I Gave Them Flip-Flops, They Kissed my Feet!

India- January 2014

HIV Clinic Shoe Distribution

When I was planning the India trip I noticed that we were going to visit an HIV  Clinic-  I had received the shoe sizes for most of the other distribution sites but not for this particular one-  When I asked the  Indian Missionary about the shoes for the clinic his response was “Women don’t need shoes”   I was shocked.    I explained again that it is not always about the shoes but our act of servant leadership and we want to serve the ladies-  once more I was told ‘Women don’t need shoes”   Finally on my third ask I was told we could bring the ladies “slippers”  (flip-flops)  

I must say I was a bit irritated- after all we were giving nice shoes to the pastors and the children but only flip-flops t the ladies.  We did however have a large donation of new flip flops in the warehouse so I was able to take them what they requested. 

Once in India- the night prior to the distribution I had an idea!   I asked all the team members to bring any nail polish they had-  We were able to gather several bottles-  Knowing that we were going to distribute flip-flops I thought we could make this more of a “spa” experience and offer a station for the ladies to get their nails painted if they like. 

Once we arrived at the clinic the next day- it was nothing like I had imagined ( I imagined a somber- sterile  dr. office type waiting area-  Instead It was the back yard for a church.   The ladies were already gathered sitting on the ground  The area was  separated by colorful tarps.  They were singing…  I soon learned and saw that this was a very happy place.   Most of theses ladies were considered “untouchables”    They told stories how in their own communities they were not even given a cup of water -  but here at this “clinic”  one day a week- they meet to sing- see their friends share a meal  study the Bible and pray.   This was their happy day and this certainly was a happy place.   The med were in a small office – but all other activities were in this open air courtyard.    They gather once a week and receive medicine, vitamins, , rice and oil- but more importantly they get to connect with friend and encourage one another in their walk with the Lord

I stood in front of about 100 ladies and began to explain what we were going to do-  Immediately they began to share their heads “no”    explaining that they were not worthy- and that they should wash our feet-    I began again- this time making my talk more about “me”   “I” will be so sad if “we” cant do this for you..  ”we” traveled a long way…   My interpreter then when on and on-  I was concerned that  he was not saying what I said !   But the ladies finally consented. 

The water was in a well- too far and too precious to wash feet so  we used baby wipes.   We also had hotel lotions and we offered for them to go to another station for their toes to be painted… ALL of the ladies chose to have their toes painted!   

It was such a joy to see theses ladies-  as they cried while we prayed for them and  massaged their feet.   When the system was up and running I sat down to serve a couple of ladies.   My first two ladies- bowed down  and KISSED MY FEET!!!   I gave them flip-flops! they KISSED MY FEET....

This day it was so not about the shoes-  This was a day  reminding ladies that they are valuable and that God still has a plan and a purpose for their lives weather they are an HIV lady with aids in the middle of India- or a homeless man in Atlanta or a child in North Carolina- God has a plan and a purpose for each individual

As we were leaving I asked the Pastor in charge of the clinic about it’s success.  He replied- Since we began- about 1 year ago we have seen 7 ladies die-  However, they all died with a smile on their  face and the knowledge of Jesus as their savior-  it has been a great success!!   And oh how I agree!!!

God's Not Dead! He is ALIVE!

India- God’s Not Dead! 

(January 2014)

I was asked to prepare chapel lessons for the school children at the orphanage were we would be staying.   Having worked as a Children’s Pastor for may years- this was a comfortable role for me.   I looked through several lessons and skits that I have done in the past and decided upon the 10 commandments-  I must say I didn’t really think about the irony of such lessons in a majority- of previous Hindu Children.  

Once in India I saw Idols- everywhere   It is said there are over 33 million Hindu Gods   They were in car windows, on the side of the road, in homes and businesses-    All of a sudden the lesson of only one God and no Idols was very real-  I didn’t have to make the leap of how some people worship cars, or sports, or TV stars as their idols-  In this culture- there are idols!

The lessons went VERY well and the children were very engaged  This setting was a Christian School with hundreds of kids-  However, most had come from Hindu backgrounds and had been converted at the school.  They often visit  their relatives  who still worship idols.  

As I was leading the kids in a upbeat version of the old ‘ Gods-Not-Dead- He is Alive “ song- my heart was so full to see theses former Hindu kids proclaiming with their voice at the top of their lungs-  That their god is not  dead and that he is alive.   The future of India is in the hands of such children.    And to know that you know that you know that you do serve the one true living God-   Brings such Peace and joy

Show and Tell: tatted up!

As this student came forward to do her show and tell, I saw no items in her hands. She then proceeded to show the class her various tattoos. This does not technically meet the criteria I had given for show and tell, but I decided to allow it. (Since more than half of my students have tattoos, I really wanted something that I knew had been brought from home) However this student was new.... She explain how she had been "put out" of her home Her last conversation with her mom ended up with her mother shouting " I wish you were dead" Then a physical confrontation followed.

Each tattoo represented a different sibling, she missed her brothers & sisters. This generally well spoken, lively, diligent, new student picked show and tell to become vulnerable. I guarantee there is no one in her home reminding her to do her homework. The insight one can gain from show & tell has been amazing!

Show & Tell: The necklace

This show and tell involved a beautiful silver cross necklace. As my student held her precious possession she explained ... "In life there are times when one has to pawn jewelry, to eat or survive but no matter how bad it gets I will never pawn this necklace" I thought how such a young girl already knew about pawning items.

She then went on to say how there had been several Christmases and birthdays that her mother was unable to purchase her any gifts, however, she said, she was fine with that because she had received this special necklace. Then she explained how it was a git from her mother, and to her how it represented a mothers love...at this point another student pipes in " Wow, the last time I saw my mother she said she wished I was dead...." The class gasped.... Another memorable show and Tell.

Show & Tell in a High School Class: He's shot!

As a teacher I shouldn't have favorites but I do... I just hide it. This day one of my favorites was giving her show & tell. We have a history, I taught her last semester and I have seen her come such a long...long way. She has transformed from a very ADD / foul mouthed student to my number one helper. Tough girl from a tough neighborhood already living a tough life.

She brought an obituary from her cousin. Same age as her. They were raised together and living in NY. They had gone to a party at her request. While there her cousin was shot in a gang related incident. He died in her presence. She shared that she felt it was her fault because she asked him to go to the party. As a result of this incident (her words) She was shipped to NC to live with other family members so she would not be around that gang. She has never mentioned a mom. Only a dad in NY and Aunts here. The one year anniversary is approaching for both the death & his birthday. She is planning to travel to NY for his birthday celebration..as all the family will be gathering together to remember him.

I assured her it was not her fault. If the gang had something against him, they would have approached him one day or the next. I know she said, but I still feel guilty. "Be safe" I said... "It's good you are here" I encouraged her to make wise choices if she goes back for a visit. Again... I am given many reasons to pray, and pray I will do!

Show & Tell in a High School Class: I-pod

I have one male student. For his show& Tell he brought an I-pod. At first I wanted to correct him, as I-pods are not generally allowed on school property. Then he said... wait Mrs Hucko, this is a real show & tell.

He then proceeded to tell how his Father gave him the I-pod as a special gift two days before he was deported! He said his father has been gone now for 3 months. No family n Mexico has heard from him nor has anyone in the US. This was unusual for his dad because he was always in touch and part of the family. He is very worried about his father being detained or shot at the boarder.

One of the students was not really understanding and asked "Why was he deported?" My student looked at her and quickly replied, "because he was illegal" then she asked him, "Are you legal?" "No" he replied. Then he added, I am jut hoping to hear from my dad soon. The class clapped and he sat down. Wow.

Show & Tell in a High School Class: Baby!

One of my students brought their 1 yr. old baby boy for show and tell. Mom is now 16. She shared about her c-section birth, his name, weight, favorites... He was so happy and so good! She passed him around just like a baby doll.... from person to person so everyone in the class had the opportunity to hold him... he never cried.

Meanwhile she took questions from the class. Grandma watches him during the day, it's hard for her to have any social life now, etc then the following exchange took place: "What is the hardest thing about having a baby now?" Her response: "When his daddy stopped talking to me around Christmas time" "He has nothing to do with me or his son" Then after a brief exchange one of the stundents replied ... that's what all our daddy's do... they all leave us! How sad.

However, we all enjoyed the special visit from this little blessing.