India // Friday

.....I share my passion for photography

Even though we have a semi steady routine now, everything is still an adventure in this new city. Every moment just as precious as the next. Still counting my blessings and soaking in the difference of a foreign country. Sometimes, words can not do justice, but I promise I will try to convey our sights as best as I can. I am truly thrilled to share experiences with you, and even more excited to share them in person. However, as hard as I try, nothing I can provide will ever transmit the incredible feelings I experience everyday, and the horrific and beautiful sights I witness. So cliche, but a picture is worth a thousand words- and I hope to do my very best to take as many photographs as seemingly possible!

The morning transpires as usual: Breakfast, lesson plans, chatting, blogging, getting ready for our work day.

Do you ever have those moments when you just blank on what happened the day before? Please excuse me, but I am currently having one of those moments....

...Maybe it is because we did not do much. It's a friday, after all. According to the infamous Rebecca Black: you gottta get down on friday!

We sat with the students and I requested to take some photos of them after our short lesson. Their shy faces cracked a smile and agreed. In a matter of minutes ladies from the center hoped up and were requesting photos. I can not get over the beauty of their tan skin, dark intriguing eyes, and their smooth & silky braided hair. I was in my element- photographing extremely beautiful people. My very favorite thing, mixed with teaching and volunteering. IM IN HEAVEN!

We went to our lunch spot- Mithas. I ordered pizza, because I was craving western food. I am not even a pizza fan, but oh boy, that was gooooood. Just what my taste buds needed to keep the energy flowing.

As we arrived to the afternoon session, I only spotted one little boy sitting on the mat. "Where are the other girls?" he shrugged and greeted us. I was a little bummed, honestly. I have developed quite the connection with the three youngest ladies. I pulled out the chalk board and wrote "Fridays's lesson" and then proceeded to ask Chintu, the little boy, what he wanted to learn? Another shrug. I looked back at him and shrugged too and replied "how about I teach you how to use a camera?" His face wrinkled into a smile, and I could tell he was more than happy to hear this offer. I pulled out my giant titanium 5D, and handed it to him. I instructed him to pull the strap over his head, how to turn it on, what button takes the photo, and so on.

I had a moment of panic as I realized a little boy from the streets was holding my camera that I had saved nearly 210,000 rupees to purchase. He could have ran away with it. He could have dropped it. He could have snuck it into his backpack.

Trust- there's that word again. I forced myself to trust Chintu with my camera. After all, what if he did steal it. So what? Another worldly possession on my list of blessings. I struggle to truly believe this at times, but I do know that my rewards in heaven are much more bountiful than in this temporary land.

I tell him to go around and take photos of the women. For when I try to photograph them, they hide behind a guarded smile. With in moments he had groups of colorfully dressed ladies posing for photos. This angle, that angle, every angle. Single picture, group picture, headshot, full body shot. He was working that camera! Women grabbed our hands and posed with us. Yanking our arms around and requesting more photos. One particular sassy woman told Annie and I "Kiss me on the cheek!" Without hesitation, we followed her direction. I am still laughing at that moment. She kissed us back, and loved on us some more. yet again, I felt like a celebrity. Everyone wanted a photo with me! We were adored. And I adore them as well.

I am Not saying we are God, but John 4:19 says "We love because he first loved us."

The love I show to these girls is highlighting the love God has me. And this love I display is simply mirroring the gracious love God has shown me.

I catch Chintu taking photos of leaves, and more girls. The expression on his face is priceless. I tell him how to lighten and darken the photo- and point to the "Auto" setting if things get too hard. He is a fast learner! I am thoroughly impressed with his skill. Annie mentioned "Shelbs, this is going to be the reason why he becomes a photographer."

My heart skipped a beat. Anyone can teach an english lesson, a math lesson, a history lesson on Ghandi, but I am giving Chintu a unique lesson on expressing himself through art. Something that changed me years ago. 300 photos later, it is time to go home. Oh, how I long to go back on monday and hand him my camera again. I am so excited to witness the joy he has when he looks through that lens again.

After we left, we went back home to do laundry.

100 degree weather+sweat+dirt+india= very dirty clothes.

We have to wash our own clothes here. Which is fine, but we have to wash them. Not a laundry machine or dry cleaners. We break out the buckets in the closest, buy some laundry soap, and get to work. Annie had quite the workout as she was scrubbing various items. It is a long process, to say the least. An hour later we hung them on my clothes line, which broke moments after. (Thank God for REI and their return policy!!) We improvised and hung our clothes elsewhere, and counted down the hours to clean, dry clothes.

We hit the hay early in anticipation for our early trip to the Taj Mahal! Waking up at 4 am is never an easy thing, but when you are visiting one of the 8 wonders of the world, who cares?!

Today I am rejoicing in these few things:

1. Washing clothes becoming my workout for the day

2. Roasted pumpkin for dinner

3. Honey Lemon throat drops (my asthma is kicking in from the polution)

4. When children find joy in simple things.

5. Chintu

6. Simple, precious moments that I get to share with Annie

7. This song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ptM0B4tcWM

Until next time,

Shelbs