Philanthropy: Paying It Forward (Pre-India)

Currently I am sitting at the office, trying to work, but failing miserably.  All I can think about is an experience that happened before leaving for India.  I've been meaning to write about it, but simply couldn't find the time.  Since I can't get it off my mind I guess I'll write about it now....

A couple days before my flight I went to stay in Cape Girardeau for a couple of days.  I had some free time so I decided to visit a little shop downtown that had recently opened.  It is called Philanthropy Fashion.  This is a very unique and overall wonderful organization!  It is a social enterprise focused on social good, which is exactly what my future in India is all about.  They sell beautiful and fashionable clothing, some from around the world, and donate partial profits to local charities.  The store pledges at least 10% of its total sales to these designated charities.  Cape is the first franchise of the mother store, which opened in June of 2007.  Their platform and belief is that a business built around charitable works and grounded in Christ can make a difference in the world.  I didn't know much about this business when I entered their store, but after leaving I felt in awe of the works being completed by this business and its owner.  

My necklace I wear most days with the Giving
Key, my 'dog person' charm, and my Sinfonian
Sweetheart pendant from Andy

I was fortunate enough to meet the owner during my visit.  I found an awesome pair of sandals called Sseko Sandals and mentioned that Africa was close to my heart because of my time spent in Rwanda last year.  The co-operative making these sandals is very similar to the co-ops I encountered while in Rwanda with Global Youth Connect.  I then heard the owner's story, and she listened to what I'd be doing in India. I was so inspired by her!  And apparently she was inspired by me as well which was an amazing feeling.  Before leaving she gave me a Giving Key inscribed with the word Inspire.  She said I had inspired her, and she just felt like she needed to give this key to me.  The Giving Key is a great organization that works to employ the homeless while putting its profits towards transitional homes and facilities.  The idea is that when you buy a key, or are given one, you must not keep it.  Instead, you should pay it forward during some time in your future.  For example, the owner of Philanthropy felt inspired by my story and what I was doing so she wanted to give me something meaningful to explain and share that amazing feeling.  At some point I will pass that key along to someone who inspires me as well.  The entire idea is based upon paying it forward.    

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the first candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. 

Buddha truly knew how to turn a phrase!  All kidding aside, this quote is very important to me for many reasons.  I use it now because it touches so greatly upon the idea of paying it forward, sharing our own success and happiness.  It is so easy to do, yet all too often we bottle up that show of love and good tidings for ourselves as if releasing it will cause us to be unhappy!  Tolerance and compassion are the most amazing and heartfelt ways to share the love.  My current situation is quite the measure of this!  I am surrounded by amazing people who all believe very different things.  It is important to always remember that God never once told us to only be nice and compassionate toward people who think and act like ourselves!  We are commanded to love our neighbors around the world, no matter their beliefs or customs, skin color, sexuality, gender, nationality, ethnicity, etc.  

One class of Girls at my school

Before leaving for India I found myself doubting... myself, my capabilities, my life paths, my goals, my everything.  I knew God had something great in store for me, but when faced with difficulties and the unknown it is easy to forget to trust Him and His plan.  I've tried many times to make my own plans; they do not resemble my current situation at all!  God knew what was right for me, even when I didn't.  Here I am in Hyderabad, India:  the majority here are of Hindu faith, I am living in a predominately Muslim neighborhood, and I am working with a completely Muslim school.  In no way am I here as a missionary.  In fact, India has strict laws against various kinds of conversion between faith, etc. and I am not in the business to be breaking laws!  However, I am free to believe as I choose without interference with my work.  I can show God's love through my actions instead of through words.  Most Indians I have encountered through my school associate white people with Christianity.  This may not be the whole of India, but for my situation it is.  They associate my actions with my beliefs.  Reality check?  You bet. 

Trying to keep that blonde covered!

The moment my troubles and worries ceased was when I prayed.  I prayed for strength and guidance.   When I visited Philanthropy I never imagined a little key would help to transform me so much!  That one incident helped set a lot more in motion than that wonderful lady could have imagined.  I had been struggling without realizing it.... I needed to recapture my own faith and beliefs.  I'm definitely still working on it, but I am getting there.  All too often I explain to people that religion is man-made and will always falter, but faith is truly divine.  I can't explain where I'll be after this year, or five years from now, but I know with a little help I'll be happy and will hopefully still be trying to 'pay it forward' in every way I can.  Because of my faith, I know that I can make it through this year and hopefully do some good along the way. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  - Jeremiah 29:11

Arrival in India

What a trip!

I left Harrisburg for St. Louis Tuesday night after an exhausting day full of packing and tears.  Nothing fit and all of my bags were too heavy. Deciding finally to take three 50 pound bags instead of two, we were on our way.  We arrived late that evening, and it didn't take long for me to fall fast asleep.  The next morning we arrived at the St. Louis International Airport at 5:45am.  It was so hard to say bye to mom and dad.  And the day before saying bye to my grandparents was also incredibly difficult. Everything was starting to really sink in at this point.... it was really happening.  I was not just leaving for a trip, but moving abroad for almost a year.  Andy had parked his car and met me inside after I said goodbye to my amazing parents.  He stayed with me until I went through my final security check.  He came back a few times which made it easier and harder at the same time.  I wasn't questioning my decision, I was just realizing the full gravity of my choice.

After making it through my security check I boarded my first plane bound for Dallas.  Next stop was Dubai, then Hyderabad.  Nothing too exciting, but when we arrived in Hyderabad customs it all changed.  I definitely should have learned the language.  Apparently the piece of paper I had printed out with my contact numbers and my address had fallen out between flights so I didn't have an address for my customs form.  It was a complete mess. The officer actually told me I would have to go home!  Back to the plane!  Of course the language barrier caused the confusion, and my sleep deprivation caused tears to start flowing.  Eventually someone felt bad for me and helped me locate an address.  Pickup was also interesting.  Shruti had emailed new pickup information.... but didn't have access to the internet because of the flights!  Luckily another fellow was there, and we got to our new places quickly and safely.  Arriving upstairs I met my lovely new housemates and met the boys next door.  I think this is going to really work out well!

I'm not going to say that so far everything has been peachy, but I'm adjusting.  Things here are just.... different.  I guess I assumed that nothing could be more 'different' than Rwanda.  I was wrong.  This is like bringing cultural divide to an entirely new level! I fell in love with Rwanda the moment I saw the hills.  India, though, is going to take a bit of patience.  Perhaps a love/hate relationship?  I definitely am warming up to Hyderabad, and I know that everything is beginning to fall into place.  I've been here about a week and it already feels like a couple of months.  Things have been very fast paced, yet inexhaustibly slow as well.  Weird, huh?

I'll try to continue with some of the excitement of the past week in my next post, but to finish this one I'll post some pictures.  I can't get video to post yet though.... I need to figure all of this tech stuff out! But here is just a little taste of India.  Remember, it is monsoon season here....

last picture in the USA!

View from my window

First rickshaw in India

Wearing some fancy new clothes.

floods

floods

Struggles.

Keeping my cool under the pressure of obtaining a visa? Check.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful.  Strive to be happy.  

Every day resilient people face the world head on, managing to live and prosper with their decisions and actions.  The struggles and triumphs of life,whether large or small, are what make each day fascinating.  I learned long ago that every person has a cross to bear, often hidden, and it can change continuously throughout life. Little or small, each process affects each of us differently.  I've always had a tough time with this because I walk the line between wanting to save the world by 'helping' everyone, and understanding my own limitations.  I hate to admit when I cannot achieve something I have set my mind toward.  Because of this, setbacks affect me a lot!

Luckily for me, I have led a blessed life.  I have worked hard to achieve goals, and can often maneuver plans to avoid major derailments.  However, being from the Midwest (and my momma's family is from TN) means some Bible belt sayings have been ingrained into me since birth:

• If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it.
• I know God won't give me more than I can handle, but I just wish He didn't trust me so much.
• If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.

.... just to name a few.  Good news, I have been fairly successful thus far and God has liked my plans and has never let me break under the weight of any life problems.  But when I decided to take a year off after graduating my life plans began to change, causing unavoidable struggles that I wasn't quite prepared for.  I'm not going to pretend that I didn't put myself in this position; however, I hate when I feel like I can't make something happen or when my plans get thrown around.  Lately I have been re-examining those old gospel sayings and letting loose a bit more, and putting a bit more trust into my prayers.  After all, being upset will not help me out any.  With that being said, I know I am still perfectly capable of throwing  a massive temper tantrum!  This past week proved that, even if it was done fairly privately.  This weekend also showed me that prayers and hard work do pay off.


Andrew and I drove to Chicago so I could apply in-person for a same-day visa.  Unfortunately I had been misinformed, and same-day visas were not issued for such a long employment duration.  My new employer in the U.S. that deals with the IDEX Fellowship, along with my newest employers in India, had supplied me with all of the documents necessary for my application.  For anyone planning to apply for a long-term visa to India (especially for employment, etc) get prepared!  Wow!  Very long process. I was lucky enough to deal with some very nice and helpful people at the Consulate's outsourcing office.  I suggest you read everything at least twice before beginning and print multiple copies of each item in order to make sorting and organizing easier.  p.s. Wal-Mart does not allow you to print pictures in 2" x 2" dimensions, and the passport photos are not quite 2x2.  I suggest you take your head-shot a little farther back, and then trip a wallet size down to a 2x2.  Good luck!


Weird, but apparently my original employment visa application was rejected (ish)....  Luckily, I not only kept my cool in the office, but was complimented and thanked by the staff for being so positive and understanding! Ha!  It wasn't anyone's fault, it is just a frustrating process with lots of paperwork.  But the process is in place to protect the country and its citizens so I took a breath and dealt with it.  Although I thought I was screwed at this point, the office informed me they had re-submitted my paperwork under an entry visa (usually reserved for Indians..... my blonde hair and blue eyes definitely do not qualify me!) and would stay in contact with me even though I was leaving Chicago.  It was nice to see that they cared so much about their jobs and the people they were working with each day.  


Even though I kept my cool in the office, and was incredibly thankful for the help, I was distraught in the car on the way home and admittedly had a private breakdown after leaving the office.  After the initial blowup I clammed up, not speaking again until after passing Joliet.  After we just talked normally, I started to feel better.  Thank goodness Andy's so supportive!    


I was just worried since it was so late in the day, and I had no way to speak to my employers or do anything else with the application.  But the next morning I was able to confirm with my employers that this visa is acceptable with them and that the Consulate had recommended this for me (which hopefully means approval,right?!).  I didn't hear anything until yesterday (Fri) and finally received the email I had been waiting for.... my visa had been approved!  Until I am holding my passport and visa in my hands, I don't think I'll quite believe it.  However, it is so very wonderful to know that I'm allowed in the country!! 

Did I mention little Toby Chestnut came with us to the Windy City?

My struggle was one I never even thought I'd have:  I completely underestimated this process.  I still have a lot going on, and the stress hasn't completely left, but things are looking up.  And although the time in Chicago was busy and stressful, I really did have an amazing time with my two boys!  I am really going to miss Andy and our little puppy, Toby.  It is hard to believe that I leave in T-18 days.  Unbelievable!  I appreciate all of the prayers and support from my family and friends lately.  And sorry to everyone who has had to listen to me cry over this process!  Leaving so soon has left me highly emotional! I think I'll end this now; sorry for the terribly long post!  Next post I'll write about all the cool experiences from the Chicago trip, including our visit to the Little India neighborhood!  Hopefully this helped some lonesome soon-to-be traveler who is lost with this process.  Keep calm and carry on <3