India/Nepal version of 1 Corinthians 13

One of the traditions of these mission trips is to create a version of 1 Corinthians 13 based onour experience during the trip. We were just sent the typed version tonight, so Ithought I'd add it to my blog.

1. If I could grasp the strikingly different backgrounds of the Hindus and the unique points of view of the Buddhists; if I could fully understand the origin of their self-worth, but have no love, then I would be as annoying and meaningless as a horn blaring through the streets of Kolkata. (Rilla, Ellen, Paula)

2. Though I have the gift of being born in the United States, have a college education, a car, and a safe and comfortable place to live, and though I can understand the neurological pathways of pain, so that I could relieve the physical suffering, but have not love I could not relieve the deepest pain. (Alan, Travis, Nancy)

3. Though I give all my Rupees, balloon animals, helicopters, peanut M&Ms, eye-poppers, and granola bars to the beggars, and though I forgot my sunscreen and burned and sweated walking to the orphanage in the heat of the day, but have no compassion it is worthless. (Rita, John, Nyahon)

4. Love suffers through the heat and still refreshes others with chocolate chip granola bars and peanut M&Ms. Love is not picky over who to serve or what task to do. Love does not expect others to recognize when we wash stinky diapers and spoon feed chronically disabled children and adults. (Sara, Carrie, April)

5. Love does not elbow others out of the way. It does not demand the right to take pictures. It is not irritable even when the bowels are. And it keeps no record of being misled about work planned for this trip. (Elaine, Thad, April)

6. Love does not rejoice in getting the lowest price for a souvenir, but rejoices in donating money to Springs of Live Orphanage. (Claudia, Michelle)

7. Love bears stifling temperatures and harassment of street vendors, believes if you help a person dying of leprosy you have helped Jesus, hopes for the day when retinal tears will be no more, endures diarrhea and more diarrhea. (George, Carol)

8. Love endures forever. Where there are blarring horns, they will fail. Where there are street vendors they will be silenced. Where there are volunteers their selfless service will one day not be needed. (Joe, Jari, Laurell)

9. We came thinking that our help would be to heal them physically but found the greatest help was simply by the touch of our hand. (Lacey, Dana, Julian)

10. But when our hearts are pure as sterilized dental forceps then the enmity in us shall be done away with as the diseased teeth they helped remove. (Brenda, Terry)

11. When we first came to India we were child-like missionaries. We did not have words to speak as experienced foreign missionaries. We didn’t understand the system. We thought as spoiled American children and we acted that way as well. But as we became familiar with things we could see ways to help out and we were able to put our talents to work. (Chloe, Jay)

12. For now I can’t understand why God allows the suffering of handicapped children but when I walk the streets of gold and see Lucy running and singing the Lord will tell me. (Rita, John, Nyahon)

13. All of these things we have experienced—faith that our luggage will be on the conveyor belt; hope that the spicy curry will not induce more diarrhea; and love that compels us to smile at the child, and hug the dying, and feed the weak and care for the sick. Though these three are all important , it is the smiling, hugging, feeding, and caring that shows people Jesus. (Sara, Carrie, April)