In 2010, Back2Back has explored the theme of hunger. A Back2Back created study guide led mission group members through a series of readings and discussion questions to deepen their hunger for God. During our time in India, we have seen other forms of hunger.
The most obvious hunger we saw was physical hunger. The extreme poverty makes food, a basic commodity, not readily available to everyone. Although the children eat large plates of rice, the nutritional content is minimal. Through a generous ongoing donation, Back2Back India is able to improve the quality and variety of foods for children at the ministry sites where we serve. This helps meet their physical hunger.
Our mission team immediately noticed the emotional hunger of the children in India. At one of our homes, the children are very affectionate and just cannot get enough hugs, piggy-back rides or Kabbadi (a very physical game). At the larger home, the children are less physically engaged but vie for your attention to look at the craft they made, watch them skip rope, take their picture or just say hello. Spending time with them and pouring into their lives helps fill them emotionally.
India is a country hungering for the fruits of the spirit –love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. We are thankful that our partners there have a heart for children and are teaching them spiritual truths. The children memorize scripture verses, learn worship songs and perform dances that tell of God’s love. They are filling their hearts and minds with spiritual fruit.
The children in India have a hunger to learn. They are very disciplined in their class schedule and study time. This summer’s mission team spent several days teaching the children about numbers, shapes, colors, and body parts in a fun and interactive manner – and all in English! It was a great opportunity for the children and they were eager to learn. Back2Back wants to nourish their hunger for education.
This summer the mission team, interns, and Back2Back staff spent a fun-filled and energetic week heaping spoonfuls of physical, emotional, spiritual and educational blessings on the children in India to help fill their hunger. I pray that our hunger to meet their hunger continues to grow.
If you are interested in opportunities to serve in India on a mission trip or as full-time staff, please contact Chris Ramos (ramos@back2backministries.org).
A warm greeting from some of the children who Back2Back India serves