By Stephan Chasteen*

Chasteen plays around with some of the children from the slums.

BANGALORE, India — Jesus helps you love people more than you thought you could. We visited a village while I was in Bangalore. The people there don’t have anything, but they will do whatever they can to get you a cold drink and the last little bit of food that they have. In this village, there isn’t even a feeding program.

One day, we asked children for prayer requests. Over and over again, the same request was: “Supper, supper.” Just food. They wanted food and clean water.

This kid came up to us, wanting prayer. He had tears in his eyes. He had been having heart problems. He fainted often and no one knew what was wrong. He had no money to go to the doctor even though medical expenses are very cheap here compared to America.

This boy had absolutely nothing and his only hope was to ask God. That was his only hope. It touched me because I had heart problems in the past. One time, I even had to be rushed off in an ambulance. I really felt compassion for him and identified with his need.

It is easy to feel bitter, to think “Why me, God?” I kept thinking, “That should be me — I should be in his spot, and he should be in my spot. Why am I able to be provided for, and he’s not?”

But, I realized that I shouldn’t ask that question. God has given me things and I need to be a good steward of what He has given me.

So, we prayed for this little boy. I don’t know the ending of his story, but I know that my life changed because of getting to love on children like him.

I saw so much during my time in Bangalore. There are so many faces. But it all comes back to just one person — Jesus Christ. He changed my life. He’s become my everything. Before I went to India, I wanted to say that, but now I know it.

In Job, after his trials and sufferings, he said, “Not only have I heard about God anymore, but now I’ve experienced Him.” And so I, too, can say after this time: No longer do I just hear stories about God, but I’ve experienced God.

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Stephan Chasteen is a member of Thoroughbred Community Church, Nicklesville, Ky. While working at Crossings Camp, Ky, he recently spent six months in India as a Hands On volunteer. For more information on Hands On or other volunteer opportunities for students, visit http://southasianpeoples.imb.org/connect/.

*Name changed.