The People of India - Kalavani

Do you have anyone in your life who has a beautiful and infectious laugh? Someone who has so much enthusiasm that they scream whenever they think something exciting is about to happen?

On our trip to India, that person was Kalavani. She was a ball of energy, enthusiasm, and laughter in a tiny package. Whenever you would walk up to her, she would scream and rush into your arms because she was anticipating fun and, possibly, a tickle fight.

Kalavani was maybe 5 years old, but she left her mark with her contagious laugh and big hugs. I did my best to capture her laugh in the video below - enjoy!

The People of India - Kasi

On the Blue team, we were blessed with the opportunity to have the village elder on our team, Kasi.

Kasi became a Christian because of Life Mission reaching out the village of Kalavai. He was the grandfather to most of the kids on my team, and he told us his most treasured possession is his copy of the Bible in Tamil. It was amazing to hear members of the GCC team tell stories of how Kasi was in the past. Apparently on past trips, he was not engaged and he even caused a lot of division between the Mission and the people of the village. We experienced the complete opposite of that.

Kasi helped to lead the Blue team all week.

Kasi was often seen moving his cow around the village and he would speak enthusiastically about the Lord and the Lord's blessings to our team. He loved the game of Little Sally Walker, and he made sure everyone on our team had a chance to play.

Kasi playing Little Sally Walker

When the blue team was given the van with the A/C on the way to zoo, he gave a sermon to our bus about how good Jesus is because He gave us A/C.

At the end of the week, Kasi sought me out to pray blessings over me in Tamil: an amazing God-designed moment that I will always cherish.

Kasi brought us a lizard to play with and they were preparing to eat it when we left.

The People of India - Ammu

I will get to the details of what happened in India soon, but in the meantime, it is the people of this village who have my heart.

Meet Ammu.

This little girl has a piece of my heart. She and her brother, Tharangasu, were on the blue team with me, and about day 2 she attached herself to my hip.

Note: Ammu all day long would hold my arm around her waist. Jay caught this candid shot that demonstrates how inseparable we were most of the week.

 Ammu is an orphan. Her father is unable to care for her and her siblings and her mother ran off on her family. Ammu was more timid than most at first, but once she warmed up to you, watch out!

She gave her love and her kisses freely, and at the end of the week, I couldn't bear to leave her. I was the last one into the van because of lingering in tears and prayer over this precious child of God.