As part of a recent Food Study Tour, a group of Canadian Foodgrains Bank supporters and staff visited the Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on Relief (EFICOR).  EFICOR is a partner of World Relief Canada and has long been active in the Indian state of Bihar, working with people who have traditionally been among the poorest and lowest castes in India. 

Around the corner from the local EFICOR office, in the hectic city of Motihari, stands a small congregation by the name of Gems Church.  When they heard that our tour group was in town they invited us for lunch on the roof of their church.  Though it was a simple meal, the time we spent on top of their building helped to change my perspective on the people of Bihar, and challenged my understanding of wealth. 

Over the course of several hours, we stood alongside the men, women, and children of the church and prepared a meal together.  Dozens of hands were part of every action – whether scooping rice or pounding spices between stones.  Everyone had an opinion about when the lentils were ready and what order to do things in. 

I had the privilege of sitting beside one of the women of the church and chopping vegetables (which she very patiently gathered and re-chopped when she thought I wasn’t looking).  All around us families were on their own rooftops, preparing food, doing laundry, waving and calling to us.  Above the crowded streets of the city below, a vibrant and dynamic world stretched out. 

This experience stands out as one of my favourite times on the trip.  It helped me to reevaluate what it means to be wealthy.  From the outside this group appears impoverished, yet, they are rich in fellowship, rich in family, rich in laughter and rich in faith.  They were taking hours to cook in the sun and open air with the freshest ingredients.  It was truly luxurious.

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