Despite the spicy food that fails to settle in our fragile Western stomachs and the boiling heat with a lack of A/C...we are adapting quite well. It's now been 3 weeks, but I feel like I've been here much longer. This morning me and 3 others from my team walked several miles to a pre-school where we assumed we were just going to observe/help out, and it turned out they were waiting for US to teach and run the class! So we sheepishly step into this school made out of tin and logs, to find the most beautiful little Indian children sitting on benches in blue checkered uniforms. The teacher came up to us and said "you teachers!". So we all looked at each other to see who wanted to think of something on the spot. So as a team we decided to teach them 2 Christian songs with dance motions and do a prodigal son skit. After that they asked we teach them "more school". So I jumped up and pulled Renae up there with me and we taught them how to say body parts in English and other simple sciences. Then we taught them the "head shoulder knees and toes" song and added lots of improv to it. All Glory to God He spoke through the 2 of us and gave us lots of ideas and the children loved it! After playing some memory games, we prayed over the children and fed them a snack of dhal and what seemed to be grits. When school was over 2 of the children ran outside and brought us back freshly picked flowers to show their gratitude. I was so blessed. The children are so sweet and it was well worth the long hot journey by foot.
Tons has happened in the past few weeks it would be impossible to tell all the stories. But I can give a bit of an overview of some of the things we've been doing everyday...
When we were in Lonavala for 2 weeks we did mostly house ministry where we would go into stone hut villages and hold bible studies on the floors of their small crowded homes. We would do several a day and all take turns leading worship, sharing testimonies, and give a message. At the end we pray for them all and lay hands on them. We had a translator, praise the Lord.
Holding the hand of a hindu woman and having the privilege to pray for her in Jesus name was a huge blessing for me. I can feel something move inside of me every time we touch or hug. I can see the desire burning in their eyes to know more about our one God who loves them and can provide for and heal them.
There was one home we went to and the mother and her 2 children were sick in bed. They were running high fevers and looked how I'm sure they felt. We laid hands on them and prayed for healing in Jesus name. We then left and did some street ministry. Later that night Renae and I ran back to that woman's hut to see if they were feeling any better. When we walked in, the mother was on her feet walking around and bright eyed! Both children who had been sick in bed were running around playing and laughing as if they were never ill just a few hours previously. We didn't have a translator, and I don't speak but very basic Hindi, so we just played a game of charades to communicate. We stayed a while and fellowshipped with them. I couldn't believe my eyes and how well they looked!! God truly did a healing miracle that day. I am so thankful.
His handiwork is everywhere we go and I can feel His Angels protecting us as we roam the streets.
This is just the beginning! We have over 2 months left...I can't wait to see what's going to happen next! We are just taking it a day at a time and every morning the 7 of us on my team sing worship and pray together. It's the only way to start the day off right and adjust our hearts and attitudes in these stretching situations. I love every person on my team! We were definitely put together by God. Sarah, Jordan, Cristy, Renae, Joseph, Laura, and myself. Each of us bring something unique and all of our gifts are coming out and God is growing each of us in the areas need be. Everyday we wake up to the Muslim mosque down the street singing in a projector that echoes through the whole city throughout the day and late hours of the night. We are right smack in the middle of spiritual battle and that is why it is so important we as a team are prayed up before we leave the house everyday. We heard several stories from a local Christian pastor last night of the daily persecution him and his family go through on a daily basis for their beliefs. Even so extreme that if they pass certain buildings people will throw rocks and chase them down with sticks because of their conversion to Christianity.
My eyes are taking in more than my mind can process. Seeing people on the dirt roads with missing limbs such as no legs and crawling on their bare hands through the dirt and trash. There is so much corruption my heart almost can't bare the things we whiteness just walking to the market or simply watching out my 2nd floor window.
We will be here in a small village in Calcutta (unsure of exactly where we are) until the end of this week and then we will move to the House of Revival rescue unit about 2hrs away and help out there until mid-may. Then we plan on moving to Bihar by train for other ministry opportunities until we leave late June and begin our journey back to Hawaii. That is where all 6 different teams from our school that went to different countries will meet, share testimonies and spend our last week together in Kona.
Lots have happened and I can't express the gratitude I feel for each of your prayers! I can definitely feel them and Gods grace and comfort is easing me along the way. I miss home and family terribly and being able to talk on the phone or simply text them. But I'm here for this time right where God has me and I am having the time of my life serving the Lord in this part of the world. Love you all and pray God holds you in His right hand.
Blessings from India!
Xoxo
PS: below are some pics from traveling to India and long layovers in airports/some snapshots from ministry/train ride etc etc etc. Just a few from my phone. Can't upload my better camera pics till I get back and have my computer. Enjoy!
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