After working all day on New Year's Eve Day, the teams converged (minus the Justice Team, who were still farther away in Ranipet) at the Construction Team site for a bonfire to celebrate the coming of the new year. It was absolutely awesome (and hilarious) to watch as Raj gradually coaxed more and more of us to join him in various dances and songs around the campfire.
As soon as the air began to split with laughs and shouts, some of the villagers came to join us. Some of the younger girls especially twirled and spun to the tunes of old Tamil traditional songs hammered out by deft fingers on goat-skin drums or overturned aluminum pots. In addition to the pulsing blaze of the fire, the effect was both timeless and mesmerizing. Staring up at the crystal-clear sky at a blackness that was dotted with an unbelievable view of what must have been literally thousands upon thousands of visible stars, i was suddenly struck with the notion that we could have been doing this in 2008... or 2008 BC without much difference in overall effect or feeling. It was amazing!
Finally, one of the things that Americans learn very quickly when visiting here is that Indian culture has a massive and rich tradition of history and lore that is kept and "bottled" (if you will) through the medium of song and dance. Some of the songs that i've heard sung in these types of performances date back hundreds of years (or farther), and have a weight and "flavor" of the passage of time that contemporary pop will just never touch. I mean... can you picture Americans singing Katie Perry songs in two thousand years? I can't.
6 comments:
Thanks for the amazing updates. Praying that you all remain strong - can't wait to hear all the stories and see all the pictures when you all return.
EXTRAORDINARY - pictures and sharing! I love it all - it looked like it was a very special New Year's celebration! Keep up the awesome work all - we are praying that you get rest enough to do His work!
I have been following your blog... It is amazing how GOD is working in what you are all doing. I am looking for to your next e-mail. My continued prayers are with all of you throughout your stay and your trip home.
Ben, we will not be able to tell you Happy Birthday over the phone this year but we do want you to know we are thinking of you. Alicia, Jackson, Rilee & I are going Ice skating in Walnut Creek, in honor of the tradition of your birthday. Happy Birthday Son. We Love you. Mom & dad.
Enjoying the updates and photos. Appears you're having a great time while building God's Kingdom. Praying for you and your families back home.
What ann awesoem moment and so powerfully written, I felt like I was there! Thanks for sharing this!
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