We stepped out of the SUV into a world like nothing I had seen before. A naked little boy walked past us, staring, as I tried not to stare. The makeshift houses were built close together, so we carefully made our way down the narrow alleyway. We passed the neighborhood water supply, a public spigot shared by all. I glanced through doorways to see cramped, dark homes while I was also trying hard not to step in raw sewage. I could feel the sweat running down my back from the humidity. I don’t have words to describe the smell:  I’ve grown to recognize it as the smell of poverty.
The excited chatter of the children led us to the meeting place. We climbed a metal ladder (that was mounted straight up and down like monkey bars) to the second story for the Joy Club. For two hours we sang songs, told stories, gave lots of attention to kids, and then we fed them.  I love kids—they are funny, playful, never boring. But the growing heat of so many active little bodies in a small area motivated me to seek a cooler spot. I climbed back down that treacherous ladder to get some “fresh” air.
I stood in the alley, waiting for the team to finish saying goodbye. It was only about 4 to 5 feet wide, so I stood not far from the doorway to a home. Three young Moms had gathered there, curious about what was going on. They took turns walking out the doorway, glancing around curiously, and then chattering in Hindi. One of the Moms eventually made eye contact with me. I smiled. She smiled back, shyly.
In that one smile something changed in me, forever.
I had been standing there, taking it all in. I felt overwhelmed by the poverty, the smell, the sadness of so many people in need. I wanted to fix that moment in my mind so that I could go back home and tell my friends about what I saw. How could I describe the reality of what I was experiencing? Can words really convey that people live this way? Â I was thinking about how different my surroundings were than my comfortable American suburban lifestyle.
My next thought shocked me. What if I flipped this around and tried to describe to that smiling Mom what my life is like? Would I be embarrassed to describe my home that is 10 times bigger than hers? Would she be able to stretch her paradigm to imagine a life without hunger, a life with 24-7 access to good health care and not only one but many educational options for my children? I decided it would be much harder to tell her about my life than to tell my friends about hers.
But her smile changed me. In that smile I felt a human connection. In that smile I saw beyond her physical need to her spiritual hunger.  In that smile I realized that in spite of our differences in life situations, we are more alike than we are different. I was just as curious about her as she was about me. She enjoyed hanging out and chatting with her friends, as I also do. Like me, she was concerned for her kids’ safety and scolded them when they misbehaved. She and I both needed the hope and peace of a loving God. Her smile changed my perspective. She was no longer a statistic, one of “those poor people” in the slums of India—she was one living, breathing human being. Though we never spoke, her suffering was not theoretical. I was close enough to smell it.
My heart was breaking for her and for so many suffering people around her. I felt human compassion, yes, but I believe I also had a glimpse into the heart of God. I believe that the God who created the universe cares deeply for poor people. He hates their suffering. He hears their cry when they call out to Him. His heart also breaks for them in their suffering. I believe that God can smell poverty, and He says that it stinks.
As I stood there, in the middle of her reality, I was confronted with how I would respond to the need. Would I simply feel sad and cry over what I had seen and wish it were different? Would I be too overwhelmed by the thousands of needy people around me to feel like I could make a difference? Would I walk away and decide that it wasn’t my problem? Maybe I could have if she hadn’t smiled. Then again, maybe not.
But her smile did change everything. If we were more alike than different, how could I go back to my comfortable life and forget about her? Her smile connected me, and I knew that I must do something. I must use my time, my resources, my skills, and my influence to help bring hope to hurting people. I’m so glad that her smile changed everything.
Since that time my family has been very involved in an organization that helps the local church to feed the hungry, provide clean drinking water, educate children in slums, rescue orphans and aid victims of human trafficking. The joy of seeing lives changed outweighs the pain that I felt that day that I smelled the poverty. You can learn more about this organization by checking out the website: http://www.sowerofseeds.org/
“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31
God is smiling over your heart…He loves the purity…..James 1:27
How can you read this and not feel humbled and blessed? The part that you shared about “flipping” around trying to explain to her what you live like was griipping. Being so different in two different worlds, but yet so alike having a mother’s heart, your smile truly was the connector. Thank you for using your life to touch others and make a difference, Pam.
Wow! Your sharing has really touched my heart and given me the nudge to look beyond myself to the needs of those around me.
I so appreciate your heart for others Pam. You are such a blessing to so many of us…God is using you in so many ways. It will be exciting to see where He takes you next.
Beautiful interpretation of the Father’s heart! It’s so easy to get list in the day to day events, and so often I wonder what other women around the world are challenged with! Thank you for being transparent and sharing…I am greatful
I am reminded that we are all “jars of clay”.
Able to hold whatever the Lord has for us but made of the same stuff deep inside. Ministry to the poor is a blessing and you shine the light of Jesus when you go Pam.
Thanks.
I love it that your purposed in your heart to describe the smell of poverty in India to your friends back in the US. You have done it well …your words linger within me and stir me up. I might never walk the streets of India with you but I know that I will continue to learn more about that beautiful country through your powerful and honest descriptions. Love you!!!
I love seeing what God is doing in you and through your vision. This is so inspiring and truly is a call to action. Ben has been speaking at MOR in a series called HELLO SOMEBODY, about getting the youth of this generation to rise up and think beyond their streets and walls. This is not only for the youth but for all of us. Thank you for sharing your passion and inspiring me (those who know me know how strange this is) to go to India myself.
Love you,
Cassie
Dear Pam, your smile is a good start to any God encounter. It amazes me how God used this woman’s smile to impact your life message. Thank you for living and sharing a transformed life.
“As I stood there, in the middle of her reality, I was confronted with how I would respond to the need.”
Love, Mary Jo
What a picture you painted for me.Thanks for going.. and bringing back the Heart of God. Your words have caused me once again to stop and count my Blessings!
I always love to hear-and now read-about your trips! You always come back more full than when you left-jet lag aside. I hope that you cling to her smile always in your heart-I’m sure she feels the same about yours. love~m
Never thought about how hard it would be to describe how I live to the ones I ministered to in Mexico and Brazil. Nor how uncomfortable I’d suddenly feel about how blessed I am. This was a great post Pam! Thank you. Maybe I’ll get to go with you one day.
A smile changed everything.
I am trying to absorb this one line because it makes me painfully aware that a smile has no language barriers or needs interpretation. It is a greeting, a hug from a distance, and, at times, an invitation to come closer. But it can also be the very thing that makes a lasting impression on one’s heart, like it did yours.
With so much you could have shared from your trip to India, I am moved by the fact that a woman’s smile was at the top of your list.
Great post!! Having been to India on missions trips myself, I cry when I have to come home, I love India and it’s people, particularly the women and children. They respond to Fathers love and are the most humble sweet people. We saw many healings, blind eyes opened,lame walked, deaf heard, dumb spoke but the most amazing sight of all was a huge cloud of dust that preceeded a croud of nearly 1,800 RUNNING to the altar area to recieve this Jesus Who still lives and loves unconditionally. India has a way of truly changing our perspective as to what is truly important in life…Jesus…..thanks for sharing, brought back many moments for me!!! Blessings!
Pam- I really love your heart! I have never been on a missions trip (yet) but your writing has taken my there for a moment. It’s so true, a smile can connect you even if your from 2 different worlds. Really enjoyed this!