Dear Sisters Emily and Abigail,
I woke up this morning to the sounds of international culture. Dogs barking and cows mooing. Cars honking their horns and trucks straining through the streets. Music was playing in the distance - music in a language I couldn't understand. I heard the sounds of children playing together and women speaking loudly as they walked down the streets.
This is India.
I've not been here yet 24 hours and already am in love. The sights. The sounds. The smells. The colors. The chaos. I think you girls would be amazed at the culture here - full of charm and character.
India is far more beautiful than anything I could have imagined.
Last night as I sat on a plane for two hours on the Chicago tarmac I couldn't believe I was finally going to India. I wondered if it would be everything I imagined.
The plane was full of people who seemed just as excited to go as I. I found myself taking in the sight all of the other travelors who surrounded me. Natives. Tourists. Athletes. Businesmen. Families. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Together we were on the plane, but individually, we each had our reasons for traveling. Everyone was off on a unique journey.
That journey included traveling 38000 feet in the sky.
This was the "big idea" of my traveling. As I gazed out the window and searched the earth below, I realized that flying takes a great deal of faith; You sit in a seat with nothing but a few feet of plastic and metal surrounding you from the elements. A few laws of dynamics, and a lot of air are all that separates you from a frightfully disturbing end.
I was more astonished by the next thought: I realized that our culture takes flying with hardly a second thought, and yet it is also a culture where faith is looked down upon with disdain. This faith - an extreeme faith we could say - seems to come to us easier than faith in God.
Will I take my faith that seriously? The thought has kept with me these last 36 hours of traveling and settling in here; as I stared out at the skyscape of Jaipur this morning, and walked the streets of the same city late this afternoon. I decided, quite assuredly, that this is the kind of faith by which I want my life to be characterized. I know it may be full of gut droping turbulance, and storm swaying wind, but isn't that what every journey is about?
I hope you girls can grow to desire this kind of faith; this kind of faith that walks its journeys taking courage by the hand, makes resiliance it's guide, and the Savior it's Master.
This is what I pray for you girls tonight.
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Dear Christina,
Your comment about faith is a fabulous metaphor. I hear you loud and clear. Thank you!
Your photos and description of India streets, smells, culture... brings it to life. Again, I thank you.
~Christina
Cleveland, OH
Dear Christina,
I read your article in Boho magazine this afternoon and felt like I had found someone who had actually found the path that I have been searching for. I love reading about your trip to India - somewhere I hope to travel in the near future. I am looking forward to reading back through your blog and trying to figure out where this all started for you. I did notice you photographed people in Portland - is that where you are located?
Have a fabulous rest of your week,
xx