Swift to Love

"Life is short and we never have enough time for gladdening the hearts of those who travel with us. O, be swift to love! Make haste to be kind."

-Henri Frederic Amiel

So much of our lives we spend looking to the future: what will I be when I grow up, who will I marry, where will I live, what will I study, who will I impact. That can be really good, don't get me wrong. Looking ahead, planning, creating long-term goals, and seeing God's vision for our lives is great. Just don't get stuck there. God brings us so many opportunities each and every day to touch someone around us, to show love to a stranger, or to speak an honest word of encouragement to a friend. Be sure that you take time to enjoy life each day. Don't get to caught up in what is coming but see it as it comes.

“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.

Some Lyrics To Think About

"Love is like air.

It's like breathing in.

It's like feeling up about to break, and then giving in.

It's like light.You can see it from far away, a match light in the dark becoming light of day.

It's just love and it's everything.

It's a battle fight and a song you sing.

It's just love and you know it's true but you might not know it when it happens to you."

http://www.myspace.com/leemcderment

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

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.

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

Are you listening?

You have so much to be thankful for. You may not drive the nicest car or have the biggest house but God is meeting your needs, isn't he? Just a thought for you today: There is always a need around you. Are you taking notice AND doing something about it or do you just pass by like it is nothing?

"Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered."

Proverbs 21:13

"Is Adoption The Only Way?"

Check out a friend of mine's blog. She has some great things to say on adoption and family:

http://aneverydaytarheel.blogspot.com/2010/11/is-adoption-only-way.html

TIme to Learn pt. 2

Alrighty here is the second part of the Hinduism documentary.

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

Origami

Origami Emotion

Elizabeth Barrette

"Hope is

folding paper canes

even when your hands get cramped

and your eyes tired,

working past blisters and

paper cuts,

simply because something in you

insists on

opening its wings."

I read this poem the other day for one of my classes and fell in love with the ideas that are underlying in it.

To me hope is about so much more than just being optimistic or looking ahead to the future but about putting actions with your words. Even though the dictionary defines hope as a feeling, I believe it is worth so much more than that. If we just 'believe' that something will happen but make no effort towards accomplishing our goal, nothing will ever come of it.

James 2:14-18,20 says:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

...one verse later...

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

In the poem what made the most impact was the fact that even though all hope and any reserved energy seemed to be gone, the worker pressed on and created a beautiful piece. If they had given up just a few steps prior to finishing, they would just end up with crumpled paper but by finishing out the steps, they created a beautiful crane!

In case you would like to know what it takes to make a crane:

What Should I Do With My Life?

Ever wonder how I came up with the crazy idea of using photography to tell stories overseas? Well that would be a really long story and maybe one day I will blog about it but I will show you someone who has inspired me to believe that my dreams really are possible.

Esther Havens is a super talented humanitarian photography. I could go on and on about her but I would just rather if you would take a few minutes to check out some of her work and read her story:

When I was a little girl I was always snapping photos with my pink and blue 110 film camera. At 12 years old, I took "studio" photos of my cats by positioning them the way I wanted. I also dressed up my brother and sister and made them pose and smile while I clicked away. I bought my first Canon digital Rebel in high school and started learning about f-stop's and shutter speed. Since I was home schooled, I graduated early at the age of 16 and started a junior college in Dallas. While there, I fell in love with the darkroom and black and white images. I had some amazing professors who challenged me to see light and shadow differently. I remember seeing Mary Ellen Mark's work in India and being in awe of how she captured the essence of people.

When I was 18, I traveled to India with Youth With a Mission (YWAM). A group of us lived in a village and volunteered with the local charities, including the local Mother Teresa house. India shaped my vision for what I wanted to do. I really fell in love with the people there and for the first time I knew that I would pursue photography. I came back from that trip and wanted nothing more than to photograph for magazines while traveling the world. I knew that travel and fame alone wouldn't satisfy me because I really wanted to help those in need.

The following year I met an inspiring group of people doing exactly what I envisioned - using photography for global change. I started volunteering for nonprofits at first and slowly got jobs with them. At one point I was photographing in the Democratic Republic of Congo when a severely malnourished child walked by. I snapped an image and thought, "What a great shot." I suddenly realized with a horrified feeling that I was photographing for me and not for them. I had started out wanting to help people, but deep inside I was still looking for that image that would make me the best photographer. After that, I vowed to myself to never again take an image for my own sake, but instead to capture images that empower the individuals I'm photographing. While the child's situation was desperate, he could be photographed in a way that would help tell his story in a positive light. To do this, you have to ponder how that image will affect your audience. I could take the image of a child with flies on his face eating dirt, or I could wait till his mom comes lifts him up and maybe a small smile breaks out on his little face.

I've seen some of the worst and most miserable situations on earth but have still found people with hope and joy. Though they have little to give, they greet me with a smile and offer me a place in their home. I have chosen to search for those stories and document them to challenge viewers to not simply view but to act. In my mind, acting can best be done in the form of giving - giving time, giving resources, giving hope. World change can happen if we would all be willing to give up a piece of ourselves to another. It doesn't have to be on a global scale; giving can happen in your neighborhood. Through my photography and my travels, I have learned that in giving you find more of yourself than anywhere else.

http://estherhavens.com/

Human Trafficking Report

This is an a report by IJM. The faith-based International Justice Mission "is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators and to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems." They work across the planet to ensure justice is brought about for those who are being oppressed and to the oppressors. Bet you weren't aware how prevalent these types of issues of slavery are.

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

In honor of my dinner outing tonight:

I had the chance to TrySomethingDifferent (we call them TSDs) tonight with a group of Honors students. We visited a South Indian restaurant near Charlotte. The food was very authentic and delicious. Here are some images of just a few meals that I had while visiting India in 2009.

Where all the magic is made:

Who ever said you couldn't have chicken curry and birthday cake?

Some of the best times were spent just sitting on the floor, drinking chai, and hearing the Family tell stories.

Chokardani: a fun outing with a plate of food filled like this:

A dosa with my adventurous teammates

A second lunch of the day: PB&J with chai and masala flavor chips.