New Year in a New Land.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from yours truly here in India. Christmas wasn’t quite the same this year seeing as I am halfway around the world in India where it is 80 degrees and rainless, not to mention the lack of family here with me. I spent Christmas day traveling about the city via bus, metro, auto, taxi and finally train. I remember sitting in a seemingly crowded bus where it was a bit uncomfortable to only have one seat separating me and another person in Seattle. Here on the metro I can honestly say that I could have not held onto anything and been upright the entire trip due to the mass of bodies around me holding me up. Welcome to India, Alyssa, a country where personal space is nonexistent. 

On Christmas evening we set out on our 8 hour journey to Orissa, a state on the Bay of Bengal. Getting a taxi to the train station on Christmas day was a joke. Honestly, I am surprised we made it there at all, but we somehow managed. I spent Christmas night sleeping on a train on my way to Odissa, it was rad.

In Orissa we stayed at a YWAM base there by the Bay of Bengal. It was a fabulous time of relaxing and working alongside the staff. We managed to finish off a classroom they were in the progress of building. We also spoke at a few different churches. The staff there had an amazing story as well that we as a team decided had to be documented. In 2008 Christians throughout Orissa were persecuted, many of whom were killed along with thousands of others who lost their homes and were forced to find refuge in slums. The staff at the base had all been directly affected by the persecution and to this day remain at risk of persecution. I was inspired by the life they lead despite the opposition they face and the faith that they have as a result. God is working through them in mighty ways and people need to know about people like them.

We travelled with the staff then to Bhubaneswar for News Years. I brought in the New Year on the top of our hotel watching the city light up all around me with fireworks. It was grand. We spoke at two churches the following day. The rest of the time there we spent traveling throughout the city visiting various Hindu and Muslim temples to get a better understanding of the religion that is prevalent here. It just so happens that we are also the only white people that seem to be visiting there so we attract of a bit of attention. I felt somewhat like a celebrity at times since it seemed like every time I turned around I had someone asking to take a picture with me. I now regret not spending more time tanning back in Kona because this level of whiteness is proving to be a bit of a nuisance.

I am now back in Kolkata, safe and sound after having quite an amazing week. 

Chilika Lake that we visited while in Orissa.  

This man here was the captain
of our boat on lake Chilika 

Udayagiri Caves in Bhubeneswar. 

On the bus ride to the base in Orissa. 
Ari Westwood ladies and gentlemen. 

A Buddhist temple in Bhubaneswar. 

These are the girls. 
Jess Alexander and Maddy Holcomb.