An Inward Journey

Image of one of Ponni M. Concessao's paintings at the art exhibition.  Painting represents the story of India.
Photo take with permission.


"Six boxes", said Stephanie.  I looked back at her in surprise.  "You left only six boxes behind?"  "Yeah-- four boxes with things from my grandmother when she passed away, and then two boxes with some of my clothes and some books that I didn't want to give away."

Stephanie is a vibrant woman in her early 30's, who gave away practically everything she owned (and I mean everything!) in order to set off on a world journey for up to two years!  Where she will go during these two years... who knows!  Some things are planned, but so much is yet to be discovered!  Although her life in Germany was what many would consider happy and successful, she knew she needed something else.  This woman... she is an inspiration to me.  Having been to South Africa and Kenya near the beginning of her voyage, she later found her way to India, where she has been for the last four months.  She has been spending this time as a long term volunteer with Rising Star Outreach, and she leads all of the volunteer groups that come to serve with RSO.  Sadly, she will be leaving me this week to have another adventure in Sri Lanka.

In an earlier conversation with Stephanie, I asked her, "So... do you ever feel lonely?  Or have you been pretty happy with this personal voyage?"  Her response was simple, but carried a lot of meaning:  "I get happier with every passing day."  She has been gone from home for roughly 6 months now, giving everything away (except the six boxes), and she gets happier every day.  I love that!  "In Africa, I had more of an outward journey, where I saw a lot of things.  In India, though... it's been an inward journey for me.  I have changed so much."  Okay, I admit, these quotes are not verbatim... but they're close!

This idea of an outward journey vs. an inward journey... This speaks to me.  I like to think that as I go through life I'm experiencing the inward and the outward journey... but am I?  Or do I spend more time in one than the other?  Where should I spend the majority of my time, or should it be a perfect balance?  I don't know... But what I do know is that I crave to have the inward journey that Stephanie talked about.  Here I am, in India, one of the largest and most religious countries in the world!  People strive to connect with Deity here more than I've seen in any other country I've been to.  If I am going to have an inward journey in any country in the world, I pick India.  Yes, I have seen a lot, and I plan to see more-- I can't completely erase the outward journey here.  However, I like to think and hope that my time here in India will allow me connect with my inward journey of life more than I've been able to in a long time... maybe since my mission to Hungary... or even more than that!  Who knows.

So yes, I would like to dedicate my time in India to connecting with my inward journey.  One of the main things I am focusing on with this inward journey is connecting more with my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I believe in Him.  I believe that He is my Savior.  Yet during the course of my 26 (almost 27) years of life, I still feel a sad distance between us that I can't describe... I crave to be closer!  I want to know Him better.  I want to feel more a relationship there, and I hope that my experiences in India will help me on this inward journey of drawing closer to Him.

Today, I was so excited to attend church in Chennai-- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We had a beautiful Fast and Testimony Meeting, and I felt like I was home.  My spirit was so happy, and I felt peace.  Even though many of the testimonies were given in Tamil (the main language spoken in this part of India), I could feel their words carry the Spirit through the room.  One young fellow shared his simple testimony with words that pierced my heart... and I felt God's love.   With the Church still being so new to India (roughly 20 or so years now), most everyone is a convert here.  I am so grateful that I will get to attend Church with these faithful people for the next two months.  The Branch President even wants to give me a calling!  :)  I know that this branch will play a critical role in how I feel about my inward journey here in India.

So just to leave you with some food for thought:  What type of journey are you on, inward or outward?  What area would you like to focus on more?  How will you do it?

And in case anyone is interested, my new friend Stephanie is finding most of her service/work opportunities through a website called workaway.info     Check it out if you'd like to travel and serve, and be provided with a place to stay and food to eat!  :)  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thank You

Image
Thank you to my sponsors who made this opportunity possible and supported me throughout my journey. Thank you to the workers in the Provo RSO office who helped me work through the complicated paperwork that allowed me to serve at RSOI. Thank you to my parents and siblings for continuously praying for me and sending love my way, especially during the hardest days. Thank you to my friends back home who sent me kind messages and words of encouragement throughout the summer. Thank you to the readers of my blog who helped me feel as though my stories and insights are of meaningful and worth reading. Thank you to the staff and every single employee at RSOI for creating a clean, safe, organized and exciting environment on campus! Thank you to Shaun Parry for allowing me to become a certified Life Coach / Dance Master, and for recommending me for the position in India at RSOI. Thank you to Carrie Scott for being a go...
Read more

Vasu's Vigor

Image
"Rachel!  I missed the audition!"  These were his first words to me that I can recall.  I turned to look at the boy from 7th STD, and I noticed an expression of shock mixed with a pleading eagerness.   If touching would have been appropriate, I'm certain he would have grabbed me by the shoulders so he could level with me and look me straight in the eyes. "I want to be a Life Dance Troupe member!"  Vasu continued.  The fire in his eyes was fueled by passion-- every word he spoke drenched in vigor. Just the previous day we had held the auditions for the Life Dance Troupe.  Everyone from 6th STD up through 9th STD-- including11th STD as well-- had been invited to attend the audition.  Other students had already expressed disappointment to me about missing the audition, but something was different about Vasu.  The vehemence and urgency of his words and demeanor told me that this boy was special.  At the time I had no recollection of ...
Read more

"I will make you an Indian girl!"

Image
After skillfully wrapping me in a saree (and patiently watching me attempt the wrapping during certain steps in the process), Kavitha asked me how I would do my hair.  Since I had showered about an hour before and my hair was still a little damp, I didn't really know...  With my indecisive response, she offered to do my hair.  I accepted the offer! "I will make you an Indian girl!" Kavitha fixed my hair in a traditional manner that the women in India often do when wearing a saree. She then offered me her necklace and bangles so that my jewelry fit with the look.  I also wore the earrings I received from one of my students, Tamilselvi.  After placing a bindi on my forehead, she selected a flower from the tree in the Elephant House and clipped it in my hair.  She did it-- she made me an Indian girl!  I felt beautiful.  And to make things even more fun, it was Friendship Day today, so in a way all of this was Kavitha's gift to me for this sp...
Read more