Nirup Alphonse

Why Settle For The Good View?

A few months ago I had the opportunity to travel to India; on our last day there we took some time to tour the capital city of Delhi. One of the many places we visited was this beautiful Mosque cornered by magnificient towers. A couple of others and myself decided that it would be a waste to go all that way without seeing the inside of towers. The looming structures looked wide, but as we entered we realized the deception. The climp up was in a dark stairway that seemed to go in an endless circle. There was only enough room for one person to move at a time, and so we journeyed in a single file with the only source of light being small windows every ten or fifteen feet.

After what felt like an eternity, I reached a point where I was tired, hot, and restless. I knew I must have been near the top because I could feel it getting a bit cooler and I came to another small window in the wall. As I peared through, I surveryed all that my eyes could see. I savored the view, and because I was quite ahead of those behind me, I began to debate if I should keep going. I wondered if the view from the very top was worth the few more minutes it would take.

Again, I decided it would be a waste to not go all the way to the top, so I continued on until I got there. Needless to say I was not dissappointed. The view was even more spectacular than I imagined. I could see the life of the city around me. I could feel the cooling breeze on my face as my eyes took in the wonder of life below me.

 
I began to think this morning about how sometimes my view of God is so small or limited. Yes, even the slightest glimpse of Jesus tastes satisfying but He is so much more than what we settle to see. I realized that many times I settle for a small glimpse of Him because I am too tired or unwilling to go the extra to see more of Him. Is it harder? Can it be scary? Does it take an actual effort?....YES!!! But is it worth it?? Absolutely! We can witness His Majesty!

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the Majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."

    1 Chronicles 29:11

Take some time in the next few days and ask yourself in you settle for the small view of God and His creation when so much more is there to see. Then find some time to allow God to cultivate His relationship with you. Ask Him to open your heart and eyes to the things that are His. It will take work and effort, but you won’t regret it.

Nirup

 

My Boss Is Making Me Blog!!

It's Thursday-3:57pm. My boss (a.k.a. Pastor Mike) calls my cell phone to tell me that my weekly duty of being his minstrel was not quite over; my next task would involve the use of actual brain function. What is this great task you ask? (Hey, that rhymes.) Well, you're reading it! Welcome to the weekly email. Be prepared to take a stroll into my mind and thoughts. Here we go...

For the past several years of my life, always around this season, a sad look works its way onto my face. Small children notice it, women promise to pray for me, and grown men attempt to console me with a heartfelt squeeze to the shoulder or sagacious nod from across the room. No explanation is needed between us; I know what they are saying: "Better luck next year..." It's an emotion shared with their eyes. It is that look of disappointment. The face of a man who's heart has been ripped out of his chest cavity, thrown from the Sears Tower (it will always be the Sears Tower to me,) and run over by the rushing morning traffic of the Chicago streets. It is October and I have the look of another broken Cubs fan!!! 

Can you see that look on my face? It is my firm hope that this is the last year you will ever notice that dejection; that crushing defeat. Does that mean I want the Cubs to win next year? Of course! But, it's so much more than that. It's just too dangerous for ME to care that much, so I have decided to reevaluate my affections. Here's what I mean.

Over the past few months I have tried to pay close attention to things in my life that stir more affection for Christ and take notice of things that rob me of that affection. I quickly realized that sports is a huge area of my life; an area that does not stir my affection for Christ, but that steals from me moments God is speaking to me because I can not hear him over the din of the game. I am not trying to say it's bad to be a sports fan, but for me, investing so much of my life into something that has no eternal significance is bad for my life.

There are things that stir my affection toward Christ and it is important for me to aim for these. Those of you who don't know me all that well should know I am what you could refer to as a 'Bible Nerd'. I love to read it! It's important that I am constantly in God's Word; for me, even one day missed becomes a challenging hurdle. Let me put it like this: Have you ever been sitting on your couch, lazy as all-get-out, when suddenly you realize just how hungry you have become! The pangs of hunger grow, but for some reason you can't get off the couch. The pain in your empty pit is dominating, yet somehow the ability to get up and do something about it eludes you... It is similar for me when I don't get into God's Word; I'm hungry for it, but it becomes an almost impossible task to force myself up from the couch to satisfy my soul.

I am also stirred through music. To me it is the way that I am most able to connect with God on a deep, emotional, and real level. Some of the best times of complete vulnerability before Christ have been those moments when I am simply alone with a guitar or piano, singing the words of the Psalms. Fellowship with my family and friends also culls my affection towards Christ, knowing I am blessed to feel His Presence in our prayer together and our connection to each other. When I travel to other parts of the world and serve those that have greater need than myself, I grow in adoration of Christ because it means I'm putting action to His call to love others and sacrifice for them, like He has for us.

These are just a few examples, but I hope you are starting to see what I'm talking about. I want us all over next week or so to take some time by ourselves and search our hearts prayerfully, being sure to ask, "What stirs my heart for Christ and what robs me of that affection?" As our Christ-drawing passions and  our God-fleeing proclivities are revealed, let's start making tangible movements toward the things that stir us toward Him and begin to loosen our grip on the things that have no lasting effect on our lives. 

Will I wear my Cubs hat again? Yes. Will I cheer if they win the World Series (no laughing please)? I'm sure I will. But I am not going to let them losing take the joy of salvation away from me! I'll not place the Cubs, or any sport, or anything in a position to rob me of precious time that I can invest in God and His Kingdom...

I challenge you all (and myself as well) to take that time in the next week and ask God to reveal Himself to you as He continues to stir your affection for Him. Have a great weekend!

See you Saturday... or Sunday.

In the grace and peace of Christ Jesus,

Nirup

My typepad email updater. Nirup

My typepad email updater. Nirup Alphonse Pine Hills Church - Sent from my Palm Pre

Faces From India

    

   

I Want To Make You See - India.

She smiles because she cannot contain it. She sings because her heart is pure. She laughs because she is content. She dances because she is free. She loves because she knows how.

As we pulled away from the Home I did not have the heart to look in the rear view mirror. Tears were streaming down everyones' faces. Latha's innocence was more evident. Kousalia contagious smile could not overcome her saddened heart. Helen Mercy's dance was motionless as she did not want to tell this story. Ajeeva's mischievous spirit was now quiet. Solomi's boldness was overshadowed by the reality of farewells. I could go on and on...."it's not goodbye, it's just see you later". Even though my statement was truthful it didn't make the weight of the moment any lighter. A hug just wasn't enough. The girls would hug and then hold your hand. They didn't want to let go. I remember their eyes. They looked up intently with their beautiful brown eyes asking us not to go. 

I am one who prides himself on the ability to paint with words. I do not presume to be eloquent nor do I pretend to be ambitious in writing, but rather I am just trying to make you see their faces and hear their laughs. But to be honest...I do not know how to tell their stories. I do not know how to tell you that they are content with a rag torn school uniform. I do not know how to make you understand that theirs is a faith that you and I do not understand. Their faith is printed in their own handwriting in a note some of the girls handed to me. 

"I love you.

 I will miss you.

 I love Jesus.

 He is my Father.

 I love you. 

I love Jesus. 

Jesus loves you. "

Theirs is a story that must be told. Theirs is a story they need you to know. You need to know that her father left her and her sister and her mother can't watch them, but yet she sings. And though her voice is small her melody is strong. You need to know that her mother brought her to the Home because she was born to a prostitute; that her mother's last request was for her daughter to be told that she tried to take care of her but she died. She did not want her daughter to know that her mother was a prostitute. She needs you to know that nothing can separate her from the love of Christ even though her father suffered at the hands of fanatics who murdered him because he spoke of Christ boldly. She needs you to know that she doesn't want your presents or gifts, she just wants you to come and hold her as she cries when she is sick. 

Our time in India was too short. Although we knew how short our time would be going into the trip it did not hinder us from sharing a true bond with each and everyone of the children. If I stress this point constantly it is because I want you to understand; we went to India....I went to India thinking about all the love I was going to pour out, but I am continually in awe and overwhelmed at the love they have and are so willing to give. They guard their hearts by pouring out every ounce of love they have because that is the only way they know to guard it. If they hold any in it may damage them. 

How do we respond to such love? 

We receive and then we love back. We look into their eyes and learn their stories, and though I do not know if I can ever share them with the poetry they deserve I am going to try to tell you. Our trip has come to and end, but the journey is just beginning. Our God is good and his story is epic. I will continue to write here. Pray for me that I may be used to tell you what you must know...

I am going to try to make you see....

Nirup

India Day 9

As the day began to wind down I noticed one of the girls sitting alone beneath a palm tree. It was obvious that she had been crying and no one was talking to her. I took a seat next to her and asked her what was wrong. As I expected she wouldn't tell me. I knew what she felt like. I knew the feeling well of hiding your emotions from everyone so as to not be perceived as weak. The time slowly wore away and she eventually told me that she had fallen and hit her head and it was hurting. After hearing this I did the first thing that came to my mind. I took my open hand and held it front of her and asked her if she knew what was in my hand....there was nothing of course so her answer was quick and obvious. But rather than let that be the end of it, I went on to tell her how what was in my hand would make the pain go away but I needed her help.

I won't presume that you want to know all the details but basically I pretended that somehow my hand would help her. After putting on a little show I touched her head and told her the pain was gone. When I asked her if it still hurt she smiled shyly and said that it was gone. Medically I realize I have no real framework that I operated in, nor was I acting with any real science. I just wanted to let a little girl know that I cared. As I sat and talked with her and hugged her the thought came across my mind that when these children fall down they don't have a mom or dad to run to. When they feel sick or wake up scared in the middle of the night, they are forced by circumstances out of there control to cope with.

We are all here doing the best we can. Some people have gotten sick....everyone has been fighting fatigue, but yet we press on. The thing that makes me laugh a little is that we came here expecting to give each and everyone of these girls more love than they know what to do with. The truth is, they have more love to give that we know what to do with. They run to you to hold your hand. Maybe it is to hold on to us. Maybe they want to know if we are real.....or maybe its just one of their many ways to say "thank you" and "I love you"......

I can't believe it has been a week and in just a few short days we have to leave. I already dreading the day the van pulls away. How can we go forward without looking at who is the rear view mirror??

Nirup

India Day 7

Her voice is small and can almost get lost in the sea of voices around her. If you hold her the sound of her voice can be felt on your chest, and even in the smallest of whispers you can hear the promise of God to small child.

All of our manual labor type work is finished. Again, things move at a different pace here so patience was very much needed but we managed and everyone has had great attitudes towards the process. I continue to be amazed at all the girls. They are so content with so little and they don't care about they do not have. As Latha continued to sing away a few more girls came to talk to me and I decided I wanted them to write their favorite verse in my journal and then sign their name. I handed them a small red instrumental that had a rubber grip on the bottom and a white eraser on the top. They examined it for a moment and asked what can only be from the mind of a child, "What is this"?

"A pencil" I stated boldly forgetting that the only pencil they use is small and yellow. Their amazement began! Each of them examined the pencil intently. They wanted to know how it worked. Did it hurt when I pushed the graphite back in? They were taken a back and in their shear joy forgot to write the verse so I had to remind them to do it for me. I asked them if they wanted a pencil like this when I came back. With immediate confidence one them said slowly as she looked into my eyes to make sure I understood, "we don't need anything. You come to see us and that is enough"!

I am struggling still to take this all in. Not because the situation is difficult but because if you know anything about me at all you know that when I think about something I pour myself into it. For me, to do that now would be a great dis-service to the girls here. While I am here I want to pour my self out to them and in serving them, and although my mind wants to dissect and break down everything that is happening, my heart just wants to sing with the little girl on my lap....sing soft enough only for them to hear. The funny thing is this: we came here to pour our love out but I find that these girls, every one of them, has an immense capacity to love and they empty themselves of that love to anyone who comes to see them.

Of course they are all little children so they fight, and argue and tease....come on they are sisters..what sisters don't do that? But they are quick to forgive, quick to forget, quick to serve, quick to compassion, quick to pray and extremely quick to love. 

We are all having an amazing time here and we ask you to continue to pray for not only us, but for each of the girls here! I wish I could upload some pictures but this computer is not allowing me to share more than just these few words with you, but I hope you are able to get a picture in your mind of all the wonderful things happening here.

Until next time...

Nirup

India Day 5

The steps hidden in the shade of the nearby trees seemed a fitting place to sit and rest for a few minutes. We were all tired from the day of painting the new school room, but our energy did not seem to fad as eagerly as yesterday. Perhaps the spirit of the children keep us going more than we actually think. It was around 5pm, and although the sun was still in full splendor it was hidden by the body of the clouds. The wind picked up and as it swept in through the trees a crowd of the young children began to make their way around me. By now each of us were surrounded by a group of them. Some were doing hair, others were learning a dance, others were making some small crosses out of the palm leaves...me...they just asked questions.

The youngest girl has fair skin and light brown hair. She was wearing a traditional Indian dress for a child. She sat on my lap and buried her face into my shoulder. Her Tamil was poor and her English non-existent and so the only communication I could understand was her smile followed by her hands covering her face to hide her shyness. The others asked me questions mostly about America. They have no sense of distance and kept wondering why we didn't come to visit so often. I find it so refreshing that they expect nothing of us...just to be around them is enough. Painting the school is not easy and not fun for the most part. Working in the heat, drinking water that was once cold is now warm...it can be exhausting. But they appreciate the work. When they come up the stairs and see the new walls their eyes gaze in amazement. They walk around the room examining the work not if to find fault but in a way that is more innocent than that.

Even with all the work we have done, I wonder if they really care. All they seem to want from us is a hug or to hold their hand. They love to play games and they want us to teach them new ones. Dancing!! They love dancing...and they are really good. When they dance they tell their stories. Every move is calculated and every step is done for a reason and as you watch their stories begin to unravel. Many of these children have no parents, and they celebrate life with such joy it is hard to imagine the cruelty of our world could bring such beauty in one child. I know I have mentioned it before, but their smiles are captivating. I struggle to describe it. Any words I use would be able to truly capture it. Their smiles must be witnessed first hand, but it will forever be etched in your mind.

Today was a good day.

Nirup

India Day 3

The street are chaos here! After a day here the noise becomes part of the soundtrack of the day. It is no longer an inconvenience and it becomes just another day in India. Everyone seems to move at their own pace, and from the outside it feels like utter chaos because you can't control anything. We drove to the Home this morning and we got their around 10am. We were excited because we were allowed to run the church service for the girls. As soon as the doors to the gate opened there is an overwhelming sense of peace. The girls were still inside, but as soon as one of them saw the van pull in news spread like wild fire and before we knew we we were all assaulted with laughter......extreme, genuine and innocent laughter only a child could bring.

The service was fun. We sang some songs they knew. As I sat on the small stage and pulled out the guitar many of the girls surrounded me as we began singing. They were amazed at the melody that lived through a shaped piece of wood and 6 strings. The service was fun. They sang loudly and listened intently to the Bible story. Their faith is innocent yet powerful. I sometimes long for a faith so innocent...the faith I had before the days that I was taught to dissect every line in order to grasp the full concept of what I was reading. Theirs is a faith that is not dependent on theological study but a faith that is grounded in the promise they believe with all their hearts to be true. When they pray..."dear Father" it means so much more. The fatherless pray to the father!

I met Laura today. She stood quietly in her red dress. She speaks neither Tamil nor English but yet she manages to be filled with laughter and joy. She lost her father recently. He was a pastor in north India in the city of Orissa. He was killed and separated into 15 pieces because he spoke of Jesus un-ashamedly. She still sings...and she still smiles. Latha is a new girl. She is about 4 years old and is tiny. I hand my hand open facing up on my leg and she put her tiny hand in mine. Her fingers wouldn't even reach the top of my palms. She doesn't talk much. But she has the grip of a world class arm wrestler. As we walked around the campus she would not let go of my neck...it was ok. I didn't mind.
The cameras are a big hit! All the girls love them. To my complete surprise they are really good at taking photos, and they love to do it. We hope to bring back many of the pictures to share with all of you that they themselves took.

We came back around 4pm or so and caught up with some sleep. The heat and the weariness is catching up to most of us, and some rest was in much need. A few of us stopped at a local tea store and got some tea....10 cents...not bad!

The next two weeks look to be very exciting. We are all so eager to continue to build relationships with each girl and discover their stories. It is important that we have hearts eager to hear the stories of young girls who seemingly have no voice. We will share their stories! We will show you their smiles...but unless you witness it first hand it is hard to truly comprehend how a child could truly be so happy. We came to here to give out all the love we had...little did we know how much love the girls have in their hearts to give to us. Theirs is a love that doesn't as for much...just a hand...a hug...and a smile!

Nirup

India Day 1

As we walked into the classroom the smiles from the girls became too contagious to hold in. There is a joy about them that is so innocent and real. Their attention towards their teacher and class work became a distant memory as they clamored around us and I was blown away with the amount of questions they had. Questions.....and more questions. I was amazed at their memory as they repeatedly asked me about the people who came last year. They knew them all by name. I couldn't escape as they all held on to my hand so tightly. They have all grown taller. They speak english so well. Again they ask me about who is coming. Usually I get annoyed when I am asked the same question multiple times, but this time i didn't mind. I countinued to speak to them in english. When they didn't know what I was saying they would laugh and cover their smiles. But their joy was too grande to be hidden by a tiny hand.

The Home looks slightly different. The buildings are well on their way to being complete and the property looks better. Even with all the changes the chartacter of the Home remains steady and the laughter makes it feel alive. From the time you see the blue gate sitting in the back of a car patiently as the driver honks his horn so the guard will let you in, there is a deep sense that God is alive here. Each girl has one drawer in which all her possessions are neatly packed. They don't seem to care. They laugh all the time. And again...more questions.

We got a lot done today. After having lunch at the Home we went to the store to buy paint. It wasn't Home Depot lets just say but it worked out. Jonathan stayed in the car when I went to buy the paint. I feared that the presence of a white man may cause a massive shift in my ability to negotiate a good price on the paint. The poor guy had to wait in a sauna disguised as a car. But we got him so water. 1 liter for 27 cents..not bad I might say, not bad! Have I mentioned we have a lot to paint!!!

We changed the money we had which is actually quite an experience. We were ushered into a secret room behind a cabinte to count the money. I felt like a spy or something..without the sweet tux of course.

Afternoon tea was delicious. Why can't I make tea that good back home? The one thing that takes a bit getting used to is the pace at which things work here. In america we live a fast food life. We are conditioned to get what we want when we want it. Things here are not like that. People take their time. Patience is not merely a virtue, but it is a necessity for survival. There are no fast food places to eat. You sit, you dine and you converse. Tea is more about the social inter-actment than it is about the drink itself. No one looks at their watch when you're having tea with the.

Just got home from delicious dinner! Tomorrow is a big day. Lots to accomplish before getting the team from the airport. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I hope to keep you updated as much as possible.

Nirup