Our hearts are full

Team India with two of the artists of the residency.

Rachel teaching a group of little ones in portrait painting.

Jackie & Jen leading an Art for Empowerment workshop for a group of teachers and counselors.

Bursting away obstructions is always fun!

Art Exhibit opening on Gender Reconciliation—Rachel lighting a "diya" representing the artists of the residency.

(L-R): Jen, Rachel, Moumita, Jackie in front of Rachel's painting, "Queen Priyana" at the opening.

I'm sure that I (Young Mi) speak for the rest of Team Delhi when I say that words cannot accurately capture the fullness of our hearts as we all return home to our families to enjoy Thanksgiving (Jen continuing on to Thailand and eventually to Cambodia). We were received with so much love and favor in India, and protection from any serious illnesses and obstructions. There were numerous ways that we could have let ourselves be overcome by negativity but we were victorious at fighting them and are now full of gratitude for having received so much prayer fuel that lifted us throughout our days.

This was my fourth time in India and first time leading a small team, so my experience was yet again different from the previous years. I'm thankful that my team was composed of experienced travelers who are open and unafraid to engage so that they were able to experience India in their own way during free times. Our days were full when we engaged in planned activities and loose or full on our off-days, according to each person. But each of us were able to connect deeply with others in our own unique ways and through that, able to see God's love and grace for each of us. We are known and loved by our Mighty Creator God. Simply in awe over this truth.

We actually got to do most (if not all) of what we hoped to do, as well as some more as time allowed. Most of us keep our own blogs so one can go to the links on this page for their individual accounts and insights, as well as their photos--so many beautiful images... (but out of respect for the individuals being helped by the organizations I've chosen not to post images of them).

We had a great deal of help from our Made To Create team members (some of who are also part of Art For Change/Reflection Art) which made our days so much easier, as well as our friends from Mosaic who have been there for 16 years. Eventhough we did experience some challenges of not speaking Hindi, because of their help in so many ways, we were able to focus on our planned activities and any last minute tweaking that had to be done. Everyone just rolled with the punches--what troopers!  It is evident from our photos how much fun we were having using our gifts to serve others and share life at their pace. Even as an introvert, I felt so energized that it wasn't until the very end that I actually felt tired!

Some craziness of all of us getting there: a drive up to SF to pick up visas & passports in person, but minus one who ends up having to postpone departure date at a heavy cost, and still again almost missing the second date if not for sheer defiance and persistence to win, a failed airport pickup attempt due to confusion of date, and a no-show taxi on the correct date, leading to a frantic motorcycle ride to the airport 2 hours later to pick up a confused & sad 5th member to arrive in Delhi.

Our first week was slowly getting familiar, settling in to Dwarka, a suburb of Delhi, and our first Made To Create class in South Delhi--Rachel and I participating in a class on turning a portrait painting into a bust/sculpture--for two age groups. We also connected with others that we would be working with during our 4 weeks to finalize any details, and connect with the girls who live at Diversion House.

Second week mostly consisted of Jackie & Jen working with the girls to do a wide variety of art projects designed to focus on their stories, dreams, abilities and to encourage and empower them, which Rachel and I also participated whenever possible, while Jake met with Art For Change director and other coordinators to plan out the details of various film projects. Jackie also began her EFT training with counselors at an NGO that helps girls out of prostitution. (photos not included to protect anonymity)

Third and fourth weeks, while we were all hosted in South Delhi, we continued the EFT trainings (Jackie), art for empowerment training (Jackie & Jen) for a mixed group of educators & counselors, talent coaching to high schoolers, inner-healing training for various groups (internationals as well Indian pastors), full day of art classes and more training for slum kids and homeless men at an ashram on the edge of Delhi, and more filming and a trip down to Vijayawada (South India) for Jake. Everything culminated in a full weekend of the final art exhibit of works produced during the Artist Residency which Rachel participated in, a public event raising awareness on gender inequality and the need for reconciliation and public forum.

In between all of these activities, we took in a day trip to Agra to encounter the Taj and Agra Fort--two breath-taking sites--5-hr car ride each way; have lots of meals connecting with beautiful new and old friends; play ultimate frisbee; worship at local churches; have deep healing prayer sessions, get to know the metro system really well and how to haggle with vendors and auto rickshaw drivers (auto wallas). Oh, and enjoy LOTS of authentic Indian food!

We were so blessed by the heartfelt gratitude for what we had to share and so many really inspired to use what they learned right away. I personally was blessed by the genuine gratitude for all that we shared being beyond their expectation as expressed by my contacts who live and work in India. I felt like a proud parent, for sure. ; )

I know that God has transformed us and built us up through this experience. As we continue to process and seek His will, we would love to share more with anyone interested. Photos can be seen on the facebook pages of our team mates as well as their blogs/websites below right, and short films that Jake worked on will be made available soon.

We are all so grateful for our family and friends and our Mosaic family (including our leaders) for all of their love and support and prayers!!! We hope to return the love and support and prayers!

Team India action figures

a taste of Delhi

this is exactly what it's like to ride in an auto rickshaw, a tiny 3-wheeled motorized, covered scooter.

Dehli meats...

Here is an overview of all the activities we'll be engaged in. It is ALOT. We would love your prayers as the Spirit leads you.

--Rachel will participate in a 2.5-week Artist Residency (at Reflection Art Studio) composed of American and Indian visual artists around the topic of Reconciliation Between Men and Women. The residency encourages dialogue and collaboration between artists of various backgrounds surrounding pertinent issues facing contemporary culture.

--Art for Empowerment Workshops (4-days): We will engage 12-15 girls at a safehouse in a series of workshops around a different topic each day, integrating discussion of significant moments in their lives, art projects, EFT (emotional freedom technique that Jackie practices) to help the girls see their unique value and talents and feel empowered. Our goal is that they would learn these tools and be able to use it in helping others. (Jackie & Jen, Young Mi)

--EFT Training for Counselors: train workers who counsel girls and women at a home for rescued victims of sex trafficking.

--Art for Empowerment Training (half day): train leaders on how to use art activities to develop confidence and self-esteem. (Jackie, Jen, YM)

--Talent Spelunking* for High School Students (international students and Indian students): by engaging in discussions around individuals' significant moments in their lives, we hope to help build deeper connection and sense of community as well as to help discover their natural talents. (all team)

*(developed by Rick Yamamoto)

--Art workshops for kids of slum village and creativity training for their teachers (1 day, Sewa Ashram): this is part of a regular volunteer activity that Made To Create team does (part of Art For Change Foundation) that we will join. We may also provide creativity training for the teachers who teach the kids on how to integrate various forms of art into their curriculum. (all team)

--Made To Create art workshops: YM has been a part of this team since 2010 and will continue to participate in curriculum development and teaching while there. Various members of the Mosaic team will also teach some workshops that local Indians pay to attend, which help pay honoraria for local Indian artists who teach as well as the administrator. YM will also engage in team-building activities for this local MTC team.

--Restore Prayer Training: YM will lead a training (1-2 days) on how to facilitate a deep healing prayer session and will also team up with local people to hold Restore prayer sessions for those who request it.

--Public Apology: we will participate with art activities at this 2nd public apology organized by local Indian believers where men stand in a public park (designated for protests and public assembly) making public declarations apologizing to women of India for the history of violence against women.

--Various video documentation will be done by Jake. He will finish some while there and provide raw footage for others. He will also travel to south India (Vikasitha) to create another short documentary for the work being done by a local pastor who is connected to Mosaic.

What is a Delhi Sandwich?

Think...
4 parts female
1 part male
Pre-heat with creativity
Bake in service and healing

Eat with caution...
One bite will change the way you see the world.
Two bites will change the way you live within it.