“And it’s going home on furlough when you feel like you have just begun.”

“And it’s going home on furlough when you feel like you have just begun.”

I think I had just begun to settle into my new way of life in India when it was time for me to come back home. The roads didn’t freak me out. The smells were just normal. The food was yummy and cook-able. I think one day I could actually do this myself.

It’s not that the country is the best in the world. They government is corrupt. The people are not always the most welcoming and honest to outsiders. It smells and trash is piled u everywhere. There are major population control problems. The largest population of orphans in the world live within its borders.

You have to go where God is calling you. If you try to fight that, even if means going to a smelly, corrupt country, you will never get over it. Trying to deny what God is calling you to do or to run from it just doesn’t work out. Take it all in stride. Whether it is learning to love someone when it’s hard, giving up a luxury, or moving to a foreign country, if He has called you there, He will prepare the way.

The same promise that God gives to Abraham, He has given to us:

“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

Genesis 12:1

Why in the World?

When I was reentering the USA I had to answer some immigration questions. I had talked with the officer and left him quite confused.

I’m sure his thoughts were something like:
Why would an 18 year-old girl travel to India for 3 weeks by herself? Why would she go and not really purchase that much stuff? What could one do to fill 3 whole weeks ‘touring’ a country?

Thankfully what I have to tell that officer is not al

l there was to my trip.

I got to do so much more. He probably wouldn’t have understood, actually I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t.

“Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint”

He could not understand.

I got to be part of a move of God. I saw people being

transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lives were changed and destinies altered.

Foreigners entered a land that they had never given thought to before. They will never be the same. How could they? They left their country, their families, and gave up their idea of a regular Christmas to experience India and begin a partnership. Forever their lives will be tied to God’s work in India. They can no longer pretend that all they know is their own country and lifestyle.

The nearly 30 visitors to Nagpur, India, have seen part of how God is working in India. They now carry the vision of this ministry. I pray that all of us, me included, will fervently lift up the work of God and that we would join with the body of Christ, that we would never be able to forget what we saw during our trip, and that we could accurately portray the vision of this ministry.

Kyle

During my time this year in India, I got to interact with and get to know the Crossroads team that was there. One of the people I came to know better was Kyle Wilkinson. If you don't know him, you probably should. He is a true worshipper in so many senses of the word. He leads worship through music but he also uses his everyday life interactions to express his worship.

He recently wrote a blog about his experience while being in India.

Please take the time to watch his videos and check out some of his pictures (which are partially mine). He will help you see a fresh, new perspective on this whole thing.

http://kylewilkinson.tumblr.com/

WOW

Wow, oh, wow. It has been forever since I've posted. Most of that is due to my 3 weeks in India and then my slow jet-lag recovery.

So, you may be thinking, "How was India for the 3rd time?"

My answer w

ould either be short and to the point or more likely long and full of fun stories. Hopefully over the next few posts, I can fill you in.

Probably one of the best things that made this trip so different than my previous two was the amount of time and quality of time that I got to spend with the female Bible students and children. I stayed in a house just up the road from their hostel and thus we were always back

and forth to their hostel. I was able to interact with them on a more normal playing field. I was no longer just another visiting American, I was a

neighbor and friend.

Another awesome part of my 'job' while in India this Christmas was that my responsibility was these three kids. They are absolutely wonderful children. I got to play a behind-the-scenes role by helping take care of the kids, do laundry, cook, and clean. Since I was working on some of the household duties, this freed up time for my family, Rachel and Amol, to really pour their time and effort into the Crossroads team.

I am really thankful that God allowed me to be a part of Christmas 2010 in India! He has continued to work in my heart, clarifying my call and placing bigger dreams in my heart.

More to come!

I'm going to India

Today I leave for India.

I am overwhelmed with excitement and expectation of what God is going to do in me and through me. This trip has been a long-time coming and yet it feels like I just got back from my first Christmas in India.

I am going in with few expectations but just with an expecting heart. I know that HE has something special to teach me while I am gone.

I know I am going to struggle. It is hard to be gone to another country and culture for almost a month, living in a house with 3 small children, and having a roommate. All of that is overcome with patience and understanding.

I love the fact that I get to pour into three missionary kids' lives. They are the future hope of India. They get a unique perspective into how ministry is run within their country. They speak the language and understand the locals, thus being perfectly positioned to minster. The potential of those three is awesome. God has great things in mind for them.

I plan to return to America as a refined Chai Wallah. I should be able to host a huge party, cook for them, and make them all tea. I might even learn how to cook some Indian food! Anyone feeling an Indian night coming on?

I plan (internet willing) to keep posting at least a few times during my trip (and of course afterwards). I would love to let you see my daily life, the beautiful culture I get to be a part of, the family I get to have Christmas with, and anything else that may be part of Christmas in India 2010!

Please keep me in your prayers as I travel today and during the duration of my trip. The Crossroads Worldwide Team will follow me, leaving out next Thursday. Pray that I and the team would bond with one another, travel well, stay healthy, and most of all be sensitive to HIS guiding and teaching during our time in India.

emBRACE India

These are for sale ($1.50) and proceeds are going to benefit my trip to India this year and the ministry that I am going to work with and you've probably read about on here before, Crosspoint of India.

The bracelets are a mustard yellow and everyone knows yellow is a neutral, so you can wear it with anything and everything!

I leave in 8 days for my 3-week trip to Central India. I have been overwhelmed by God's goodness in my support raising. My trip is fully paid for and the plans are falling into place.

Thank you for your prayers and support. I am believing God for big things this Christmas season in India.

*Let me know if you are interested in purchasing bracelets in support of this amazing ministry.