Cornerstone

May 16, 2012 It was the third day of village outreach and it was pretty evident amongst the team thst exhaustion had crept in. Three options were giving to us that day: We could either go to the villages, stay at the orphanage and play with the children, or help one of our leaders, Matt, with the the construction of a recording studio that the orphanage owns. The group had split which meant that 10 people were going to the villages. I happened to be a part of of the village group. The two previous days had been 12-14+ hour days, but on this day we were only going to be out from 8am until about 3pm, which was nice to hear since our bodies were so tired. Two villages were promised of our appearance so the 10 of us were split in two: 5 and 5 to each village. In my group, we had Charles, Sandy, Chae, Jessie, and I. I didn't know what to expect and we were really not informed as to what this village was going to be like. So we headed off in our van to our village - a short 45min drive away. A big tree acted as a shade to the 40+ people that sat on the ground, a tarp under them. We arrived when they were singing their songs. A drum and tambourine were used and a young girl acted as the soloist. Plastic chairs were set at the front and we sat there facing them listening to their beautiful songs. Though we didn't know what they were saying, clapping along definitely got all of us into the groove. Behind us was the existing church - a very small church. Too small of a church to accommodate the crowd that was before us. We happened to be there for a celebration for the destruction/rebuilding of a new church that would be a bigger space for a growing congregation. The music definitely set the tone as to how happy the people were for this expansion. You could see it in their eyes as to how thankful they were to God for giving them this reality that their congregation was rapidly growing. And it was quite the surprise for us to be there for this time of celebration. After the songs, we were led to the front of the church where a hole was dug at corner of the church. The congregation was standing before us, praying, as we each put a brick in. "In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". Each of us had to say this as we put the brick in the ground acting as a cornerstone for their new church. A symbol for Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. I had never really been a part of something like that and it was pretty foreign to me. But after all the bricks were in, it made me realize what a privilege it was to be there at this special moment for these people. A ceremony that I will never forget. Charles was then asked to pray over the congregation to bless them. After the short, yet meaningful ceremony, it was time for us to speak. We introduced ourselves and Chae started off with her testimony as a token of encouragement to the people. Even if hard things happen in your life, you can rely and put faith in Jesus always. Sandy then talked about the importance of education, and finally Jessie ended off with a hand washing tutorial which was interactive. All people should know the 5 times you need to wash your hands! Charles, Sandy, and Chae then played with the children while Jessie and I helped with medical needs. One by one a person would come up describing an ailment that was bothering them through a translator. Lots of ibuprofen was handed out, but the help we could give was only temporary. A rash case, a child with a scrape, older adults with the beginnings of arthritis, a young baby with a cataract, so many people to tend to, but you can only help so much. Overall the experience was quite humbling. Being in the states you never imagine there are actually villages like this that exist. It just doesn't cross the mind. But when you're there, there's a sense of it being unreal and you begin to realize the world is a huge place with people all around the world living in vastly different conditions. It doesn't begin to click in until you actually see it and are there. We get so caught up in our individualistic lives that we fail to realize there are places outside of our bubble. It gives a greater appreciation to what I and my family has as well as my fellow peers. One of my interests is listening to choral music from time to time (liturgical mostly). It is very soothing and seems to garner a closeness with God that other genres of music do not possess. One of my favorite hymns is "Not One Sparrow is Forgotten". It basically describes God's immense love and His tender care for everyone (Even the the birds and smallest creatures). God's care was not forgotten, in this village especially. Though "insignificant" in size, in a remote place in southern India, God still takes care of them and provides them with joy. I think I can speak for the group and say that this has been quite an eye-opening experience for all of us to see the conditions these people live in. But God provides in the smallest of places where you would think it would be forgotten. But no, He is there always. I am very thankful I was able to be a part of that experience including the other members of the group. The vastness of God's love is evident in India! Bethany Hagen P.S. Hi Dad and Mom, Wind, Torpedo, and Joe. See you in a few days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVgdbyUWcFY

--Bethany Hagen