Two weekends ago, I had the opportunity to go an Indian village where one of our teachers lives. Village, a term often used by our staff when they are going back “home” for the weekend.
The reason for the visit was to visit one of our teachers, Padmavathi who had a baby girl last month and is on maternity leave until the end of February.
Padmavathi! Her smile is a day brightener for sure and just one of many awesome qualities that makes her Jarrett and I's Indian mother
She refers to Jarrett and I as her sons and insisted that we come to her village meet “our” new sister. During the weekend, Padmavathi’s husband, Bhushan, referred to me as his brother and Padmavathi’s father, Nana (sp?) referred to me as his son, as Indians are very warm and welcoming to make us a member of their family. We all laughed when we realized that my role in the family now had multiple titles! We settled with the original title which I think makes Jarrett, Scott and Kristen Mulhern and I all siblings…yes! Due to some prior engagements, Jarrett stayed back in Hyderabad, while I braved the Indian countryside and 9 hour bus rides to the village. I am pleased I went as this weekend in the village is probably one of my top highlights during my time here India. More on Padmavathi and her family later…
The village is located near the the town of Kodur, in the south of AP, near Tirupati, famous for the elaborate and ornate Tirumala Temple, a common pilgrimage site for Hindus all around India.
The Village
Yes, indeed it was a village in all senses of the word. Driving to the village, you learn as you pass hectares of mango, papaya, and banana trees that villages, survive and thrive on subsistence farming. When I arrived, my senses were overwhelmed! There was so much to take in: livestock sharing practically the same living space as their owner, animals AND people relieving themselves alongside the road, babies crying, people bathing, washing dishes, fires cooking curries, dosas and chai, and men and women headed out to the fields with archaic wagons, plows and shovels and various other vessels. And this was all before 8 in the morning!
Padmavathi's parents house
When I arrived I was greeted by Padmavathi’s family and neighbors and even their livestock which consisted of mules, cows and chickens. Over the course of my time there, I was reminded that these animals play an integral part in a family’s life. For the most part, villages in India sustain themselves on subsistence agricultural practices and this is how Padmavathi’s parents have provided for their family, put food on the table and sent their kids to school (talking later with Padmavathi’s father, he has put all of his 5 children through college, 2 of which are still in school, one for computer science and the other his MBA. He has taken many loans out to do so).
Padmavathi's parents
Padmavathi’s father has invested his whole life for the betterment of his children because its all he has. Hearing this and working for an NGO that specializes in education leaves you to consider just how great we have it in the states and how much we take for granted. Education in India is the means to rise above the poverty line and adequately provide for your family.
As I mentioned earlier, the economies of villages in India are driven by subsistence farming and that was exactly my entertainment for the weekend. Over the course of the weekend, I was able to tour both Padmavathi’s family farm which consisted of over 5 acres of banana (so many!!), mangoes, coconuts and tamarind trees, turmeric, chillies, etc and Bhushan’s family farm consisting of mostly mango trees. Venkatesh, Padmavathi’s brother said that their bananas are shipped to all over India including Delhi and Bangalore!
A tower of bananas
I asked him what the market rate is for a tower of bananas and said they typically go for 65INR (about $1.50) to 135INR( about $3). I laughed inside because Jarrett and I pay 25-30 INR/dozen (Note: white man tax inherent). How does a family that lives off what they produce, live and furthermore send their kids to college? Simply. It provokes the question: What is necessary for my life and what is frivolous?
Working Bhushan's new mango tree fields!
Bhushan and his mother
mmm! Bananas!
Venkatesh and Bhaskar
Nana and Metu in the banana fields!
Now back to Padmavathi and her family…
Padmavathi is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. She has such a beautiful personality and a certain way of just brightening your day. It is no wonder that Kristen Mulhern (previous volunteer) grew so close to her because they both tend to have the same effect on you. As I said, she calls Jarrett and I her sons and likewise our mom. I think this dynamic came about from the countless meals brought to school for breakfast, sweets and many dosas (still haven’t beat Mulhern’s record – 8). It was such a joyous time being able share many meals with her and her family over the weekend and getting to better know her husband Bhushan and his family as well. I was so well received, loved and cared for. Indian hospitality will never cease to amaze me. It will challenge me when I come back to the states with how I receive, love and extend hospitality to people and learning to not be selfish with what I have been given and how I can bless people with just that… Padmavathi told me that I was the first white person her parents had ever seen, pretty crazy to think about and that is the reality of the world we live in.
Now for some more pictures from the weekend…
Bhushan's parents
The family without Bhusan
Padmavathi's Family
The Grandmas!
Father and daughter
Idli and Wada
"Honey"
Good Weekend!
Thanks for sharing your trip to the village….I enjoyed your trip as well-through your words and photos. Keep loving God and others…
I am so glad your mom shared this adventure on facebook. It is really
fun to see what former students are doing with their lives after high school. I am so proud of you and am excited about all the new experiences you are getting with your travels. Some of the best years of our lives were traveling in another country. Friendships you make there will last a lifetime. Thanks
Great post Jory! Awesome to see and hear about this adventure and experience….She sounds like an incredible lady.
This may seem awkward at first, but I’ll try to get to my heart at some point so you guys don’t think I’m some crazy stalker (or you may choose to still believe that in the end).
It was years ago when I was first introduced to OFI. Basically I met some people through Young Life and they knew my heart I had for the nations and began to tell me of possible opportunities to serve through an organization that Greg’s uncle and aunt have in India. Nothing really came about it; I just kept it in the back of my mind.
Two years ago I almost had the opportunity to go to India with one of my best friends, Tracey, and two other guys. I applied for my visa, and received it in time to go…but due to a lack of finances, wasn’t able to make that trip with them. Upon their return, after hearing their stories and heart, I knew India was a place that I would be interested in going to someday. They actually started an educational program for some of the Dalit villages over there called, “A Child’s Chance.”
God opened a door for me this past August to return to Tanzania for an extended period of time. I ended up being a volunteer missionary teacher with Village Schools International until December. Before I left, I started to look more into the possibilities of working with O.F. upon my return. One of my friends works for Chief Architect in Coeur d’Alene and talked with Jack about my interest with their work in India or Thailand. I eventually settled on the fact that I tend to look at what’s next in life instead of what Jesus has placed before me. Thus, I decided to put India/Thailand on the back burner again, until at least I get back from Africa.
This past week I started doing more research on getting my master’s in Social Work and realized that there is a lot of possibilities to use it for international purposes as well as here in the states. Somehow it sparked my memory of O.F. and I went back on the sites and started reading more about the mission and heart behind it all.
Then I came across this lovely blog! This is where everything should start to come together for you and make sense. I started with the first entry and couldn’t stop. Let me try and articulate my heart here…
At first my transition back to the states was way better than the previous time…or so I thought. I think because I was gone for almost 5 months, I really did miss my family and friends. I returned right before Christmas, so I was instantly occupied with family festivities and seeing all my friends. Well that high eventually wore off and I’ve been left to try and sort out a wide variety of emotions and reverse culture shock now. For some reason, I decided to just shut down, try and suppress the memories of my students and fellow Tanzanian teachers. I have even gone as far as not unpacking my suitcases still, giving out the gifts I brought back, or even showing anyone pictures. It’s unhealthy and I’m aware of the pain it’s causing my heart. I need to start processing and sharing my time and experience there and what God did.
Reading your blogs and watching the videos brought so much joy to my heart. It’s weird, because I don’t know you at all, nor do I know any of the kids. But what it did for me was brought me back to that small village in Tanzania where I lived and loved. I saw my friends and students in the eyes of your fellow staff members and students at the school. When I read about your experiences, I could relate…when I read the very things that challenged you and brought questions to what life is really about…I remember those challenges and questions for myself. When you shared about the selflessness of the Indian people and how poverty does not equate to their level of happiness…I remember how truly wealthy and joyful Tanzanians are.
Having the small insight into what you guys are experiencing has brought me some healing and restoration and encouragement to not fight the memories so much, but to embrace them and start processing my time there…even if it’s baby steps.
Like I said, it’s been a hard transition back. I have felt very alone and that no one can relate or even understand what I saw, experienced, learned, and came to love. I think it’s a beautiful thing that as brothers, you were able to do this together. I’m sure your bond was strong before, but now it will be like never before. It’s great that you will have each other to process everything once you return to the states…you will have someone that can relate and remember with you.
From what I have read, I believe your time in India is coming to an end. I’m sure you are looking back and wondering where the last 6 months has gone…I’m also certain that you really miss your family and friends back home…it’s all very bittersweet. My prayer is that you guys cherish every last moment, face, and heart there…that you give your everything until the last possible minute. Because all to soon, you will be back in America and your heart will be longing for the relationships and lifestyle you have come accustom to. I guess I am making some presumption that this is how you will feel…you may not though I guess.
Anyway, after all of that randomness…I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for writing and sharing about your time there. You have brought encouragement to me to start sharing my story and keep pressing onward and continuing to pursue God’s will.
May God continue to bless you guys and grow you exponentially in your Faith and Love for Him and for His people.