Theliyana, Bajadiha is in the heart of Varanasi. It is a small village area, one of the first that Just One served, and is comprised of unorganized migrant workers originally from West Bengal. They have lived here about 10 years, so I was interested to find out if they considered themselves from Bengal or Varanasi. I asked several of the children and they responded with a resounding ‘West Bengal’. Many of these families still return to West Bengal to see their mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers.
The weather is starting to get warmer now. The winters here are short, but very harsh on the people with no central heating and a low tolerance for the cold. This is why we have additional feedings over winter. The warm food is vital for the health and well being of the children. Although today, February 9th, we feed only 190 children, it is a good turnout for the village. The meal is the same menu as all of our Just One feedings: spicy vegetable curry, hot puris and a banana for desert.
The weather is starting to get warmer now. The winters here are short, but very harsh on the people with no central heating and a low tolerance for the cold. This is why we have additional feedings over winter. The warm food is vital for the health and well being of the children. Although today, February 9th, we feed only 190 children, it is a good turnout for the village. The meal is the same menu as all of our Just One feedings: spicy vegetable curry, hot puris and a banana for desert.
The children are excited and curious. They receive me with warmth and loving acceptance. In fact, all the villagers are eager to speak with me and see how they can serve me. Even though Just One is there to serve the village, the villagers still treat us as their guests. And in India, especially in the rural areas, this means we are treated as God in the physical form.
What I love about these feedings is that they have the ability to break down religious differences, cultural differences and even caste differences. It is an event when they see that everyone is and can be equal. The Brahmin eat with the lower castes, the Hindus serve the Muslims. All in the village are treated as one, with one heart, and all are seen as Gods to be served and worshipped for these few hours together. This is the power of love. It is a joy to watch divine grace in action.
What I love about these feedings is that they have the ability to break down religious differences, cultural differences and even caste differences. It is an event when they see that everyone is and can be equal. The Brahmin eat with the lower castes, the Hindus serve the Muslims. All in the village are treated as one, with one heart, and all are seen as Gods to be served and worshipped for these few hours together. This is the power of love. It is a joy to watch divine grace in action.
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