Andy and Kirsty returned to spend time with The Arts Collective Mumbai, joined by Katrina Quinn whose last time in India was at the Chennai Base in 2011. The visit was quite short but very sweet, with an ‘Intro to Banners’ workshop, a creative worship evening and kids’ workshop (see the video of it) at Avatar church in the rather hipster area of Juhu; and an Intercession workshop at Bombay Baptist church in Colaba in the very south of the city.
It was great to develop relationships formed last year and connect with new people – from several different churches and backgrounds. There was also time to fit in some city-sightseeing, lots of ubers and auto-rickshaws and plenty of tasty meals (and desserts!).
We were inspired and encouraged by the passion, creativity and open-ess at all the events/workshops and look forward to hearing about how The Arts Collective continue to move, bless and impact the city.
Here’s a poem that Katrina wrote at the Creative Worship evening, inspired by the Collective:
We plant seeds
with the little
with the lot
with the light
you planted in us
In the still-dry places
in the cracks
in the concrete
we plant seeds
One at a time
carefully
wholeheartedly
hearts in an open palm
the whole messy
pulsing raw vulnerable
lot of us
And we overthink
and lies echo
and the world doesn’t always understand
and we may be mocked
and we may be knocked down
and we believe we are not enough
And sometimes we’re the ones slipping
between the tracks
sometimes we’re
sinking
and the darkness
overwhelms
BUT WE ARE A RAINBOW PEOPLE
who hold onto a promise
the promise that we will not be
forsaken
we are a rainbow people
a burst of joy
following the storm
The relief of fresh air
filling
lungs when they’ve been
running
on nearly empty
for the longest time
WE ARE A RAINBOW PEOPLE
our stories
are not all the same
we are the God colours
paint splatters
on a canvas cracked
and scarred
But ready
ready to be transformed
ready to dance
and live with
hearts and eyes
and palms open
Ready to plant seeds
ready to see transformation
ready to see new life
break in
