Part 4, Posted February 26, 2001
| Dr. Stephanie Gilbertson, Ed.D.
a disciple from the Cincinnati Church of Christ, was in New Delhi, India
for a month working with other disciples and representatives of HOPE worldwide
providing a brief teacher education course to HOPE staff who teach in the
Village of HOPE, a leper colony, and in the Asharan Orphanage. Ten days after
her arrival, India was struck with one of the most severe earthquakes in
decades. This series of articles chronicle her thoughts and activities from
her life changing experience.
It is true that I have safely returned to Cincinnati. But I would not go as far as to say that I am back. The person who returned is much-changed and different person from the one who left here on January 16th. I am going through the motions of normal life, here in Cincinnati. After a wonderful greeting at the airport by my mom, dad and my friend Sheri, I went home, started unpacking, fed the horses and after a real shower with hot running water, slept soundly until 5:30AM. I got up, just like before I left for India, went to the YMCA, had some quiet time, and met with my coffee club on my way to the office, just like a normal morning. But my mind constantly returns to images of Delhi, the slums, the leper colony, the orphanage, and the return trip.
In New Delhi I was sort of special. Everyone noticed
me. Wherever I went I drew a crowd.
"You brought life and inspiration to staff and children alike, not to mention the entire leadership of the church." Return to Part 1 Return to Part 2 Return to Part 3 Go to Part 5 |
In the church I was asked to speak to the entire
group of about 150 leaders, I was asked to teach a lesson to the women with
non-Christian husbands, and people devoted entire workdays and a Saturday
(their normal day off) to participate in the teacher-training sessions. God
fulfilled my dream of being used. He gave me permission to dream again. In
spite of a great deal of sin in my life God used me to teach and inspire
many people in New Delhi, India.
I am struck by the lack
of roadside dwellers, no one begging at the car window at stop lights, virtually
no traffic, no wild animals or cows, the cleanliness of everything. A feeling
or deep sense of longing for being close to my family just seems to overwhelm
me. A slight fear of uncooked food and unboiled water leaves a constant sort
of queasiness in my stomach. Most of all I feel a determination to make sure
that the moments I have with people will mean something, will motivate them
to love more, learn more, be more. I am convinced that every single interaction
we have with another person, from newborn infants to senior citizens, has
an effect on both of our lives.