A lot has happened since I last blogged. I realize now that
I never really revealed much of what my experience in India or the ministry
there was REALLY like. Bangalore is a
city of about 8 million people and very westernized. One of our contacts told
me it was the best city in India to be in as far as technology and how well
traveled the people are and the weather and things like that. The majority of the people spoke
at least a little English, most who do want to practice their skills.
We soon learned how to use the public bus transportation “system�
and how to barter with auto drivers to get around the city. Because of the Christmas season our contacts
changed rather frequently as did our ministry. We did everything from park
evangelism to prayer walks to kids programs to speaking in churches to helping
out a special needs school and everything in between. It was a pretty scattered
month actually as far as “ministry� went.
Getting henna! Hitching a ride back to town!
My team of seven women was paired with another all girls
team of 5 so there were 12 of us total living in 3 bedrooms. That part went
surprisingly well with that many women living and working so closely together.
It shocked even me with how much I liked it! I know for most of us though it
was a rather hard, oppressive month. Most, if not all, of us were away from our
families for Christmas for the very first time. The newness of the Race was
wearing off. Satan shouted his lies to us even louder. Passion to do ministry was hard to muster up. In the midst of all of this the Good Shepherd was still leading us. His hand was still upon us. He still spoke to us even though a lot of the time we were hard of hearing or too busy crying to ourselves to hear Him.
Kids Program for Children from the Slums
I’ve wanted to go to
India for some reason since about 2007 so when I saw India on this route I was
super pumped. It was the country I was most excited about on the Race actually.
I left India feeling like I didn’t really get to know her. She has so many
different people groups and languages and religions that I feel like I only got
a tiny taste of her. I honestly don’t know why I’ve felt the need to go to
India. I can’t say that anything that happened this past month seemed any more
monumental than any other month. I know that God knows why, and that’ll have to
be enough for me right now.
“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.”
Psalm 23:3-4 (NLT)
