"The contrast in the eyes and faces of the many street children and the hostel children was stark. The children who know the love of Jesus, have joy and light in their eyes. Many of the street children have eyes filled with darkness, bondage, and loneliness. I praise the Lord for the Mekala family, and all the Christians that are sharing the love of Jesus Christ to the people of India."
~Quotes for Bless India Newsletter
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (KJV)
He will exult over you with loud singing. (ESV)
~Zephaniah 3:17~
It was early. To early. I opened my eyes and felt the wave of "this bed is comfortable, go back to sleep" soak into me. I closed my eyes and sighed. I loved lying in bed doing nothing. What's today, where am I, what am I doing? The questions floated in my mind. I drift off. Than I awake with a start. Get up! Oh yes, I was planning on waking at a decent hour. True, I didn't have to DO anything until 11. Hear I was in a strange place. I had been so busy the past two weeks, my time with God had been a rushed. "I need you Jesus, Thank you for being with me." I was feeling the absence of my conversation and communion with my Lord.
I got dressed, packed my bag and ate something. Then out the door. As I strolled down the gravel lane I talked to God, confessing my lack of attention to our relationship.
Through the dewy field I walked, my feet were drenched in the moisture of the grass. I exulted in the morning sun's warmness, and the sounds of creation. I looked down at the river, it was misty. I enjoyed the sounds, sights and smells of Gods creation as I usually would. As I swung back in forth on the rope swing, it's gentle sway went with my swaying song on praise.
For some reason I thought of the verse that says God sings over his children. Visions of a father holding his little child and singing songs about her; how she is lovely and special, and how she will grow into a great women.The vision of a mother holding her child, singing in a soft voice, singing her love. Or a van bumping down the road, the family singing a made-up song about the family, the children's names being named. The children laugh and beam as the silly song mentions their name.
My mind came back to my conversation with God. As I talked to my Father, my mind and heart asked. Abba, do you sing over me?
It seemed too special and presumptuous to think the Lord of creation would stoop so low, as to sing over me. Yet, somehow I dared to ask in childlike faith; Do you rejoice over me?
As I listened, I heard it. It was as if God opened my ears. In the soft swish of the grass he whispered his compassion. The swift clear current spoke of his purity and power. The breeze blew a strand of hair across my face. The distinct call of birds in the line of trees. All of these sounds were expressing the delight the Creator has for his child. You are my child, I AM your Father. When Jesus speaks to your heart, there is not doubt that he has spoken, he has a way of showing us his love and glory in such as way that all the child's heart can do is simply delight in the His incredible glory and faithfulness. Words are inadequate to say thank you or even sing praise. It is as if the distance between God and man is seen, and in he same moment the closeness of the Father and his Child. It is humbling beyond words, why does the Almighty Creator care enough to sing, and let me hear his songs….His songs of love and rejoicing in the wind and rippling currents. Yes, The Father sings over his children. He sings over me.
Epilogue: I wrote this Summer 2009 during my two week stay in Maryland where I worked at a camp. God truly is good to his children.
India has a beautiful, colorful, and rich culture. Her roots go back for thousands of years from the Mughal Empire, Ashoka the Great, and long forgotten stories and empires. Historically India has been religiously diverse but maintained Hinduism as their main religious thread. The current caste system finds its origins and continued practice in Hinduism. There are four main castes -- priests, warriors, businessmen, and servants; all of which were created from a different part of the Supreme Divinities’ body (Ghose 84). The dalits are missing from these categories, due to the belief that they were created separately from the divinities’ body; hence, they are less than human.
Life for a dalit is one of hard labor and meager commodities. The average dalit works a menial job as a field worker, street sweeper, or gravedigger. Essentially, untouchables do menial and dirty jobs. One of the most striking occupations is that of a “ragpicker”. They acquire their source of income from gathering sellables and recyclables from the gutters and streets of India. Little children wander the streets in search of a bottle, rag or paper -- anything to make some money. Those who live or visit the city of Delhi become used to the sight of these ragpickers. Employment for a dalit is best summarized by Samuel Jayakumar’s words in relation to dalit poverty, “Poverty involves lack of empowerment, lack of knowledge, [and] lack of opportunity” (Jayakumar 74).
