Kevin Scott Banks

Heading into my India trip, I knew that I knew nothing about India. It’s fair to say that most people probably spend a good amount of time researching a third world country before they attempt to travel there. Well, not me. I didn’t buy any books about India. I didn’t google it or wikipedia it. I didn’t even look at a map of the country. I just went.

Not surprisingly, I was surprised by much of what I saw and experienced. Having no frame of reference for most of those experiences has forced me to spend some time seriously reflecting on how they have affected me. One major motif that really stands out from my trip was the recognition of and interaction with the distinctly different Indian culture. Different, of course, from my own “American” culture.

Wikipedia offers this definition of the word culture:

“The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization, or group.” (Don’t you love that I used Wikipedia to find a word definition but not to learn about India?)

My understanding from my very brief time in India is that the religion of Hinduism shapes much of the Indian culture. Many, if not most of the “shared attitudes, values, goals, etc…” in India stem from the learned principles and practices of the Hindu religion. The intriguing thing to me is that the core of Hinduism is self-progression. Basically, Hindus believe that what they DO in this life will determine what the next life is like. The result: a country full (and with 1.2 billion people I do literally mean brimming full) of people looking out for number one. I should have been more prepared for this effect when I witnessed an India woman cut in front of four white people to steal the airplane lavatory on the ride over. It left me wondering, “How could she possibly do that? I don’t care what culture you’re from, that’s just not cool!” But apparently in India, that sort of self-pleasing, others-provoking action is totally acceptable. In Hinduism, you’re not worried about anyone else, especially strangers (and I would add, white people). You’re mainly concerned about yourself.

Chew on this for a while: that kind of thinking utterly destroys my “American” concept of “common courtesy.”

Since the day I was born, I’ve been taught to hold the door open for strangers, say “thank you” when the bagger bags my groceries, and let other cars pass in front of me while on the road. I’ve also been taught to smile and say “hello” when I pass by other people on the street. Up until this point, I would have argued until I was blue in the face that this is how people all over the world ought to conduct themselves. But after immersing myself for three weeks in a culture that is very near the opposite of my own, I’ve taken a giant step back. I’m still struggling to understand how a culture can be so self-absorbed. It’s still not making much sense in my American brain. But as crazy as it seems, and as different as it is, I now have a much deeper respect for India culture, and every other culture for that matter. One of the many things I learned in India is that my way of living life isn’t the only acceptable way. There’s a whole lotta people out there living life a lot differently than me, and that’s OK. I’m learning to really appreciate the differences between us that make us such a diverse race.

I will say, though, that when I went back to work the day after I returned from India, it sure was nice when someone actually stopped to let me pull out of my neighborhood in front of them

I took 5,000 photos in 3 weeks time in India. How could I possibly choose which one to post first?

I’m going with Shrinivas at the Taj Mahal. Why? Because Shrinivas is awesome, that’s why. (And so was the Taj Mahal for that matter, but that’s for a later blog post.)

Shrinivas lives at Asha Mission in New Delhi, India(not to be confused with Ashraya Mission, also for a later blog.) Asha Mission is a home for kids who either don’t have parents, or whose parents can’t take care of them. I got to spend a few very memorable days with Shrinivas and 34 other amazing little Indian kiddos. Somehow, all 35 of these children cram into one tiny little house. They have electricity…most of the time. They sleep on the ground. They eat together, learn together, play together, pray together. There’s nothing in our country to compare life at Asha Mission to. We live with luxuries they’ll never know.

And yet they live with joy that I’ve scarcely seen before.

From the moment our team arrived, the kids greeted us with a giant “Welcome” banner and a room full of smiles. Speaking of smiles, that ‘s what Shrinivas does best. He was chosen as part of a small group of the best-behaved children who got to accompany us to the Taj Mahal. Poor little guy puked the whole way there while he sat on my lap. But after 6 hours of pain, he still had a huge smile on his face when he saw the Taj.

Shrinivas affectionately referred to me as “Bhayah.” It means “big brother” in Hindi. No doubt he stole a piece of my heart during the brief time we spent together. There’s a lot to learn from a grateful young man like him. When it was time for me to leave and go back home, he drew a picture for me. It reads:

“I love you Baya. I miss you Baya. I pray for you Baya. I pray for your parents. Please come back soon.”

Next time you’re at my place I’ll let you look at it. It’s one of my most precious reminders of those special children at Asha Mission.

What a trip it’s been so far.

If I had to describe my experience in India up to this point in two words, it would be “Mutual Fascination.” I have been absolutely fascinated with the people, the culture and the polar opposite nature of India. And the Indian people, especially the children, have been equally fascinated by me as an American. In fact, I’ve felt more or less like a celebrity everywhere I’ve gone.

I’m absolutely floored by the photos I’ve taken. There’s no doubt about it, my happy place is behind my camera. The color of this country is absolutely amazing. Everywhere I turn, dozens of distinct colors jump out at me screaming “take my picture!” As a photographer I’ve always shyed away from having human subjects in my photos. As such, Ive been pleasently surprised at how immensly enjoyable it’s been to photograph the Indian people. Perhaps it’s because they look completely different than me, or because the activities they engage in seem foreign to me. Whatever the reason, my camera has been drawn to them like a magnet.

It blows me away to travel to the other side of the world and interact with people where our only commonality is that we’re both human beings. I’ve struggled greatly at times to communicate with the Indians. Many of them do speak some English, but many of them don’t speak any at all. I confess that the only time I studied Hindi, the local language, was for about 3 minutes on the plane ride over. Now I find myself wishing I’d put in the hard work of learning the language. Nonetheless, my interactions thus far have been intriguing. Most of the people I’ve met have had a genuine interest in learning more about me, which of course I’ve reciprocated. They ask questions like, “From what country are you?” and “Do you have a Facebook account?” Not surprisngly, I’ve taken a special liking to a few of the children I’ve met. Little Vinita has been my favorite so far!

The Ashraya Mission team has had quite the adventure since arriving here. From a travel standpoint, we’ve been all over the place, literally. In 5 days, we’ve been on 3 flights, 3 road trips, and visited 5 different cities already. Speaking of travel, driving in India feels every bit like playing that Crazy Taxi videogame. It’s utter insanity. I love it!

From a spiritual standpoint, our team has definitely felt the presence of the spiritual warfare that’s to be expected on a trip like this. We’ve come with a specific mission and purpose as a team, but it feels as though there are forces beyond our control trying to sabotage that mission. Personally, it’s forced me to be vulnerable and to spend some time seriously examining my own heart and my motivations for coming on this trip. That’s been difficult, yet very good. Sometimes the hardest parts of the trip are the sweetest moments in disguise.

For all of my life, I will never forget the first moment our team spent on the roof of Ashraya Mission. Founder Katie Beth Gill has been in India for nearly two months of her five month stay. However, unforseen circumstances have kept her from seeing the first Ashraya refuge home until our team arrived this week. After a quick tour of the home, we ascended to the rooftop where the girls immediately fell before the Lord in prayer. I witnessed tears of joy and cries of thanksgiving. I saw the start of a new chapter in the story of the redemption that runs deep in the heart of Ashraya Mission. Almost as if on cue, the sun pierced through the clouds for the first time on this glorious day. Amidst the chaos and the darkness of this place, God chose to shine down his light on the inception of Ashraya Mission. What a special, special moment.

I am looking forward with eager anticipation to the remainder of our time here. I can feel the Lord enlarging my heart as I witness his hand at work and build relationships with fellow believers here. I can’t wait to share the rest of this experience with all of you. May God continue to be glorified by the work of our hands.

This week I head back to Nashville to reunite with friends and family and to start a new job. It’s going to be an exciting new chapter in my life! But before I start looking too far ahead, I can’t forget about the incredible Spring I’ve spent in Sacramento. Here are the highlights:

1. Yosemite Camping Adventure

I posted about this awesome trip already, but it’s worth mentioning again. My buddies and I pitched our tent in the massive Yosemite Valley and spent a few days exploring the grandeur of the park. I came away with some awesome photos. What an amazing place.

2. Hidden Falls Hike

There was no sense in sitting around the house, just because most of my friends were busy. I joined the hiking group from a local church for a hike in the beautiful hills of Auburn. Later-than-usual rain in the previous weeks sent the trees and flowers into full bloom. I love getting away from the city and enjoying nature!

3. American River Expeditions

The American River runs from the famous Folsom Dam all the way to Sacramento and beyond. The American River Parkway follows along the river for miles and miles. I made a few trips along the Parkway, riding my bike and photographing the fabulous bridges that cross the river.

4. Kids Camp

Have I ever told you how much I love camps? I mean, I really love camps. Last week, I volunteered as a coach at a kids sports camp. I had more fun than the kids, no contest. And that’s saying something, since they were begging me to come back next year! Those little rascals kept me running around all week, but I had a total blast.

“You should totally come!!!”

Years ago, my friend Katie Beth used that line to hook me into a spontaneous, last-minute trip to see one of our favorite bands perform live in concert. It seems she has a knack for planning outrageous trips and convincing me to join her.

This September, if the Lord allows, I’ll be joining her on a 3-week trip to India that is anything but a spontaneous, last-minute decision.

Why am I going?

Over the past several years, I’ve become more and more aware of how fortunate I am to live in the freedom and comfort of America. I feel that it’s time for me to get a small glimpse of what life is like outside of “western culture.”

“Who am I going with?”

I’ll be going with a group of like-minded young adults through an organization called Ashraya Mission.

“What is Ashraya Mission?”

Ashraya Mission is a brand new organization being founded in India by Katie Beth and her team. They are dedicated to providing children’s homes in India for at risk children. Human trafficking is a disgusting problem all over the world, and India is no exception. While there are many organizations focused on rescuing trafficked children, there are few focused on helping them start a new life and keeping them from sliding back in.

“What am I going to do?”

I have been asked to put my photographic skills to good use to help document the operations of Ashraya Mission. Since they’re so new, they need lots of photos and video to help communicate the severity of the situation and what they’re doing to change it. As you may know, I’ve spent the last 7 months in New Zealand and Australia where I’ve been able to hone my photography skills while taking over 10,000 photos.

I will also have the chance to interact with the people of India, including orphaned children, and share the love of Jesus with them.

“How am I going to pay for the trip?”

I believe in Ashraya Mission and I believe in what our team is going to do. That’s why I’ve worked hard this Spring to earn the money to cover my trip expenses on my own.

“So why am I telling you all of this?”

Because now, more than ever, I want to share this experience with you. This is not a vacation. It’s going to be a difficult, challenging trip. I wouldn’t dream of trying to go this alone. So here’s what I ask of you, if you’re willing:

• Pray – I believe prayer is powerful and effective. Pray for the whole Ashraya team and for me individually as well. Pray that our efforts would be blessed and would yield much fruit. If praying’s not your thing, that’s okay. Maybe you could send me a message of encouragement as I prepare for this challenge.
• Stay in Touch – I’ve created a Facebook Group for my trip. I’ll use this group to keep you informed of our progress. If you would like to receive these updates, click here to view the Facebook Group page, and make sure to click the button in the upper right hand corner that says “Ask to Join Group”.
• Give – As I mentioned earlier, I’ve already covered my trip expenses. However, Ashraya Mission has a real need for financial support as they begin their operations. If you would like to give a financial gift, please click here to visit the Ashraya Mission website, and click the button that says “Donate”.

This is going to be a challenging trip, but I am excited to serve with Ashraya Mission and to share God’s love with the people of India. I am so thankful for your support, and I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with you!

My grandpa is one of the few heroes in my life. I’ve admired him for as long as I can remember, since way back when I used to be the bat-boy at his softball games. He’s a soft-spoken man, a man who taught middle school math and science for 39 years….yeah, that’s a long time. I always enjoy staying with my grandparents when I come back to my hometown of Sacramento, California. This time through, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside my grandpa on his magnificent property for the past month.

Here’s a short list of traits that I’ve observed in my “Gramps.” The young people of my generation would do well to take notes and learn from one of the best people I know.

1. Handyman Skills – Gramps continues to blow my mind with his handyman skills. This grandpa can build anything, fix anything, and solve any problem. If I tried to tackle one of his projects by myself, I would have to spend hours researching online, drawing up plans, and probably making a lot of mistakes.

2. Ingenuity – This is a necessary ingredient for any serious problem solving. Example: Gramps and Grams got rid of their truck and upgraded to a pair of fuel-efficient Toyota Prius-es. Gramps needed to haul some oversize gas cans to the gas station, so what was his solution? He turned his Prius into a “Prius-truck” and got the job done.

3. Hard Work – In an age where so many young people(including myself) are determined to “find their passion” and “enjoy what they do,” Gramps’ work ethic truly sets him apart. Just as he did during his 39-year teaching career, he still busts his butt to keep things going around the house. He’ll crawl under any deck or don a pair of waders to get in and fix his pond. Seriously, I’ve had trouble keeping up with him, and he’s almost three times my age!

4. Adaptation – I can confidently say that my Gramps is the coolest grandpa out there. Think I’m biased? He’s got a Kindle, a laptop, he uses Wi-Fi, he’s an active Facebook user, he text messages, and he checks his email at the dinner table! I am constantly astonished at the way he embraces new technology. But that’s not to say he’s a reckless spender. He’s a very frugal man. He still has wheel polish from the 1960′s in his garage!

5. Enjoying Life’s Simple Pleasures – Last but most, Gramps possesses the ability to stop and enjoy the simple things in life. He can settle down from a long day of fixing things, working hard, using his brain, and checking his email, in order to enjoy a tasty slushy mixed with soda and a little pecan pie.

Obviously, I’m pretty proud of my Grandpa, and I know there’s a lot I can learn from his example. I hope that when I reach his stage in life that my children and grandchildren will look back and admire the way I’ve lived my life.

Think about your grandparents or someone you really admire. What are one or two traits you’ve learned from observing them that the rest of us should know about?

Wanaka has proved to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in my life. There’s a big part of me that would love to come back in the winter time and get a job at one of the ski resorts. Sadly, I grew up an hour from Lake Tahoe, one of the best ski areas in the U.S., and never went skiing. I think it would be awesome to see this place in the winter with its snow-capped mountain peaks.

My final excursion in Wanaka was an off-road adventure to walk the Rob Roy Glacier track. I felt like a true mountain man as I drove off in the SUV that Lawry had lent me for the weekend. A little ways past town, the road became an unsealed “race track” for the SUV. Along the way, there were tons of tourists in little sedans, crawling along at a snail’s pace. I went flying by as the SUV gripped the gravel and growled, coming alive only after we’d left its pavement prison.

Arriving at the car park, I grabbed my camel pack and supplies and set out on the 4 hour return tramp. The first leg of the journey takes trampers through a stunning valley with mountains literally in every direction.

Up ahead there was a small bridge that crossed over the river. The bridge swayed just enough to turn my knuckles white as I gripped the railing. From there it was an hour and a half of consistent uphill climbing through a heavily forested mountainside. The track was quiet, shaded and peaceful. Occasionally the trees would break to reveal small glimpses of the stunning scene that awaited me.

At last I arrived at the top, rewarded by a magnificent panoramic display of snow, ice and waterfalls dancing atop the mountain. It’s becoming standard protocol: climb to the top of said track, marvel at the stunning view, and try unsuccessfully to find words to describe the experience. I will say, however, that this particular walk has been my favorite, the most scenic from start to finish so far in New Zealand.

On the way back home, I had barely left the parking lot when I saw a hitch hiker up ahead. It was approaching sunset and I couldn’t figure out where he’d come from in the first place. Since I’d been picked up only days earlier when I attempted hitch hiking, I knew it was my turn to pay it forward. I stopped and picked up Gill, who is from Israel. I’ve scarcely ever met or talked to an Israeli before. Right away, I found myself asking him about his beliefs. Over the next hour, we continued to have a fascinating discussion about faith and the meaning of life. It seems that Gill is on a soul-searching discovery of his own. We were able to relate on many issues and both found the conversation very refreshing.

No Kiwi adventure is complete without a good ol’ helping of fish n’ chips. We stopped in at the local shop and ordered up, then enjoyed our feast along the bank of the beautiful Lake Wanaka.

It was a day very well spent. In my opinion, this adventure only affirmed Wanaka’s boast of having “Life the way it should be.”