by Craig Mayes on January 30th, 2010

Since December of 2000 have made 12 trips to India. It has become a significant part of my life and something I am very passionate about. Through the example of my Indian friend B Jaya Sankar I have experienced the truth of James 1- the religion that God finds faultless is to visit the orphans and widows in distress. My experiences in India have shaped a great deal the way I understand what it means to follow Jesus, and what it means to be his "church", his body. What is happening in New York with Communitas to a large degree reflects what India has taught me about following Jesus.

With the demands of starting a new church, I had to take some time off from my work in India. It has been difficult to stay away for these two years. And now, in just 12 days I will have a wonderful reunion with my friends in India. Every trip has challenged me, brought pain, shaped my understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, and brought me closer to him. I always take back with me far more than I give.

While I have encountered thousands of people in my time in India, there are a few people and a few faces that stand out. There is a woman that I see every trip. She is hard to miss because she cannot stand up straight. In fact, she is bent 90 degrees at the waist...all the time. When I see her walking down the dirt roads of Dowlaiswarum, she is staring down at the road. She cannot look up. In fact, I cannot tell you much about her face because it is always looking down. From what I can tell, she lives 24/7 in this position.  We have prayed with her many times, asking God to heal her back. Through Jaya's work, we have supported her, helped with food and clothing and shelter- but her condition has not improved. I cannot imagine what it would be like to live that way.

Yesterday I was in Grand Central Station late at night waiting for the 6 train. It is usually a long wait. As I waited, I noticed a woman shuffling around the platform carrying some plastic bags. She was bent over 90 degrees as if she was looking for something she had lost on the ground. I looked to see what it might be that she had dropped- and after some time, I realized that, like the woman in India, she could not straighten up. Every now and then she would set down her bags to relieve her arms, then she would pick them up and continue to move slowly. I could not see her face and could not guess her age. She was by herself. As she moved away, I followed her. I prayed for her and asked God if there was something I should do for her. I continued to follow and  pray and  watch. I did not know what to do. But as I observed her making her away through the crowded platform, I realized that, to the world, she was largely invisible. Hardly anyone paid her any attention. They seemed to not notice. And the ones that did notice were those who were annoyed when she bumped into them or got in their path, because looking down she was unable to see what was ahead. The looks were of disgust. She was invisible, or a nuisance. But what was she to God? 

As I continued to follow her, tears filled my eyes. Still, I did not know what to do. I could hear the sound of the train finally approaching.  I pulled $5 out of my pocket and came over to her. I would have to had gotten down on my back to see her face, so I just put the $5 under her face so she could see it, and asked if I could help her. "No... thanks...I am ok." I have never had someone in her condition turn down money! I looked at the bags she was carrying, and observed her clothing, and it all conformed with someone who is homeless. I asked her if she needed any kind of help. "No...I am fine." I asked if she was planning to board the train and if I could help her. "No...thanks...I am fine." The train doors opened and not knowing what else I could do, I boarded. As the train pulled away from the station, I watched her continue to shuffle along on the platform, and I continued to pray for her. How could she not need help? Why would she not accept a gift of money? It made no sense to me.

I have thought of her a great deal the last day. I even wondered if it was a test. Would she be invisible to me, like she was to everyone else? Afterall, the book of Hebrews tells us: Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

I never saw the woman's face. I don't know if she was an angel. I don't know why she did not want my help. This night, I noticed. But I know that when I am in a hurry or have lots to do, many people remain visible to me. Had I been running to catch the train, I would have run by her, and if she got in my way, I would have been one of the annoyed. I hate that its true, but it is. I long to live with my eyes always open to see what God sees. 

I am ready for another dose of India.