I say, you were born in the sky.

Only in the sense that you are so beautiful that there was no way you were born of the dirt and ashes. Yes. You. All of you.

"India is great" It's written on the side of every work truck, bus, auto-rickshaw, and most taxi's. A constant reminder for those who may have forgotten. All in all, so far, I'd say that that statement is more than true. In it's own way.
Here are a few of the reasons:

Last night I had dinner with people from 7 different countries.

I heard the words "I've never been more happy that a person died" and almost cried with joy.

I've thought more thoughts here than I have in the past year and a half.

Veg Pakora, Japanese Om Rice & Tirupati

Kurtik and Abdul

Ronnie

Hotel Maria's rooftop.

Today was a good day. This week has been a good week. This trip has been a good trip. And I am happy. I know why they call Kolkata the city of joy. I don't think everyone here knows, but I know and that's enough for me. Of course I miss my friends and family and "normal" way of life but that will always be there to come back to. Run back to with open arms. Fall back on. That leads me to something I haven't been able to get out of my head for the past couple of weeks. I have something to fall back on. I have friends and I have family that will always be there for me, and at the end of these three months I have money and a school and an apartment and a car that I will be able to go back to. But I'm serving people with nothing to fall back on. Ever. And that will probably not ever have anything to fall back on. Why should I have that and they not? How can I justify seeing, helping, and then going back to any sort of "normal" life where that doesn't affect me? Not that I don't think that this experience will affect me for the rest of my life but didn't Jesus say to the rich ruler, "Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, then you will have treasure in heaven, then come and follow me." (Matt. 19:21) How has this lost it's meaning for us? In Acts 2:45 it says that the early church "Began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need." Why is the church not still doing this?!? If we as believers are the church, which we are, then shouldn't we be doing what the believers in Acts were doing? Surely there is still need among us! I am seeing it everyday here! And not just here, not just in the congregation that you call your home. But in our neighborhoods and in our streets. If Jesus really meant, "Don't become a slave to your money, don't let it become your master, and don't let it come between you and G-d." then why wouldn't he just say that? I don't think that everyone that reads this reads/interprets it the same, nor do I think they need to. Obviously everyone has a different calling. But the fact is that I am thinking about it so much and that there is some obvious tick going off in my brain. The tricky part is deciphering what it means, or where this idea is coming from. What if it's God and I choose to ignore it? Any ideas would be appreciated. I've had many beautiful conversations, where I have found God on dirt floors and unpainted walls, with the wonderful, gorgeous people I've met in Kolkata about this and I feel like I'm either extremely close to an answer or further away than ever.

The other thing is:
When was the last time I personally fed a hungry person?
When was the last time I clothed someone?
Visited someone in Jail?
Invited someone in off the streets?

34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:34-40 says that that is my personal responsibility. I don't think it's enough to throw money to organizations that visit people in jail or that feed children. I think it's good, but it makes these people nameless and faceless when they really bear the name and face of Jesus himself. I've always thought, "I don't have time, I can't just take the day off work or school." But am I saying "I don't have time for Jesus"?

These are genuine questions pointed towards people who know more than me, or less (either way ideas are greatly appreciated), or to provoke thought or atleast conversation throughout the day. I'm sorry if I stepped on any toes while writing this, it really was not my intention at all. I'm simply looking for answers.

Aste Aste,

One day at a time,

Heath