India was a dizzying swirl of noise, color, activity, and humanity. Since returing home Monday night, I am still and all is relatively quiet for the first time in a long time. There is the sound of our dog, Lyla snoring and the melody the nightingales are singing but compared to the swirl of India or the swirl of this past semester at Campbell– all is quiet here at home.
Despite the peace and quiet, I have not slept completely through the night since we returned. I think it is partly jet lag and another part over active brain syndrome. I am still processing everything and trying to reconcile my recent experiences with my regular life.
I know I have come away from my noisy time in India with some clarity on God’s call in my life. How I heard his voice through the noise, I am not exactly sure but sometimes God just speaks so loudly you cannot help but hear him!
While in India, not a single day passed that I was not somehow involved with or sought out by women and children. All of the ministries we were involved in included women and children. Whether it was at the medical camps, the VBS, our visit with Sajeena, the children’s camp at the library, or passing out fruit, both women and children were a central part of our intentional activities in India. However, there were unique chance encounters with women and children too. The last week of our trip several women walked up to me and placed their babies in my arms. Throughout the trip, countless groups of children and young people approached me to chat. Women of all ages sought me out of crowds to talk and to take photos. One group of women even drew a traditional Indian design on my hand with henna after I told them they had beautiful smiles. The multitude of intentional and chance encounters I had with women and children in India left me saying, “Okay God, I get it! You must want me to minister to women and children.”
The many inter-religious experiences I had showed me the importance of study and preparation for ministry. Basically, these experiences affirmed for me why I am currently in Divinity School. In speaking with people of other faiths, I drew heavily on what I learned this past year at Campbell. The Spirit brought to mind so many things I had learned as I talked with people of other faiths. It was really an amazing thing as much of what the Spirit prompted me to say I had completely forgotten or had not thought about for a long time.
The cross-cultural translation and proclamation of Christ’s presence through these inter-religious dialogues became a central theme for me during the second half of our trip. It was exciting and I felt at home in these conversations. It was an unmistakable clarification of God’s call that left me saying: “Okay God, I get it! You want me to point people who do not know you towards the presence of Christ.”
In the quiet of these restless nights since returning home, I have come to understand how central the role of the Church is in helping one to discern and express God’s call. David and I are so thankful for our FBC family, as they have allowed us the freedom to “try on” different aspects of ministry both in the church and as representatives of the church. Throughout our trip, we felt connected to FBC despite the distance through support, prayers, and encouragement. We also felt connected to our friends and family members who supported us, prayed for us, and partnered with us. However, mere words cannot adequately express the Christian love we have felt since returning home. It has been such a wonderful gift from God to experience the excitement and love of our church, our friends, and our family upon our return!
Sometimes, it is hard for me to understand why God has given me such an intense love for Indian people especially when they live so far away from my home. To be honest, a big piece of my heart will always be in India no matter where or how I serve in ministry. Thus, while coming home to church, friends, family, and modern conveniences is a truly happy occasion, it is also an intensely introspective, reflective, and slightly sad time for me personally. That is why the love we have experienced from all of you means so much to us. Your acts of kindness, care, concern, and expressions of love, have made our transition home much easier. We are so incredibly thankful for all of you that words fail to express our gratitude fully!
While this specific “journey of hope” has ended, I have a sense the Webb’s journey as partners in ministry is really just beginning. So tonight as I sit here wide awake, I am dreaming of all posibilities for us in ministry together. Since I have known David, I have never been prouder of him than I was on this mission trip! He allowed the Lord to use him even in areas completely outside his comfort zone. I consider myself a lucky woman to have David as a husband and a ministry partner. He is such a servant-hearted, compassionate, and supportive man of God! (Stop blushing now, Dave! I love you!).
My prayer is that God will continue to use us together as a team in ministry right here in Elizabeth City. I also pray that God will allow us to serve together in India again one day. In fact, it is a dream of mine to lead a team from Elizabeth City on a mission trip to India in the future! But for now, I should just try to get some sleep. Sweet dreams everyone!
May 30, 2008 at 2:00 am |
All I can say is wow! Lots to deal with spiritually and physically!
You 2 are loved! Glad FBC has you both!
May 31, 2008 at 8:16 pm |
I agree, I think you got it, by George.
June 3, 2008 at 8:10 pm |
Heather and David, you are so loved by us because we are sooooooo loved by you! I can truly say it is an honor to have both of you touching the lives of ALL of the ROGERS 4!
I would like to be on of the first to volunteer to be on the team from EC to go back to India with you!