It's the Small Things that Count!

Today was a great day! I got to go out to the colony of Muut, which my mom started. I do not know the entire story of how she started the colony, but I know that she did send tons of rice to them and other things that they needed. This colony is the smallest colony that we go to with only seven people, but each one of them are so happy to see us every time we arrive. It was great because when I arrived one of the men remembered me from the last time I had been there when I helped him carry rice. He told our translator that I have changed in size and I don't talk as much or joke as much as I did last time. It felt great to know that I was remembered. Talking to these people you really get to know them and it feels like they really get to know you back. I can't really explain that feeling that I get because I guess you just have to experience it, but it feels so amazing as you take the time to get to know these people that are outcasted from their society. It's sad because the rest of India is truly missing out on some awesome people! While we were there, Radhika, one of our translators and teachers for our school, danced for them. To see these people light up with joy as she was dancing was hysterical! The man that remembered me had these huge burns on his feet so he could not stand, but to see him clap and sing and laugh was just so touching to me. I think it is so remarkable to see them with nothing and yet still have room to be full of joy and love! I don't know what I would do if I was in that position. The great thing about this colony is the location of it. It's an hour away from where we are, but in the middle of the country. There are huge fields and even though it is hot and dry to the eye it looks beautiful! I asked the people what they do for fun, and what seems to be a big time passer for these people is watching T.V. and listening to the radio. It's not much, but to them they appreciate it greatly, and that is what counts. I also asked the ones that do not have leprosy as bad as the other people if they go out anywhere. It was cool to hear they go to the movies sometimes when they get welfare money, which is similar to our welfare system of food and etc. It's pretty shocking to me that majority of these people we visit in the colonies are Christian. I definetly did not expect seeing pictures of Jesus everywhere in their colony, but it made me feel more comfortable knowing they have full trust in God instead of all their thousands of Gods like the rest of the Indian culture. After talking with them and getting to know about their lives, the girls got their fingernails painted with all the women, and that was pretty funny to see. Instead of getting the nail like it should've been they just painted away and sort of sloshed it on their nails and made it look pretty wild, but it was great and you could tell they had joy in sharing their time. Leaving the colonies always gets hard for me especially after learning so much about them. As I was reading later in the day, I came across this quote from my book that totally hit me about the people here in India that we visit. "I came from nothing too. Sometimes I think it's easier. Ambition is natural when you don't have anything. You know what you're driving for." When I think about this quote I relate it to my personal life as well as the lives of these leprosy-affected. I appreciate things so much and even though a lot of the times I take things for granted I know at the end of the day that I was blessed. I have worked hard to get to where I am today and who I have become. It's the same in the lives of these people here. They have nothing, but they have ambition and a drive of where they want their lives to go. Everyday I visit these people and their trust and faith is in God. I am truly amazed. I never thought that somewhere, being India, could teach me so many things. I want each one of you to know that when you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, never give up then, for that is just the time the tide will turn. I love these people here and I love the work i'm doing. I hope all of you are doing well back home. I miss you all and love each one of you!