE walking in the street in this new city of mine and being able to go at a slower pace. There are so many things packed into these small spaces and it does indeed take a walk in the street to see it all. But what I have also seen are the things that you hope to never see. I saw a man with leprosy on his hands and feet. He was begging for money and as we passed one another it took everything in me to keep walking. I've seen several men just asleep on the sidewalks. I've found myself wondering if they're alive as I stepped around them. I saw a man with his hands bound over his head and his feet bound as well. He was just laying there and people were just walking and driving by like he wasn't even there. I've seen too many babies crying for food and one too many starving street dogs. There has been one highlight on my daily walk home from the offices. Every day I walk past this open dirt field that is used by the local boys for playing Cricket. When I come up to the field I tend to slow down and just watch them for a split second. I like to see them having fun and I can just imagine the dreams some of them have about playing Cricket one day. It makes me smile the rest of the way home.

But today I encountered something that I've seen before and it never fails to strike my heart and I hurt. After church after we had had a little luncheon and there was a few left over wraps so I took one so I would have something for dinner. I was being driven home by a friend and we were stopped at the signal light and this girl maybe 11 0r 12 years old was holding this little child, no more than 3 and most likely younger, came up to our door and started knocking and then putting her fingers to her lips. And when it registered that they were asking for food, my friend looked for something to give them and all we had was the chicken wrap I had in my hand. Of course we gave it to them because they needed it so much more than I did. She took the wrap and just went over to the little median and sat down with her brother or sister and started devouring this wrap right there in the street. As common as this is, it broke me. As we pulled away I looked back at them and just sunk in my spirit a little. Their clothes were so dirty and they were so thin and they were alone. Aside from the obvious that it may have been a ploy to get food (who cares) they didn't even try to take the food and take it back anywhere. They sat down in the middle of the intersection and ate the food that a complete stranger had just handed them through a car window! There's just something so wrong about this! My home land is so full of useless things and here I am handing food to children, who have no one looking after them or providing for them, through a window! My heart hurts for them. It goes against everything that tells me the world is fair and good. The need is overwhelming. I know that it isn't my job to save them or to try and meet every need but how do I help just one? Just one enough to make a difference? Just one.
This city has so many good things and then sometimes I see just enough of the bad that make me forget about the good. I pray that my heart doesn't grow cold when the 150th man comes to me begging for money. I pray that I'm never able to turn a blind eye to the hungry child on the street corner. I pray that my heart will always be as compassionate for a country I do not understand and tries my character in every way.
In all that I see on my daily walk, I know that God is good. I know that He sees and hears the cries of his people. And he sends people like me who have nothing to offer but love to have their hearts awakened and shaken to beat again the way he designed it to beat. The question I ask myself today is, "How do I honor your name in this place? How do I show your love?" I am your hands and feet. I am walking in the streets with your beloved. I ask for nothing more than just one chance to show someone your beauty.