India Team, September 2008

 

The temperature in Delhi was much higher than in previous times (mid to high 30’s) and the air was very humid until some heavy rain later in the trip which alleviated things slightly. The humidity and temperature were very draining and so we were thankful for a slightly lighter programme this time round.

 

The slum centre in Jeevan Nagar has again changed, with the addition of 8 computers and a broadband connection, paid for through donations and some fundraising we’d done following the last trip in January. This has brought about huge changes, with many children, and some adults now fairly proficient at typing and internet surfing. The money raised has also allowed an extra member of staff to be employed to run computer literacy classes. Recently a volunteer also spent two months teaching English there – the level of communication with the children increased dramatically as a result. 

 

The main bulk of our trip was spent doing children’s work, based on the theme of Abraham and God’s promise to him. It was well received, with the craft activities proving particularly popular. We also ran two workshops for the women of the Mahila Mandals (the Asha women’s group). These were mainly based on identity, and again the story of Abraham was used. These were very well received and we had high attendance at both sessions.

 

We were invited into many homes and welcomed with such joy and hospitality it never fails to move us. It is a humbling experience to sit in a room half the size of a normal bathroom, where six or more people live, and be offered drinks and snacks. In return we offered prayer, which was, without exception, accepted. The requests for prayer ranged from provision and larger homes, to protection from violent and abusive husbands, to healing from sickness and disease. During our time there we received a number of answers to these prayers. Depression was lifted from some, allowing them to return to work; lethargy and fevers left others and one woman was healed from a failing liver. We look forward to hearing of other outcomes.  

 

The cinema trip at the end of our time in Delhi was also a huge success, despite the logistical headache of transporting 180 people from the slums to the cinema and back. Everyone had a great time – even those of us who speak no Hindi and therefore only understood a very small amount of the film.   This made our last day bitter-sweet – the excitement and joy at the event and the sadness of parting company with our extended friends and family.