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.

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.

Time to Learn Pt 4

• This section of the Hinduism documentary discusses some of the influences of Islam. It is really interesting to see how one religion can influence another and how they migrate within a region.
• Another interesting point is how the Krishna of Hinduism relates to Jesus in Christianity.
• It also begins telling the story of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of non-violent revolution in India.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1302EhyCf4&feature=related

CNN Hero

"Food is one part. Love is the other part."

Think about what he said: "What is the ultimate purpose of life? It is to give. Start giving."

This man comes from a Hindu family of high society. He doesn't have to care for these people, in fact his religion and culture discourage it. Yet, he sees that there is a gap between what 'they' say and our normal human nature. This man who has no reason to serve, does. Why is the Christian church, who has everything to give and the best reason of all to serve, not?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_3BEwpv0dM&feature=player_embedded

To Me

Hope is:

Belief in what you can't see.

Looking for a better tomorrow.

Seeing a problem as a project to take on.

Pursuing peace.

Loving people.

Acting on what you say.

Being more than a face.

Getting down and dirty.

Touching the least of these.

Never giving up.

Knowing what you do makes tomorrow better than today.

Laughing at politics.

Leveraging all you've got.

The power of a simple word.

Working your hardest and being satisfied with that.

Taking time for the little things.

Blood. Sweat. Tears.

The love of the Father.

Time to Learn pt. 3

Here is the 3rd section of a Youtube series about Hinduism. Take the few minutes to watch; it will open your eyes to the Hindu way of life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZavKqW7m08&feature=related

TIme to Learn pt. 2

Alrighty here is the second part of the Hinduism documentary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEJNbdn9t20

Time to Learn pt. 1

This is the first of several videos that documents Hinduism. It is rich in history but also gives good insight into the peoples' lives by their religion. It's about 9 minutes but worth the time (be glad I didn't post all of the documentary here at once).

Enjoy! There will be more to come...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKE7enkhZyo&feature=related

Message from Hillsong

"How often do we see something then just simply just change the channel?"

"Who are we to judge as if we were any better?"

"We say that's not right. That's not fair. All too often that's all we do because to do anymore is actually going to cost us something."

"When we ignore the orphan and the widow in their distress we actually add to their pain."

http://www.theiheartfilm.com/

Feet

I have always hated the way that my feet look. One verse that was brought to my attention over and over again in India was Romans 10:15. I had a hard time really grasping that feet even humanly ugly ones, can be the instrument of God. It is so true though. God really does love to use unlikely tools and people to do his work.

Here is that scripture. Read it and think, what are you doing to use your beautiful feet? Where do they take you?

Romans 10:14-15

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010:14-15&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+52:7&version=NIV

Dry and Thirsty Land

For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2

The spiritual condition in India is as diverse as the terrain of the country. There are mountains with snow, deserts with hot, dry sand, but also luscious green fields. You can find Hindus, Muslims, deists, Catholics, atheists, and Christians living within the country's boundaries. God is evidently moving in one area but seemingly absent in another. He is always moving and acting,we just don't always see how. It is important to keep that mindset when observing countries like India. I feel this need to be a "knight in shinning armor" out to save the world from Hell, but God reminds me that in his time the people will know him.