Painting a picture — By Bridger Grothe

June 3, 2019 - 2019: vada ka yuva

Picture this. 13 young adults with little to no experience being away from their homes for extended periods of time and no secondary education in teaching. These same outstanding youth are asked to travel to the other side of the world, eat differently, sleep differently, and then teach young children who speak a different language. They leave their families, friends and comforts of home. In a simpler statement these leaders have put their life on hold and take a leap to potentially change a life.

Now picture this. Green rolling hills that could have easily passed as a Par 5 fairway leading to a summit. The summit soars at a minuscule 11 thousand feet, a respectable height in our familiar Rocky Mountains. Closer and closer the expedition team approaches the foreseeable future. Finally they arrive at the top, only small pants and wheezes are heard. No real challenge for these Colorado “mountaineers”. However that hubris was quickly shot down when met by the panorama of the immense structure of the mighty graybeards scattered amongst the horizon. These magnificent white cap mountains soared greatly into the sky. Some higher than any of this team had seen. 18, 19, 20 thousand foot peaks. The Himalayas rise up, high into the sky as an example to all looking up to them. At this exact moment, I like my companions in this expedition were mountains in the making. Little did we know that our sacrifices, would help build up new mountains in others. 

The final picture was physically demanding and quite messy. The smell of paint filled the air. Brushes and cans were broke out and put to work. A thousands strokes were placed on the worn walls, white and blue gave them a new light. The school had a fresh new look, clean and ready for the next day. Handprints were placed on the newly painted walls, they represent memories. Our memories. 

Being here has been quite an adventure and each day we are painted like mountains. Each person is painted like one. Mountains are rigid and rugged, they have various summits coupled with many valleys as well. It takes time for mountains to built, no mountain was ever built in a single day. I am grateful that this experience in India has given me to opportunity to build mountains. 

—Bridger

5 Responses to “Painting a picture — By Bridger Grothe”

  1. Great post, and beautiful picture! Enjoy being with those mountains (both actual and metaphorical)!

  2. Well said. You have now experienced the recipe for true joy; looking outside of ourselves. Soak up every moment!

  3. Bridger,

    well you did it again, writng something so beautiful! The kids you are serving and teaching are so blessed and you are sharing that blessing with them.
    Can’t wait to see you! Mama and the dogs are doing great!

    Love you
    your mama!

  4. So great! ❤️

  5. Well grandson it has even a challenge to get a comment off to you since your first story.
    Your Momma has shown me how so here goes.
    Your gramma and I are enjoying your stories and your Dads so much, your both so eloquent in your story writing.
    Just know that you are making such an impression on these kids lives, something you and each of them will never forget.
    We love you Bridger and surely do miss you , looking forward to your return home.
    Gramma

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