Today I Helped a Man Cross The Road

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

I woke up early this morning around 6 AM. My body has now adjusted to the time in India. Instead of flagging down an auto rickshaw I took to the streets by foot in search of breakfast. I'm starting to really find my way around town now and I realize that most places I have visited here are not really that far apart. It was relatively quiet outside and there were sounds of sweeping on every corner.

The air was still and quite humid. Children waited patiently near the safety of their homes for school transportation.

I came to an intersection that I thought I remembered. It was near a bridge so I had several options of which direction to travel. As I contemplated my next move I suddenly heard grunting. At first I thought to myself, "there's no way I am this hungry." But my stomach has been known to take on a life of its own if I wait too long to eat or if I skip a meal. When I turned around I saw a man on a bicycle struggling to make it up the same hill that I had just walked with ease. The front of his bike had ten huge water jugs on the front that he was delivering down the street. My impulse was to immediately take a picture so I took one.

But as I continued to look through my lens and see the pain on this man's face there was no way I could let him just sit there without reaching his goal. I put my lens cap on and secured the camera over my shoulder and around my waist. The man seemed surprised to see me running to him. There was a language barrier because he was speaking to me in Tamil and I was speaking to him in English. It seemed that everything was ok for me to help and then I noticed his demeanor. He thought I wanted to take some of his water away! Instead of giving up I tried again to communicate. This time I stared him directly in the eyes and said, "I will HELP you." He repeated, "Help, yes. Take this, no." By now almost 5 minutes had passed but I grasped firm hold of the basket with the water and pushed with all of my might. A few cars zipped by honking and swerving around us but through the hardship, we made it.

After the ordeal, he suggested I take a drink of water from one of his jugs. I was sweaty and dirty from the rust of the bike, the tar from road and the fumes from the cars. I graciously declined and presented him with one of my business cards instead. This caught him off guard as he pointed to the card and then to me. I said, "yes, " as I watched him flip the card back and forth studying the photo on the front and information on the back. At last, he gazed at me and smiled as if I had given him $1 million bucks. That warmed my heart.

All of that time I never looked around me, except to check for racing cars. I did a 360 turn to notice the child in his driveway, the street sweeper, and a priest had all stopped to witness the entire experience. Another man ran over and grabbed the side of the bike where I once toiled and helped my new acquaintance the rest of the way.

You never know sometimes who may be trying to help you or why. There are times that people decide heartache and pain is the only way to get ahead and won't accept the support they need. Likewise, some people's narrow-mindedness towards the troubles of others around them makes life difficult for everyone. It only proves the selfish nature of far too many in our world.

'Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'

Someone could be watching that you may influence to do even greater deeds in the process. The ultimate form of sacrifice is service to humanity.

It started sprinkling after I ate breakfast and then there was a complete downpour. Luckily I started walking again before the heavy rains. By the time I reached my hotel 3 miles away it was totally flooded in the medians. I am hoping that after reading this blog entry, you won't let your service to others drizzle but rather let it downpour.

- KNIGHT, Building Community Through Photography

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Destination Wedding Photographers

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23 comments:

Saadia Me'Chel said...

I really liked this post. I think individuals, particularly ones in the US, are too consumed with self that they cannot stop for a mintue a lend a helping hand to someone else. Glad to see your spirit of service to others travelled with you to India!

Anonymous said...

Never know where the teachings and lessons of God are going to come from. Ross you are in an awesome place in the Lord. When you look through the lens of your camera, you are looking through the eyes of God...God bless you and yours..

DiAmOnD hawk said...

wow! what a great post about serving... and see how someone else continued to help from where you stopped... sometimes it just takes one!
God bless you.

Wayne said...

What a wonderfully challenging post! I was just telling a friend from church about your blog and how the art of photography can communicate volumes ... in reading your post I immediately thought of 1 John 3:17-18 Whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

Thank you Ross for demonstrating and sharing this. I'll be mindful to look for opportunities to show Christ's love to someone as I go through today's journey!

raschelle said...

Great pictures, and poetic blog entry.

Tanneka Guice said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pics. Keep 'em coming!

ymgphotography said...

As I have stated over and over...the power of the KNIGHT continues to shine through. Continue impacting lives everywhere ROK!

Neka said...

That was truly touching....It almost had me into tears. That just warmed my heart today! Keep up the good work.

Rae said...

Ross...what an aewsome life lesson. This entry has truly touched my heart. I am honestly encouraged by this story.

Keda said...

I love it. And the fact that someone picked up where you left off is heartwarming. I will pick up where you left off from here too. May it be a daily goal for all of us to put aside our immediate concerns and help someone around us. Thank you.

kmr said...

It's funny you spoke of this. For the month of august our church is participating in what's called random acts of kindness. We have pledged to do something kind for someone just because, everyday for the month of august. It is not for us to get the glory but for people to see the God in us.

You have done you random act. Well done.

Unknown said...

Incredible. This reminds me of the good samaritan story. You rock Ross. Favorite part of the story: "Help, Yes. Take this, No!" LOL.....

Mac said...

WOW Ross this is a powerful blog . I hope u don't mind me sharing it with my youth group at church this friday. We have not to come out of a retreat and the theme was Step up and be Bold . I think is blog is perfect example of showing them how to do it . thanks for the inspiration Ross Bless up :)

BlackPearl said...

What a great post!!! Thanks

Pru said...

Funny how God works?!?! I am sitting at home nursing a broken foot and a 9 month preggo belly (bad timing). So I was kinda moping about it all. Well, since I am home bound, the internet is my eye to the rest of the world and two of my favorite bloggers posted about giving of yourself. Funny how God works.....Thanks for letting Him use you to 'build community through photography.'

God Bless

Troy said...

Yo...that was a hot post! Good stuff, man, good stuff!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!!

Tracy said...

Ross, thanks again for another inspirational post. This really touched my heart!

Dane Jefferson said...

These are some great photos. Carlton mackey sent this way and I thought I would introduce myself.
Hey I'm Dane Jefferson.

Darcita said...

Hmm...is God callin you to something else...preaching through pictures:) You are so anointed and God is blessing you and expanding your territory, because you are willing to obey and serve. You are an amazing brotha. We can practice our Tamil together when I see you!! I am just learning from my students!

Simi said...

Okay Ross, You are always talking about me and not being able to keep up but I think you just jumped ahead of me in the pack!

That is an awesome story and thanks for the reminder of what our purpose is! Great photos by the way which tell the story so well.

Naijadiva said...

Wonderful post!!!!

How do you keep your camera covered with the rain and all?

Unknown said...

I'm feeling you on this one bro.