Songs being listened to:
"Southern Point"-- Grizzly Bear
"Awake my Sould"-- Mumford & Sons
"Peach Plum Pear" -- Joanna Newsom
He was a very educated man from Sudan who spoke English, Arabic, French, and Tamil (and no Hindi). He had a build and a smile that made him look like Rafiki in the most flattering of ways. He had moved to South India and lived there for 21 years working as a doctor. He married and had twins. I asked him why he was staying there at Antyodaya (which is essentially a homeless/destitute/orphan shelter). He told me that an Indian politician he knew took all off his families property and possessions and destroyed all of his qualification certificates, and family's identification cards and passports. They fled to Delhi and have to live at this orphanage until they can get there passports sorted out and go back to Sudan. Despite his higher education, his families previously cushy life and status, he and his family were not the least bit bitter or too conceited to do the everyday chores that needed to be done around the orphanage.
Aside from washing the ceilings, we also hand washed laundry for about 150 people. Some of the guys thought it was really funny that my full name was "Josiah" because compared to them I was really slow at doing laundry, and "Josiah" sounds like a name in Hindi given to "Someone who does everything really fast and in a rush". Heh... story of my life. Oh, Also.... I lost feeling in one side of my left sniffer toe from squatting on my toes for 2 hours doing laundry. There doesn't seem to be any discoloration or lack of blood-flow to that toe, so I don't think it's too serious. And if it's not serious I don't mind it staying this way just as a souvenir.
During one of my discussions with Dr. Moss, he said something like "Earlier today I was talking to Father Jain and I was telling him, God smiles on those who are humble in spirit, and willing to serve. Those who serve others, love God. Too many people think they are too good to serve others; cleaning, doing the laundry is beneath themBut on the day we meet God, he is going to ask us "were you willing to lay your life down for those who needed you?". I normally wouldn't mention this, but just to give you all perspective, this man and his family were devote Muslims. And honestly, some of the most honest and nicest people I have met in Delhi have been of the Islamic faith. I just hate hearing about all the hate that has been shown and stereotypes that have been giving to people of this particular faith. I hate hearing about the Quran book burning that is happening in Florida. It grieves me.
4 comments:
wow that's an amazing experience sy!he sounds great.your right about the stereotypes of islamic faith.especially now more than ever.its also part of the medias fault and those are the only images people see and associate with muslims.I'm very glad to hear such great tales of adventure!hope we can talk soon. dj ps have fun
Good to read another blog from my son so far away from home. The man that did the book burning was wrong.
I pray God continue to give you wisdom as you serve others. Love you Mom
When April came back I think that's what we talked the most about, the Islamic faith and how sad it is that there is such a wave of "Anti Islam" spreading through our nation as of late, and it seems as though this wave is stronger than all the previous ones. It breaks my heart. A lot of people are so afraid of Muslims, so afraid of the Mosque down the street from the world trade centers, that no one stops to think about what it would mean if we did stop them from building where they wanted to build. No one paused to think of what it means that someone could burn another's Holy Book; if someone can burn their Holy Book, they can burn mine. If someone can stop them from building their place of worship, they can stop me. And all over something that I truly believe had nothing to do with actual Islam or the nature of actual Muslims.
Ashley: I wrote a nice long response for you, but it seemed redundant considering that it was just echoing what you said. the summary of it was "I totally and whole heartedly agree." There are two things that we as humans do pretty well naturally, and that is fear people and hate people. If we are going to to progress at all, it will be because we welcome people and love people. I really think it's as simple as that.
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