The only people that can change anything are the ones willing to try, keep on doing what you're doing and you'll be fine. Best wishes and good luck on your journey.

They have to fix their own problems by crawling out of an ignorance driven society. Ever notice the struggling societies are the ones that are religion driven, mistreat/subjugate their women and deny education?

Thank god for making me an atheist.

After you get your degree check out the Peace Corps. They don't usually take people without a degree (occasionally) but they have a presence in India. I did 2 years in the Peace Corps, Nicaragua, many years ago and it was a monumental experience in my life. Peace Corps Volunteers have very different experiences in many different different environments. For me and the many volunteers I have known, it was absolutely one of the most incredible and significant experiences in a lifetime.

I gave up college and a lot of my life for a lie as well. At 19, I dropped out of college and joined the army. I think initially, I believed I was doing something good and selfless. I served for 11 years.

I'm glad I learned a lot of the skills I acquired, and I fathered 2 amazing children, mainly because I had good medical care. At least, it wasn't a total loss.

Religious missionary work is horseshit. You're so much better off without it. Not only do you do all this free work for the church but you have to raise your own money to pay all your own expenses. They don't help you with anything.

It's all just a recruitment racket on your dime.

If you are really interested in the aiding side of things, look at USAID instead of the foreign service (diplomatic corps.). You would still have to carry the official line as you represent the US abroad, but the specific mission of USAID is "to partner to end extreme poverty and to promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing the security and prosperity of the United States."
As you mentioned the health route: Médecins Sans Frontières (a.k.a Doctors without Borders) and a host of UN agencies also do the same. Also, found this website, it's a list of organizations that MSF provided, some are overtly religious, some are secular, so check into them: [msf.org.uk]

नमस्कार, आप कैसी हो?

Yes, thank your lucky stars that did not happen, from your photos you also look like you are doing well and show no trauma of the events you went through.

But I have these questions:

1. What changed your mind from deep indoctrination to deep awakening? What caused you to realize that it was all untrue?
2. If you were so capable of giving up your life of college, setting up in life why you were not capable of free thinking?
3. You were living in America which is free thinking society compared to other oppressive societies like India and others. So how could free thinking not come to you earlier?
4. If you can swing from one extreme to another, why would you not swing back to religion again?

India is a miserable place not just because of oppressive, selfish, exploiting, dynastic and nation looting leaders but it is because of the primitive nature of beliefs and the deep fear of questioning those beliefs.

But I admire your desire to lift some lives. We all should think about that. I believe each should lift at least one life especially from where it would be otherwise not be possible. Giving money to charity will not do it. Actually picking a human being and being involved in their transition can achieve it. India as a society will not change for at least 200 years. It will not be like any progressive society like Sweden, Norway for at least that long. But we all can try to lift one life. That is achievable.

Why I say that Indian society changing is so hard? It is because I grew up there, have traveled extensively, lived in all layers of society from South to North and I believe I know how the country functions.

I have listed these reasons as to why it will not change.

My brother has a friend who almost became a priest who is now a parent and husband. (Thank goodness).

So I hear you about narrow misses.

You can still do good in the world without doing missionary work that's for sure. And probably way more effectively.

My nephew is in Kerala teaching English as a foreign language, That's a possibility. There are always openings for English teachers.

I’d check out idealist.org for volunteer opportunities.

The world is both vast and a village. Experience it, see cultural syntheses. Education is in the classroom and in the world are both invaluable and offer an eclectic, syncretic experience.
We make our paths, albeit influenced by numerous extraneous factors. Imbibe you education!

The greatest 'religion' in India is the social class structure, part of the Hindu culture ... slowly being eroded, but will exist for many more generatons ( how similar to USA / western racism).
Visit India to see the vibrancy, the colour, the passion of the country, present everywhere and varies in form around the coutry. Don't bother trying to change it all - just take along a stash of pens, pencils and books to any of hundreds of schools to help the next generation.

Yeah I had a period of my life where I gave up everything to do God’s work too. Good thing I found out that it’s all lies now I’m working to be an electrical engineer. Hoping to help design robots for NASA someday. I want to design the future.

The Universe acts in strange ways and always remember, shit happens.

My great aunt was a missionary in various parts of the world, including India and Malaysia. She once told my sister that she became a missionary because that was the only way that she could see the world. Religion had little to do with it.

An alternative approach is get a degree in International Relations. Graduate and take the Diplomatic Corps test. Join the State Deoartment and become a bridge between the two worlds. Especially given India's increased importance in world affairs.

I know, not as altruistic, but important none the less.

There are thousands of Atheists in India Margaret Bhatty was the last one I talked to ....look up Rationalists of India and British Humanists are members of World Atheist Society I think was/is in Gopal

Well done Piper, go to India but go because it is a beautiful amazing country as it is with a long long history

What caused you to stop believing in God?

I'm sorry you had to live such a deluded and unfair life to this point. Best of luck to you moving forward, my fellow human!
As for India, I always find things like this interesting. Yes, there are many people in India with many needs. But you can say this about almost anywhere in the world. How does one choose a particular group? It's a good thing, of course, but if I was looking to put serious energy into a group of people to help, I don't know how I'd choose. Again, best of luck to you.

Why India?

If you can afford it maybe go to India as a non-believer. Went on a college program, non-religious, to Pune in 83-84. I know India has changed exponentially since then but it's an amazing country. I would recommend Ladakh in the Himalayas.

Its pretty hard to want to go to another country, under the auspices of a larger organization, unless your part of that organisations "mission"- be it religious or political. So, if your mission isn't religious, pick a political one. Note I'm including things like Drs without borders/MSF as religious, because they are aligned with a belief systrm. That not the same as a god based religion, and im not of the opinion that religion is inherently bad. Being an atheist or a deist is a separate issue, that shoulnt affect your decision.