Pictures!!

Here are some pictures!!  I haven't taken too many, and have forgotten my camera too many times... but here's a few anyway! 

My first days of ministry!

My first days of ministry have been awesome!  I arrived at 11:30PM Monday.  Tuesday was a rest day.  Wednesday morning I got to speak at a Christian school here in Chennai.  During this short time while I’m in this city, I am volunteering with Metro Missions.  It is a children’s ministry.   They do a lot of work with slum children and also with Christian schools.  As of now, Anand and his wife Pamela, and staff have open doors to get into all 40 Christian schools in the city.  These schools are Christian because of their staff and curriculum.  They do however have open enrollment and allow children of all religions to attend trusting God will lead many to salvation. 

So on Wednesday morning I had the opportunity to speak to 500 children.  Most of them are Hindu.  Anand guessed around 100 are Muslim and about 50 are believers.   I spoke to them about Jesus being the light of the world.  I even taught them that song. J  I asked them about darkness and if they had ever felt afraid.  I couldn’t believe how many raised their hands, even the high school kids around 17 years old; almost every hand shot up.  I spoke about how Jesus’ perfect love casts out fear.  I don’t know what sorts of situations these children experience, but I am sure of our Father’s perfect love for them.  The time was all together wonderful and as I left my heart was also burning with love for them.  God himself is giving me a love for His people here! 

Today I spent time with Anand’s wife Pamela and their children.  It was amazing.  I am so overjoyed to know these wonderful servants.  They have started off with small things and been found faithful.  Now God is growing their scope of influence.  I was also pleased to learn they live totally by faith.  They had no income to pay for their apartment, food, and 5 and 9 year old daughters.  They trust Jesus for all and ask for nothing.  Just last month they got their first car.  Someone just gave it to them.  Before this they would transport the whole family of four on a motor bike.  Please pray for this godly family and their mission to the children of Chennai.  They have lovingly reached out to me, driven me all over the city, helped me get set up with traditional Indian clothing and cell phone, helped my with cultural norms, given me ministry opportunities, and overall simply loved me because we are family in Christ!  What a blessing they are to me. 

Tomorrow I will speak again in another school.  Afterwards we will go into a slum and spend time with the kids there.  I don’t know all that entails… but I imagine it’s like a VBS… only it takes place way more frequently.  Once again… I really appreciate your prayers!  God is working!! 

The man outside the gate.

What joy fills my heart when I know that I am moving just as the Lord leads.  So here’s a short testimony.  So today I had the honor of spending time with Pamela.  She is Anand’s wife from Metro Missions.  They are a wonderful God fearing couple with two beautiful girls.  We spent the day praising God, being silly with the girls, eating some very delicious food, and sharing testimonies.

On the way home I took a rickshaw.  As I got out I saw an old man begging at the gate.  I reached into my purse and gave him 20 cents.  I then went back to my room and had a time of worship.  Around  six I left to come here and write about some of my experiences so far… but I was stopped by the same man.  He had come into the campus and was waiting for me.  He came up to me nearly in tears.  He started speaking to me in what I believe was English… but it was very difficult to decipher.  What I could catch was that he has some sort of serious stomach problem and is in a lot of pain.  He was praying and God told him to have me pray for him.  As he was sharing my hands began to tingle and get warm.  I know that this is not needed or anything, but it happened, so I want to share.  So I asked the man if I could put my hand on his shoulder and pray for him.  I prayed in faith because I know that the Lord paid for this mans sickness.  After, I asked him if he was still in pain.  He said he felt better but it was still a little painful.  I prayed again.  What really struck me about this man was how he was in no rush.  He wanted all the prayer he could get.  He also joined in with me at different points.   At the end of the prayer he said all the pain was gone.  He was in tears and shaking with joy.  I got to ask him about his life and he shared how he has been sleeping out in this part of the city because he can’t get home.  I had the honor of giving this man $2.40 so he could take a train to his city.  And another blessing was how I had that exact amount for the train ticket in my purse.  It was my ‘alms’ money and also for a bottle of water.  Our Father gives us living water… and with Him we will never thirst again!  Ohh how I love my dear Father!  His heart is filled with such kindness towards all people! 

In India

Well I’ve arrived here in Chennai safely.  God provided for me in awesome ways during the flight.  One praise is it went by very quickly.  Another is I had divine appointments on each flight.  I had people to share God with and another person who was also going to India for mission work and he got to encourage me.  God orders all our steps and richly provides for His people. 

So now I am taking 1 day to get over the jet lag.  The USA is 10 ½ hours different than India.  I had a most delicious lunch today, but it was very spicy.  Tomorrow I go to start my work with Metro Missions.  I’ll be speaking in schools all week at special assemblies.  Keep myself and those special children in prayer.

Packing and Leaving!!

So in 17 hours I leave for the airport.  Wow!  That seems short when put in hours… not in days, weeks, or even months!  Before I write anything else, I want to share a really cool praise.  Last week I remembered that I really wanted this book on giving wisely.  Basically it investigates how believers can give in a way to build up a community to depend on the Lord, rather than on wealthy nations.  So I bought it on Amazon and found out the expected shipping dates were between 1-20-12 and 2-2-12.  I thought to myself, that’s cutting it a little close, but I know it’s a simple thing for God to do.  So I prayed, and just had full faith and assurance that God would bring me this book before I flew out.  So today, Saturday, when the mail truck pulled in, I just was praising His name and thanking Him before I even visited the mail box.  Sure enough, my book was present… and His faithfulness was shown in even this small thing!  What a great assurance I have that His faithfulness will be ever present each of my days while in India!  And all my days!

Perhaps some of you are wondering what one would pack for a six month mission trip to India.  So I’ve gone ahead and shown you… to satisfy your deep curiosity! 

The first pictures are of me and my bag.  Next I show some candy.  The first picture is of Slim Jims and other candy I will give out to the children there.  The next picture is a smaller stash… and that’s for me… but I’m still open to sharing!  I think the Nutella is the best way to do chocolate in the coming heat!  Another picture shows my blanket, pillow, towel and clothing.  I’m not bringing too many things, and I plan to wear mostly native clothing that I’ll get there.  Besides that, you’ll see my toiletries, electronics, and lots of toilet paper.  If you’re not sure why I packed toilet paper for my trip to India… perhaps you should Google it.  Yikes!! 

Please pray for me.  I am stepping out into a different land to spread the true gospel.  Not everyone can go… but some can pray, and some can send.  What is your part?  I love you in Christ Jesus!  May the grace of God be understood by us all!

***ohh and a side note... you didn't see my Bible there to be packed.  It's not that I decided its better not to bring one... but rather... better to use it to today and keep it handy tomorrow in my purse! ;)

My flight info

Here's my flight... Its a long one... :)

	Tampa - Chennai | Sun, 22 January 12, 12:30 hrs
	Departure Arrival Non-Stop Flight Tampa(TPA) Chicago(ORD) Non-Refundable Fare Major US Carrier Sun, 22 Jan 12, 12:30 hrs Sun, 22 Jan 12, 14:25 hrs Duration:2h 55m AA-2043 Cabin:Economy
	CHANGE PLANE LAYOVER 1hr 15m
	Departure Arrival Non-Stop Flight Chicago(ORD) New Delhi(DEL) Non-Refundable Fare Major US Carrier Sun, 22 Jan 12, 15:40 hrs Mon, 23 Jan 12, 17:45 hrs Duration:14h 35m AA-292 Cabin:Economy
	CHANGE PLANE LAYOVER 2hr 20m
	Departure Arrival Non-Stop Flight New Delhi(DEL) Chennai(MAA) Non-Refundable Fare Major US Carrier Mon, 23 Jan 12, 20:05 hrs Mon, 23 Jan 12, 22:45 hrs Duration:2h 40m AA-7842 Cabin:Economy Operated by Jet Airways

My time in Florida

So, time is assuredly passing away.  I can’t seem to stop it or even slow it down from slipping away… but to be fully honest… I like that!  Each day that passes is such a joy!  Ohh how I love to walk through each day with my Savior! 

So these last weeks I’ve been in Florida visiting with my parents.  I arrived just before Christmas and had the pleasure of sharing the holidays with my brother Sean, sister in law Tanya, niece Riley, and my nephew Gavin.  We had some nice weather with beach days included.  We also just did a lot of hanging out sharing our lives.  My mother Lyn, and father Pat, bought everyone passes to Bush Gardens.  So we all got the chance to ride roller coasters together… it was quite fun!  I find that each year that passes by I value my family more.  At times it’s hard to live my life as I do, but it’s worth the cost.  What an honor it is to be used across the world as Jesus’ hands and feet… and it’s simply because I’m willing… Let us consider what He’s asking each of us to do this very day… and love Him with our obedience.

So today is Wednesday and I leave in four days.  I smile and chuckle as I write that.  How does one prepare for their first mission trip to India?  I’ve been many places in the world, but nowhere like India.  In many ways I think I’ll be walking into another world… with strange customs… strange beliefs… and strange gods.  I am so grateful that the Lord has opened my eyes to His truth.  I remember seven years ago being unsaved and backpacking through Europe.  Those months abroad opened my eyes to the spiritual world and I became an official ‘seeker.’  There is something to traveling and being amongst such different cultures that causes you to ask the serious questions in this life.  I love how God has brought many people into my path these past years that are also searching… and now I have the opportunity to point them to the truth.  Glory!!

I have posted my schedule my ministry activities in February.  Will you please join me in prayer as I set off to do the Lord’s work?  Thank you so much friends!  Keep me posted with your life so that I may share your joy and join you in prayer.  I love you all in Christ!