Global Urban Trek 2008
Fed by the HungryJuly 1, 2008
During orientation in Bangkok, our trek leaders challenged participants to “be” with the poor instead of trying to “do” things.
We were commissioned to learn about service instead of looking for results. At first hearing, I remembered thinking, “wow, that can’t be too hard to ‘just be.’” Yet, the idea of leaving behind a mindset of busyness and tasks is hard when that’s the culture to which I’ve adapted.
Leaving behind my mindset of “doing,” I offered God an opportunity to transform me in Kolkata instead of thinking that my work would change Kolkata. So as I started working at Connexions, my primary placement, I focused on being a servant through learning to engage in meaningful relationships with the women and girls.
On the first day, my teammate Brenna and I sat with the women at Connexions, making paper cards. The women immediately asked Brenna and I if we would teach them English. We agreed with the stipulation that the women must teach us Bengali. While everyone attempted communication through their native English or Bengali language, Brenna and I sat and folded paper cards. We sat and cut.
Through our sitting, we were able to be with these women and see their needs. We were able to serve them through folding and through our willingness to practice language. This gesture of being was the start of building trust with these women.
In addition to making paper crafts with the older women, Brenna and I teach two English classes and one life skills class. We deeply desired to build trust with our students and decided lunch was the perfect opportunity. So Brenna and I now daily eat lunch with our students.
Our first lunch with them was humbling! Each girl wanted to share her lunch with us so that we could enjoy delicious Indian food. Our students selflessly sacrificed the majority of their meals for us. One girl proceeded to actually feed us a sample of her food. This gesture was both humbling and beautiful.
It is humbling to have someone put her hand to your mouth, yet it is also an intimate sign of love. Before this moment, Brenna and I had watched our other students feed each other. This act of service invited us into deep friendship with our students.
Through my attempts at re-discipling myself in my service approach, God has been faithful about building the foundations for many relationships. He has slowed me down and showed me that trust and meaningful interactions highlight His character. If I am to be His servant, I must leave behind all agendas to just be with His people.
- Julie
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