School of Nursing Short-Term Study Abroad, Kolkata, India Journal entry 8-8-2015 Kolkata, India:
The city (Kolkata, India) is a moving maze of wanderers, not unlike the church and cities back home (United States). So many people without a clue as to the grace bestowed upon the undeserving world. The word picture is like the carefully placed stones of the sidewalk in the heart of Kolkata, where the stones/bricks are laid out without mortar in between. The brick/stones represent buildings while the spaces between them the avenues between the streets---those small nooks and crannies that are so interesting as you walk that you just might miss the "thorough fares" into smaller neighborhoods, apartments, or even businesses. I reflected on the 1.23 billion populating all of India, 4.5 million of Kolkata, and the approximately 320 million populating the United States. It's virtually the same in terms of lost people not understanding their purpose. So many people (like the buildings or bricks) with so many choices (like the in between spaces/nooks and crannies) or thoroughfares. People searching for a reliable and trusting source only to be confused (or lost). But I am a bond servant of Christ Jesus, have put my trust in Him completely! He directs my path and protects me with each visit to India. My strength has been in Him and He has been my reliable and trusting source. I do not venture off to dark places because I long to be in the light and to reflect His glory to those I encounter.
The village mobile health/medical clinic later was a look into His purpose for my life--His purpose for the world! To save souls! My team of nursing students and I (as their clinical instructor) provided for the villagers health and hygiene needs and would have an opportunity to share the gospel message. Several villagers were interested in learning more about who this Jesus is. We go--because He told us to! We provide nursing care because He placed upon us this call to serve and to do that work "as unto the Lord" (2 Tim 2). He directs us to make disciples of all the nations. We become His bond servant and His disciple as believers...it becomes innate in the believer, then, to 'go out' and tell others about salvation (Matt 28:19-20).
The city (Kolkata, India) is a moving maze of wanderers, not unlike the church and cities back home (United States). So many people without a clue as to the grace bestowed upon the undeserving world. The word picture is like the carefully placed stones of the sidewalk in the heart of Kolkata, where the stones/bricks are laid out without mortar in between. The brick/stones represent buildings while the spaces between them the avenues between the streets---those small nooks and crannies that are so interesting as you walk that you just might miss the "thorough fares" into smaller neighborhoods, apartments, or even businesses. I reflected on the 1.23 billion populating all of India, 4.5 million of Kolkata, and the approximately 320 million populating the United States. It's virtually the same in terms of lost people not understanding their purpose. So many people (like the buildings or bricks) with so many choices (like the in between spaces/nooks and crannies) or thoroughfares. People searching for a reliable and trusting source only to be confused (or lost). But I am a bond servant of Christ Jesus, have put my trust in Him completely! He directs my path and protects me with each visit to India. My strength has been in Him and He has been my reliable and trusting source. I do not venture off to dark places because I long to be in the light and to reflect His glory to those I encounter.
The village mobile health/medical clinic later was a look into His purpose for my life--His purpose for the world! To save souls! My team of nursing students and I (as their clinical instructor) provided for the villagers health and hygiene needs and would have an opportunity to share the gospel message. Several villagers were interested in learning more about who this Jesus is. We go--because He told us to! We provide nursing care because He placed upon us this call to serve and to do that work "as unto the Lord" (2 Tim 2). He directs us to make disciples of all the nations. We become His bond servant and His disciple as believers...it becomes innate in the believer, then, to 'go out' and tell others about salvation (Matt 28:19-20).
