Writings of a GriotPune, India

Chronicles of Brittany Clay

FAQ’sHow much was your ticket? $863.40 Thanks to God, I waited not so patiently and the ticket price dropped the night before my flight.

What is the time difference? Pune, India is ten hours ahead of New York. So, it was like I lost Friday going, but Friday lasted forever, and ever, and ever, when I came back.

What do you do about speaking the language? On my first trip, almost everyone I met spoke English. On this trip I met several people to help me who spoke both Hindi and English.

Do you think the children understood the flipper flappers? Yes, the light that came upon their faces when they saw the sinful heart cleaned, declared that the truth waas being received.

What’s the difference between a self willed lifestyle change and a Christ at work inside change? One deals with the wounds on the inside that motivate those outward actions. The other simply addresses the outer symptoms that avail one to the judgement of others. Yet, because no internal change takes place, it is all temporary.

What did the people look like? Their colors ranged in all different shades from far lighter than me, to several shades darker. But almost everyone was Indian, even though Pune is supposed to be very diverse. And apparently I am South African. :)

How do you do away with a sinful lifestyle or practice? You confess to God that you cannot let go of the sin. In your admittance of helplessness, you open the door for the forces of Heaven to assist in your deliverance.

Would you go again? :) I am going back to Pune as soon as God allows.

Griotthe member of the village who is responsible for its history. They are a story teller of sorts that includes song and dance to communicate that which should be remembered.

I realize that this being a written document actually takes away any sort of griot like component it is supposed to have. But, how many of you would come sit and here my tales of triumph, victory, and defeat? Now you can sit and read at your leisure. Prayerfully as I take you on this journey you will learn as I did. No need in you repeating the mistakes of the past...

It’s not bravery. Rather it’s his Holy Spirit

Living within me. Filling me plenty.

Directing my footsteps like the centurion under authority.

It’s not that I ain’t never scared. It’s just that if it’s not death,

what’s to be feared?

This love His delight

Will have me jumpin’ on any flight. To the furthest corner, the darkest plight.

I’ll be the spokesperson. Champion for what’s right.

Longsuffering for them. Like he was for me.

His eyes set towards Calvary. Satisfied only by delivering me the gift of love eternally.

Not pompous. Not weighed down by what happens traditionally. Laying down regality in exchange for humility.

Jesus beyond superstar. Suhail, my morning star. No it’s not bravery.

Rather it’s his Holy Spirit Livin’ within me. Fillin’ me plenty. No, not bravery.

Just the power of the Trinity.

Isn’t it Ironic? I tried really hard to get some sort of contacts in India for my February trip. Every door I tried was locked. For this trip I didn’t try at all, and I was given several contacts, including a church to go to for Easter.

Prayer pointHumility. I’m like a tear drop in the Atlan-

tic trying to fathom the contents of the Ocean.

Day 0; Pre Trip

Since, I went to India back in February I was beginning to develop a reputation of an admirable savvy world traveler. The truth is when I went in February it was full of faith and fear. There was faith that God was leading and guiding me. And there was great fear that the moment I let go of God, communication with him and his promises, I would be swallowed up into some huge abyss. Unfortunately with experience we recede fear, but we don’t always receive wisdom in exchange.

Lesson: Things happen in God’s timing truly for God’s reasons which are surely superior to ours. It was not until the week of my trip that I decided to travel on Thursday instead of Saturday. My greatest fear was that it would be literally impossible to leave on Thursday.

“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not

with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Prayer pointSubmission. Sometimes our obedience is the

hinge upon which someone else’s destiny swings.

Day 1

I was running late to the airport even though I had been running hard all day long! I was making phone calls to parents as I was traveling to the airport, and I was still trying to complete other last minute errands before I left American soil. When I finally sat down in my window seat, I must admit that I wasn’t thrilled to be sitting next to a middle aged man from Pakistan. In hindsight I don’t know who I was expecting to sit next to. I probably wanted to sit by myself. Selfish isn’t it? It turns out that we had about a two hour long conversation covering everything from social injustices in the African American community, to the moral decline of America, to arranged marriages, to the differences in raising girls verses boys. It was a thoroughly stimulating conversation and I really had the opportunity to debunk some common myths about Christianity.

Myth 1: Everyone who says that they are Christian is a Christian. Truth is: A Christian is a person who gives up their own way at life and follows the teachings of Christ. These people become Christians by confessing that Je-sus is the son of God, who died for their sins, and then rose again.

Myth 2: Modern day American Christianity is what Jesus taught. Truth is: What we see in many American churches, today, does not reflect what Jesus taught. Hypocrisy, preferential treatment, condemnation, idol worship, and greed, just to name a few, are in direct conflict with what is found in the Bible.

Myth 3: America is a Christian nation based on Christian values. Truth is: America was founded as a tolerant nation so that the many different divisions in Christianity could be practiced without fear of persecution. However, religion and relationship with God, are not equivalent. Christianity for many is nothing but a religion, a set of rules and regulations making it no different from the religions of the world. A relationship with God, through Christ,is life trans-forming and becomes evident in every aspect of life.

Isn’t it Ironic? I had gone to several ATMs in an effort to get cash for my trip. I wanted to get an amount that I felt was sufficient for my entire trip. I was literally unable to withdraw the amount I desired from any of the ATMs and I simply didn’t have time to go to the bank. It turns out that JFK not only has Wachovia ATMs, but the amount that I finally got out was exactly what I needed for my entire trip.

However, the best part was getting to share with him one of the few rap songs I have on my Ipod. We discussed music to an extent and he admitted that he wasn’t quite sure what the deal with rap music was. Funny thing is I am not the great-est fan of rap, nor am I an expert on the genre. I ended up playing this song by Outworld called “ Who Is He” which outlines who God really is. Of course with God being God, he dug the song...

Lesson: I didn’t want to sit next to this man, yet as the head of his Muslim family, and filled with the desire to move back to Pakistan, I could spare a few moments to talk about true relationship with God.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heav-ens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9

Prayer pointFollowing takes some work. It requires hu-

mility. And knowing when it is time to stop can be tricky, if you take your eyes off your true

leader.

Day 2

Let me clarify something. When I say that I traveled to India alone, it is that I did not travel with a physical person. The person of the Holy Spirit was ever present with me during my entire trip, even when I decided to not heed his commands. The Holy Spirit not only went with me, but he went before me as well, and used other people to guide me and give me valuable information. With that being said, Day 2 really began on Day 1.

On my first flight, from New York to Abu Dhabi in the UAE (I only know about this place because I fly there lol), I noticed this tall bald man on my flight, but thought nothing of it. On my second flight from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, India I no-ticed him again. This time I thought something seemed extraordinarily familiar about him. Again, this very same man was at baggage claim and I even made mention of it in my journal. I was really pondering how I knew him. Maybe he was Ethiopian and I met him when I was there. Perhaps I had met him or seen him before, on my last trip to India. As I was traveling through customs, I received permission to skip the x-ray screening of my baggage. This put me at the exit along side this very same peculiar man. Yet, being a girl I made a stop in the restroom and thought nothing more of this guy.

Mumbai is several hours away from Pune, so I had to take a car. It was around 4am in the morning when I arrived so I was a little nervous about finding the same car service that I had used before. The airport was under construction so things had moved in just the month and a half time I had been gone. I began praying about finding the car service because I didn’t want to travel with just anyone. People are sometimes kidnapped and robbed, and I was definitely trying to be careful. As I wondered around the airport exit, I noticed some cars that raised above the rest. They appeared to belong to the same company I had used

Isn’t it Ironic? When I came up to the cars in the parking lot, this man’s car should have already left for Pune. It was packed, it was full, but... for “some reason” they waited just a moment longer and I came along...

previously. Sure enough as I drew closer I could see the same logo on the back windshields. Just then the VERY SAME tall bald man appeared and said, “Here we go! Our last person for the car to Pune!” I was like what? How could he pos-sibly know that I was going to Pune too? Remember that Pune is hours away. But he was right, and we ended up riding in the same car talking the entire trip there.

Turned out that I didn’t know this man from previous travels, it was just that I was called to meet him on this trip. He proved to be a great source of knowledge about Pune; where to stay, how to get a sim card for my cell phone, how to catch a rickshaw, where the best places were to change money and eat, and he hap-pened to be from Sudan where I want to do long term missions work. I couldn’t believe that for the second time God had sent someone specifically to guide me on my journey in Pune. Still there seemed to be something even greater about this man. Whenever I meet someone from Sudan, I know it is for a special pur-pose aligned with my future, I just wasn’t sure what this man’s role would be, and why it was so important for me to meet him on this particular trip.

Lesson: The Lord is intent on guiding us. He will lead us in the way that we should go.

“God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.” Psalm 18:32-33

Prayer pointHelp me to stop trying to do it the way I think

is best. I just want to do it your way God.

Day 3

I was really excited to be spending Easter in India, but I had no idea what to expect at church. Turns out that the church was very similar to my church here in New York. The song selection made me feel at home, and the message pushed a hidden button. How much of what I do is because of my relationship with God? How much of what I do is religion? Just powerless form and fashion? I of course brushed that thought to the side. How could religion alone take me so far away from home? Certainly I was as far away from a Pharisee as one could possibly get... “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination unto the Lord, be assured, he will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5

After church I was invited to lunch. I decided to show the couple’s daughter one of my flipper flappers. A friend had “randomly” brought up the little ministry device after my first trip to India. When she brought it to my remembrance, I knew that it was the perfect tool for sharing God’s love, even if I didn’t know the language. This extremely bright seven year old was able to flip, flap, and share the message with almost no instruction. I told her she could have it, because who knows when a seven year old will feel emboldened to share their faith? Passionate about not seeing her friends go to Hell, this little girl decided to take the flip-per flapper out when she went to go play. Would you believe that she came back asking for a few more flipper flappers for her Hindu friends? Then for the next hour or so, small troops of Indian boys and girls ranging from ages3-12 began to traipse through the house. They all were escorted by this beaming 7-year old. They all were coming thirsty. Craving to hear the story of the flipper flapper. De-siring to have one of their own. So again and again I shared the Gospel through the flipper flapper.

What does this remind you of? A circle? Oh ok. Gold? The Sun? Hm. Yes well this gold circle makes me think of God. See how it has no end? Just like God. He has been here forever and ever. The gold color reminds me of God too. Gold is pure, just like God. God is perfect. Do you know that God loves you very much? God wants you to be with him forever! But, there is one thing that is in the way.

What is this? A black heart? Right. This represents the bad things we have done. Have you ever done something bad? I sure have. But, God never has. He is perfect, he never does the wrong thing. Our black heart is what keeps us away from God. But God loved us so much, he decided to do something about it.

He sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for us. Anyone that believes that Jesus died on the cross for the bad things they’ve done gets something very special.

What is this? A white heart! Yes, Jesus’s blood on the cross cleans the heart of anyone who believes in him. And guess what?

The person with the white heart can live with God forever.

And all the green is to remind you that you need to grow after you believe in Jesus. You grow by praying to God, reading your Bible, going to church, sharing Jesus with others, and obeying what God says to do.

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Isn’t it Ironic? The pastors of the church said that Indian people have trouble finding the church. So they were amazed that I was able to get there as a foreigner.

I had thought that through the church I would receive so many ministry op-portunities, but it turned out that God had other plans. The opportunity was for this child to continue sharing her faith with her Hindu neighbors in a new way. Maybe this experience wasn’t the great pictures and riveting testimony our flesh sometimes seeks, but it was a few hours of seed planting into the next generation of believers. And that is opportunity enough. Lesson: God already has his people in place. Question is, are we willing to come join in according to God’s plan? Or do we prefer our own way?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own un-derstanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Prayer pointThat I never again fall prey to the trap of

thinking I don’t need God’s mercy and God’s grace.

Day 4

I thought myself a beauty to behold Full of the spirit, ravishingly bold

Big sins of action, a figment of my past Of all who’d rise up only to tumble down, I’d be last

I know the word, the rules of men And I know not to chase after every whim

If there was any an assignment He could give Of course be it to me, for it is in Him I live

Pride comes before the fall No doubt it would be in the midst of a transatlantic call

Pride comes before the fall And know it’ll be in the midst of a call

Verses of Impact Verses from Impact Meant to form an Impact A warning An Admonishment Before the fact, not after Be careful That your qualifications Don’t take you Where your character Cannot keep you. Character It’s a funny word So eloquently used by perpetrators Masking what’s really there Yes The right foundation The hue for hiding imperfections Shade Character Perpetration Like all make up Eventually flakes off

My foundation Should have been Christ Not SPF this Shade Copper Sun Run Ran down my neck Pooled on my collar Pock marks a plenty Craters and scars still pus filled revealing all those wounds that are still not healed Not that I couldn’t be kept I chose not to be I was perpetrating character But it caught up with me Perpetrating character Oh how it caught up with me.

After the initial shock of my erratic seeming behavior wore off, I found myself at a loss for action. I was sorry. It was dumb. The sin had been such a part of me for so long, but now it fit so poorly, like a father’s suit on his half grown son. I wasn’t who I’d used to be... but then why had I acted as if there had been no change? Around and around these thoughts swirled meshing with sleep, awaken-ing more shame until finally I heard the words, “Let it go.” And for hours that proved a greater struggle than anything else. How could I? Surely there was some penitence to be paid, some Scarlet letter to adorn. Yes, I had earnestly confessed my wrongdoing, meant every word, and then repeated out of disbelief in myself... But to let that be it... to leave it... to acknowledge it as dealt with, finished, the very reason I was in need of a Savior not only in the first place, but the second place, the third place, and even until my final breath escapes me and takes me to an eternal resting place.... Surely, that couldn’t be the end of it. Who does that? Who watches you do what you ought not, what you know better than to do and not, and then forgives you like it was not? Mercy and grace had become foreign subjects for me... and my still hungering need for them, latched on to my pride like a leech to moist skin. *************************************************************

I wish I didn’t need God. I wish I was sufficient in myself I wish I could take up his commands and travel vast lands Wielding the sword of the Lord Bringing forth tidings of grace and love Repentance and redemption from up above I would not need Him to do one lick I’d be one cool evangelistic chick No sin would worry me

No tales of the past rolling in like the sea No. No bad thoughts, no perverse dreams No sin you see. No need for God within me I mean Emmanuel could still come and chill I know he would desire to do me well I just wish that I didn’t need God I wish I was sufficient in myself No God size void in my heart

Isn’t it Ironic? The 24 hours following the celebration of the Lord’s death and resurrection is when it became most apparent to me that indeed Christ’s was a bloody painful death, for me.

In the Lord’s crucifixion I would’ve played no part I’d still wish to take up his commands Travel vast lands I’d speak of God’s graces to the many races But with no more knowledge than a squirrel in college Cuz I’d have no need of mercy or grace for my case. See I wouldn’t need him, but reason others did... Hm. And now it seems like this side wish-ing independence

Is really only further expressing my dependence How could I promote a God that I my-self don’t need? For whom then could I lead? Oh how I wish daily I didn’t require this God more More than the day before Oh how I wish this love could grow without me being So low So weak How I want you But I wish I didn’t need you.

Lesson: Never think that you are exempt from sin. It is by no merit of our own that the life of the true believer begins to mirror more of Christ’s and less of us.

“Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the

power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 7:24-8:2

Prayer pointHelp me to be who you say, not what others or

my past have said about me.

Day 5

There was a temptation to just lay in bed. I had fallen, so how could I minister? Right.

God had me out the door before 9 walking the streets of the city. I handed out the Gospel message in little booklets, and you would have thought I was handing out hundred dollar bills. American hundreds. Sure the people were excited to see something in their language, but more than that, the people were hungry for the truth. They were thirsty and I was offering water. “Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” John 4:13-15 It’s fascinating that in a land full of idols, just set up on the street, the truth seemed so appealing. But in a land where we claim to know the truth, where there are churches on corner after corner, people seem to be starving for the truth, yet hungering after lies.

As I wound myself deeper and deeper in between busy streets, brightly colored banners, and booming street music. I gave stickers to toddlers, the Gospel via pictures to youth, and the Word in Hindi to adults. Not once, did I think this could be illegal. Children sought out their friends to come, and see, and hear the truth as well. And then I started to run out of materials, which I would have thought impossible. So I doubled back to the hotel to stock up, and then headed out again. I walked for hours. I would see some kids playing, and then I would share the flipper flapper. Who walks into someone’s private driveway and just shares the Gospel? Me apparently. It sounded like someone else. Brittany doesn’t just go and evangelize. That’s just too awkward. But who is to say who I am? My identity is in him now. Not myself.

Isn’t it Ironic? When I arrived back, a friend shared that evangelism in India, by a foreigner was illegal. He considered me to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off. But truly every step was ordered. Every child, every adult who received the message that: Jesus is real, Jesus loves you, Jesus died for you, and that Jesus desires a rela-tionship with you personally, was specifically selected for that message. I couldn’t have done it in my own efforts. My efforts would have had me bound in shame in my hotel room. It was nothing but the grace and mercy of the Lord that had me on the streets.

Lesson: A testimony is a story about the Lord, not about yourself. No sin can cover up his glory. They tried that already at the crucifixion.

“By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land un-til three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”And with those words he breathed his last. When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent. And when all the crowd that came to see the cru-cifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow.” Luke 23: 44-48

Isn’t it Ironic? I had all of these plans for my last full day in Pune. Sometimes I think that staying busy will keep me safe from temptation. But all the praying during the waiting gave me the strength I needed to resist the temptation.

Prayer pointHelp me to value your perspective God, way

above and beyond my own.

Day 6

This was the day I anticipated so much happening. Originally, I had planned to go to my beach destination and chill out, but my work wasn’t finished in Pune. My plans said that I would be picking up some last minute items, meeting with a newly acquired professor friend for a tour of Pune University, and then minis-tering to some children at a home.

When morning came, the day hung heavy, so I was on high guard, alert with anticipation. My stomach was tired of all things Indian, and wanted nothing to do with the grits like concoction I had ordered for breakfast. Mind you I love grits.Nausea kept me from eating almost anything. There was no tour. No working with the children. Just waiting. Literally, hours of waiting. I found myself praying in the spirit a lot. I had plans that weren’t unfolding my way, and I was angry.

To add injury to the already maddening waiting, temptation reared its ugly head again. I had to make a decision. Sin again? Refuse? Anyone who has ever been tempted to sin, has heard the voice of the enemy. “You might as well give in. No one has to know. You already did it before. You might as well do it again. There are worse sins. It’ll be good. You can’t do any better. This is who you are” But, that’s just it when God comes in, he changes us. And the Bible promises that He is faithful to continue that work of change. Through God given strength I was able to say no, yet it seemed I was still waiting for the day to unfold. But the day ended before any sort of expectation was met and I was disappointed.

Lesson: I will never have to act based on the person I have been in the past.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Je-sus returns.”. Philippians 1:6

Prayer pointHelp me to never consider the opinions of

people above God’s opinions.

Day 7

When the sun rose, I was already gone. Rays flickered across my face and re-minded me that I wasn’t alone with my thoughts. I was actually accompanied by a very talkative driver. You know the type who talk all the more, the more you get lost in your thoughts? The honest to goodness, yet disappointing truth, was that I knew this was another opportunity from God. But, I didn’t feel like it. I wanted to pity myself. For what? I’m not sure. Pity doesn’t erase past sins, and neither does rehashing them for the thousand and first time. For about two hours, as we drove toward Mumbai, I desperately tried to cling to the tumultuous storm inside my head; but the driver of my car would not let me. Talk. Talk. Talk. Ques-tion. Conversation starter. Mind you his English was thickly accented and so, full participation of all brain cells was required to decipher meaning and muster half hearted responses. Finally I relinquished all attempts at staying to myself. And it turned out to not be 1/2 bad. We had lots of conversation, from Christ to rela-tionships and back again. Although I couldn’t quite seem to shake the thoughts looming in my head.

Eventually the day came to an end, and I was left at the airport with reality to face. Yes, I had been forgiven of my sins, but forgiveness does not erase all consequences. And the judgement of others that was to come, how could they ever forgive me? How could I forgive myself? Why couldn’t I have just traveled to India and behaved? How many days had I behaved in the states? How many weeks? How many months? Years? But was it all about relying on myself? Had it all been about accruing time under my belt instead of living to please God? If it was about bragging rights then it had all been about religion, not relationship. Yet it’s relationship with God that I hungered for, not religious prestige. Each hour we flew brought me closer to facing the music of consequences. Of course there was always the option of burying it, hoping somehow the Bible was lying about what is done in the dark will be brought to the light. Or I could myself expose it. I could say hey look here! Look at my mistakes. Look at my pride, my

Isn’t it Ironic? Although there were many things that occurred during my trip, it seems that the most important thing was for me to fall from my pride and allow God to pick me up.

fall, my repentance, my recuperation. Look and learn. Look not to judge. Look to comfort. Look to restore. Look to learn. Look Look Look.

Lesson: It’s through relationship with God that I am made whole. It is not reli-gion, for that is the stuff that makes you empty.

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:4-10