Orientation adventure

The interns and I had only been in India for about two or three days when we were sent on an adventure up north. We saw it in the schedule for our orientation but the only thing listed from Thursday night until Saturday afternoon was “Haridwar & Rishikesh Adventure”. When we asked about more details, we weren’t given any and found out that the whole thing was about us not knowing what we were doing until the night of. This completely reminded me of ABS (adventure bible school) in New Zealand where the tag-line is “Do you really need to know”. I can’t express how much that six-week course has prepared me for life here!

So Thursday night we were given our “brief” on the adventure. We had overnight train tickets for Haridwar and then a packet of scavenger hunt type stuff we had to do in each place and instructions for how we were suppose to get from Haridwar to a town called Rishikesh and back home. It was pretty daunting to think of traveling around India after only having been in the country for a couple days but I guess go big or go home right?

The train we took to Haridwar was not like an American train. It’s an Indian train that has tiny little spaces where they fit three beds on each wall with the middle bed folding down. We did have a compartment with AC so I feel like I really shouldn’t be complaining. It wasn’t the worst sleeping conditions I’ve been in but it also wasn’t even close to luxury. We even got to experience our first squatty potty with our train ride which makes me realize how lucky we are in the US to pretty much have nice toilets no matter where you are.

The train

In our compartment. From the left, David, me, Meredith, Alyssa and Amy.

In the same compartment but looking down from the top bunk. Below me is David, on the top right is Alyssa and under her is Amy.

Once in Haridwar, we walked around and headed to the Ganges (or Ganga) River where we saw tons and tons of people. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges) We also went to a Hindu temple in the area. It was really interesting to see Hinduism in live form. I’ve read a bit about it but it was a totally different thing to see it played out. Hindus believe that the Ganges River is sacred so tons of people were going in on the side.

Tons and tons of people

A temple in Haridwar

Can you spot the white girl in the crowd?

After walking around the markets, seeing the temple and river we took a bus to Rishikesh. It was really intimidating at first to try and talk to people to get help. We had a hard time communicating with people who didn’t speak English at the bus station but after the weekend, we were much better at it.

Rishikesh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishikesh) is a bit further north and way more touristy that Haridwar. It’s super popular for yoga and called the “yoga capital of the world”. It’s at the foothills of the Himalayas and is really beautiful. Again, we walked around and talked to people (a big part of the scavenger hunt stuff is to ask people questions) and booked a hotel for the night. The view from my room was incredible. We were in on a hill and you could see the Ganges River below and the lush green mountains behind it.

The beautiful creation in Rishikesh

Very common,… yoga centers and cows everywhere. (Not all the cows looked sickly like this one)

One funny thing about walking around Rishikesh is that Indians would stop us all the time to take photos with them. I was surprised because it’s a more touristy area but it happened all the time. Sometimes groups of people would swarm us.

We saw another temple in Rishikesh and lots more evidence of Hinduism. A lot of the market vendors sell stuff that people can offer to the different statues at the temples. Also everywhere you go is vegetarian because cows are considered sacred. And there are cows everywhere just walking around. It’s all really interesting and a lot to take in.

Alyssa, David and I walking around Rishikesh

The view from the room in Rishikesh that Meredith and I stayed in.

We saw lots of monkeys in Rishikesh but they aren’t cute monkeys, everyone kind of hates them because they can get into a lot of stuff.

One of the pedestrian bridges over the Ganges River in Rishikesh.

One of the temples we saw.

Saturday we did more in Rishikesh and then took a rickshaw to catch a bus back to Delhi. We were told we had to take a bus otherwise we all would have opted for a train ride back. The bus was an hour and a half late (and we had already been waiting for over an hour). I think that was the most frustrating part of the trip for me. I was so ready to head back to Delhi and they just kept telling us 30 more minutes which of course would turn into 30 more.

The bus ride back wasn’t great. We kept starting and stopping because of traffic and people honk their horns constantly so every 5 seconds (or less) we would hear honking. Most of the roads are also super bumpy so I didn’t sleep much but it was cool to see more of India as we went along. It’s such a huge country and I’m sure I won’t even begin to see it all in the time I’ll be here.

All in all, we had a great adventure. We worked really well as a team and everyone was super positive even though a couple of people had head colds. I’m so blessed with great roommates and interns. I’m also really thankful to have been pushed “out of the boat” and feel way more confident in getting around. My eyes continue to be more and more opened to people and their circumstances and although I’m not sure how to process it all, I’m thankful that I’m here and can see it.

Orientation Part 2

It’s been hard to find time to update my blog but I wanted to jot down some notes about the rest of my orientation in Colorado Springs. Here are some things that stand out to me as I look back on that week:

// Friends //
I was surprised to make so many friends at orientation. We all connected by the second day and it was great to feel so bonded to people I had only met a few days before. I think the fact that all of us had traveled at one time or another helped us to understand each other and also that we all have a heart for overseas. It was really hard to say goodbye to everyone on Monday when we went our separate ways and I hope to keep up with the others while we are in our different offices.

// Activities //
We did a lot of activities that were SO much fun at orientation. We went on two different hikes, went rock climbing and also did some team building stuff at a local park. I love being out in nature and the weather was so perfect for all the stuff we did. I especially liked doing the team building stuff in the park. We did all sorts of activities, games and contest and then would debrief and connect it to our relationships with one another and to God. I also liked hiking and being around the mountains really reminded me of God’s protection. I’m thankful for the ways God speaks to me through nature.

// Learning //
We did A LOT of learning at orientation. We had lots of lectures on culture, poverty and what EMI is all about. It was a lot to take in but was all so good. I especially liked in the culture lectures when something would generate really good questions and dialog. It was challenging to look at things from a different perspective.
We also shared our testimonies and learned about each other’s stories. I LOVE hearing testimonies of how God has worked in people’s lives and what brought them to the place they are now. I made an infographic of mine not too long ago and I’ll have to post soon.
And lastly, we learned about ourselves through strengths tests. We did a personality one, the Gallup strengths finder and also a spiritual gifts test. Each time we would find out our results, we would split into small groups and discuss our thoughts on it. Mine were pretty much what I always get and didn’t surprise me but it was interesting to see all three test and how they lined up with each other.

Overall, I’m really thankful for such a full week with great people. I was also really thankful to have people that I knew to travel with. It’s day 2 right now for me in India and I have already thought back to our discussions and lessons many times.

Orientation part 1

Sunday, I started my adventure. It was a day full of emotions, as well as the last week when I was saying goodbyes to everyone I love.

Saturday night I did all my final packing and it was so hard to figure out what to bring. How can I pack for 14 months! I tried to be as minimal as possible and got myself down to a big backpacker’s backpack (65L) and a smaller daypack (40L). I kept praying that God would bring to mind things that I hadn’t thought of and would give me discernment for what I wouldn’t need. I always get nervous that I’m going to show up somewhere and everyone will see all that I packed and be like, “Whoa, that’s so much stuff!”, which of course has never happened before but is just one of those irrational fears. In fact, I usually don’t bring as much as everyone else.

Sunday, Amy and I drove to Colorado Springs to head to my orientation. It was great to have some time together in the car before we had to say goodbye. I’m staying at an inn/conference center that is really nice and tucked away with nature all around. Again, me and my irrational fears had a picture of ABS (the Adventure Bible School I did in NZ) in my mind and thought I’d be roughing it. I guess I’ll get more of that when I get to India.

Had to take one more classic “sister-pic” before I went to orientation. This was after a 9 hour car ride and I had already started crying so I’m not exactly looking my best.

There’s about 30 interns here for orientation. We will meet together for 8 days to prepare for our different trips to the different offices. It’s exciting to be a part of EMI. It’s EMI’s 30th year this year and I’m glad I get to be a part of it. We have had full days so far with lots of lectures on culture and how to prepare for our trips. We also got to go on a hike today which was great.

It’s been great to get to know all the interns. I’ve noticed that everyone I’ve talked to has done some time overseas. I guess once you travel it gets in your blood and you can’t wait to go explore somewhere new. I know it won’t be fun saying goodbyes again but I’m thankful for the connections I have made and will make here.

All of the interns, long term volunteers and new staff.

My roommates for orientation. Ligy (you pronounce the g as a j) will be joining me as a long term volunteer in January and Camia who is heading to another office.

I’m so thankful for this opportunity. It’s incredible and I’m very humbled that I can be doing this. I also can’t express my gratitude for everyone’s support and prayers. These last few weeks I have been overwhelmed by the way people have loved me, supported me and are excited to journey together as a team. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!