Spring Break - India
| Partner: | TruthSeekers |
| Location: | New Delhi, India |
| Dates: | March 6 - 14, 2010 |
| Leaders: | Nicole Taylor, Matt Meyers & A.C. Hubbard |
| Cost: | Approximately $2500 |
| Group Size: | 10-15 students |
| Application: | This trip is now closed |
| Donate: | Make a contribution here. |
Country Overview
The Republic of India is the second most populous country in the world. This democracy is one of the most diverse, as it is home to people from many different cultures, religions, and languages. Over Four of the world’s major religions – Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism - originated here, while Christianity, Judaism and Islam all reached the country by the first century CE. The country holds some of the most beautiful historic and religious landmarks in the country.
India has experienced major economic developments over the last thirty years, creating a substantial middle class, but one quarter of its population still live under the poverty line. Other social justice issues facing the country include caste systems, illiteracy, the growing prevalence of HIV/AIDS, prostitution and child labor.
Quick Facts
Area · 3,287,590 sq km
Population · 1,147,995,898
Religion · Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1%
Language · Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 21 other official languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanscrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication.
Life expectancy · 66.87 years (men) 71.9 years (women)
Our Partners
Truthseekers International is a social-spiritual movement originally birthed by the first social reformer of India, Mahatma Jotirao Phule. As a follower of Jesus Christ, Phule denounced the oppression of caste in the 1800's, and fought for the rights and equality of all Indians, including women. These many years later, Truthseekers International is pointing to Phule, Kabir (a well-known ancient Indian poet), and other historical Indian figures as India's heroes for the current freedom movement occurring in India. Many of these historical figures were followers of Jesus Christ. On the basis that all people are created in God's image, and are therefore equal, Truthseekers is fighting for freedom of the oppressed lower castes of India. These castes comprise over seven hundred million people.
Trip Description
This is a great educational trip, and it will focus mainly on learning about Indian culture, history and how the gospel can be understood within an Indian context. You will spend one week alongside Truthseekers staff and volunteers learning about the plight of the lower castes, the messages of Indian reformers, and contextualization of the Gospel. You will visit nearby towns and villages, and take part in the transformative footwashing rallies. This is a great opportunity for those interested in theology, evangelism, and cross-cultural ministry.
About the Footwashing Rallies
Not that long ago, it was illegal for a lower-caste person to touch or even allow their shadow to fall upon a higher-caste person in India. While no longer illegal, this rigid physical segregation is still very much in force.
Jesus showed us how to overcome barriers like this. He knelt down and washed the feet of His disciples. For the past four years, Truthseekers has modeled the example of Jesus. At footwashing rallies, held in lower-caste neighborhoods, Truthseekers tangibly expresses God's love as they wash the feet of the oppressed and abused.
To view more videos about Truthseekers and footwashing click here.