A Day in the Life
India
Your family has moved from a remote rural village to Delhi – one of India’s megacities – in search of a better life. But, like thousands of others, all you find is misery and despair among the teeming masses of people.
Unable to gain steady employment, you live in squalor in one of Delhi’s slums. Your tiny, makeshift home has no roof, so you tie up some dirty plastic sheets to keep out the rain. You have no bathroom. Raw sewage and rotting garbage fester on your doorstep… your children often suffer with fevers, chronic diarrhea and vomiting.
You wish you had the hope of a better life… a brighter future. But your religion – Hinduism – teaches that you are trapped in a seemingly endless and meaningless cycle of reincarnation. Perhaps your soul will return as an animal – or an insect – in the next life…
To experience a little taste of life in the slums of India, follow the ideas below:
- Don’t shower today – instead, wash using cold water in a bowl outside (Feel uncomfortable? Homes in India’s slums don’t have running water, let alone showers).
- Set up an outdoor ‘market stall’ with fresh fruit and invite your family members to buy their breakfast (India is known for its crowded outdoor markets).
- Set up a tent or canvas shelter in your yard and live out of your new ‘home’ for the entire day (Families in the slums live in appalling conditions in makeshift shelters). Don’t forget: no TV, radio or video games!
- Prepare Indian curry and rice for lunch on an outdoor camping stove.
- Take a nature walk and discuss the Hindu philosophy of reincarnation (Talk about the hopelessness of the Hindu belief system – that souls are trapped in an endless cycle of ‘rebirth.’ Then, read 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 48-49 together and discuss the wonderful hope of eternal life in heaven that Christians have in Christ Jesus).
- End your day by frying Indian pompadoms – similar to fried tortillas – for dinner.
Consider…
The vast majority of India's population - 1 billion people - lives in poverty. Could their lives be improved by a loving Heavenly Father, cleansing from sin,and hope of eternal life in heaven?
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