Just Landed in the US!

We just landed in the United States! The trip seemed short because we slept most of the 15-hour flight. The team is doing great and is excited to see their family and friends again. We want to thank every person around the world who prayed for us!

Greatful,

Vijay

Honor

Today we interviewed two people for our documentary. Later we debriefed with our contacts by sharing some of our experiences in India this year. It was really fun and rewarding. In the evening we took our key contacts and their staff out to a really nice hotel for an amazing buffet.

Mourning Into Dancing

On Thursday we surprised Slav for his 25th birthday with party hats and blowouts in the morning. Later in the day Slav was again celebrated with a bunch staff who work in the red light district. There were beautiful candles, a delicious cake, and beautiful decorations all over. And then they taught us to dance Indian dances. The joy in the room was so contagious as we continued dancing for more than an hour.

Psalms 30:11
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness."

In the afternoon we went shopping on some very busy streets. And in the evening the girls got unique and beautiful henna done on their hands and feet by a 16-year old girl, whose mother is a prostitute.

Remembering Vilas (1996-2010)

Today we spent all day a 90 minute taxi ride away into a greener and more mountainous area outside the city in a boys' home for children with HIV and AIDS.

At the home we were greeted by much excitement. Several of the boys were familiar faces from our last visit. We played games with them and did all kinds of craft projects with them. Charlotte, who has a black belt, taught the boys some great defensive karate moves. It was a big hit. And I have a bruise to prove it! Trudy bought shoes for all the boys for the soon coming monsoon season. After sharing a simple meal with them we were able to interview the "mom" and "dad" of the boys' home as well as some of the boys. Most of them have no family at all.

One of the boys saw his own dad throw kerosene on his mother after an intense argument and lit her on fire when he was two years old. The boy tried to save his mother. The fire took four of the fingers on his left hand and greatly severed his leg. His mother died before his eyes and his father ran away. In the hospital they gave him blood transfusion; however, through it he contracted HIV.

Before we left I went with two of the youngest boys to get ice cream for everyone. It had been a long time since they had enjoyed this type of treat so they were really excited. As we were walking along the dusty road to the ice cream shop one of the boys took my hand. The entire journey to the store and back to the home he did not let go of my hand. As we were walking he kept pressing my hand tighter with his little fingers about every other second as if to really take this "experience" with him for a long time. I was something of a "dad" and a big "brother" for a few minutes. It was really special. It also made me sad because it was clear that behind the smiles there was still a lot of brokenness. It was no longer about making some boys happy with ice cream. This was about a little boy who needed love. Much love.

Later my two "ice cream carriers" took me out on a field where they were in the process of building new housing complexes to teach me cricket. We had so much fun! They outscored me in every way but it was still a great time.

When we landed in India I got some terrible news. Two boys, Sachin (8) and Vilas (14), whom I and another Saved by Nails board member had spent time with on our previous visit had died of AIDS. I have tried to process this sad news since we got here but it has not been easy. I only have the strength to share about Vilas at this time. The staff of the boys' home shared about his life and his last moments on this earth. The cook had spent eleven years with Vilas watching him grow up as her own son. She broke down crying as she related the story of his life. It was tough knowing this child had been been in my arms not long ago. He died at 4 am on a Sunday morning. Everyone we talked to shared how he was a good kid, who was loved by everyone. He never gave anyone any trouble. He took care of his friends. And he was bright. I talked to his best friend. You could tell that he really missed Vilas. He still has nightmares about the tragic passing of a beautiful little boy. On the long road back I wrote the following poem, which is dedicated to Vilas.



I Held You In My Arms

You were weak, you were small
Your form could only be carried
Your eyes would not stay open
You could not speak, only cry
and the sun was going down over your life

You were a good boy
You were lovable
You were kind
Your friends were many,
and you took great care of them

The shadow would not let go of you
Your life slipped out before our eyes
In a breath your little life was gone
When the sun rose you were no more
and we are left asking why?

We will sing your song
We will carry your voice
We will remember your life
One day our mourning will be gone,
but until then our tears will remain

 

Wherever you are in the world today please take a moment to remember the life of a beautiful, lovable 14-year old boy named Vilas.

I am one voice,

Vijay

Saved by Nails Garden

Today we are spending another day at the halfway home. We had the honor to sit on the floor sharing a simple meal with beautiful girls who have gone through indescribable horrors and pains. Although I didn't even finish my plate I consider it the best meal I have had in India. I believe the best meals are not the ones with the best food but instead it is about who you share it with. And before God's table everyone is welcome!

I am excited to announce that Saved by Nails has started a new project at the halfway home. Today we handed over the money to complete a garden where each girl in the halfway home can plant her own plant, vegetable, or fruit tree. It will be called Saved by Nails Garden. Coincidentally, it is raining today for the first time since we landed in India. We will have photos and other updates about it in a few months.

Right now Naomi, Trudy, and Jennifer are giving facials and painting nails for the women and Slav and Charlotte are doing another heartbreaking interview with a woman who was rescued and now is serving in the halfway home. Although she has been free for a long time our well-meaning questions bring back of lot of pain of torture, lies, and brokenness. Our resolve to end this atrocity has never been greater.

On Friday, we had the opportunity to interview two pimps. It was really surprising to find out that many pimps are very broken inside. They need our help and compassion too.

On Saturday, we had the morning and afternoon off to reflect over our first week in India. Slav and I had a of of fun surprising the girls with flowers, mango juice, chocolate, spicy chips and a personal note. The saying is true: "You can never go wrong with flowers and chocolate when it comes to women!" A woman who is hoping to get out of the brothel came by our place to wash our clothes. She did not have money to pay her rent, which was going to be due the next day. Her landlord said he would rape her if she did not pay on time. And she had no money. We were told that she was suicidal. We decided to cover her expenses as a team. And you should have seen her joy! I am convinced that we can do small things with great love.

In the evening we took a rickshaw to a slum church. We thoroughly enjoyed the songs and our whole team got honored with a flowers. Trudy and Slav preached great messages that were well received.

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach in the morning at a large church in the Dharavi slum about God's love. This is the largest slum in Asia and was featured in the movie Slumdog Millionaire. After a nice home cooked meal we were off to another church in the slum. There I preached a simple message on that Jesus is coming soon!

Excited about rain,

Vijay

My New Little Sister

India is a fascinating place in every aspect of the word! We have now spent four days on the ground and are already overwhelmed by what we have seen and experienced. Blending the Orient with the Western world is becoming increasingly challenging. Things that formerly seemed so important are suddenly not on the horizon anymore. We are changing.

Today has been an emotionally tough yet encouraging day. We drove 90 minutes outside the city to our halfway home where child sex trafficking survivors slowly are preparing for a new life. Trudy, Jennifer, and Naomi spent a lot of time with several of the girls making colorful and beautiful bracelets with beads. All initial anxieties and worries were soon gone in  a whirlwind of laughter, language misunderstandings, and intense moments. Cross-cultural bridges were built, new friendships were formed, and a new sisterhood established. In another part of the building Slav and Charlotte were busy interviewing the director of the halfway home and three sex trafficking survivors.

I cannot count the moments that my eyes were filled with tears today. I sat on the floor listening to 19-year-old Chandrakala’s* story. She was beautiful and dressed in a traditional yellow outfit with lots of pretty flowers. Her voice was very soft and she was touching her hands as she related a – in the beginning – terrible life. It was difficult for me to grasp the gravity of the situation. I did not know how to connect with her. So I started looking at her as she was my own little sister. I was taking her all in. It was impossible to hold the tears back. But then it became apparent that God was continuing to write her story. Chandrakala ended the interview by sharing how God’s love totally had changed her life. I have never seen a bigger smile on someone’s face. She commanded our team to tell her story all over the world. She made it clear that no one should have to experience what she had to. Chandrakala said that everyone has the right to life and happiness. After the interview was finished I talked to Chandrakala through an interpreter. I told her that I wish she had been my little sister. I also shared with her that our team came to India to see just her because God loves her so much and so deeply.

Tomorrow we are going to enjoy an off day doing sightseeing as a team. It will be an important day to get refreshed for the days ahead. However, there are so many things to process before that. Finally, we are grateful for prayers from all around the world.

Good night from a moonlit India,

Vijay


*Name has been altered to protect the identity of the individual

Doing Small Things with Great Love

I am happy to announce that our team is doing great in India! Right now our team is in a halfway home teaching our new friends how to make bracelets with beads, while the media team is interviewing the director of the home. We are challenged by what we see and the horror stories we constantly hear. We already have so much to share with our family and friends back home. There are many thing that are difficult with the cause we so believe in but we are committed to what Mother Teresa encouraged us to do, which is to do "small things with great love." We hope to give you more updates soon. Thank you for all your prayers!

From a sunny and colorful India,

Vijay